Anticipation and Preparation
Dear Mater Dei Community,
Blessings to you this Advent as we await with joy the coming of Christ into our hearts. It is a time of anticipation and preparation. In this month’s newsletter, we share about our own preparations at Mater Dei, including Advent traditions and a service project to assist those in need during Christmas.
As we close out this calendar year, please keep our apostolate in your prayers. We are humbled by your continued support. May God bless you as you prepare for a joyous Christmas season and new year.
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Ad Jesum Per Mariam
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Day-to-Day at Mater Dei
Our fall semester staff meeting was fruitful for reviewing the Mater Dei mission, sharing best practices, and discussing opportunities for growth. Most importantly, it was a time for building relationships and "esprit de corps". Esprit de corps was also developed among the students during a massive impromptu snowball fight on the first snowfall of the year. The excitement of the first snowfall seems a distant memory now, as we endure the current blizzard conditions in the Northland.
Service Project
Our December service project took place at the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) in Duluth. The students sorted and organized Christmas gift donations, which were stored in two of the UGM apartment rooms. They cleared the donations out of the rooms (which can now be occupied by new tenants), sorted/organized everything, and then brought them to another temporary storage area.
The UGM staff was tearing up with gratitude. They calculated that it would've taken their staff 60+ hours to accomplish the same amount of work! It was an honor to serve this great ministry. We are so thankful for the work they do to provide food, shelter, and hope to so many people within our community.
Advent Traditions
The third Sunday in Advent is "Gaudete Sunday" and the Church calls us to rejoice as we anticipate the approach of the Christmas celebration. At Mater Dei, we celebrate "Gaudete Spirit Week" as we head into our long Christmas break. On Monday, students wear Christmas headbands and headgear. On Tuesday, students are invited to wear pink, signifying the pink gaudete candle. Wednesday is for cozy Christmas socks and slippers, and Thursday is reserved for an ugly Christmas sweater contest.
We continue our tradition of lighting the Advent wreath candles as we gather for Morning Prayer. The sound of the ancient hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, resounds through the hallways and in our hearts as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
