Actively Waiting for Advent—Free Prayer Packet

Joe Paprocki Advent

Advent Prayers Packet

We wait at the doctor’s office. We wait in traffic. We wait in line at the coffee shop. We wait our turn. We wait for a sign from God. We wait to be heard. We wait.

Advent is waiting, also, but not in the listless, zoned-out way like we might wait at the local coffee shop, nor in the anxious, bored way we might wait at the doctor’s office or in traffic. Advent is active waiting, when the Church readies—physically and spiritually—for the coming of the Christ child.

It is important to participate in the parish preparations. We are a community of believers, after all. It is also important to prepare ourselves personally. To that end, I have prepared a packet of downloadable prayer materials for this season of preparation, including:

  • Two fully organized Advent prayer services, one specifically designed as a Penance service.
  • A guided reflection on the name Emmanuel, “God with us,” perfect for classroom use.
  • A family prayer card to encourage families to slow down and celebrate Advent together and open the discussion about what Advent means to each of us.

Let us approach the season of preparation and waiting with anticipation and excitement.

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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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22 Comments

  3. Hi
    I would love to down load the pdf but as I live in the UK don’t have a correct zip code.
    Any way of getting round that?

    Reply

    • HI Rebekah, yes, you can get around that by selecting ANY diocese and typing in 99999 for the zip code. That should work. If not, let me know!

      Reply

  5. Hi Joe, how do we access resources if our Archdiocese is not listed and it won’t allow us to enter alternate info?

    Reply

  6. I would love to tap into your wonderful resources but live in Canada and don’t qualify for any of the roles that you list. Also, I’m not using any of the programs that you offer. I am a member of our Parish Liturgical Planning Committee in a small parish which is struggling to survive.

    Reply

    • Hi Nicole and thanks for your comment. You should be able to select any role and diocese and type in 99999 for the zip code to get the resources. If that doesn’t work, let me know and I’ll email them to you.

      Reply

  7. Thanks Joe! I teach 8th graders preparing for Confirmation. And would like to make an Advent wreath with them. I’m excited to receive your prayers and reflections for Advent to go along with this project! You are so wonderful to share, thanks again! Kimberly

    Reply

  8. We opened last years advent box and can’t find our advent prayer book :0 Thank you for coming to our rescue. God bless you

    Reply

  9. I am using your website for my 5th grade class @ St. Michael the Archangel Church. It is very helpful for looking up information for my class. Thank you Bernadette I have printed out the Jesse Tree stories about The Old Testament for the children to learn and understand it. We will also be making a Jesse Tree Sunday the 13th of November. Thank you.

    Reply

  10. I would love to get free reflections but it seems geared to school life however Im sure the prayers would be great in any establishment. Thanking you and God bless Sr. Catherine Ryan.

    Reply

  11. Dear Joe,
    Thank you for all the inspirational and educative material. I am the catechetical director of the archdiocese of mumbai, india. I would like to have your permission to use these resources in our diocese. Thank you God bless. Fr. Vincent D’Cruz.

    Reply

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