Students Observe Advent at LU Catholic Newman Center

The Catholic Newman Center invited Lindenwood students to gather for the celebration of the beginning of Advent season at their “Advent for Candlelight,” event on Tuesday, December 1 at the Lindenwood’s Newman Catholic Center.

During “Advent for Candlelight,” students had some snack, sang, prayed and meditation on the Advent reading.

Alyssa Entwistle, Campus Minister, talked about the significance and importance of Advent season for Christians and Lindenwood students.

“Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas,” said Entwistle.

She said the theme of the readings and teachings during Advent is often the preparation for the [Jesus] Second Coming, while also commemorating the First Coming of Christ at Christmas.

Entwistle explained the meaning of meditation for Christians. She said meditation for Christian has to do more with stoping from the daily rush and connecting with God.

The Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new Christian year begins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6. Advent begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year.

The mission of Lindenwood’s Newman Center is to foster and promote the practice of the Catholic faith among students at Lindenwood University and Advent activities are part of it.

“We strive to connect students with their Catholic faith and Christian religion as we educate them on what it means to be a true Christian,”said Entwistle.

She added, “The LU-Newman Center is a place to feel at home when home is far away and to feel comfortable sharing and being with others of the same faith.”

Seminarian, Paul Floersch explained how our heart is where Christ wishes to dwell and Advent is the perfect time to make room in it for His presence.

He talked about Advent by as an examination of conscience where you ask God to reveal to you any unforgiveness that exists in your heart and a season to examine and meditate about what lives in your heart.

“Humility and actual poverty is different,” said Entwistle.

“Humility is how we need to recognize our own poverty — what you are lacking — our lacking of love, charity or the recognition on how much we rely on God, how much we need him. four years now, every year we advent for lit a candle,” she said.

“Waiting is a period of learning. The longer we wait, the more we hear about him.” -Paul Floresch

Daniela Castillo, a work and learn student from the Newman Center said she is glad that she is able to practice her faith and feels supported at Lindenwood through the people of the Newman Center.

“Being from another country and being able to get together with people with my same beliefs makes me feel a little bit closer to my family,” said Castillo.

“I feel like home. We have the same objective that we have in every country which is to get ready for the coming of Christ,” she said.