Dec 24, 2017
Dear Members, Companions, Volunteers, and Friends,
Several years ago, I spent the week before Christmas in a hermitage on the property of the Sisters of Loretto near Gethsemane in Kentucky. I was living in Chicago at the time and left early enough so that I could arrive before dark since I was using ancient technology—the Rand McNally road atlas. I did have one of those flip phones but it did not have GPS—or if it did, I didn’t know how to use it. After making several wrong turns and driving several miles out of my way, I finally arrived very late after dark in this out of the way place. Fortunately, the porchlight to the hermitage was on to welcome me.
We live in a dark time. The darkness is deep and steep for many in our world today and many feel lost. Christmas lights illuminate the landscape of our lives and serve as a reminder that in the darkest time of year, we are people who believe in the light that dwells within each of us. As the prophet Isaiah reminds us again this Christmas, though we are a people who walked in darkness, we are not lost in the dark. Rather, we are people “who have seen a great light.”
The darkness of the world is our darkness. As people of faith, we acknowledge the darkness; we don’t run from it or try to escape it, but rather embrace it because we believe “what came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1, 4-5).”
The light of the world we celebrate at Christmas dawns in the most human of ways. We don’t have to run off searching for the light of love because love comes to us in the routine and the wonder of our lives. As Pope Francis tweeted recently, “The true spirit of Christmas is the beauty of being loved by God.”
We can bear this light of love precisely because we are loved by God. As Parker Palmer writes, “Christmas is a reminder I’m invited to be born time and again in the shape of my God-given self.” We are God’s beloved children now and the challenge of Christmas is always the same: act like it! Live as children of the Light!
May we be a light in the world’s window to welcome home those who are lost, forsaken, or forgotten. During this Christmas season, may we allow the Light of the world to flood our lives, our minds, our hearts to remind us again that we are the beloved of God, the light in God’s eyes. Allow that light to shine as a beacon of hope and hospitality in a world where so many are feeling lost in the dark.
A Blessed Christmas to you, to your loved ones, and to all those you serve and help to find the way home.
With light and peace,
Joe Nassal, C.PP.S.
Provincial Director
Dec 20, 2017
John Lee (left), with fellow volunteers Martin and Leah at our mid-year retreat
Today we say goodbye to John Lee. John served as a Precious Blood Volunteer since July and worked at Cristo Rey Kansas City High School and is heading off to new adventures in Florida to work as a mechanical engineer. John’s playful spirit and his commitment to building community with others will be missed.
During John’s term of service he became a positive presence among the staff and students at Cristo Rey Kansas City High School. Even though he was only at Cristo Rey for one semester John was an active and engaged member of the staff. He coached volleyball, taught a section of Algebra, helped out with the media classes, and mentored several of the students at Cristo Rey. John also became the staff social coordinator, organizing a number of staff outings and happy hours.
John has also started a podcast called “Starting With A Story.” “Starting With A Story” is a podcast that comes out on Monday mornings. John shares a wisdom story that covers topics from personal growth to life lessons to connecting with others. These stories are followed with John’s takeaways and specific parts of the story that resonate with him the most. The podcast finishes with a challenge to take on in order to improve and grow in your own lives based on the lessons from the story.
John showing off his many talents by assisting a filmmaker.
John’s experience of service as a Precious Blood Volunteer was part of his reasoning to start this podcast. John said that “since being [in Kansas City] and working with the students, I’ve wanted to share and connect with even more people.” He continues that he “brainstormed a bunch of ways I could pursue that goal and I came across the idea of podcasting and felt that it could create that bridge! And, so here I am, one microphone, one laptop, and limitless hope for the future.”
You can listen to “Starting With A Story” at the podcast’s website, https://startingwithastory.com, or wherever you find your podcasts.
We wish John the best in all his future endeavors! We hope that he will stay safe and stay himself!
Dec 12, 2017
by Gabino Zavala, Justice and Peace Director
Today (December 12) we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas. She is our caring and loving Mother who shows compassion for her children, especially the most vulnerable in our midst. Our faith teaches us to love our neighbor and care for the migrants who are often the most vulnerable in our communities.
