Advent Awakening
An Advent Preparation Retreat
Knights of Columbus Council Retreat
Saturday, November 14, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Downey Event Center
4071 S. Keystone Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
Retreat Purpose
Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas. It is a season of watchfulness, preparation, conversion, joy, and expectant hope. This retreat invites our brother Knights to step away from the busyness that so often accompanies the weeks before Christmas and prepare themselves spiritually for the coming of Christ.
Through Scripture, prayer, reflection, and fraternity, we will consider the four weeks of Advent as a spiritual journey:
- Week One — AWAKEN: Hope and Watchfulness
- Week Two — PREPARE: Conversion and Peace
- Week Three — REJOICE: Joy in the Lord
- Week Four — RECEIVE: Love, Trust, and Saying Yes to God
Throughout the retreat, Scripture references and readings should be taken from the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE).
Full Details are available in the K of C Advent Awakening Retreat November 2026 Word Document (1MB).
Retreat Agenda
11:00 a.m. — Arrival and Fellowship
Welcome arriving Knights and provide an opportunity for informal fraternity and conversation.
11:30 a.m. — Lunch
Lunch and fellowship.
12:00 p.m. — Welcome
Jim Gibbons
Opening welcome, retreat purpose, housekeeping, and introduction of Deacon Paul.
12:05 p.m. — Preparing for the Season of Advent
Deacon Paul
Introductory spiritual reflection on Advent as a season of preparation and expectation.
Suggested themes for Deacon Paul’s remarks:
- What does it actually mean to “prepare the way of the Lord”?
- The difference between preparing for Christmas and preparing for Christ.
- Advent’s call to watchfulness.
- Making room for Christ amid the distractions and obligations of December.
- The responsibility of Catholic men to help prepare their homes and families spiritually for Christmas.
- Entering Advent intentionally rather than simply allowing Advent to happen to us.
12:30 p.m. — Session One: AWAKEN — The First Week of Advent
Theme: Hope and Watchfulness
1:10 p.m. — Session Two: PREPARE — The Second Week of Advent
Theme: Conversion and Peace
1:50 p.m. — Break
2:00 p.m. — Session Three: REJOICE — The Third Week of Advent
Theme: Joy in the Lord
2:40 p.m. — Session Four: RECEIVE — The Fourth Week of Advent
Theme: Love, Trust, and Saying Yes to God
3:20 p.m. — Brief Break / Personal Reflection
3:30 p.m. — Creating My Advent Road Map
From Retreat to Action
3:55 p.m. — Closing Prayer and Blessing
4:00 p.m. — Retreat Concludes