As we are at the beginning of Advent season in the Church let’s take a look at the North to see how they prepare for Advent. Our guide will be the well known Fr. Daniel Szwarc OMI.

“The fall in the Arctic can be a challenging time especially for travelers. Frequent blizzards with its strong winds and heavy snow make it impossible for people to go out hunting and also for the planes to fly. The schools, offices and other services are closed down. When the blizzard is heavy even the stores do not open. Sometimes the only public place opened in the hamlet is the Catholic Mission. No matter how bad the weather might be there are always some people and a group of children who come to pray, socialize, look for help with food and baby stuff, which is a regular support the mission in Naujaat offers. The last blizzard, which kept the planes from coming for the whole week and kept most of the town shut down, became an  opportunity to make everything ready for the coming Advent. With a group of children we prepared the lanterns for traditional Advent Marian Masses and the advent wreath which here is made of caribou antlers. We also started putting Christmas lights to prepare for the coming of Jesus, the light of the world”. 

To all our followers and parishioners from every Oblate parish in Canada, we wish you a blessed time of Advent!  

(text & photos: Fr. Daniel Szwarc OMI; TJ/DJ)