Tag: Advent

‘You won’t want to miss it:’ Simbang Gabi’s popularity prompts Diocese to move Mass to larger venue

An estimated 10,000 Filipino Catholics make their home in the Diocese of Phoenix. Many hold culturally rooted faith traditions close to their heart, perhaps none stronger than Simbang Gabi, a novena leading up to Christmas that recalls the nine months the Virgin Mary carried the Christ child before giving birth. Pronounced “sihm–BAHNG gah-BEE,” the celebration has been a staple of the season for Filipino Catholics across the world for hundreds of years and is part of the December calendar for a half dozen parishes in the diocese with Filipino populations. 

Christ in our Neighborhood: Fourth Sunday of Advent (Cycle A)

NOTE: Christ in Our Neighborhood is a parish-based program consisting of small Christian communities that gather in the home weekly to prayerfully discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. It’s easy to form a community and you can find out more by searching “Christ in Our Neighborhood at the Diocese of Phoenix website, dphx.org. This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The Christ in Our Neighborhood commentary asks us: How can I be awakened from my sleep and take Jesus into my heart and home this Christmas?

Christ in our Neighborhood: Third Sunday in Advent (Cycle A)

NOTE: Christ in Our Neighborhood is a parish-based program consisting of small Christian communities that gather in the home weekly to prayerfully discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. It’s easy to form a community and you can find out more by searching “Christ in Our Neighborhood at the Diocese of Phoenix website, dphx.org. This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent. How do I allow the joy of salvation to overcome inner emptiness in my life?

Christ in our Neighborhood: Second Sunday in Advent (Cycle A)

NOTE: Christ in Our Neighborhood is a parish-based program consisting of small Christian communities that gather in the home weekly to prayerfully discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. It’s easy to form a community and you can find out more by searching “Christ in Our Neighborhood at the Diocese of Phoenix website, dphx.org. This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. The Christ in Our Neighborhood commentary asks us to consider this question: How will repentance affect my spiritual growth during Advent and lead me to Christmas?

This is my body given up for you: Pregnancy during Advent

Have you ever encountered a pregnant woman during the season of advent? At first you may notice her big belly, waddling walk and, perhaps, queasy expression. Those who pause to take a second look with eyes of faith will see something much more: They will see a living tabernacle which mirrors and holds the creative […]

Finding Hope on the Advent Journey

Things did not go as planned the first Christmas. Probably right around the time Mary and Joseph were settling in to wait for the arrival of their newborn baby, Ceasar Augustus announced that a census was taking place, and Joseph took Mary to the city of Bethlehem for their family to be enrolled. As we know, while they were there Mary went into labor and gave birth to the King of kings in a stable because there wasn’t room for them anywhere else.