One Human Family, Food for All

On Tuesday, December 10, Pope Francis will help to launch a worldwide movement, sponsored by Caritas Internationalis, to end hunger through prayer and action.  The 164 Caritas Internationalis organizations in 200 countries that provide relief to those who suffer from hunger will participate. The object is to send a wave of prayer around the world by having everyone pray at noon local time.   Click here for much more information, including a link to the prayer that Caritas is asking everyone to recite at noon.

Remember, this is only the launch of the movement.  What can you do after December 10?  See the links above for more information.

Happy Feast Day!

Happy Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patronal Feast Day of the United States of America and titular Feast Day of the Sisters of Christian Charity, Daughters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception.  Today, Sisters of Christian Charity around the world renew their vows.  Please pray for us and with us as -- "In response to God's call" --  we strive to seek God's Will alone and give Christ's love to everyone in cheerful, wholehearted service.

Here is a portion of a prayer of Pope John Paul II as he celebrated this Feast in 2002:

"Pray, O Mother, for all of us.
Pray for humanity who suffers poverty and injustice,
violence and hatred, terror and war.
Help us to contemplate with the rosary
the mysteries of Him who "is our peace",
so that we will all feel involved
in a persevering dedication of service to peace.
Pray for us, Mother of hope!
"Give us days of peace, watch over our way.
Let us see your Son as we rejoice in heaven". Amen!"

"His Day is Done"

Here is Dr. Maya Angelou's tribute poem to the late Nelson Mandela on behalf of the American people.  (E-mail subscribers: Click here to go to the blog post to see the video if you do not see it below.)

Keep Awake

Pax Christi USA has provided a reflection for the first week of Advent, written by Darlene Pryds.  Click here to read the reflection, focusing on waiting and keeping awake.

Evangelii Gaudium

Have you begun to read Pope Francis's Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium?  Here is an excerpt (n. 2):
The great danger in today's world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.  Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor.  God's voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.  This is a very real danger for believers, too.  Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless.  That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God's will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.

Go to the Vatican website to read the Letter in its entirety.

Human Trafficking and the Super Bowl

Why is there concern about human trafficking in preparation for Super Bowl XLVIII to be held at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, February 2, 2014?  Click on the link to open this document to learn more and to find out what the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking is doing about it.  The Sisters of Christian Charity are involved in this important effort and we encourage you to share this information with colleagues, friends, family, clergy and fellow parishioners. 

The Church and HIV/AIDS

Click here to read "A Continuing Crisis," an article by Jon Fuller from the December 2 issue of America, chronicling the church's global response the HIV/AIDS.  In the 32 years since the first cases of AIDS were reported and the 30 years since the causative agent of the epidemic has been identified, what has been the church's response?  Since World AIDS Day was yesterday, perhaps we can reflect on where we have been and plan where we might go in response to this still-present disease.