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Click here to view the list of names whom the flowers that decorate the sanctuary for Christmas
are offered for
PEACEMAKING THROUGH THE ARTS:
To celebrate the closing of the Merton Centenary, Kathleen Deignan, CND, Beth Bradley and her consort, Gadelica, will offer a concert to honor Thomas Merton's Celtic spirit. In word and song, this ensemble will offer selections from their new CD, "Asling" (ash-ling), a collection of sung visions and poems by Sister Kathleen - many texts drawn from the old collection called "The Carmina Gadelica" and realized in concert with an extraordinary troupe of musicians. Join us for this wonderful afternoon of song on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at 2:30 PM at Saint Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village, New York, Sixth Avenue at Washington Place - it just happens to be Merton's 101 st birthday! All seats are $25 in advance, $30 at the door for adults and $15 with a student ID. Reserve now at www.nycharities.org, info@nypaxchristi.org, or 212-420-0250.
14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr Day Interfaith Peace Walk
When: Monday, January 18, 2016
Theme: Here the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor!
Time: Walk begins at 2:00PM
Where: Gather at Holy Name of Jesus Church (W 96th Street / Amsterdam Ave) for an introduction and short prayer; proceed to several Upper West Side faith communities (including St Gregory the Great and West Park Presbyterian) for reflection, readings and song; end at Church of the Blessed Sacrament (W 71st St / Broadway) for reflection, refreshments and fellowship.
Participants and host congregations are encouraged to bring/collect letters addressed to congressional leaders urging support of initiatives to protect the planet and the poor who are so devastatingly affected by climate change and income inequality. Letters will be carried from congregation to congregation and then delivered in bulk.
Encyclical on the Environment
Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, the much anticipated encyclical of Pope Francis on the environment, was released to the world on Thursday, June 18 th, 2015. People all over the world eagerly awaited the Pope’s call to save God’s creation and protect the poor (who are those most harmed by ecological destruction). News coverage was extensive and it generated much interest among people of many faiths around the world. You can find an introduction to the encyclical in a 6 ½ minute video that features Catholic voices, online at http://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2015/06/video-outlines-background-for-pope-francis-papal-encyclical/
SEEKERS RETREAT FOR YOUNG ADULTSCONVERSATIONS WITH “RECYCLED” CATHOLICS
Charis NYC presents this peer-led weekend Seekers Retreat where you can join other young adults seeking a deeper relationship with God. Learn how their Catholic faith impacts their lives, through Ignation spirituality and take time to reflect on your journey, your desires, and God’s hopes and dreams for you.
When: January 29th – 31st, 2016
Mariandale Retreat Center, Ossining, New York
$260 per person
(Financial Aid and special discounts available)
Register at www.charis.ny c
CharisRetreatNYC@gmail.com - (347) 619-CNYC
REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS
Blessed Sacrament Church is organizing a new program and we’re recruiting volunteers. The program is called SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS (SMACK). A few times a week the Rectory gets calls from elderly/sick/disabled people asking for assistance with some small task (escorting them to a doctor’s appointment, picking up a prescription, delivering food from our food pantry, etc.) We’re seeking volunteers who would be willing to pitch in and help with such requested tasks. Most would be a one-time event, requiring only a small amount of time and commitment. People with flexible schedules would be very welcome, though those who have busier schedules (jobs, for example) could be very helpful as well. The coordinator would make calls to volunteers to see who might be available for any given task, giving time commitment and details. Karen Gargamelli has offered to serve as coordinator. If you might be interested in participating in this very worthy program, or needing more information, please contact her at Karen@benincasanyc.org
Many people--Catholics, those of other religions and of no religion-- have been struck by the words and actions of Pope Francis. Included among them are former Catholics who have long felt alienated from many of the church’s positions and practices, but now may be considering giving Catholicism a second look. This series is designed for such people— not for people who are comfortable in their faith and looking for spiritual enrichment. It is for people in transition, hence the term “recycled,” moving from a style of religion that was found to be unsatisfying to one that is both personally fulfilling and authentically Catholic. In a series of six non-judgmental, open yet focused discussions, Fr. Kevin Madigan will help participants reflect on their lived experience of Catholicism, its positive and negative aspects, in the hope of discovering possible directions for the future. The general approach could be described as a “therapy of the imagination,” an attempt to discover how familiar doctrines, metaphors, and images might be mined for new insights and meaning.
The series will take place in two locations: St. Thomas More Rectory, 65 East 89 th St., on Wednesday evenings, beginning January 6 th, at 7:00 p.m., and Blessed Sacrament Rectory, 152 West 71 st St., on Thursday evenings, beginning January 7 th, at 7:00 p.m. To register, please call 212-876-7718. There is no charge and refreshments will be served. The topics for discussion:
1/6, 1/7 Catholicism is a “package deal” and we were taught never to question.
1/13, 1/14 Catholicism is not a religion for over-achievers.
1/20, 1/21 Will the real Jesus please stand up.
1/27, 1/28 The Church, who needs it anyway?
2/3, 2/4 I would describe myself as “spiritual, but not religious.”
2/10, 2/11 Fast-food Catholicism may be dangerous to your health.
DOWNEY SIDE ADOPTION AGENCY:
MISSION FOR HOMELESS YOUTH
at Blessed Sacrament Convent on 70 th STREET is looking for a volunteer bookkeeper or retired accountant for 4 hours a week (small stipend).
Please contact Fr. Paul Engel ofm.cap at 212-714-2200
PRAYER OF STEWARDSHIP
God of all creation,
At the beginning of time
You placed a single mandate on humankind—
To be stewards of creation
To replenish and nurture through all generations
What you have made
We kneel today amid that same creation—
A world that is, in many ways, more splendid than ever
But, in too many ways, scarred beyond recognition
Turn us from our unmindfulness
Help our touch be light
Help us renew the world that supports us
So we may once more know creation
As it was in the beginning
Amen
