• PEACE & JUSTICE NEWS - Blessed Sacrament Provicne (USA)
On December 7, Sisters from the Congregation of Notre Dame and the School Sisters of Notre Dame hosted a Vigil Prayer as a part of the follow-up to the Climate March. This VigilforLima, explained in an earlier intranet posting, was an important step in our carrying out our primary Justice Goal for the year 2014-15. It provided a concrete expression of our desire to be in solidarity with all around the globe who are committed to reverse climate change. I want to invite you to a few other steps. Many of the sisters have received your copy of Climate Change: Our Call to Conversion. I wanted you to have it available for Advent Prayer. The booklet’s use is self-explanatory. I am working with Sr. Joan to plan a good way to get them out to Associates. The booklets are a wonderful call to prayer and reflection. Believing we should walk on two feet in our journey of responsible care for Creation, I am including a few of the practical steps I gleaned from participating in Greenfaith’s Energy Webinars and some individual steps suggested by www.ourvoices.net. All are both practical and doable choices for individual action.
"We Are Listening." Bridgeport Diocesan Synod
"This is a singular opportunity for us, as a diocese, to ask very deep, honest, and probing questions, so that we can transform the challenges we face into opportunities for growth and renewal. But perhaps most importantly, this is a graced time for you and me to accept the invitation of the Lord, in a very personal way, to grow in faith and holiness," said Bishop Frank Caggiano.
With that, Bishop Caggiano opened the second session of the Synod of the Diocese of Bridgeport (CT) November 15th. The atmosphere among the participants is very congenial; each seems genuinely pleased to be part of this effort. Bishop Frank Caggiano (cf. 11/10 America magazine editorial) also shared that 5 bishops at the recent USCCB meeting approached him about the synod and want to know more; we are sowing seeds…
Woodstock Associate Retreat, Skiff Lake, September 27
The theme for our day was “Journeying – Our Footsteps Through Life” and our facilitator was Eleanor McCloskey, CND from Fredericton.
Using some Scripture passages, we looked at some of the steps Jesus took to teach people different ways of looking at things, different ways of getting to know God. We shared some of the steps we see Pope Francis taking, not just “in Church,” but in front of the whole world, to teach mercy and compassion and a nonjudgmental way of relating to one another. Some examples were shared of activists, movers and shakers we have heard of, that take costly steps to try to effect change. Then we prayed quietly for some time, reflecting on our own journey and the steps we are called upon to take. To help us “get into it,” we chose shoes from a display of cards prepared with varieties of shoes – athletic shoes, work boots, sandals, sturdy shoes, dressy shoes, winter boots, and weird imaginative creations!
The sharing from our “journey” outside, reflecting in the warm sunshine of a beautiful autumn Saturday, was rich and rewarding to all. Our day concluded with considering Resisting… Accepting... Embracing Change in our journey.
“Does my image of God allow God to lead me into new pathways?” was the question we took home.
