About Us
Events
Get Involved

240 Fitzwater St

← Back to Events

240 Fitzwater St

+ Google Map

Philadelphia, PA United States

There were no results found.

Contact

Catholic Center for Young Adults
242 Fitzwater St, Phila PA 19147
catholiccenterforyoungadults@gmail.com

Get Involved
Events
About Us
Other Resources

Follow us on Instagram

“He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” The

“He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” The words are from the carol O Holy Night. Yet how is it possible? How is it that another can appear and cause the one who beholds to awaken to self-worth?

All too often the contrary takes hold of us in the presence of another. The presence of the more beautiful, more intelligent, more gifted, easily can give rise to feelings of envy. At the very least, that “perfect one” in our midst makes us feel so … imperfect. Consider the approach of God to Adam and Eve in the garden. They hide. They cannot bear in their limitation and shame to endure the presence of God. Yet in the Christmas mystery, we sing out, “He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”

I never appreciated the value of swaddling clothes until an experienced mother shed light on it. She indicated that the newborn baby is used to the snug chamber of the womb. The new found spaciousness which enables arms and legs to flail at will is foreign to the newborn. It is the snug confinement of swaddling clothes that approximates the experience of the womb. The baby finds peace in confinement. The infinite God, whom heaven and earth cannot contain, finds peace in limit and confinement. My own limitations and confinements suddenly take on new meaning.”

What is the obvious question posed to new parents? Of course it is, “Who does the baby look like?” Well, Jesus is clearly in our midst to reveal the Father. At one level, we at a distance know to see him is to see the Father. He is the perfect image of the Father. But on second thought, he takes his full humanity from the Virgin Mary. I cannot help but imagine him to have the very same features of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Imagine Mary’s surprise. She has conceived this child miraculously. She anxiously awaits his birth. Throughout her pregnancy she cannot imagine what the Son of God will look like. When she gets that first glimpse, shock and awe. “He looks just like me!” She sees herself in him, the Son of God.

May the birth of Jesus awaken a renewed sense of your own worth, limitations and all. May you see your face in the face of Jesus, then face the world with purpose.

Having escaped re-lockdown to my parents’ in El

Having escaped re-lockdown to my parents’ in El Paso, I’ve been partaking in their parish’s Posadas Navideñas. A Mexican equivalent of sorts to the Christmas pageant held every night for nine days leading up to Christmas Day, the Posadas reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging on Christmas Eve at various “inns,” involving candlelight processions, costumes or statues, and singing.

At each inn, the Holy Family are turned away by annoyed and insulting people who slam the door at the end of their verses. At the last posada, history is suspended and they are let in, where a party ensues replete with food, drinks, and even a piñata, traditionally seven-horned to evoke the seven deadly sins.

In a time riddled with livestreams and teleconferencing, this physical and public practice of the faith has been welcoming and refreshing. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of praying and worshipping in the flesh in a tangible building designed for liturgy.

Our Church has a rich history of communal and conspicuous ceremonies, which we must ensure continues regardless of any earthly circumstances. Naturally, our hearts and souls should be aligned with those rituals, so let us pray to be always like that last posada, the inn that allows Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to enter and remain in us, most especially in the forthcoming Christmas season.

- Jeremiah // Founding Member

I have always loved my family’s advent wreath. I

I have always loved my family’s advent wreath. It isn’t anything too fancy but lives in the center of our table throughout the season. For years my brothers and I would fight over who gets to light the candles and who gets to blow them out. We would always get in trouble for playing with the wax or getting too close to the flames. Our Advent wreath always brings us a sense of joy, we know Christmas will be here before we know it. The thing I love about Advent, is knowing what is coming. It is a time to prepare ourselves. Now… when I don’t know what is coming… that is what has always been a struggle for me. How can I prepare?

We all aren’t as confident and trusting in God’s will and plan as Mary was. I mean, we all would hope we would be or could be, but oftentimes we are more like Zechariah.

“’What, then will this child be?’ For surely the hand of the Lord is with him.”

I often find myself looking at my own life as if I were the neighbors and relatives on the outside, especially when life isn’t going as I planned or I am not seeing God’s plan. I know and can tell the Lord is with me, BUT what will I be?

For most of us, this has been a year full of questioning… but also waiting and preparing, trusting and hoping.

Lord, forgive us for times where we have doubted, questioned, or even just paused before doing and accepting Your will. Thank You for Your never failing love and mercy. Help us to be ready for whatever You have planned for us! Help us to always trust in You.

Kat // Random Human

© 2019 CCYA . All rights reserved.