Hope, love, joy and peace are alive in our OCSB classrooms and offices as we prepare for Advent. Students have decorated the school walls; staff have brightened their workspaces with Christmas ornaments and wreaths, and classroom prayer tables are being equipped with purple and pink candles to be lit during each week of Advent.
Advent is a time of physical and spiritual preparation for Christmas. As a Catholic community, we can set aside time for prayer and reflection, listen to festive music, light the Advent Wreath and set up our Nativity Scene.
Advent is a season to live out our discipleship through acts of charity. We recognize service activities will be more challenging to participate in 2020, but you can reach out to your local parish to find out how you can be of service to those within your parish. We also know the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is looking for assistance with their Helping Needy Neighbours Food Drive. This year the needs are significant, and the donations are fewer. Any assistance is much appreciated. You can drop off gift cards from stores such as Food Basics, Walmart, or Giant Tiger at the OCSB Religious and Family Education Department at the Board office (570 West Hunt Club Road), or you reach out to St. Vincent de Paul directly at 1273 Wellington St. W, Ottawa.
It is so important to spread and share the joy of Advent and Christmas. We would love to share in your celebrations and initiatives by using #ocsbAdvent and #ocsbRE on social media. If you’re posting to Twitter, tag @ocsbRE so our Religious and Family Education team can see your Good News!
Hopefully, these suggestions provide you with some ideas to celebrate Advent and Christmas in a new and more profound way in this unique year. May you and your loved ones have a very joyous Advent and a Merry Christmas!