On any given day, you may encounter Angelica Valdes dropping her 10-year-old daughter Alexa off at school; or volunteering at the migrant camps; or participating in a Bible study with her fellow “Women of the Word” parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Portage; or helping to run the diocesan San Agustin Institute for Hispanic Lay Ministry Formation Program.

En cualquier día, encontrará a Angélica Valdés dejando a su hija de 10 años, Alexa, en la escuela; o como voluntaria en los campos migrantes; o participando en el estudio Bíblico con sus compañeras del grupo de “Mujeres de la Palabra” en la parroquia de St. Catherine of Siena; o ayudando a coordinar el programa diocesano, Instituto San Agustín Programa de Formación Pastoral y Liderazgo.

During the season of Advent (from Latin adventus, “a coming”), we are prayerfully and joyfully awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent also marks the beginning of a new liturgical year for the Church. These weeks allow us to focus on deepening our prayer life, both individually and as a family and, hopefully, inspire us to strengthen traditions centered around preparing ourselves and our homes for a new year with Christ.

Father James Vinh Le’s journey through mine fields and refugee camps to the priesthood

When the calendar announces that December has arrived, we immediately feel that it is the season for celebrations, feasts, and, especially, meditation on who are the real protagonists of this season: Baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the Magi and the simple shepherds of Bethlehem.