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The latest from the Church in Rural America.
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W
EEKLY WISDOM
"
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government will be upon his shoulder,
and his name will be called
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
"
-Isaiah 9:6
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A Christmas Blessing from CRL
Joyous Tidings at Christmastide
Lord Jesus Christ, when, on a winter's night, I look up through the clear air at the stars, I can be very close to you and to your native Bethlehem.
It was at night that you first came to this earth. It was under the same stars that now gleam in this night sky that Mary first held you in her arms. It was by the faint light of these stars, still shining tonight, that the shepherds found their way to the stable, and discovered You, as the angels had said they would, lying in a manger.
D
ea
r
Christ, it is
especially at Christmastime that I see and understand how close You are to those who live on the land. We have so many reminders of you! The stars and the moon at night and the sun by day- the same stars under which you were born; the same moon that shone that night on Bethlehem; the same sun that brightened your first days on earth. The stable and the farm animals that shared their quarters and their warmth with you, their Creator. The sheep and the shepherds that came to adore you- rough men, but good, truthful, honest and sincere.
O Jesus, Son of the Everlasting God, You are so wonderfully made one of us at Christmastime! You are our God, but You are our Brother, too. You are our King, but You came as a helpless little baby, longing for our love. Help us today and always to see You in all those with whom we come in contact. Let us never forget your own instruction, that whatever we do for the least of those around us, we do for You. Help us always to serve you in the generous, selfless spirit of the season, and we shall then be real Christians- more and more like You- other Christs.
Amen.
(reprinted from the Rural Life Prayer Book, available here)
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Morality and Agriculture
Bridging the Gap Between Farmers and Consumers
The Catholic Church as always been a champion of farmers and ranchers affirming the unique vocation of the men and women involved in agriculture who provide
food for our tables and for the world. As the Catholic bishops of the United States
wrote in a reflection in 2003, "Food sustains life itself; it is not just another product.
For many, farming is a way of life, not just another business or industry. Agriculture
is the way farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers provide a decent life for their
families and help feed a hungry world...Agriculture touches all of our lives."
The Church recognizes the hard work of all those involved in agricultural production. Men and women literally put their lives on the line to help provide food for our tables. Agricultural jobs are some of the most dangerous occupations in the US.
Click
here to read more from this article, "Morality and Agriculture", which was part of our Fall 2016 Catholic Rural Life Magazine. Members get this periodical mailed to them quarterly.
Join us today.
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CRL's Holiday Hours
End-of-Year Business Schedule
CRL's offices will be closed from December 26, 2016-January 2, 2017.
Have a joyous Christmastide and a Happy New Year.
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