“We will open the book. Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity, and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
— Edith Lovejoy Pierce
The New Year is ushered in by the One who is/was from the beginning and is still with us. Hebrew tradition reminds us to look back and remember what God has done for us – even in this year of Covid-19 – and remember that God is faithful to God’s promise. Before we write our New Year’s Resolutions, let’s each take a few minutes to look back over the closing year and see God’s Hand in our life. And then let us walk in hope into Anno Domini 2021. 
— Sister Nancy Celaschi
The Healing
Power of Hope
Within the Judeo-Christian tradition, hope has long been recognized for its special powers. It is mentioned in the Bible more than 180 times or about once every seven pages! Many prominent scientists have lined up in support of hope, and researchers are finding that hope can play an important role in many facets of life, including promoting quicker recovery following surgery and boosting our human performance levels. 

Join Gena Tallarico, executive director of our St. Francis Center for Renewal, for Simply Prayer: Discovering the Healing Power of Hope, an online program set for 10 a.m. next Tuesday, January 5. Take time during the challenges of Covid-19 to learn and pray more about hope and find ways to contemplate how you might activate its healing powers in your own life, too.
Winter Spirituality Weekend
On January 6, we celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings. To many, this feast is called “Little Christmas.” As we envision the crèche, we see Mary studying the hands, feet and heart of her Babe and ponder about Emmanuel with us. What does St. Joseph teach us as he gazes upon Mary and the child, Jesus? The three Kings come in earnest to seek out this child and worship.

Join St. Francis Center for Renewal for a Winter Spirituality Weekend: God at Work, to reflect on God’s love present in the persons of Jesus, Joseph and the Magi. Set for Friday and Saturday, January 8-9, the online retreat will be led by Sisters Marguerite Stewart and M. Virginelle Makos. Sessions are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, January 8 and at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 9.
Auld Lang Syne,
Dear Friends
A treat for your ears and soul, the Choral Scholars of the University College Dublin launch us into 2021 with a hearty dose of goosebumps, a heightened sense of sentimentality, and an open-armed embrace of the blank slate that awaits on the other side of midnight.

Please Note: The Sisters have no control over advertising on YouTube.