Advent Opportunities & Resources
Our parish theme for Advent is “Blessed Are You Who Believe.” We look to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who trusted fully in God’s promises and embraced her call to motherhood with faith and grace. Advent invites us to slow down, reflect, and trust that God will guide us, just as Mary did.
This season is a time to pause amid the rush and center ourselves through prayer, reflection, and service. Our parish offers many opportunities, below, to help you stay spiritually grounded as we prepare for Christmas. Don’t worry—everything always comes together, just as it does every year. Let us journey through Advent with faith, hope, and the reassurance that God’s light will guide us.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Join us for the 9:30 a.m. Mass. We will have a nice breakfast reception afterwards to celebrate and honor the patron saint of our parish
▶︎ Sunday, December 8th
9:30 a.m. Mass at Immaculate Conception Church followed by a breakfast reception
Check Out our Advent Reflection Groups
Come on Tuesday nights, November 26 to December 17th for our Encountering Emmanuel reflection groups. Each night will begin with a brief video to launch us into a deeper discussion of how we are preparing to encounter Jesus this season.
▶︎ Tuesdays at 6-7:15 p.m.
November 26 to December 17th
Immaculate Conception Church
Meditate with
Word Among Us
The Word Among Us offers daily meditations based on the Mass readings, inspirational essays, and stories of the saints. The mission of The Word Among Us is to assist people in reading, meditating on and understanding scripture and to provide sound, practical advice for Catholics on the living out of the Christian life.
Give Through Our Giving Tree Program
Help make Christmas merry and bright for the families of the incarcerated via the Kolbe House Jail Ministry, our parish refugee families and our Sharing Parish, Mother of the Americas.
Attend
Weekday Masses
This Advent, consider attending morning Mass at St. Joseph Church to help you pause and stay spiritually grounded as we prepare for Christmas. It’s a great way to begin your day and keep you focused.
▶︎ Monday, Wednesday and Friday
9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church
Reflect with
Loyola Press
Practical ways to observe the holiness of the season in our everyday lives amid the flurry of Christmas preparations.
Reflect with Formed
Embark on a powerful journey through Rooted: Rediscover the Jesse Tree with Dr. Scott Hefelfinger. In just 7 minutes a day, explore Scripture, uncover the stories of Christ’s ancestors, and experience meaningful Advent reflections that connect faith to your daily life.
▶︎ Visit Formed
Advent Morning of Reflection: “The Challenge to Live Peace”
Peace is elusive—both on the world stage and in our own lives. Maintaining a peaceful outlook can be difficult. How do we learn to live from a peace-filled inner life? Spend a peaceful morning of reflection with Fr. McBrady and Elly Rodriguez.
▶︎ Saturday, December 14th
8:30: Refreshments
9–11:00 a.m: Reflection
Immaculate Conception Church
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Throughout Lent, 4-year-old to 3rd Grade children are welcome to join one of our ICSJ school teachers for Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 9:30 a.m. Mass at IC Church. During the beginning of Mass, children will hear the Word of God, pray with friends, and do a small craft related to the Gospel. Children return to their parents' pews after the Prayers of the Faithful. Give it a try!
Reflect with Word on Fire
Word on Fire offers reflections from Bishop Bob Barron who is an author, speaker, and theologian. Bishop Barron was born and raised in Chicago and is now serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.