As the coronavirus has provided an Advent and upcoming Christmas season unlike any other in the Diocese of Camden this year, with gathering restrictions changing many annual parish traditions, the Camden Diocese’s Office of Missionary Discipleship is making sure Catholics “still feel part of the faith community” of South Jersey this month to celebrate the Savior’s coming, says its director, Donna Ottaviano-Britt.
Her office has planned pre-recorded and livestreamed events for all ages to keep their hearts merry and bright — candle lightings, holy hours, nights of music and even holiday baking.
“People want an Advent that still feels like Advent,” Ottaviano-Britt says, and these programs “will provide content directly into people’s homes across the diocese and enrich their spiritual lives.”
The varied content has a lot of “richness,” she adds.
“We’re enhancing the experience of the season. Advent can’t be cancelled.”
The programs can be found on the various diocesan social media channels on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CamdenDiocese), Twitter (https://twitter.com/camdendiocese), and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/CamdenDiocese) the day of the event, and is archived for those wishing to view it throughout the season.
Past events available now include Advent Candle Lightings; an Evening of Reflection with the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal; and a Christmas retreat with Father Michael Goyette, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes, Collings Lakes.
Ottaviano-Britt is positive that this Advent and Christmas content will go down as smooth as egg nog, refreshing Catholics weary of 2020 and looking for a thrill of hope.
Viewers “will wake up on Christmas morning, fully present to baby Jesus, and committed to discipleship.”
The upcoming programs include:
— Saturday, Dec. 12: Advent Candle Lighting; Tree-Lighting, Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish, Northfield, 4:30 p.m.
— Wednesday, Dec. 16: Man Up Holy Hour
— Thursday, Dec. 17: O Antiphon 1; Advent Music and Scripture Reflection, Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, Wildwood
— Friday, Dec. 18: O Antiphon 2; Posada: Journey to the Inn, 6:30 p.m.
— Saturday, Dec. 19: O Antiphon 3; Advent Candle Lighting
— Sunday, Dec. 20: O Antiphon 4
— Monday, Dec. 21: O Antiphon 5
— Tuesday, Dec. 22: O Antiphon 6
— Wednesday, Dec. 23: O Antiphon 7
— Thursday, Dec. 24: Advent Candle; Special episode
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