Solstice is Wednesday December 21, 2016

Advent- Christmas 2016                                

Happy Advent to you! What a year of surprises! Just as Joseph had to move quickly to protect the holy family, we need to be alert to the needs of families having to leave lands of violence and oppression in our day. It never ends…the need for mercy and love! I am a fan of Pope Francis who issued a new set of Beatitudes. "Blessed are those who remain faithful while enduring evils inflicted on them by others and forgive them from their heart.

"Blessed are those who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness.

"Blessed are those who see God in every person and strive to make others also discover him.

"Blessed are those who protect and care for our common home.

"Blessed are those who renounce their own comfort in order to help others.

"Blessed are those who pray and work for full communion between Christians."

"All these are messengers of God's mercy and tenderness," Pope Francis said. "Surely they will receive from him their merited reward."

 I am  thankful for the blessings of good health and happiness in my life.

Have a blessed Christmas and happy new year!

Idea for Christmas Gift

"From My Heart to God's"

Mary Elizabeth Clark, SSJ

A book of poems and prayers with beautiful photos from nature to accompany each one!

Sale price $10.00 plus postage or pick up.

Order through

mclark@ssjphila.org

Book Sale

Now at reduced price of $10.00 plus postage if mailed or can be picked up.
Author: Sister Mary ELizabeth Clark, SSJ
Prayers and Poems
Photography by Sister Joellen Sbrissa, CSJ
Call 215-248-7289
mclark@ssjphila.org

Online course awakens beginners to unfolding universe story

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• In this image from the Hubble Space Telescope, a bluish nebula of glowing hydrogen expands out into the remains of a molecular cloud that collapsed to form massive stars. (CNS photo/NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team)

A set of online courses set to debut this week will offer students an introductory dive into cosmological thought and the epic story of the unfolding of the universe and life itself.
“Journey of the Universe: A Story for Our Times” is a course series created by Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, both research scholars in Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and co-founders of its Forum on Religion and Ecology.
The three-class program explores the universe’s formation through a multidisciplinary lens, along with the evolutionary implications for humans and their ecological future. It builds off the worldview of Passionist Fr. Thomas Berry, with one of the classes dedicated to his life and insights.
Tucker and Grim, who will teach the courses, are both students of Berry. In Tucker's words, she and Grim, her husband, have “lived and breathed” elements of the “Journey” work for more than 30 years since they studied with Berry in graduate school.

Pope Francis adds New Work of Mercy to Original Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

As Pope Francis adds Care for Creation as a Corporal and Spiritual Work of Mercy,

this explanation was published in the Catholic New York newspaper.

“ As a spiritual work of mercy, the pope said, care for

Creation requires “a grateful contemplation of God’s world.”

While as a corporal work, it calls for “simple daily gestures

which break with the logic of violence, exploitation and

selfishness.” The Year of Mercy, he added, offers Christians an opportunity to

experience not only an interior conversion but also an “ecological conversion,”

one that recognizes “our responsibility to ourselves, our neighbors, creation and the Creator.”

Here are the Corporal Works of Mercy

1.       Feed the hungry

2.       Shelter the homeless

3.       Clothe the naked

4.       Visit the sick and imprisoned

5.       Bury the dead

6.       Give alms to those who are poor

7.       Care for our common home

Here are the Spiritual Works of Mercy

1.       Instruct

2.       Advise

3.       Console

4.       Comfort

5.       Forgive

6.       Bear wrongs patiently

7.       Care for our common home

( translation from Loyola Press)

 On Care for Our Common Home Websites

Websites for resources related to Laudato Si and Creation Care

The Pastoral Center

http://www.thepastoralcenter.com/creation.html

The Catholic Climate Covenant

http://www.catholicclimatecovenant.org

 Catholic Climate Covenant helps Catholic people and institutions respond to the moral call for action on climate change. We open policy conversation, reduce carbon footprints, and share authentic Catholic teachings on climate change. covenant.org/

Global Catholic Climate Movement

almost 100 Catholic organizations to care for God’s creation, for the poor–who are the most vulnerable to climate disruption - See more at: http://catholicclimatemovement.global/#sthash.mx9px6x7.dpuf

http://catholicclimatemovement.global/

Catholic Rural Life

Catholic Rural Life (CRL) is a national, Catholic nonprofit organization dedicated to the vitality of the American countryside. Since 1923, we have been applying the teachings of Jesus Christ for the social, economic, and spiritual development of rural America, strengthening and sustaining the Church in the countryside by educating and inspiring leaders and advocating on their behalf.

https://catholicrurallife.org/

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Conservation Center

 http://www.kateri.org/

The Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Conservation Center is a Catholic faith-based conservation organization that promotes Catholic teaching on ecology and the environment, conserves nature, and protects life. Mission: Promote Catholic teaching on ecology & the environment, conserve nature, & protect life.

Our Vision: A faithful, loving home on Earth for people & all of God’s creatures.

ur Mission: Promote Catholic teaching on ecology & the environment, conserve nature, & protect life.

Our Vision: A faithful, loving home on Earth for people & all of God’s creatures.

Bulletin Board Ideas for Laudato Si, On Care for Our Common Home

Pope Francis' Encyclical on the Environment
What are some ways we as a school can care for our common home?
Write your ideas on this leaf and add it to our tree.
( Draw a tree and make leaves from colored paper.
Attach an envelope with the leaves in it and a pencil to create ideas.Post them on the bulletin board.

Meet Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis lived in Assisi Italy a long time ago!

He helped take care of our Earth and all the animals and people that lived here.

Meet Pope Francis!

Pope Francis is the leader of our whole Church!  He wants you to know that you can help take care of Our Common Home too!

You can help take care of Our Common Home by

recycling things like:

Cardboard, Newspaper, Plastic and Glass bottles and Cans.