Advent Book Club 2024

Online / Zoom

Join us this Advent season for a reflective book club as we read Season's Greetings: Christmas Letters from Those Who Were There by Ruth L. Boling. This unique collection of Christmas letters brings voices from the Nativity story to life in fresh and inspiring ways, making it the perfect companion for the season.

We’ll gather over Zoom for four sessions, spending about an hour each week sharing thoughts, insights, and encouragement as we journey through the Advent season together. Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth, joyful community, or simply a meaningful way to connect with others, this book club welcomes you!

Meeting Dates:

Tuesday, December 3rd (letters from Elizabeth and John the Baptist!)
Tuesday, December 10th (letters from the midwife and a shepherd!)
Monday, December 16th (letters from Mary and Joseph!)
Monday, December 23rd (a letter from Jesus!)

Time: 7:00 - 8:15 pm

Location: Online / Zoom

Buy the book online at any of these outlets:

If you are unable to purchase the book yourself or cannot afford to purchase the book, please email us at hello@dignityphila.org so we can provide you with a free book.

This year’s Advent Book Club will be led by Rev. Karen Murphy, RCWP.

Karen Murphy has a BA in Theology and Philosophy from the University of Scranton (Jesuit) and an MA in Theological Research: Christian Spirituality from Andover Newton Theological School.

Karen’s spiritual practices include Centering Prayer, which she learned at a young age from her mother, and Ignatian spirituality, a gift from her undergraduate days which has informed her interior life ever since. She is also an imperfect practitioner of Nonviolent Communication, a spiritual practice of empathy.

Karen is an alumna of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps: Northwest and has served in a variety of volunteer capacities for different organizations. She has been actively involved in all levels of campus and parish life, including: choir member, lector, cantor, trainer, lecturer, retreat facilitator, and RCIA director.

Karen was ordained to the priesthood with Roman Catholic Womenpriests in November 2021. She has served, with great joy and humility, on the pastoral team for Dignity Philadelphia since fall 2022. Karen loves praying with the saints! Her understanding of priesthood is rooted in a deep desire for true Eucharistic justice – that is, for every human being to know that they are created in the image and likeness of a God who loves uncontainably, and therefore, welcomes all to the table Jesus sets for us.