January 2009
January 28, 2009
Be Hope
I'm a fountain of hope. It's not my fault, nor of my making. It seems to simply bubble-up from a source only God knows. I've often turned inward to scan the landscape for cracks or invasion of false hope, but I haven't found any yet. However, I have begun to wonder if my definition of hope is different from others'.
I'm keenly aware that nearly everyday, someone loses everything while others lose jobs or homes and still others suffer uninsured illness or the trauma of being with loved ones dying from cancer. Then of course, there is the ubiquitous, global poverty.
Hope???? For me, hope is compassion. That someone cares is hope. If all I had was one hand, I would stretch it out to you if you were in need. Imagine if every one in the world offered the same. Are you hungry they ask? Then offer you food. Homeless? Shelter. Sick? Comfort. Naked? clothes.
Every day I arise with a prayer on my lips that all may realize that we ARE the hope for which our world longs. Hope is not about receiving, it is about BEING. Ask yourself, am I BEING generous? Am I BEING thoughtful? Am I BEING compassionate? Am I BEING prayer-filled? Am I BEING helpful?
Pray for compassion and you will BECOME the hope for which the world seeks.
Possumus.
__________________________
January 24, 2009
New Building Project
The earth has turned the corner from darkness toward light here since I last blogged in. But, I'm still here, working like crazy and have not for one minute forgotten about you. As a matter of fact, I've been trying to get back to you every day since my last blog in December. Hard to believe all that has happened locally, nationally and globally over the past 1 ½ months, isn’t it?
In the midst of it all, once again, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet boldly stepped forward to be the loving presence we say we are. In order to better serve the people in need, we purchased a building to house services in a safer structure than we previously rented.
The building, located on a bus line and in the midst of the immigrant neighborhood, will house our English Language Learning school, job training, work skills, computer and math skills programs. Once these programs settle in, other programs will be added as well.
By the very existence of this newly purchased building, CSJs demonstrate our desire to stand with and serve people in the hour of greatest need. As was for the past160 years here in the Twin Cities, so it will be. CSJs are here for the long term.
Possumus
PS: It's good to be back to this blog. You'll hear from me again in a few days. Will I hear from you?? :-)
