Advent: A Season of Giving

From Our Lay Directors:

De Colores brothers and sisters in Christ!

We are beginning the “season of giving”, as they call it. Why is it during this time of year? Why is it during advent? Because advent “emphasizes the spiritual and physical generosity of God, who gave the gift of Jesus, and encourages Christians to reflect on and imitate that generosity through acts of service, prayer, and giving to others in need.

For God so loved the world, that he gave us his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should have eternal life.” John 3:16.

I love seeing how people are more joyful, have more patience with one another and are willing to dig deep into their pockets this time of year, especially, to help those in need. There is a Spirit of giving and joy and hope in the air! The Spirit of the Christ Child.

God loves us so much that he gave us his Son. Have you ever thought about it? Really taken the time to absorb how much this love is? Try looking at it through another light… Would you be willing to give up your child for the sins of the world? …. It’s unfathomable to me and makes me want to be the best version of myself I possibly can for Him.

We pray you all make this “season of giving”, be a season of living for the Christ Child. May it be a time filled with God’s joy, peace, love, and forgiveness. Give from your hearts to bring Him joy. And take time this Blessed season to truly contemplate and share Gods wonderful, amazing love for us all! We are so very blessed!

Christmas Blessings, Karen Fritsch (kittyrg1967@gmail.com)

Troy Peebles (tpeebles411@yahoo.com)

Advent: A Season of Gratefulness

From Our Spiritual Advisor:

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” This verse is from Ecclesiastes 3:1–11 is a frequent first reading for funeral Masses. In Ecclesiastes, the ancient wisdom scripture writers were trying to pass along the knowledge, wisdom, instruction, and tradition of the faith to the younger Israelites. They do so to us as well. The words of this scripture passage show us God’s presence in all situations. But do we let him into all aspects of our life? Pondering this scripture passage in preparation for a recent funeral, it seems to me this passage applies to Advent too. As we enter Advent, Ecclesiastes reminds us that God weaves all moments—joy and sorrow, waiting and fulfillment—into His eternal plan. Advent itself is a season of holy waiting, a time to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming, both in Bethlehem and at the end of time. It is a time for us to remind ourselves to let God into our daily lives.

In this rhythm of seasons, we are invited to let the Holy Trinity dwell in every aspect of our daily lives. The Father gives us life and purpose, the Son redeems our time through His Incarnation, and the Spirit sanctifies our ordinary moments. When we welcome the Trinity into our learning, our work, our families, our joys, and even our struggles, we discover that no season is wasted. Each moment becomes an opportunity for grace.

Gratefulness is the posture that allows us to see God’s hand in all things. Even in Northwest Ohio’s harvested fields of late fall and early winter, where the earth seems barren, gratitude teaches us to trust that God is at work beneath the surface. Advent gratitude is not passive—it is active, opening our eyes to blessings hidden in daily life: the love of family, the warmth of community, the gift of faith, the hope of Christ’s light breaking into darkness.

This gratitude naturally flows into action through mercy, especially the Corporal Works of Mercy. Feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned, and burying the dead are not tasks for another season—they are Advent acts of preparation. My home parish of All Saints in New Riegel, recently installed new windows in our church. The beautiful windows are illustrations of the Last Judgement and the Corporal Works of Mercy. They serve as a perfect stop for an Advent pilgrimage. For those who gaze upon them, these windows serve to instruct, inspire, and challenge: A challenge see God’s presence in all situations and a challenge to love our neighbor and even our enemy. They also serve as an examination of conscience as we contemplate how well we live out the Corporal Works of Mercy and what that means for our final judgement. By serving Christ in our neighbor, we make room for Him in our hearts. In a world often marked by division and weariness, mercy becomes the sign that Emmanuel—God with us—is truly present not just in Advent but throughout the year.

As Cursillistas, we are called to let God into all parts of our lives. We are called to live the message of His Incarnate Word with joy and perseverance. Advent is not only about waiting; it is about embodying Christ’s love in the here and now. Let us embrace this season with grateful hearts, attentive to the Trinity’s presence, and committed to mercy in action. In doing so, we proclaim that every time and season belongs to God, and that His coming is not only near—it is already among us.

De Colores!

Deacon Greg Siebenaller (made my Cursillo in late November 1987)

Thankful in All Things?

From Our Lay Directors:

DeColores my brothers and sisters in Christ! 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Most of the time I view myself as a very thankful person. God has given me so much and for that I am thankful! In this verse from Thessalonians, the one word that trips a lot of people up, including myself from time to time, is the word “ALL”. Is it possible to be thankful in ALL circumstances? 

When you lose your job, or your car won’t start, or your favorite football team loses are you thankful? How about missing a deadline at work, the weather keeping loved ones from making it home for the holidays, or losing a loved one, are you thankful? Probably not! 

But I am thankful that I (we) have a good, loving, giving and merciful God who gives us the strength to get through these difficult times. Phil. 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Whether on our own, or through the help of family and friends, God gives us His strength at ALL times. We know this because he never leaves us and as it states in Jer. 29:11 “For I know the plan I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I may not know what my future holds, but I do know it’s in God’s hands. 

And even in these things we need to thank God. For through these tough times God is changing us, shaping us into who He needs and wants us to be to bring about His glory. We are fulfilling our destiny given by Him. We are His children, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. And for this, I am eternally thankful! 

Blessings, 

Karen Fritsch (kittyrg1967@gmail.com) 

Troy Peebles (tpeebles1007@gmail.com)