Advent Novena

Heeding to a call given by the Bishop of Mangalore to all the diocesan churches, *Most Holy Redeemer Church* announced a 9-day Advent Novena starting from 16th December 2020.

Rev. Fr. Austin Peris, Parish Priest, invited the MFC Youth of Derebail to plan an activity around it for the nine days to ensure that we are all prepared spiritually for the coming of Jesus.

A Christmas Tree cutout with thanksgivings and intentions posted on it was proposed. The cut out was then arranged and placed next to the Altar. Each day, there was one task that was required to be done. This task was announced after every Novena Mass and shared on all WhatsApp groups. The tasks ranged from making someone smile to praying for others. These simple tasks not only helped those on the receiving end but also helped us to prepare spiritually for Christmas.

The congregation was encouraged to pin a post-it note on the Christmas tree cut out after they had completed their task and raise personal intentions if any. As the days went by, the tree came to a life brimming with post-it notes. The activity concluded on 24th December with a special prayer for all the Youth of Derebail. The activity helped everyone to understand the true meaning of Christmas, that is, it is in sharing and caring for others, that we become better human beings.

There has been a proposal of raising these intentions during the adoration and mass on January 1, 2021. As a symbolic method of raising these intentions, the post-its would be ignited.

The youth of the parish is eagerly awaiting to lift in prayer the intentions that have been placed before the Lord. Indeed the novena that preceded the Lord's coming has paved a path of hope for all those who have been battling the year. It has also helped bring the youth closer to understanding the true meaning of Christmas.