Ever since I was a young girl, I could always feel the joy and anticipation of Christmas during the season of Advent. As we embark the next four weeks, I am drawn to the idea of joyful hope. The people in darkness [will] see a great light!

Joan Chittister writes that hope and despair are not opposites. They’re cut from the same cloth, made from the same material. Hope does not promise that all will be perfect, but promises that goodness is present, joy is coming, things will be okay. Hope, in its essence, is not a passive waiting but an active trust in our loving God. Hope encourages us to press on, reminding us that, even during challenges, there is a light that cannot be extinguished. That God hears us, is with us, is within us.

In the spirit of this first week of Advent, let us reflect on the hope that resides within us and permeates the mission and work of FutureChurch. It is hope that keeps us going and propels us forward, urging us to be agents of positive change in a world hungering for compassion and justice.

One of my favorite Advent traditions is lighting the wreath each week. As we light the first candle, I pray for hope and peace in a world that needs it. Christmas is the most activist holiday of them all, where God comes to ensure that the marginalized will be uplifted, the cries of the poor are heard, and where love will conquer all.

My hope is not passive but a catalyst for transformative action.

In this season of waiting and watching, may our hearts be open to the possibilities that hope unfolds. Let us be reminded that, just as the prophets of old foretold the coming of a Savior, our efforts, no matter how small, contribute to the realization of a more inclusive and loving world.

"The Just Word Commentary is a three-year project, providing life-giving, liberatory commentaries on the Catholic lectionary readings for all three years the Church has provided them (Designated Year A, Year B, and Year C). The new yearly cycle begins on the first Sunday of Advent. Right now, we are headed into Year B of the cycle, which takes its gospel readings from the book of Mark. Year A uses the book of Matthew, and Year C uses the book of Luke.

As we transition out of Year A into Year B, we want to give a huge thank you to our Year A writers for their deep thoughts and feelings. It’s not an easy thing to write from a Catholic perspective that often stands with those that the Church itself does not.

We’re so excited for our upcoming year of commentaries we have lined up, and we hope you’ll join us once again. We’d love to connect with you! Let us know your favorite entry so far or something you would love to see in Year B ahead!"

Join with Sr. Christine Schenk and the FutureChurch community to pray for one another during this time of transition as Deborah Rose retires and Russ Petrus moves into his new role as executive director.

As previously announced, FutureChurch co-director Deborah Rose will retire at the end of the year and the FutureChurch board has voted to appoint Russ Petrus as executive director. Join us on December 17th at 7pm with other members of the FutureChurch community as co-founder, Sr. Christine Schenk, CSJ, leads us in prayer during this time of transition.

To Read Deb’s Message, click here.

To Read FutureChurch’s press release, click here.

FutureChurch is the new home of the Inclusive Lectionary! Originally developed by Priests for Equality, a project of the Quixote Center, the Inclusive Lectionary is an excellent resource for worshipping communities of all kinds who are looking to include all of their members and exclude patriarchal language.

This B Cycle lectionary is available as a digital download and comes complete with the Sunday readings and Responsorial Psalms, conveniently bookmarked by season for easy navigation.

DignityUSA Advent Reflection Series

Dates: November 29, December 6, December 13, December 20; 8pm-9pm ET

DignityUSA invites you to participate in their Advent Reflection Series for 2023. They are celebrating Pope Francis' welcome to all and his prophetic words given at a World Youth Day address: "Todos! Todos! Todos!" Todos means "all." All are welcome to join for an advent-themed reflection on the week's readings, followed by group discussions. Our friends at Call to Action will join us to kick off this series on November 29! This reflection series takes place each Wednesday, November 29 through December 20, from 8pm - 9pm ET/5pm - 6pm PT. The reflection series is free, but registration is required.

Registration

Sexuality and the Sacred: A Five-Part Webinar Series

Dates Remaining: December 13, 2023

"What is the connection between spirituality and sexuality?" This and other questions concerning human sexuality will be the focus of this five-part webinar series. Join
Spirit Alive: The CSJ Institute for Faith Inquiry and Education for this opportunity to consider how the Church understands sex, sexuality, gender, and human love in light of contemporary questions.

Speaker Details/Registration