Pope Francis has called on us to pray and provide support for our brothers and sisters who are migrants and refugees through the historic campaign, Share the Journey. Let us follow our Holy Father’s call by speaking out on behalf of the young people in our communities. As we come to the end of the year let us support the young immigrants in the United States.
Due to the inaction of our Congress since the announcement that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) would end, approximately 800,000 of our nations immigrant children are extremely vulnerable as they face an uncertain future. The United States is the only home they have ever known. Ripping them away form their families is unconscionable. Today, on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, share her message and let us ask Congress to protect our immigrant young people and pass the Dream Act before the end of the year.
How can you help?
Pray:
Most merciful mother, you came to tell us of your compassion through St. Juan Diego, whom you called the littlest and dearest of your children. Give your strength and protection to all who live in poverty today, especially the young, the elderly, and vulnerable. Plead for them to the Father in their need that He may give them comfort, protection and peace.
Join:
Support the Share the Journey Campaign — a collaborative global campaign form Caritas Internationalis led in the U.S. by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, and Catholic Relief Services to raise awareness and support for the needs of migrants and refugees across the world.
Act:
Contact Congress today and urge therm to take action on behalf of Dreamers before the end of the year.
Call your Representative: 1-888-496-3502
Call your Senator: 1-888-410=0619
(call twice to contact each Senator)
Dec 11, 2017
December Greetings everyone! There definitely is a chill in the air! As the Christmas season is settling in, the Center has been busy with lots of activity. In November, St. Charles Borromeo Church held their Staff day retreat here beginning with Mass at 9am in the Chapel. Bridges to Contemplative Living group will take a break in December and will restart meetings on the second and fourth Thursday of the month in January. This group is facilitated by Fr. Garry Richmeier, C.P.P.S. and Kathy Keary. Growing in Awareness of the Eastern Wisdom of Jesus program was a tremendous success it also was presented by Fr. Garry Richmeier, C.P.P.S. This program explored how Jesus used Eastern Spirituality and ideas to build the Reign of God.
Sedalia Woman’s Group from Scared Heart Parish had their 4th annual retreat here at the Center. Their group spends 24 hours with each other filled with relaxation, games, prayer and fellowship. It was a beautiful fall weekend facilitated by Fr. Timothy Armbruster, C.P.P.S. The Prayer for Life group met here for a day of Prayer and Reflection as they wondered amidst the scared grounds at the Center. Their experience is usually in silence and solitude.
A Season of Resilience and Resistance was the topic for the Advent day of Reflection on December 2, facilitated by Fr. Joe Nassal, C.P.P.S. The day was filled with hope as people reflected on the spirituality of resistance and resiliency that reveals how to cultivate hope in difficult and trying times. St. James Altar Society held their annual Christmas dinner here at the Center.
We will be hosting four families from Family Promise of the Northland this upcoming week here in our guest house. This program is an interfaith network program that helps local homeless families regain their independence and provide them with shelter and outreach opportunities. Advocating and supporting this national program helps build communities and strengthen lives.
Please joins us for our celebration of the Winter Solstice on Thursday evening December 21st starting at 5:30pm. We will be led by Fr. Joe Nassal, C.P.P.S. as we gather to celebrate and pause during a busy season to reflect and renew our spirits. We will include a meditative walk to the Reconciliation Labyrinth and will conclude with a simple soup supper. Please register by December 19. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dec 4, 2017
by Br. Daryl Charron, C.PP.S.
The Vietnam Mission celebrated the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, our patron saint this past Saturday. Our celebration began with a Day of Reflection led by Fr. Tam Hoang. He focused on the topic of being responsible for the many gifts God created each one of us to uniquely have. Tam stressed the importance of affirming one another in our gifts to be offered for the good of the Community. His message was well received and taken to heart by our formation candidates.
During lunch we all heard from brother candidate, Diep Vu, of his recent volunteer work in Nha Trang upon the aftermath of the devastation caused by the typhoon. Diep did building repairs and electrical work for a group of nuns who suffered damage to their convent. Many thanks to Diep for offering his time and talents. We concluded our day with Celebration of the Eucharist followed by dinner. All of us in the mission are grateful for St. Francis Xavier who spread the gospel message in Asia.
