Luke, Chapter 2. because there was no room for them in the inn.

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1 December 19, 2017 because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke, Chapter 2 In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph, too, went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. As Pope Francis officially opened last year s Christmas Nativity scene in St. Peter s Square, he said Jesus was a migrant who reminds us of the plight of today s refugees. The sad experience of these brothers and sisters recalls that of baby Jesus, who at the time of his birth could not find a place to stay when he was born in Bethlehem, the pope said. Pope Francis has spoken out in support of refugees many times and said there were many stories of migration in the Bible. Today the current economic crisis unfortunately fosters attitudes of closure instead of welcome, said the pontiff. In some parts of the world walls and barriers are being built. It appears that the silent work of men and women who, in different ways, do what they can to help and assist refugees and migrants is being drowned out by the noise made by those who give voice to an instinctive egoism, he said. ~ Vatican City. This Christmas, let us pray especially for our migrant and refugee sisters and brothers and asylum seekers that they find their place at the inn somewhere safe and welcoming in the world.

2 World Day of Peace January 1, 2018 Migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace Pope Francis message for the celebration of the 2018 World Day of Peace was released during a press conference at the Holy See Press Office. The message entitled Migrants and Refugees: Men and Women in search of Peace is divided into six sections with the first offering heartfelt good wishes for peace and inviting people of good will to embrace those fleeing war, hunger and persecution. The message also poses the question, why so many migrants and refugees? Pope Francis answers this by considering the many conflicts forcing people to leave their homelands, but he notes also the desire for a better life. The Holy Father notes that some people consider the growth in migration as a threat. But, for my part, he says, I ask you to view it with confidence, as an opportunity to build peace. From the Holy Father s 2018 message: Heartfelt good wishes for peace: Peace to all people and to all nations on earth! Peace, which the angels proclaimed to the shepherds on Christmas night, is a profound aspiration for everyone, for each individual and all peoples, and especially for those who most keenly suffer its absence. Among these whom I constantly keep in my thoughts and prayers, I would once again mention the over 250 million migrants worldwide, of whom 22.5 million are refugees. In a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands. We know that it is not enough to open our hearts to the suffering of others. Much more remains to be done before our brothers and sisters can once again live peacefully in a safe home. Welcoming others requires concrete commitment, a network of assistance and goodwill, vigilant and sympathetic attention, the responsible management of new and complex situations that at times compound numerous existing problems, to say nothing of resources, which are always limited. By practicing the virtue of prudence, government leaders should take practical measures to welcome, promote, protect, integrate and, within the limits allowed by a correct understanding of the common good, to permit [them] to become part of a new society. To read the full text of Pope Francis message: 2

3 We conclude our series on the Twenty Action Points prepared by the Vatican office on Migrants and Refugees, consulting with various Bishops Conferences and Catholic NGO. The Twenty Points are grounded on migrants and refugees needs identified at the grassroots level and on the Church s best practices. This week, we will be examining points 18~20. Continuing to Share the Journey Integrating: Greater Participation of Migrants and Refugees to Enrich Local Communities The arrival of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees represents an opportunity for growth as much for local communities as for the newcomers. The encounter of different cultures is a source of mutual enrichment, since inclusion and participation contribute to the development of societies. To this end, the following points are to be implemented: 18. Integration, as a two-directional process which acknowledges and values the riches of both cultures, should be promoted. This can be achieved by recognizing citizenship at birth; by rapidly extending nationality to all refugees, independently of financial requirements or linguistic knowledge (at least of over-50s); by promoting family reunification; and by declaring a one-off period of amnesty and legalization for migrants who have lived in a country for a considerable amount of time. 19. A positive narrative of solidarity towards migrants, asylum seekers and refugees should be promoted. This can be achieved by funding intercultural exchange projects; by supporting integration programs in local communities; by documenting and disseminating good practices in integration; and by ensuring that public announcements are translated into the languages spoken by larger numbers of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. 20. Those who are forced to flee humanitarian crises and are subsequently evacuated or enrolled in assisted repatriation programs must be ensured appropriate conditions for reintegration in their countries of origin. This can be achieved by increasing the funds assigned to temporary assistance for those affected by humanitarian crises and by developing infrastructure in countries of return, by validating educational and professional qualifications obtained abroad, and by encouraging the rapid reintegration of workers in their countries of origin. ~ Migrants and Refugees Section/Integral Human Development/Vatican City One Minute Meditation The Gospel tells us that Mary went in haste to accompany her cousin who had conceived in her old age. Henceforth this was always to be her way. She has always been the woman who visits women and men, children, the elderly and the young. And now, she continues to bring us the Word of Life, her Son, our Lord as we too are invited to leave home and open our eyes and hearts to others. ~ Pope Francis, Words of Grace 3

