Advent is a time to thank God and God’s people for the past and to continue to help build the future.

My Advent Memories stand out:

The early 1950’s and the annual Christmas shopping spree:  December eighth was a holiday at St. Ignatius School.  My mother, Alice, would take me and my younger sister, Joie, off to the Bay in downtown Winnipeg to make our purchases.  I had to stretch my meagre stock of coins to meet commitments to family and friends.

The usual gifts were sets of calendars to be mounted on used Christmas cards and appropriately decorated.  Alice would quietly augment my funds as necessary.  The climax of the morning was lunch at “The Paddle Wheel.”

By the time I moved to St. Paul’s, on Elice Avenue, I was quite able to handle the shopping on my own, thanks to safely banked pay from my paper route and lots of time to window shop during the school breaks.  I enjoyed searching for the correct yet low priced gift a family member or friend would appreciate.

The move to the novitiate at Ignatius College brought a proper spiritual tone to Advent, thanks to  Advent prayers and liturgies, and decorations.  The center of this display was Buzz Massie’s “Revolving Christmas Tree” in the refectory.

The Advent backdrop has changed through the years, yet Advent continues to be a sign of being-fulfilled hope as I enjoy bringing Christ’s message of forgiveness-fueled happiness to people.  All humanity welcomes such hope!