CCCB Advent Reflections on Indigenous Relations
“Each week, beginning on Sunday, 21 November 2021, the Solemnity of Christ the King, the CCCB will release a video recording of a Bishop in Canada reflecting on the Gospel Reading for each Sunday of Advent. This year’s reflections were developed in view of the Indigenous Delegation which will be travelling to Rome to meet with Pope Francis from December 17 to 20, 2021.”.
Feast of Christ the King
“As we enter into a time of reflection, we consider the experience of early missionaries and Indigenous Peoples when they first encountered one another. In this video the Most Rev. Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina, reflects. onthe readings of this Sunday, the liturgical Solemnity of Christ the King. He invites us to examine how Jesus exercised power through service and prayer rather than as someone who ruled over others.”
First Sunday of Advent
“As we continue in this time of reflection, we consider the spirit of the Treaties made between the First Nations and Canada (British Crown). In this video, the Most Rev. Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina, reflects on the readings of this First Sunday of Advent. We hear the imperative: stay awake! We ask ourselves whether we have been awake to Indigenous Peoples, their experiences, gifts, wisdom, and suffering.
Second Sunday of Advent
“In this video, the Most Rev. Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina, reflects on the readings of the second Sunday of Advent, and we hear the call to prepare for the coming of the Lord. We are invited to prepare the way for healing and reconciliation with Indigenous People by listening, understanding and seeing forgiveness for the suffering experienced by students and their families because of Indian Residential Schools”
Click here for a transcript
Third Sunday of Advent
In this video, the Most Rev. Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina, reflects on the readings of the Third Sunday of Advent, when we hear John the Baptist’s invitation to repent. In response to the question, “What should we do?” we are invited to relearn, in truth, the history we were taught and find meaningful ways to promote justice, reconciliation and healing with Indigenous Peoples.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Reconciliation
“In this video, the Most Rev. Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina, reflects on the readings of the fourth Sunday of Advent. We remember Mary, upon learning she was pregnant, travelled immediately to see her older cousin Elizabeth, who was also with child. Archbishop Bolen tells us that the cancellation of the delegation of Rome due to the risk of the Omicron extends our Advent waiting to become a time of expectation, preparation, and transformation.”
