Congregational E-News ~ Dec. 15, 2017
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In some ways Christmas is different each year. We look at the past year and find that for some it has been a good year. For others, the year has brought sadness and worry. Sometimes world events tend to dim the brightness that we associate with the holiday season. But at the heart of Christmas, there is no change simply because the heart of Christmas holds God's love for each of us---swelling up and overflowing!
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Searching for love
In lives that hate,
Searching for peace
In a world at war,
Searching for goodness
Amidst shreds of evil,
Searching for hope
In a world grown cold.
Finding a God
Whose name is
Love,
Finding a maiden
Whose heart said
"Yes,"
Finding a stall
Where Peace was born,
Finding within me...
Christmas!
Sr. Ann Marie Slavin, OSF
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Assisi House Christmas Party
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Sr. Eileen was one of the lucky door prize winners.
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Sunday afternoon, December 10th was an exciting day for our sisters at Assisi House as they enjoyed their annual Christmas party. It is a day that our sisters and companions simply spend time celebrating with these women who are so filled with life and the joy and love which is what Christmas is all about! That joy and love is also evident in all who work that goes into making the day so special. The event is organized by Sr. Martha Pooler. Her brother and her niece are on hand to provide the music. Our sisters from near and far send donations to provide a gift bag of goodies for each of the Assisi House residents. And members of our Companions in Mission from the Trenton area come every year to help set up, provide and serve snacks, entertain the sisters, serve as Santa's helpers, and anything else that might need tending to!
The sisters love the music---some are even up dancing! We do, of course, sing Christmas songs. But there are also some all-time favorites. We're very near Philadelphia so there is always a round of Mummer music and always some who do that famous Mummers' Strut. This year the companions even provided Mummers' umbrellas to enhance the strut! Another favorite is YMCA---complete with the familiar hand movements. Of course, like most groups attempting this, we get the movements a bit mixed up which only adds to the fun!
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Two Sisters Recognized for Service and Dedication
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Sr. Clare Christi Schiefer received the 2017 Presidential Humanitarian Award from Neumann University. The award was established in honor of Dr. Rosalie Mirenda and Tony Mirenda, seen here to Sr. Clare's left.
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At its annual meeting on September 26, 2017, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) Board of Governors (Bishops of Pennsylvania) and the administrative board recognized
Sr. Clare Christi Schiefer for her untiring service and dedication to the church in Pennsylvania and to the mission of healthcare for the past 35 years. Currently Sr. Clare Christi serves as President of the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA)---a state-wide organization representing Catholic health ministry in Pennsylvania in public policy matters. PCHA is closely aligned with the PCC, the public affairs arm of the bishops of Pennsylvania. On October 19, 2017, the PCHA Board of Directors also celebrated Sr. Clare Christi for her outstanding contributions and commitment to Catholic healthcare and to the Church of Pennsylvania for the past 35 years.
Both awards followed an earlier acknowledgement in April when Sr. Clare was recognized by Neumann University as one of its 2017 Presidential Humanitarian Award recipients. The award acknowledges individuals "whose life reflects a commitment to serve humanity and empower the underserved in our society; devotion to religious and family values; dedication to excellence; value for philanthropy and giving back; willingness to take risks in the pursuit of vision, and a demonstrate value for education and a positive intellectual life." Sr. Clare was chosen because of her service with PCHA and her efforts at "directing a statewide organization comprised of Catholic hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare systems, sponsoring religious congregations, dioceses, and other related groups." In her response to the award, Sr. Clare quoted one of her favorites sayings: "What you are is God's gift to you. What you become is your gift to God." Then she added, "I am still becoming! With God's grace I hope to continue serving in the ministries of Catholic healthcare and Catholic higher education in the days ahead."
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Sr. Maureen Duignan (center) was presented a lifetime achievement award for her work with refugees. With her are Monica Clark, a CCHD local committee member, and Marc McKimmey, diocesan CCHD coordinator.
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In October the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) presented
Sr. Maureen Duignan with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her "more than 30 years of providing legal services with compassion to immigrants and refugees in the East Bay...and assisting immigrants with transitional housing for many years as director of Oakland's Casa Esperanza." During the presentation Sr. Maureen's experience in serving the needs of the immigrant community was outlined---beginning in 1982 when, at the height of the civil wars in Central America, she began working with Guatemalan and Salvadoran refugee camps and later initiated the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant. Today she continues to serve as its executive director. During the presentation of the award, Sr. Maureen was described as "the real deal...(who) brings warmth, compassion, competence, a deep commitment to justice, and unwavering determination to provide safety and sanctuary to those in our community who need it most."
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Help Support our Ministries
In Alaska Sisters of St. Francis make their rounds to 24 parishes to help employees, lay ministers, and volunteers organize religious education and other parish activities. At Transitions for Women in Spokane, Washington, many women in desperate need seek temporary housing and help for themselves and their children. Anna's Place in Chester, Pennsylvania, provides a welcoming, safe, and supportive atmosphere and sanctuary where our sisters teach residents how to use computers, provide information about health issues, and join in group activities. The sisters' support and work at Drexel Neumann Academy---the only remaining Catholic school in Chester, Pennsylvania---provides a strong educational base for children in this community to overcome the barriers of poverty.
These ministries are only some examples of where our sisters serve those who are in need. Your support of our ministries gives hope and meaning to the lives of those we serve.
Click here to donate.
Would you be willing to make a special year-end donation of $50, $100, or whatever you can afford to help us help those in need? We simply can't do it without you. Your support will make a real, lasting impact in the lives of those who greatly need it.
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