With the onset of the Advent season, we have been presented with numerous opportunities to truly indulge in various methods of New Evangelisation as there will obviously be greater interaction among God’s people in the run-up to Christmas Day.

In the recent year, mainly through the urging of the Family Life Commission, there has been greater interest shown in the Christmas preparation with families gathering around the Advent wreath complete with its lit candles and accompanied by the appropriate prayers (see pages 6 &7).

What better testimony for the Church’s theme this year – “Catholic Family, Become what you are” – Such a great show of prayerfulness in communities across the land can do nothing else but redound to the benefit of the call for evangelisation.

The thoughtfulness of some parish groups, assisted in some areas by their parish priests, who have taken it upon themselves to encourage the family practice of the Advent programme as it is shared within their homes with relatives and neighbours as participants, is proving to be a great evangelising tool and this augurs well for the future.

It still isn’t too late to pick up on the idea and get involved in the Advent prayer habit. Late entrants have lost just a mere week and with three more weeks to go, such action will serve many people well.