4 National Migration Week 2018 (January 7-13) Many Journeys, One Family For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2018, Many Journeys, One Family, draws attention to the fact that each of our families have a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past. Regardless of where we are and where we came from, we remain part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another. Unfortunately, in our contemporary culture we often fail to encounter migrants as persons, and instead look at them as unknown others, if we even notice them at all. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious or fearful of them. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends. ~Justice for Immigrants The Centenary Year Comes to a Close On December 22, 2017, we will commemorate the 100 th anniversary of the passing into eternal life of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini. Mother Cabrini had a dream and a passion. She desired to spread the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the whole world. Today the Missionary Sisters along with our lay partners in mission and with the people of God who share in the grace of this special charism continue to live this dream. This celebration of the Centenary of Mother Cabrini s death most deeply invites all of us to assure that her missionary dream lives on into the future. As we look to the future we must have the courage to continue to make Christ s love concrete to all the ends of the earth, especially to the poorest people who have become discarded by the privileged in our various societies, and to whom no one else wants to go. We will continue to live Mother Cabrini s dream by staying deeply rooted in our love for the Heart of Jesus, through prayer and attentive discipleship to the Gospel, and by giving our very lives in mission so that others might have life. ~ Sr. Barbara Staley, MSC, General Superior, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 4

5 Cabrini High School Flash Mob Dear Friends in our Cabrini/MSC Communities, Please find the links below reflecting members of our school community joining other MSC communities through our production of the flash mob initially produced by our Buenos Aires MSC community. We joyfully celebrated the Centenary Year of Mission and Service of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and are grateful for being part of her legacy. If you click on the link below it will take you to the video where you can either share the link with someone else or download the video on to your computer. This first is the video of the entire student body participating: OV?dl=0 This second link is our faculty and staff doing the dance: OV?dl=0 May God bless all MSCs and Cabrini communities as the Centenary year comes to a close. Please pray for our community as we continue to strive to live out the mission and legacy. Merry Christmas to all from the entire Cabrini High School, New Orleans, LA community. Disponibilità! Yvonne L. Hrapmann Principal Cabrini High 5

6 St. Frances Cabrini Day in Colorado December 22, 2017 To commemorate the 100 th Anniversary of the death of St. Frances X. Cabrini, December 22 nd has been proclaimed Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Day in Colorado. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Mayor Marjorie Sloan of the city of Golden, Congressman Ed Perlmutter from Colorado s 7th Congressional District and the Jefferson County Commissioners have all made proclaimations in recognition of our saint who walked, worked and prayed in the streets of Denver and in the foothills of Golden. We will honor the life and legacy of Mother Cabrini with a 9 am Mass followed by brunch at the Shrine on December 22. Please join us. Kindly RSVP to Prayer Requests Kishor Joshi Buena Joshi, a former Cabrini Sister, is asking for prayers for her husband Kishor, who is experiencing some serious health challenges. Rosalind Yu asks prayers for Ben Please pray for Ben who is 18 years of age and who has terminal cancer. May he be comforted at this time. Someone who needs surgery Rosalind Yu asks our prayers for a woman who is 80 years of age and is awaiting cardiac surgery. Please pray that her procedure will go well and she will have a complete recovery. With a Grateful Heart Emmalyn Maumus Anita Catalanotto, a staff member at Cabrini University, sends her gratitude for your prayers for her granddaughter Emmalyn for whom we have been praying. Anita writes, Emmalyn s MRI was normal. This is the best Christmas present ever! Thank you all for your continued 6

7 prayers and support. Our God is so good and loving. Mother Cabrini continues to be at our side. In Loving Memory Mother of Tony Milazzo Prayers are requested for the mother of Tony Milazzo, a friend of Sr. Grace Waters, MSC. May she rest in God s peace. The Third Week of Advent The beautiful words of the Prophet Isaiah resound on Gaudete Sunday the traditionally designated rose-colored Sunday of rejoicing that the Lord is near. Isaiah s words loudly proclaim hope for those who find themselves in the midst of great hardship and loss. The Israelite community, having returned from exile, find themselves surrounded by bleak prospects, rampant injustice and utter poverty. Yet they are exhorted by Isaiah to have hope. No matter how much of a mess humanity has made, God is the ultimate fixer. For those who have faith, something wonderful is just around the corner and over the horizon. We can t see it yet, but it s there. And this is our reason to be hopeful. Our world today has the same possibilities. There are many reasons to be afraid, to feel oppressed, angry, worried. The polarization of our nation, the harsh divisions in our society, the adverse relationships among religious groups and churches, paint a dismal picture of our world. Yet the Scriptures decree hope and joy, a future replete with making things right. John the Baptist models for us the role of the person of faith. It is our mission to do as he did, to announce to a bleak world that salvation is possible for those who have faith. Salvation, like the dawn, promises light and hope for those who are open and receptive to the message of the One who has proclaimed it by his life. We need only follow him to make his light greater and to offset the darkness of hopelessness. Rejoice! The Lord is near. ~ Fr. Joe Genito, OSA A Christmas Prayer For those who have an abundance of love, a bounty in heart and home, keep them mindful of the world s poor, life their voices often to you in gratitude, loving God. For those who struggle with the lack of this world s riches, those who know what unemployment and empty pockets feel like, gift them with a counting of blessings which are often hidden and far more valuable than earthly treasure. For those who are tired, weary, worn from a constant generous giving of their lives in love, be their energy and enthusiasm, be a great and deep spark of light and happiness within them. And finally, savior God, for those with young eyes, keep their hearts full of wonder, and thank you for slipping some of their delight and simplicity into own hearts each time we celebrate the Christmas moment. Amen. ~ Joyce Rupp Wishing you a holy and happy Christmas and many blessings in the new year. 7