Totino-Grace

 

In the season of Advent, the church prepares to celebrate the coming of Jesus. We recall the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future with hope. We prepare to celebrate not only the birth of Jesus but His presence in our family. We wait for the return of the Lord at the end of time when all hope will be fulfilled. We await the coming of the light that will shine in the darkness, shining light on our path to peace. 

The De La Salle Christian Brothers of the Midwest District created a video to help us remember and share what the Advent Liturgical Season is all about.

“Let us open our hearts to receive the grace of this Advent season, which is Christ himself, whom God our Father has revealed to the entire world. Where God is born, hope is born. Where God is born, peace is born. And where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war.”

- Pope Francis

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time, and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36).

As a sacred season of hope and longing, waiting in anticipation for the coming of Jesus, Advent offers us an opportunity for spiritual preparation, growth and development as we continue our journey towards a life of faith and hope, love and peace, and everlasting joy. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the world, and the routine or hectic schedule of everyday living - what can you do to prepare yourself during this Advent season?

Advent’s grace is there to be shared with those in need. This Advent, as we remind ourselves that we are Hands of Hope, we are challenged by Pope Francis to think about who this Advent needs our grace. “Advent invites us to a commitment to vigilance, looking beyond ourselves, expanding our mind and heart in order to open ourselves up to the needs of people, of brothers and sisters, and to the desire for a new world. It is the desire of many people tormented by hunger, by injustice and by war. It is the desire of the poor, the weak, the abandoned. This is a favorable time to open our hearts, to ask ourselves concrete questions about how and for whom we expand our lives.” - Pope Francis

Advent Opportunities at TG

Advent Giving Tree: Our annual Giving Tree fundraiser is focused on collecting gifts for kids, specifically teenagers, who are experiencing homelessness and live at Mary's Place in Minneapolis and other youth shelters. Items can be brought unwrapped to the campus ministry office.

Items Needed:

  • Winter coats
  • Sweatshirts
  • Hats, gloves, scarves
  • Winter boots
  • Wool/warm socks
  • Fast food gift cards (e.g. Jimmy Johns, Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Subway) 
  • Shampoos, body washes, and lotion
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Card games
  • Basketball and footballs 
  • Google Play and Apple Store gift cards 
  • Cash Donations

Immaculate Conception Mass: Thursday, December 8, at 10:45 a.m. Totino-Grace students, faculty and staff will celebrate the feast of the Immaculate conception with an all school mass. 

Advent Reconciliation: Reconciliation will be offered to students and staff on Tuesday, December 13. Students will be able to receive the Sacrament during their theology classes, open period, or lunch. 

Advent Wall Calendar: Each day students, faculty, and staff will be able to countdown the days until Christmas by checking out the Lasallian Advent Calendar Wall. Each day the calendar will reveal a new fact, quotation, or challenges for us to participate in this advent season. 

Mass Before Christmas Break: Students, faculty, and staff, community members and alumni will celebrate Advent and Christmas with Mass on Wednesday, December 21 at 10 a.m.