This Immaculate Second Sunday of Advent

If this were not a Sunday of Advent, today we would be celebrating the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother. Advent Sunday does take precedence. We shall honor Mary’s conception tomorrow, and attend Mass as a family. After all, it is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Tonight we light the second candle in our wreath, and ask the Lord for Peace. Pray for God’s Peace throughout the world. But more than that, seek His abundant peace within our often noisy soul. Advant is a beautiful season. One that should not be hurried.

ADVENT PRAYERS
Opening Prayer: Lord God, Lamb of God
Let Yours blessings come upon us
As we light the candles of this Advent wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a symbol
Of Christ’s promise of eternal salvation.

Response: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Light the first Purple Candle (Hope)
Prayer: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
In the darkness and in the light, Holy is Your Name.
We place our hope in you, Oh Lord,
As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of the Lord

Response: Now and forever. Amen.

Light the second Purple Candle (Peace)
Prayer: Blessed are you, Lord; God of all creation.
Let your light shine on those who dwell in darkness.
Let the earth receive her King
And fill our hearts with Your everlasting peace

Response: Now and forever. Amen.

---

Slow-Cooker Tuscan Chicken and Pasta
Sun-Dried Alfredo Sauce
8 tablespoons Butter
1 cup Heavy Cream
2-1/4 cups Parmesan Cheese, divided
Fresh Black Pepper
1/2 cup Julianne Sun-dried Tomatoes
Italian Seasoning to taste

Melt butter in a medium size saucepan over medium-low heat. Add cream, simmer about 5 minutes, until cream begins to thicken. Add Parmesan Cheese, stir until cheesed is just melted. Remove from heat. Season with fresh black pepper to taste.

Off heat blend in sun dried tomatoes, remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese and Italian seasonings.

Chicken and Pasta
2 large Chicken Breasts
1 tablespoon Butter
12 oz Linguine Pasta
1 cup fresh Spinach

Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thin breasts. Set aside.

Place a large skillet over medium heat. Melt butter in the skillet. Add chickened breasts. Cook about 3 minutes per side.

Place chicken in the insert bowl of a 4 quart slow cooker. Pour Sun-dried Alfredo Sauce mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Cover and cool on LOW HEAT for 2-1/2 hours or until chicken is cooked through and tender.

About 20 minutes before chicken is done, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta, cook al dente, abut 11 minutes. Drain pasta and keep warm

Tear spinach into smaller pieces, add to the slow cooker. Let spinach wilts. Shut off cooker, remove insert.

For the presentation, spread pasta out on a warm serving platter. Ladle some of the sauce over the pasta. Top with chicken and more sauce.

Plate chicken along side pasta, with some sauce ladled as desired on both. Serve with a simple salad and enjoy a meal together on this special Sunday. One that has been simmered in love.

---

As it is written in the book of the words
Of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert;
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.
Every valley shall be filled;
And every mountain and hill shall be brought low;
And the crooked shall be made straight
And the rough ways plain;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God”
Luke 3:4-6