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Buon Natale!
Women’s Advent Dinner 2022
was a warm and festive gathering in faith and friendship. ❤️ Many thanks to all for making this such a full-hearted evening.
Here’s the concluding prayer from Dotti’s reflection as requested.
My Jesus,
As I prepare to celebrate Your ‘Good Birth’,
I praise your Holy Name, Emmanuel;
the Word become flesh,
God-with-us.
Enlighten the eyes of my heart,
That I may know you ever more deeply
Help me, like Mary, to say yes,
in the middle of the mysteries in my life,
to trust your love.
Let my life be a holy yes to those
in need of hope and grace
of comfort and joy,
of bread and friendship.
Help me to find you in all things,
to welcome you in all circumstances,
and to rejoice in the truth
that you are with me always.
Lastly, let me seek you out
so that I may receive your love
ever more deeply,
and stand firm in the hope
that belongs to all who follow you.
Come Lord Jesus,
come and be born
into the poor stable of my heart.
Thank you all.. it was a lovely evening..Merry Christmas
On this feast day of Mary…
“Here am I, let it be with me according to your word.”
Luke 1: 26-38
As we listen to the story of the Annunciation, we once again celebrate Mary’s generous and courageous “Yes” to this startling and disruptive call from God. She chooses openness to God’s invitation, no matter the consequences for her life.
What does it look like for each of us to show the same radical openness of heart as Mary? This question is perhaps answered in Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’ encyclical on social friendship and dialogue, in which he urges us to have a “heart open to the whole world.”
Pope Francis writes that “the guarantee of an authentic openness to God… is a way of practicing the faith that helps open our hearts to our brothers and sisters.” (74)
On this Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we can ask Mary to inspire us to say “yes” to God and have hearts open to our global neighbors, so that we may love without distinction.
Prayer
Loving God, open our hearts to encounter.
Inspire us, through the example of Mary,
to have the courage to say “yes” to your call,
trusting that nothing is impossible to you. Amen.
Personal Challenge
Take some time to find out more about the inspiring and powerful message of Fratelli Tutti and reflect on what Pope Francis is inviting us to do, so that we may open our hearts to one another.
Sister Ileana Fernandez, CSJ
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women.
See Luke 1:28
📸Today, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Gospel is the Annunciation to Mary by the Angel Gabriel. It concludes with Mary’s Yes, “and with that, the angel left her”. The very next line says “Mary set out in haste to the Hill Country of Judah” to her cousin Elizabeth. This mosaic is above the doors to the Church of the Visitation, built at the top of the Hill where Elizabeth and Mary greet, portrays that journey.
#dailyingodsword
Join us on Saturday December 17th following the 5pm Mass for a Christmas Carol Sing-Along on the Parish Plaza!
Gather round the fire - with Hot Cocoa and Cookies, Festive Sangria and Small Bites, and Reindeer noses of course!
All are Welcome!
Plan on joining us!
📸an oldie but too cute to pass up and a fond memory too!
They shall be my people, and I will be their God in faithfulness and integrity.
- Zechariah 8: 8
MEMORIAL OF AMBROSE, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Wednesday, Dec 07, 2022
Firm stance, gentle hand
Saint Ambrose of Milan, the esteemed early church theologian and pastor, was consecrated bishop of Milan on this day in 374, during a trip to the city to quell a succession crisis for the contentious church post. Known for his conciliatory demeanor, Ambrose was a staunch defender of orthodox beliefs about the divinity of Jesus, but he was also respected by those who believed Jesus not to be God, because of his willingness to listen to them. Among his countless contributions to the church, he converted Saint Augustine of Hippo with his preaching and baptized the wayward son before his own journey to theological greatness. In this season of charity, may we all emulate Ambrose’s devotion to peace and unity on his holy feast.
TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 40:25-31; Matthew 11:28-30. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.”
#takefiveforfaith
Our wonderful ‘Spirit-of-Christmas- elves’ are working behind the scenes to set a beautiful Christmas table for tomorrow’s Women’s Advent dinner. We have a full turnout and a most wonderful group of volunteers. And the kitchen aromas are heavenly too! Thank you all! Even those who didn’t get in a photo!
I’m so sad to miss out. We are in NYC visiting my son. Enjoy Ladies!!
Always a night to remember thanks to Cel, Dotti, and their crew!
I'm happy to see Kathy there. I haven't seen you since the holy land reunion. What fun, I wish I was there.
