Merry Christmas!

In the season where darkness is made bright and a small child reminds us again that peace, joy, happiness and love are realities, may you and those you love be blessed abundantly.






Merry Christmas!

St. Joseph Education Center

The new course booklet for St. Joseph Education Center is available. You can find information concerning the courses offered on line at http://www.stjosepheducationalcenter.org/ Simply follow the link on the home page for the Spring Offerings.

On Line Options Exist!

Remember that the University of Dayton offers a fine array of on-line adult formation opportunities. You can access their website by following the link below. I think you would find the courses engaging, thought provoking and very beneficial. They really have an easy user interface and the facilitators are great at building community in cyberspace. We are still considering partnership with the University. Let me know if you are interested in participating in a course.

http://www.udayton.edu/~vlc

If you have questions, please feel free to email me!

O Antiphons ...anticipate and celebrate!

Just a simple and prayerful reminder that we begin the wonderful week of the O Antiphons beginning with December 17th....the link below will offer a brief prayer using the antiphon of the day while also offering a bit of catechesis around the antiphons as a whole...the O Antiphons use various titles for the coming Lord...and help us to focus and celebrate joyously the coming of God with us...Happy Advent!

http://www.rockies.net/~spirit/sermons/s-oantiphons.html

St. John's Bible

The documentary highlighting the St. John's Illuminated Bible will air on iptv on January 3 at 8:00 pm. I am sure those of you who were able to attend the workshop last Tuesday will not want to miss this and those of you who were not able to be there will want to take advantage of this opportunity.


"THE ILLUMINATED BIBLE" ON IPTV January 3
On Tuesday, January 3 (8:00 PM), IPTV will air a documentary on creation of the first handwritten Bible in 500 years. The Saint John's Bible (commissioned by Saint John's Abbey and University, Collegeville, MN) is the work of master calligrapher Donald Jackson, as the Bible comes to life through handwritten text and intricate artwork. This Bible will be featured in an exhibition at the Joslyn Museum, Omaha, in January-April 2006. For more information: www.saintjohnsbible.org

Marian Feasts

Remember in this season of Advent, we celebrate not one but two feasts of Mary...this past week we celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of our country. On Monday we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe... Let us join together in prayer and ask the intercession of Mary under both titles, the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe for all people everywhere, that our hearts may be opened in this season of waiting and preparing.

Next Des Moines Area Gathering

Just a quick reminder that the next coordinators/directors gathering in the Des Moines area will be on Thursday, January 5, 2006 from 10-12:00 at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart in Ankeny. Amy Hoover will be our hostess and promises chili for lunch! An email reminder will be coming.

Also, Jeff Johnson from the Iowa State Alumni Association will be joining us that day. Jeff has been engaged in a visioning process at St. Joseph Education Center at Dowling Catholic High School throughout the fall and would very much like to meet with the Adult Faith Formation group.

I am looking forward to seeing those of you who are able to attend the St. John's Bible Workshop this next Tuesday in Stuart...stay warm and safe until then!

American Catholic Web Site (St. Anthony Messenger Press)

You might find this an interesting site as it leads you to a page - a- day for the season as well as additional resources for the season that are appealing to parents, children, and adults of all ages!
ENJOY!
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Christmas/default.asp