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.
“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.
___________________________________________________________________________
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.
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