"Preach
     the Gospel
       always, and
    when necessary
    use words"
-St Francis of Assisi-
 
 
 Social Ministry
 
          SEEK CHRIST!
         SEEK SIMPLICITY for Christmas.
Our "ADVENT Effort" at St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Christmas:  Christ or Consumerism?

I recently read in a copy of Our Sunday Visitor a description of Advent: “Advent is the season in which we prepare for the great celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas.  During these four weeks we are invited to contemplate the richness of God’s gift to us in Christ…”

I don’t know about you, but when I experience the season of Advent, it’s often hard for me to find the time to contemplate anything except my seemingly endless shopping lists, cooking and cleaning in preparation of guests, decorating my home and Christmas tree, sending out cards, and doing the hundreds of other chores that seem to come along with the Christmas season.

Many of us feel burned out by the hustle and bustle of Christmas, especially when merchants start the season in October.  With all the consumerism that surrounds the holiday, it’s sometimes hard to find Jesus in it at all. 

Because of this, some people try to take a different path, to simplify their lives just a little bit, and to recall the real meaning of Christmas.  Over the next few weeks, we will be promoting different ways to think about Christmas; different ways of seeking peace during this season of peace.

We will Sample Fairly Traded Coffee on Sunday, December 9 after 8:45 & 10:30AM Masses in the PAC. 
 
Practical   Tips & Stories
our Forum front page will focus on
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(Also, in Word document format)
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  • Success STORIES... Fresh Ideas...
Our use of the word "SIMPLICITY" means
doing things that are more "IN LINE" 
with WHO & what we are about. 
("SIMPLICITY" does NOT mean that we will do nothing.)
We want to hear your fresh ideas on 
simple new ways to celebrate Christmas and 
to honor Jesus on his birthday!

Have you tried to 
celebrate Christmas differently? 

Share your success stories 
with others in our parish.

Have you felt overwhelmed
about the pressure of Christmas Gift Giving?

Be Proactive for ADVENT and Christmas time. 

Send your stories to Kelly Gauthier (769-0807) 


To prepare in true Christ like fashion we want to:
 S implify our lives with preventing distractions, look for ways to support and gift give that adds to other's lives rather just adding things.
 E xcite our souls  with spiritual growth
 E njoy the true meaning of CHRIST'S birth with love for our neighbor and the stranger
 K indle Christ's love thru our actions.

You are invited to share your ideas about ways to celebrate a simpler Christmas.   We at St. Francis Parish already have many good outreach programs for Advent including: our individual acts of good will, the giving tree to help the poor, our charity meal & Christmas party for Perry Nursery School / Safe House.   We have room for additional ideas to enhance our search for Christ as a parish community. Would you join us?  Please contact:

Kelly Gauthier (769-0807) 
Mary Ellen White (747-9411) 
Mary Wakefield (973-6113) 
or, the Parish Social Ministry Office, 
Scott Wright (734-821-2121)  .
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Parish Social Ministry Office, 
2150 Frieze Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

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