Welcome Home Luncheon

This past Sunday St. Andrew Parish's RCIA team held a luncheon for anyone interested in joining or returning to the Catholic Church.  A group of about twenty five came to share a delicious luncheon and to hear about programs and resources to learn about the Catholic Church and what it has to offer for spiritual and community growth.  Lidia Corral, Ann Dickson, and Mary Coyle gave presentations in English and Spanish about the process of becoming Catholic.  Sr. Susan Kolb joined them to discuss a little bit about the Catholic social teaching about welcoming strangers.  Father Greg gave a tour of the Church. A lot of networking took place.  The season of Advent is truly a time of coming home.

Thanksgiving Celebration at Nieve de la Rosa House

As we celebrated Thanksgiving, 2015, we remembered CSA community in many places.  We were especially grateful for the gift of the people who touch our lives along the border.  We prayed the following prayer from Glenmary Home Missions:

     God, source and giver of all things, we give you thanks on this           Thanksgiving Day for the beauty of the whole of creation.

We give you thanks for the blessings of family and friends: both      those gathered around this table and those who are present only         in our hearts.

We give you thanks for this food, prepared by loving hands, and for the graces you provide to nourish our bodies, minds and hearts so that we might better serve you.

Help us to be faithful stewards of that has been given us.  May we reflect that which we have received to all we meet, especially the less fortunate in our midst.

In the late afternoon, the School Sisters of Notre Dame who work with us joined us for conversation and appreciation.                        

         

Call to Action Conference

It is soooo good to be home, even if it is snowing a little bit. Oh, yes, it snows in Arizona.  I want to talk a little about the Call to Action held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin last weekend.  It was an awakening to me about all the issues facing our Church at this time.  The faithful who gathered were exposed to every aspect of social justice from ordination of women to international human rights to LGBT inclusion.  We experienced wonderful liturgies with music and dancing.  It was truly a "shot in the arm" spiritually speaking.   I was there to conduct a "caucus" about immigration.  Sr Pat Rogucki, SFCC, and I discussed immigration with about twenty people.  We were sponsored by Mary's Pence who is a donor to We Are One Family.  The concern for social justice at this conference was palpable. Of particular note was Sr. Joan Chittister's keynote address.

walking the Labyrinth

On Wednesday, November 4, eight women from the transition house along with two staff members came to Nieves de la Rosa house to walk the Labyrinth. After an introduction to the history and process we gathered outside for the actual walking.  It was a very windy day but there was a spirit of openness and calm as they walked in silence.  When finished we returned indoors and experienced a finger Labyrinth drawing the path in color.  As always they were very grateful. 

Remembering victims of Domestic Violence

On Thursday, October 23, the community of Douglas held a Candlelight Walk and Vigil to remember the 43 people who died in Arizona this year in connection to incidents of domestic violence.  After an evening  march with candles from Douglas City Hall to Castro Park a program included a prayer by a bishop from Uganda and a keynote address by an assistant chief of police.  The participants heard a reading of the names of all the victims. Several people in the community were honored for their contributions to helping victims of domestic violence.  The evening ended with the release of 43 purple balloons into the night sky.  

Nieves de la Rosa House along the Border

Last year, Marilyn Bever and I reflected what to call the house in the Bisbee/Naco area which is located about two miles from a wall made of human hands and as we thought of the life of Nieves, a Sister of St. Agnes who spent her fifty- two years promoting justice wherever she was, we decided how appropriate it was to call the home Nieves de la Rosa. For me she mirrored who the Mission of Jesus is about. As we approach the anniversary (November 7, 2000) of her moving beyond walls, we remember the gift she brought to all of us. We strive to keep moving with the people whose faith life and human dignity are threatened. And are reminded of our commitment of transformation of the world, the Church, and ourselves through promoting: * systemic change for the quality of life * justice for the economically poor * furtherance of the role of women in Church and society * mutuality, inclusivity and collaboration. May we continue as people to move in the spirit of Nieves and many more who show us the Mission of Jesus by modeling a way of compassion and love.

Talk on VAWA and U Visa

On October 13, Susan Kolb gave an hour long presentation on VAWA and the U Visa available to victims of domestic violence and crimes.  The staff of Chihuahua Medical Associates participated in a training on domestic violence and its effects on undocumented victims.  These special immigration visas have given hope to many victims who fear taking action to protect themselves.  Health care workers are particularly well placed to identify victims and give them the support and referrals they need to escape abuse.

retreat

A day of retreat (10:00 -2:00)  was hosted at Nieves de la Rosa house in Bisbee on Saturday, Oct.24. 
The theme was "Rediscover the Simple Life"  and included time for sharing, reflecting, prayer, creative activity, lunch and conversation.  Nine women from the area participated.  Marilyn led the group in reflecting on seven themes that  nourish a spiritual attitude  to soften and nurture our souls. Where we are and who we are is holy ground.  In the afternoon, Mary Rose invited each and all to create a mandala expressing one or all of the themes.  More retreats will be planned for next January. 
For more information on the seven themes  see Everyday Simplicity:  A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth   by Robert Wicks. 

home visitors conference

On Thursday, October 22, Mary Rose and Marilyn attended a Conference for home visitors in Sierra Vista.  “Building Strong Connections”  brought together care givers and supervisors of Cochise County for a  “ nurturing of the nurturer .”   As presenters for two of the six breakout sessions   Marilyn introduced Tai Chi movements for energy balancing and bodily health and Mary Rose led a group in creating mandalas for stress reduction.    Both sessions were fun, energizing and well received.  We were impressed and inspired by the keynote speakers and the overall positive energy of the day.  Good connections were made for future collaboration.