Advent Blessings to you and yours!

Congregational E-News ~ Dec 1, 2018

According to St. Leo the Great, “the obedience of the star calls us to imitate its humble service and the grace for all to find Christ.” In what ways do I obey the call both to find the goodness of God in our world today and to lead others to find and to recognize that presence as well?

Star

The star was obedient and heeded the call

And led three men to a cattle stall

A baby was there---Messiah in hay

Birthed by a virgin on Christmas Day

They traveled a distance and came from afar

Magi known as wise men for following a star

Accompanied by shepherds

who were tending their sheep

Arriving in Bethlehem---the baby asleep

Who would have thought that this God little boy

Would bring gifts to us of peace, love, and joy

Creator God, child born in a manger

Poor and lowly, disguised as a stranger

The star is an image of God in control

Of all that’s created as Prophets foretold

So follow the star wherever you are

It may seem close; it may seem far

Yes, that star in the sky knew precisely the way

To find Savior Christ child asleep in the hay!

Phyllis Petryk

Franciscan Companion in Mission

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Advent - We Wait With Hope and Joy

Advent is a time of preparation, a joyful “ waiting. ” But what are we waiting for? We are waiting for Christ to come.

Advent---the four weeks before Christmas---is a time to focus on Jesus' becoming one with us! It is not merely a "liturgical season" but a way of life. Amid the frenzy of shopping, decorating, and celebrating, Jesus will come! Advent is a season of insight. It reminds us to be aware that Jesus comes into our lives each and every day---in the person of friends and strangers, in times convenient and inconvenient. What if each day we took time to patiently wait to see Emmanuel, God-with-us? Then Christmas, too, would be a year-long celebration!

Advent devotions, including the Advent wreath , remind us of the meaning of the season. An Advent calendar can help you fully enter in to the season with daily activity and prayer suggestions to prepare you spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ.

There are many good resources for Advent. Here are a few:

United States Conference for Catholic Bishops Advent 2018
An eight part Advent and Epiphay Devotional Journey, "Walking toward Hope," developed by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition Partners.
Cosmic Advent Wreath
Praying Advent

Upcoming Events

Join us to come together to remember over 600,000 Americans killed or injured by guns since the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy.

Thursday,

December 13, 2018

3:45 P.M ., followed by silent candlelight vigil

Click here for more details

Young Catholic women are welcome to join us for a Mini Discernment Day!

Explore how you can respond as Mary did.

December 15, 2018

10 AM – 2 PM

Click here for more details.

INVITING ALL MILLENNIALS –Are you in your 20s or 30s? Did the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia influence you in a positive way? Did you graduate from a school in which they taught? Work with them in ministry? Were mentored by them? Maybe you simply have a FRANCISCAN HEART and you’re looking for a way to give back!

Donor Service day

January 21, 2019

8:30 A.M. - 3 P.M.

Click here for more details

Christmas Card Inserts

Gift giving at Christmas provides us with an opportunity to tell our friends and loved ones that we care about them. But finding the right gift isn’t always easy.

Why not a gift of a Novena of Masses?

The Sisters of St. Francis annual Christmas insert not only shares a beautiful card and sentiment, but also gives the receiver the blessings of a Novena of Masses offered during the Christmas season.

The inserts are packaged 10 per pack for $7. This includes the cost for each pack along with shipping, handling, and credit card processing fee. Order today! Click Here

Winter 18 Edition

Red Hill Farm: A Sustainable Oasis for Community, Solitude, and Organic Food

Red Hill Farm is a six-acre CSA located in Aston, Pennsylvania, that is owned and supported by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. Red Hill Farm provides produce for 120 members as well as for the sisters themselves. Since its inception Red Hill Farm has utilized organic practices, a commitment that goes hand in hand with the sisters’ corporate stand on care for creation. READ

A Place for Peace and Nourishment for Body and Soul

Hermitage Place in Tacoma, Washington, run by Sisters Carol Ann Warnke and Carmel Gregg, offers a welcome getaway for people looking to take time out from everyday life to deepen their relationship with God. While the retreat house offers visitors nourishment for the soul, the sprawling garden with produce, flowers, and berries offers nourishment of a different sort. READ

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