World Day of Prayer for Vocations

The 56th annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be commemorated on Sunday, May 12.  More information and resources -- including prayers, a holy hour, and even a coloring page -- are available here and the message of Pope Francis for this day is available here.

Here is a prayer for vocations found on the website:

God our Father, You made each of us

to use our gifts in the Body of Christ.

We ask that you inspire

young people whom You call to

the priesthood and consecrated life

to courageously follow Your will.

Send workers into Your great harvest

so that the Gospel is preached,

the poor are served with love,

the suffering are comforted,

and Your people are strengthened

by the sacraments.

We ask this through

Christ our Lord,

Amen.

Prayer for Teacher Appreciation Week

It is quite a busy week!  Not only do we celebrate National Nurses' Week from May 6-12, but we also celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week from May 6-10!  Sisters of Christian Charity have been teachers since the time of our founder, Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt (1817-1881), who said, "Love for the children is the best instructor in their upbringing.  Only to one who loves children may they be entrusted."

Please visit our website to see the list of the various sites where Sisters of Christian Charity teach today.

Thanks to Education for Justice, a project of the Ignatian Solidarity Network, for this prayer (copyright 2019):

Prayer of Thanksgiving for Teachers 

As we enter into Teacher Appreciation Week,

We pause with gratitude to reflect

On all of the teachers who have influenced our lives.

We thank the teachers who patiently taught us to read.

The ones who persisted in teaching us

Addition and subtraction.

For those who taught us to think critically, write clearly,

And discern the questions

We should ask of ourselves and others.  

The teachers who taught us in a way

That made our hearts come alive.

As we continue our sacred vocation as educators, 

We pray that we might also inspire our students

To discover their talents and passions

And the unique ways that they can bring

Peace and justice into the world.

May we also recognize the honor and dignity in our work.

From early mornings prepping

To late nights at events or grading.

From difficult conversations with students

To "ah ha" moments that make it worthwhile.

We give thanks for this most holy vocation.

We pray for the continual guidance of Jesus,

The greatest teacher,

As we re-commit to this work each day.

Amen.

National Nurses' Week

National Nurses' Week is celebrated annually from May 6 (also known as National Nurses' Day) to May 12 (the birthday of Florence Nightingale).  The Sisters of Christian Charity have a long history of caring for the sick, going back to the 19th century, through our founder, Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt (1817-1881).  Today, our Sister-nurses serve at various ministry sites in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (click here to see a listing of these on our website).   We are grateful to them and offer our special prayers for them this week.

The Catholic Health Association of the United States has provided this prayer for National Nurses' Day.  It is worth reflecting on the entire prayer at the link above. Here is a brief portion of the prayer:

God of healing and hope, you sanctify the call of the nurse as one who offers themselves in the service of others.  

Just as you willingly took on the lowliness of human nature and in doing so elevated it, the nurse willingly takes on thankless and commonplace tasks.  In doing so, she sanctifies and makes them holy.  

Remain with the nurses of Catholic health care.  Strengthen them as they serve with faithful devotion.  Be a strength to them that they may be strong for others.  Be a comfort to them that they may comfort others, and as their shifts come to an end, be a resting place for them that they may know your love, grace and joy.

Amen.

May Issue of Stop Trafficking

The May 2019 issue of Stop Trafficking! -- highlighting forces that make people vulnerable to human trafficking -- is available here.