Prepare
Together
Advent at the St. John Paul II Parish Family
Has the Gospel story ever overwhelmed you—not just informed you, but
moved you to surrender your entire life to Jesus? St. John Paul II taught that
an ardent proclamation of Christ’s message should do just that.
This Advent we will be preparing our hearts for the Nativity by reclaiming
this remarkable story of hope. We’ll focus on four “big questions” to help us
understand the profound reason why the eternal Son of God became man.
The mission of Jesus was nothing less than to rescue us.
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Join us!
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Sign up to receive our Advent reflection emails throughout the season of Advent.​
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Journey through Advent using The Advent of Rescue devotional. This daily guide is designed to help you prayerfully explore the season and find Christ-centered answers to life's deepest questions. Download information is below. Weekly reflection questions will be posted below.
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Prepare Together this Advent
Connect with us
during Advent
Rescued Book Discussion
If you’ve been inspired by our priest’s homily series during Advent, featuring the four questions that frame the gospel story as presented in the book Rescued by Fr. John Riccardo, consider joining the book discussion that will take place with our OCIA participants (those on the journey to becoming Catholic).
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DATES: DEC 30 (Tuesday), JAN 8, 15, 22, 29; FEB 5 (Thursdays)​
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TIME: 6:00-7:15 PM
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LOCATION: St. Mary of the Assumption, Fr. James Manning Parish Center
Proclaiming an Advent of Hope & Rescue
Rediscover the story we’re presenting (or more accurately, re-presenting) this Advent. It’s the story of who Jesus is, what he has done, and what he’s asking of me. This story can be understood by answering four “big questions” about life, about human existence:
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Why is there something rather than nothing?
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Why is everything so obviously messed up?
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What, if anything, has God done about it?
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If God has done something, how should I respond?
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This year, to go along with our Advent devotional, each priest will be addressing the above questions in a homily series on the four Sundays of Advent. These homilies and our Advent of Hope and Rescue is based on the book Rescued* by Fr. John Riccardo. If you would like to purchase that book, you can do so here.
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*Riccardo, Fr. John. Rescued. The Word Among Us Press, 2020
Created
Week 1 - Why is there something rather than nothing?
Why am I here?
Now there’s a question for you. And it’s not the same as, “How did I get here?” The origin of the universe is something science can try to address, but it’s not equipped to answer why. And until you know the meaning and purpose of your life, you will not experience lasting peace and happiness.
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Captured
Week 2 - Why is everything so obviously messed up?
What the heck happened?
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The beginning of our story is so beautiful. Behold the spectacular creation and its magnificent Author—an omnipotent God whose greatest, most cherished creation is the human person, made in his image, destined for eternal friendship, and known by him intimately.
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Rescued
Week 3 - What, if anything, has God done about it?​
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Has God intervened in our hopeless predicament?
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Yes! He didn't merely observe from heaven. He, the King of Creation, willingly abandoned His throne, descending into the battle like a front-line soldier to personally rescue us from capture and secure our freedom. This was foretold by the prophet Isaiah:
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​Can prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? Surely, thus says the LORD: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children…Then all flesh shall know that I am the LORD your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob” Isaiah 49:24-26.
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Response
If God has done something, how should I respond?
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If someone saves your life, what is the appropriate response?
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Suppose you are about to be run over by an oncoming car and at the last moment a bystander pushes you out of the way and absorbs the blow. Severely injured and paralyzed, how would you thank that man or woman for saving your life? If you went to their hospital room, said thanks, and gave the person a $20 bill, wouldn’t that be so inadequate? Wouldn’t your $20 bill be more ingratitude than gratitude?
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Raised
Where is all this heading?
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This new fifth question provides the "Final Act" to the story, transforming our current efforts from a temporary struggle into a journey toward a definitive home. If the Gospel story begins with our Creation and moves through the tragedy of our Capture to our climactic Rescue and our free Response, the ultimate question remains: Where is all this heading? The answer is found in the word Raised.
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Our Lady of Good Hope | (937) 866-1432
Office Hours: M, TH, F | 10:00 am-3:00 pm
W | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
St. Mary of the Assumption | (937) 557-1711
Office Hours: M-F | 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
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St. Henry | (937) 434-9231
Office Hours: M-F | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Bishop Leibold School | 937-434-9343
Bishopleibold.org
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