Diocesan Advent presentation will be Dec. 9

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SALT LAKE CITY — All the faithful in Utah are invited to attend the Dec. 9 Advent Morning of Reflection and Prayer presented by the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

“By attending the Advent Morning of Reflection and Prayer, we can temporarily leave behind the usual distractions of the world and focus on the ongoing conversion of our hearts and the life-transforming possibilities that God offers to all,” said Ruth Dillon, director of the diocesan Office of Worship.

The presentation in English will be offered by Father Gabriel Mosher, O.P. He will speak on “Advent Dreams: Danger and Divine Providence,” and examine the recurring theme in Scripture of a person being sent into danger in preparation for a great work of God, who can use dreams to communicate his will. Fr. Gabriel also will look at what the faithful can learn from these passages.

The beginning of Advent is ideal to set aside time for such contemplation, Fr. Gabriel said.

“Advent a time of reflection, is a time of retreat,” he said. “It’s supposed to be a time where we’re preparing for not only Christ at Christmas, but also we’re preparing for Christ in his Second Coming. So, when our Lord says, ‘I send you out into the world as lambs among wolves,’ to some degree we also in our own lives are sent out into a place of danger so that his will can be fulfilled, which is the final drawing in of all people to themselves, that work of evangelization. So, the idea is that for us, we need to be oriented not only to Christmas, but to the Second Coming.”

Fr. Gabriel is a Dominican friar assigned as pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center at the University of Utah. A native of Albuquerque, N.M., he holds a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Holy Apostles College & Seminary, and master’s degrees in philosophy and divinity. From 2011 to 2012 he served his residency year at St. Catherine of Siena/Newman Center. In 2015 he was ordained a priest. Prior to returning to Utah last year, he served as a pastoral vicar in Portland, Ore.

The reflection in Spanish will be given by Father Rogelio Felix-Rosas, who will address the topic of “Together with Mary First Tabernacle of Humanity” (“Junto a María, primer Sagrario de la humanidad”).

“In this I wrap three things that they consider important: First, the Eucharistic question for the Year of Revival; second, Mary, who is the central focus in the experience of Advent; and third, the community or humanity that faces so many challenges currently: diseases, wars, depression/anxiety and need for the sacred,” Fr. Felix-Rosas said.

Fr. Felix-Rosas, administrator at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Hyde Park and St. Jerome Newman Center in Logan, was born in Novojoa, Mexico. He was ordained a priest in 2005. He holds degrees in philosophy and theology.

Both sessions of the Advent reflection will be given in person; livestream also will be available.

“Spending a couple of hours in reflection and prayer during the season of Advent gives us the opportunity to refresh, rejuvenate and renew our relationship with God as we prepare for the coming of Christ, both in the historical context and the future expectation,” Dillon said.

WHAT: Advent Morning of Reflection and Prayer

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 9

                 English session: 9-11 a.m.

                 Spanish session: 12:30-2:30 p.m.

WHERE: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 East 11800 South, Draper

There is no cost, but registration is requested; call the Office of Worship, 801-328-8641 ext. 357 to register or to receive the livestream link.