Advent Group - Supporting Priests & Religious since 1969

Aims of Advent

+ To be a support group for men and women and their partners who have left the active ministry, or religious life.

+ To offer a safe haven for men and women who are considering change.

+ To be a support for others closely involved with the priest's or religious' decision.

+ To work for change in the Church and its ministry

BBC My Story

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 22 September 2010

This week's theme is love and the winner is Adeline Harris with her story An Unconventional Love.

The full published book can be downloaded for free from the Winners' page.

Pope Cautions Against Dilution of Priestly Ministry

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 22 March 2009

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 16, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is affirming the importance of the ministerial priesthood in the Church, and is calling for greater attention to the education of clergy.

The Pope said this today during an audience with participants of the Congregation for Clergy's plenary assembly, a Vatican communiqué reported. In this meeting, he also announced his intention to convoke a Year for Priests, beginning June 19, on the occasion of 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé of Ars.

The Pontiff cautioned his audience against confusing the baptismal and ministerial priesthood, stating that the two are distinguished on an ontological level, rather than by a variance in degrees. The second dimension, he said, "arises from [the priest's] sacramental configuration to Christ the Head."

The Signs of the Times

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 27 February 2009

Women outside Westminster Cathedral greeted warmly by church goers on the 1st February after the 10.30 am Sung Mass. There were about 10 members of the group handing out leaflets and there were clearly many people who were in favour of what they were doing.
As the Church continues to lurch to the right, we need to remember that collegiality and the Spirit speaking through its members is still a reality in our Church, at least from those in the pews !
Dialogue is needed and needed soon. We can no longer ignore the signs of the times. The Church is imploading at the expense of regulations that have out-lived their usefulness or purpose. More information at www.catholic-womens-ordination.org.uk and http://www.womenpriests.org/index.asp

Pope praying for vocations

: Written by: Alex Walker; Created: 02 February 2009

Pope Praying for Many New Vocations

Says They Are "Precious" Gifts to Church
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 1, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is asking the faithful to pray for many new vocations the consecrated life, which he said are "precious" gifts to the Church.