The Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology is offering a morning of Advent Reflection on Saturday, December 13, 9:00a.m. – 12:30p.m. at Bethany Hall, Seton Hall University for Mass and fellowship on the hospitality and collaboration of the Early Church.  The Many Faces of Hospitality will explore St. Stephen and others as models for the Church’s service past and present.

Although the focus will be on the diaconate through the lens of St. Stephen, it will also emphasize the role of the deacon in empowering and animating the laity through their baptism to ministry and service using examples from scripture.  While deacons have a particular charism and are ordained for service, Saint Pope Paul VI at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council emphasized the “The Church is in service to all humanity.” The laity has a key role in the service and ministry (diakonia) of the church and so this talk and reflection will be of benefit to them as well as deacons.

The Advent Reflection will be led by Deacon Andrew Saunders, Co-director of the 4:12 Pathway for Pastoral Leadership initiative with a reflection by Deacon Peter Cistaro, former Director of the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Paterson.

All are welcomed! Deacons, Deacon Candidates, wives, parishioners and others interested in the call to service and hospitality. Please register by Monday, December 1, 2025 using the following link https://events.shu.edu/event/44917-st-stephen-deacon-and-collaborator or by using the QR code below. Contact Alyssa Carolan at alyssa.carolan@shu.edu, 973-275-3775 for questions.