We offer this prayer as part of the Week of Prayer and Action in the "Share the Journey" campaign to raise awareness of the situation of refugees. This prayer and more resources are available here.
Good and gracious God,
We thank you for the gift of families. We are grateful for all of the joy and love that they bring into our lives, and we ask that you provide special protection for all families, particularly those who face hardships as they move in search of a better life. Show mercy to those who travel in danger, and lead them to a place of safety and peace. Comfort those who are alone and afraid because their families have been torn apart by violence and injustice. As we reflect upon the difficult journey that the Holy Family faced as refugees in Egypt, help us to remember the suffering of all migrant families. Through the intercession of Mary our Mother and St. Joseph the Worker, her husband, we pray that all migrants may be reunited with their loved ones and find the meaningful work they seek. Open our hearts so that we may provide hospitality for all who come in search of refuge. Give us the courage to welcome every stranger as Christ in our midst. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Monday, October 9, 2017
Catholic Teaching on Welcoming Refugees
As we continue to observe the Week of Prayer and Action in the "Share the Journey" campaign, this brief video from Catholic Relief Services remids us of why we are called to welcome refugees. (Email subscribers who do not see a video embedded below, click here to view it.)
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Share the Journey
As we reminded you in this post from August, Caritatis Internationalis is seeking to raise awareness of migration with its two-year campaign, "Share the Journey." During his weekly audience on September 27, Pope Francis began the campaign. This week (October 7-13), in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities USA, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling for a week of prayer and action. Click here to find resources and information about the campaign, as well as suggestions for prayer and action.
Friday, October 6, 2017
Als Antwort Auf Gottes Ruf
As part of our ongoing observance of the 200th birthday of Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, we continue to post excerpts of Als Antwort auf Gottes Ruf (Bonifatius, 2016), the history of the Sisters of Christian Charity since 1881, by Sister Anna Schwanz, SCC, translated by Sister Mary Perpetua Rehle, SCC.
New Foundation in the Philippines (continued)
Soon the first home was too small for the growing number of blind. A nearby building with a garden was purchased for a reasonable price in 2000. After a thorough renovation, the group was able to move in that same year. The things that the residents considered essential clearly showed what they had been deprived of in their lives: first of all, security, "We are safe because we have gates, an alarm system and a fire alarm." The topic "having room" plays an important role, e.g., one's own bed, closet, a place to do homework, a place to play, a place to do laundry and a place "for visitors." The garden, the piano, the chapel, the grotto and the fans in the large room were also explored.
The Mother Pauline Learning Center for the Blind, an idea which had come about when we accepted the first mentally-challenged blind children a few years ago, was further developed and changed. In this in-house facility for the mutli-handicapped blind, who, even with additional help could not successfully attend any public school, learn as far as they are able to write, to read, to do math, and above all, many practical things they need for life. There is much emphasis on religious education. The other children and young people, according to their ability, attend the public elementary school (6 years) and High School (4 years). If they are qualified, they continue in a college. In 2006 the first girl who graduated from High School left the Margaretha Home. She had begun her schooling at the age of 15 when she came to the home. Even though here mother was a teacher, the girl had never attended school because of her blindness. She was able to skip class levels and completed her preliminary education in six years. She then attended college near her home and is now a teacher. Experiencing such successes are moments of glory for the Sisters and their co-workers and the reward for their daily, patient, arduous, detailed work.
New Foundation in the Philippines (continued)
Soon the first home was too small for the growing number of blind. A nearby building with a garden was purchased for a reasonable price in 2000. After a thorough renovation, the group was able to move in that same year. The things that the residents considered essential clearly showed what they had been deprived of in their lives: first of all, security, "We are safe because we have gates, an alarm system and a fire alarm." The topic "having room" plays an important role, e.g., one's own bed, closet, a place to do homework, a place to play, a place to do laundry and a place "for visitors." The garden, the piano, the chapel, the grotto and the fans in the large room were also explored.
The Mother Pauline Learning Center for the Blind, an idea which had come about when we accepted the first mentally-challenged blind children a few years ago, was further developed and changed. In this in-house facility for the mutli-handicapped blind, who, even with additional help could not successfully attend any public school, learn as far as they are able to write, to read, to do math, and above all, many practical things they need for life. There is much emphasis on religious education. The other children and young people, according to their ability, attend the public elementary school (6 years) and High School (4 years). If they are qualified, they continue in a college. In 2006 the first girl who graduated from High School left the Margaretha Home. She had begun her schooling at the age of 15 when she came to the home. Even though here mother was a teacher, the girl had never attended school because of her blindness. She was able to skip class levels and completed her preliminary education in six years. She then attended college near her home and is now a teacher. Experiencing such successes are moments of glory for the Sisters and their co-workers and the reward for their daily, patient, arduous, detailed work.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Reminder: Online Prayer Service
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Online Prayer Service
On Wednesday, October 4 at 10 am EDT, the Global Catholic Climate Movement invites you to an ecumenical online prayer service to celebrate the feast of St. Francis. Click here to register
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