Monday, January 29, 2018

15 Ways You Can Help Combat Human Trafficking

Just a reminder as we wind down National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month:  The US Department of State has provided a list of 15 ways to help combat human trafficking (available here).  No matter where we are, no matter our ministry, we can find at least one way to assist in human trafficking prevention efforts by referencing this list.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

For your February Calendar

Here are some dates you might want to remember during the month of February:

  • African American History Month
  • February 8: International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking
  • February 11:  World Day of the Sick
  • February 14:  Ash Wednesday
  • February 20: World Day of Social Justice

Friday, January 26, 2018

Learn, Serve, Lead, Succeed

Happy Catholic Schools Week (January 28-February 3) to everyone involved in Catholic education throughout the country!  This year's theme is "Catholic Schools: Learn, Serve, Lead, Succeed." 

We send special prayers to all Sisters of Christian Charity who minister in Catholic education, their colleagues and their students.  Click here to find a listing of the schools and colleges where the Sisters of Christian Charity from the Eastern Province minister. 

To learn more about Catholic Schools week, visit the website of the National Catholic Education Association

9 Days for Life: Day 9

Today's intercession:  For God's peace to fill the hearts of all who travel upon the path of adoption.

Click here for today's reflection and actions.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

9 Days for Life: Day 8

Today's intercession:  For an end to the use of the death penalty in our country.

Click here for today's reflection and actions.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

9 Days for Life: Day 7

Today's intercession:  May those who long for a child of their own be filled with trust in God's loving plan.

Click here for today's reflection and actions.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

9 Days for Life: Day 6

Today's intercession:  May those near the end of their lives receive medical care that respects their dignity and protects their lives.

Click here for today's reflection and actions.

Monday, January 22, 2018

9 Days for Life: Day 5

Today's intercession: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope and healing in Christ.

Click here for today's reflection and actions.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

9 Days for Life: Day 4

Today's intercession: May all people embrace the truth that every life is a good and perfect gift, and is worth living.

Click here for today's reflection and actions.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

9 Days for Life: Day 3

Today's intercession: For victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Click here for today's reflection and actions.

Friday, January 19, 2018

9 Days for Life: Day 2

Today's intercession:  For an end to abortion.

Click here for today's reflection and actions. 

Let us remember the hundreds of thousands of people who will attend the "March for Life" in Washington, D.C. today, as well as those who will attend local marches throughout the country. 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

9 Days for Life: Day 1

Today's intercession:  May a culture of life grow ever stronger in our communities.  Click here for today's reflection and action.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Pope Visits St. Alberto Hurtado's Shrine

During his visit to Chile, Pope Francis visited the shrine of St. Alberto Hurtado, SJ.  For more information on this saint, click here to read an America magazine article on Padre Hurtado written by James Martin, SJ, in 2010.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Reminder: 9 Days for Life

"9 Days for Life" is a digital pilgrimage of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person's life.  This year, the nine days run from January 18-26.  Click here to find more information from the USCCB, including the possibility of signing up for daily emails and/or texts.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Holy Father in Chile and Peru

Let us pray for Pope Francis as he visits Chile and Peru over the next few days. Click here to view the updated schedule for the visit.

Friday, January 12, 2018

Reminder: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Here's your reminder that the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on Thursday, January 18.  The theme for the week is "Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power" (Exodus 15:6).  More information is available here.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Virtual Human Trafficking Summit

The New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking is sponsoring a Virtual Human Trafficking Summit on Human Trafficking Awareness Day, January 11, from 8 am until 3 pm.  This is a Facebook live event, so just sign in to your Facebook account and search for njhumantrafficking.  Or, click this link, then sign in to Facebook.  The schedule is available on the website, so you can attend for the portion of the day that interests you most. 

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Second Attempt: Reflection for Human Trafficking Awareness Day

The previous post had an incorrect link, so we're trying again:

The Catholic Health Association of the United States has provided this prayer service for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11.

Reflection for Human Trafficking Awareness Day

The Catholic Health Association of the United States has provided this prayer service for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11.

Monday, January 8, 2018

"Share the Journey" Webinar

The Share the Journey Campaign -- established to call attention to and inspire action on behalf of migrants and refugees -- will host a webinar on Friday, January 12 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.  Click here to register for the webinar, which will highlight the efforts of several bishops, Catholic Charities agencies, parishes and other organizations to give life to this two-year initiative.  (What is the "Share the Journey Campaign"?  Click on this post from August to refresh your memory.)

Sunday, January 7, 2018

"Let Us Imitate the Magi"

Click here to read the English translation of Pope Francis' homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany, in which the Holy Father invites us to "imitate the Magi" by "looking upwards, setting out and freely offering our gifts." 

Friday, January 5, 2018

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  Click here for prayer resources from U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking.  Included in these resources is a calendar that runs from January 11 to February 8, containing a prayer and intentions for each day.  (Remember that February 8, the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, is also the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.)

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Poverty Awareness Month

The USCCB has designated each January as "Poverty Awareness Month."  The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has provided this calendar with daily suggestions, reflections and challenges for Poverty Awareness Month 2018.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Resources for National Migration Week

"Many Journeys, One Family" is the theme of National Migration Week (January 7-14, 2018).  Resources -- including a toolkit with prayers, talking points and other suggestions for action -- are available here.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Stop Trafficking Newsletter

The January issue of the Stop Trafficking Newsletter -- available here -- provides educational materials to use this month, which is  Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Monday, January 1, 2018

World Day of Peace

Click here to read the message of Pope Francis for the 51st World Day of Peace, "Migrants and Refugees: Men and Women in Search of Peace."

Reflection for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God

Luke 2:19, 21

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart…When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”

“Mary comes to the temple without attracting any attention. She has only the offering of the poor—a pair of turtle doves—yet she offers God. O admirable model! Such ought all our sacrifices be: of immense value before God, but hidden before the world” (Blessed Pauline, 1848).

Two mothers, both following the call of the Heavenly Father: In the Gospel of Luke, we see Mary, our heavenly mother, keeping all in her heart. She was obedient to the voice of the angel before the birth of her Divine Son. She continued to show her obedience by having him circumcised into the covenant of his earthly forefathers. Her silent obedience continued to the foot of his cross.

In the maxim quoted above, we see the love of a second Mother, Pauline. In her love and dedication to following Mary, she reflects on the part of the story not told in today’s Gospel. She, like Mary, would strive to follow the call of the heavenly Father in all simplicity, not calling attention to herself, but striving to offer even what may have seemed to the world to be the poorest of offerings within the context of the greatest sacrifice of the cross.

Today, as daughters of so noble a pair of Mothers, let us reflect: Are my sacrifices truly hidden, letting the holocaust burn to the last cinder, or do I try to save some of the remains, not willing to go to the cross? Let us bravely follow our Mothers, in silent, but great sacrifice.
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We are grateful to the Sisters of Christian Charity who wrote the reflections that have touched our hearts and souls since the First Sunday of Advent, December 3.  May God bless you for your generosity in giving your time and talent to make these reflections possible.