April 22, 2016: Earth Day

eco-faith-1Earth Day is celebrated this year on April 22nd. We recall the words of it’s founder, Gaylord Nelson, “The ultimate test of our conscience may be our willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.” It has been one year since Pope Francis challenged all our consciences with his encyclical, “Laudato Si.” The pope focused on the morality of climate change and the necessity of protecting the world’s poor. It was the first encyclical to address environmental damage.
What have you done this past year for the good of the environment? Pope Francis challenged us to consider crucial lifestyle changes as needed to protect our planet. Being a “throwaway culture” victimizes the poor and creates an abundance of unnecessary waste. We are to live simpler lives instead of striving for a life of consumption.
There are many small things we can all do to help our Earth like taking public transportation, carpooling, planting trees, turning off unnecessary lights, recycling, and boycotting harmful products. We can also take heed of Gandi’s words of wisdom, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every person’s need, but not every person’s greed.”

Easter Reflections: April 13, 2016 Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me . . . (John 6:37)
Do you recall the first time you received a “rejection” letter? It might have been for one of your college applications, or for a grant you worked so diligently to write to support a much-needed ministry. Perhaps the rejection occurred more recently; perhaps it wasn’t a letter, but in the form of a person, a friend. Whatever the circumstances, it happened and it was not what you had hoped for and it hurt! Imagine now, the huge contrast as you consider your desire to grow closer to Jesus, our Savior, and you know He will not reject anyone who goes to Him. May this realization and the accompanying sense of relief be the source of your mercy and love for others!
Sr. Charlene Herinckx, SSMO
This reflection comes from the Easter Reflections, prepared by the Precious Blood Family of communities:
Adorers of the Blood of Christ (US Region)
Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Atlantic, Cincinnati & Kansas City Provinces)
Sisters of the Most Precious Blood (O’Fallon, MO)
Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, OH)
Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon
Easter Reflections is available for printing here.