Standing in the Promises  

...a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices... 

Welcome to our new Advent Retreat, Standing in the Promises!

As we move through each week of Advent we will be reflecting on God's promises of presence, compassion, love and hope in our lives. As we pray with scriptures during our retreat we want to grow in interior knowledge of each of these promises. We will also reflect on ways that we share those promises with others in our family, community and the world around us.

As we stand firm in God’s promises, we will pray for the following graces:  

• Week 1: For the grace of interior knowledge of God's love and presence with us by sending the gift of Jesus into the world and for the grace to believe in God's promises to be with us always 
• Week 2: For the grace of interior knowledge of God's compassion to me during my life and for the grace to want to be more compassionate to others in their suffering and hardships 
• Week 3: For the grace of interior knowledge of God's unconditional love for me and for the grace to share the promise of God's love with others, even when it's difficult 
• Week 4: For the grace of an increase in the hope that comes from God and for the Christmas season, the grace to increase my belief to stand and live in the promise of hope 
• To Take Forth in the New Year: For the grace, during the Jubilee Year of Hope, to increase my belief in hope so that I might be a sign of hope to those I encounter