Thursday, December 25, 2008

 

God’s sign is the baby, a child. God’s sign is that he makes himself small for us. He asks for our love: so he makes himself a child. He wants nothing other from us than our love, through which we spontaneously learn to enter into his feelings, his thoughts and his will – we learn to live with him and to practice with him that humility of renunciation that belongs to the very essence of love. He teaches us to love the weak. In this way he teaches us respect for children. The child of Bethlehem directs our gaze towards all children who suffer and are abused in the world, the born and the unborn. Towards children who are placed as soldiers in a violent world; towards children who have to beg; towards children who suffer deprivation and hunger; towards children who are orphans or unloved. In all of these it is the Child of Bethlehem who is crying out to us; it is the God who has become small who appeals to us. Let us pray this night that the brightness of God’s love may enfold all these children. Let us ask God to help us do our part so that the dignity of children may be respected. May they all experience the light of love, which mankind needs so much more than the material necessities of life. *

Thank you so very much for all you have done for the children at the missions of the Religious Teachers Filippini. Your countless hours working for the orphans, the hundreds of miles you have run, biked, climbed and even baked will not go unrewarded. Your generosity in helping to feed, clothe, house and educate these children has truly made a difference in their lives. May you and your families be blessed in a most special way throughout this coming New Year. Be assured of the daily prayers and sacrifices of the Sisters throughout the world. We look forward to doing even more for these children in 2009!





*adapted from the 2006 Christmas Homily of Pope Benedict XVI

Monday, December 01, 2008

 

Thanksgiving for all


“ Jesus is my Lord” is boldly displayed above the door post of this one
room shanty in Brazil. But look closer, below are the words ,”and there is nothing
that I want”!

On this Monday after Thanksgiving I pray you have the same sentiments. Most of us do have all we need!

But sorrow, sadness, and terror, abound in this world. We must be strong in our Faith or as Pope Benedict XVI says, “…without faith, there is no hope and without hope there is not future.” Make sure you pass this Faith on to your children and friends. They need your strength.
This International Day of AIDS awareness spread the word around about the orphans from this terrible disease. In New Jersey there are over 22,000 such orphans, not to mention the millions world over.

My Thanksgiving prayer was for the children and for all of you who work so hard to help them. God hears your prayers and sees your efforts to reach out to them. Continue to pray for them, only divine intervention can help resolve a problem of such dimesions.
God is listening! Watch the attached video clip, these Brazilian girls are happy and getting their lives back in order thanks to your goodness to them. Nothing better!

God bless you.
Sr. Mary Beth


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