Advent Mission at St. Jane's; half way home

If all the recent changes at St. Jane's with the mass schedule and the introduction of the Mass in the EF were not enough, and all the normal ministries that make St. Jane's so awesome, we are also smack in the middle of our Advent Mission.  Fr. Jim Ward, a Vincentian Priest, real-life nurse and gifted speaker is presenting our Advent Mission.

After attending every Mass this weekend to introduce the Mission, Fr. Ward begin last night with his agenda of Mass, followed by his presentation, followed by questions & answers and finally, confessions until.  It makes for quite a busy night.  We begin at 6 with the Mass and end, depending on number of confessions, at nine.  Each night Fr. Ward presents a new topic.  We began last night with an overview of Mary's role in salvation history, stressing her experiences from the Gospel of Luke from the Annunciation, the Visitation, traveling to Bethlehem, the birth of her Son and our Savior and the flight into Egypt.  He also told us the story of St. Catherine Laboure and the Miraculous Medal.  Tonight Fr. Ward explored 5 of the Sacraments and the economy of the Sacramental life of the Church.  We touched on every Sacrament but Reconciliation and Eucharist as those will be the sole focus of the next two evenings.  We explored Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders!

Fr. Ward is an easy presenter, commanding the subject matter with a style that puts the participants at ease, drawing us in to the presentation.  His insistent of beginning each night with Mass and ending with Reconciliation helps to place us in the true spirit of preparation and hope that is Advent.

Now some of you reading this live not far from beautiful Abita Springs so please come out tomorrow or Thursday night or both.  The manner in which Fr. Ward has structured this Advent Mission allows you to come by tomorrow and not really have missed a thing.  Spending the entire evening on Reconciliation tomorrow night will also prepare us for another evening of offering Confessions.

Advent Mission at St. Jane's is well underway but also waiting for you, even if you have not attending a session yet.  And remember, Mass starts at 6 PM!