Friends of Blessed Sacrament,

This weekend, our Catholic Church ushers in the Holy Season of Advent. Advent is the season of preparation for the commemoration of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. In her wisdom, our Catholic Church sets aside four weeks to help the faithful to prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ-child.

The weeks leading up to Christmas are very busy for almost everyone in our society.  There are parties to prepare for, gifts to purchase, baked goods to make for our loved ones.  Houses are being cleaned for holiday guests, Christmas decorations are being taken out of storage, and perfect meals are being planned.  We forget, however, that in order to get to Christmas, we must first journey through Advent.  More importantly, it is only when we take a step back from the busyness of the holiday season and chaos of life that we find God’s voice in the silence of our hearts.

This year, I have selected #WaitingInSilence as our theme for Advent as we journey together towards Christmas.  The theme is based on Carey Landry’s hymn, Waiting in Silence.  The first verse in the song reads:

“Waiting in silence, waiting in hope; we are your people, we long for you, Lord. God ever with us, Emmanuel, come, Lord Jesus, Maranatha!”

As a school community, we will continue with a number of events and activities which help our students understand the holiness of Advent and the importance of silence in our lives as we build a closer relationship with the Blessed Sacrament. Examples of our school-wide Advent prayers and activities include:

  • Daily Prayer Incorporating The Jesse Tree
  • How Do They Celebrate Christmas: Exploring Christmas Traditions in Other Countries
  • Preparing the Christ-Child’s Manger with Good Deeds
  • Weekly Time with Jesus: A Student Adoration Experience
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer Service
  • Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • The Forever Grateful Project (The Angel Tree)

I would also like to share with you my #WaitingInSilence play list that I use as I drive to and from Blessed Sacrament Catholic School each school day.  It helps me re-focus before I begin the school day and re-center myself after the school day.

May Our Lady of Guadalupe, who we remember during the Season of Advent, bless you and your loved ones.

In service to the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament,

Michael Fierro

Principal