Longing for the Light: An Advent Calendar of Solidarity
Each year, we search for the return of light to the world that occurs during the Winter Solstice. In 2022, perhaps now more than ever, we find ourselves staring into the darkness and longing for that light.
Call To Action is proud to provide an Advent Calendar for 2022 focused on justice, solidarity, and reconciliation. This year, CTA’s Indigenous Solidarity Collective has designed a special calendar featuring 27 days of prayer and study that will lead us into action in solidarity with indigenous communities. Our 2022 Advent Calendar will feature the prodigious work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which compiled calls to action directed at both the Canadian government and church officials. On each day of Advent, we'll share one or more of the TRC calls of action, along with a prayerful meditation and resources for further study and action. For each Sunday during Advent, we'll release a scripture and homily, written by one of our CTA members, reflecting on justice and reconciliation.
Please join us this Advent as we continue to cultivate our solidarity with indigenous communities across the U.S. and Canada and discern these calls within ourselves.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
We capped off our 2022 Advent calendar with a Christmas reflection from Indigenous Solidarity Collective member Tess Thompson:
There is so much broken in this world. Over the past several weeks, as I helped prepare Call To Action’s 2022 Advent Calendar with the Indigenous Solidarity Collective, I have deepened my knowledge and sorrow for the disenfranchisement and desolation of Indigenous peoples, past and present.
Faith forbids me from hopelessness, it directs me to believe another world is possible. Beyond reason and against formidable odds, in Advent, I hope.
Read Tess’ full reflection here.
Watercolor painting by Duane Yazzie.
About the Artist
The watercolor paintings featured on this calendar were created by Duane Yazzie. Yazzie creates artwork that reflects his Indigenous heritage and his childhood spent in the Southwest.
Yazzie is Kiis’áanii, born for Tódích’íinii. His maternal grandfather is Haltsooí, and his paternal grandfather is ‘Ashįįhí. He was born and raised in Fort Defiance, Arizona, and currently resides in Rock Springs, New Mexico.
Yazzie has 17 years of K-8 teaching experience and currently works at Rehoboth Christian School. He also serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Window Rock-Fort Defiance Lions Club, which helps co-steward Little Free Libraries in the area. Yazzie received his Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University and holds a Master of Arts degree in Language, Reading & Culture and a Master of Arts degree in Information Resources & Library Science both awarded by the University of Arizona. He is an alumnus of Knowledge River.
When he’s not cuddled up with a book about dragons, the Holocaust, or animals defending Red Wall in Mossflower, you may find him running cross-country trails, painting with watercolors, investigating mathematical problems, or participating in a local or regional book club.
The 2022 Advent Calendar is a project of CTA's Indigenous Solidarity Collective, a working group that addresses the Catholic Church's historical and current role in colonialization. To support more projects from working groups like this one, please consider making a contribution!
