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Posts Tagged "peace"

Sisters Invite Public to Peace Tree Lighting and Contemplative Prayer

November 15, 2019
By CSA Sisters of St. Agnes
Sister Josephine Goebel, CSA, holds ornaments in preparation for decorating and lighting the Peace Tree in 2017

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes and their Associates invite the public to join them for the annual lighting of the Peace Tree on November 24 from 6-7 PM at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Agnes Motherhouse, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI. The hour of contemplative prayer will ask for peace in our hearts and respect for all people, races, religions, and countries.

For 28 years, the Sisters of St. Agnes have lit a Peace Tree in late November and displayed it at the motherhouse during the Advent and Christmas seasons. The first peace Tree lighting was initiated by Sister Marie Scott, CSA, during Desert Storm in 1990. This year, the ceremony will pray specifically for Syrians, Kurds, Yemenis, Afghans, Nicaraguans, Filipinos, Mexicans, and Somalis who are suffering from violence.

Each month, the sisters welcome the public to join them for contemplative prayer. The prayer nights are held from 6-7 PM on the last Sunday of each month until the end of April. During the gathering attendees spend time in quiet prayer. Praying in community is a powerful experience that leaves one with a feeling of peace. In the midst of confusion, discord, and uncertainty, it can be difficult to find quiet and stillness; CSA Sisters and Associates offer this prayer time as a potential solution to that problem.

Everyone is invited to attend the contemplative prayer evenings, regardless of their faith tradition, and no reservations are required. For more information, please call Chelsea Koenigs at 920-907-2300 or ckoenigs@csasisters.org.

Advent Prayer Service 2018

December 10, 2018
By CSA Sisters of St. Agnes

CSA associates presenting the 4th annual Advent Prayer Service and potluck meal as our thank you to CSA sisters. It was a wonderful gathering with close to 100 sisters and associates in attendance, despite adverse winter weather conditions.

Tags: Advent, peace, prayer

27th Annual Lighting of the Peace Tree

December 09, 2018
By CSA Sisters of St. Agnes

CSA sisters, associates, and members of our civic community gathered in contemplative prayer for peace and unity in our world followed by the 27th annual lighting of the peace tree.

The Experience of Encuentro 2018

November 29, 2018
By Sister Mary Rose Abholz, CSA

The weekend of November 16-18,2018 brought much solidarity and peacebuilding as I walked with the young and old, the Mexican people, those from Central American people, United States people. It was a time to confront the evil policies that cause division, hatred and violence. It was a time not to remain silent and to walk the walk and talk the talk of transformation. As I walked from the Americana Hotel in Nogalas, AZ to the border wall and crossed into Mexico, I did not walk alone- I walked with a Notre Dame Sister and a volunteer that I’ve ministered with in Douglas, AZ/Agua Prieta, Mexico into the welcoming community of Nogalas, Mexico. The spirit of the Mexican people and bienvenido was the gift. A stage was set and people from the School of the America Watch spoke and gave much insight ‘’into the stances they have taken for many years and continue to do so. The organizers than invited the people to speak of experiences of pain and suffering and the support they have received from so many. Some especially touching stories included the pain a woman suffered as the marines from Mexico invaded her home, threatened her with death and kidnapped her husband in March,  2018. Another spoke of the disappearance of her son and how she continues to look for him; this mother continues to weep for her son. Then there were stories of U.S. veterans who have been deported and separated from family and friends. The stories touched my soul and the people shared the hope that life will become better. It took 2 hours to pass through customs into the United States. The conferences in the afternoon connected me with other advocates for change and brought more stories of those who continue to minister for those in borderland communities in Arizona and Texas. What a wonderful group of ministers. I do not want to forget that there were those from many parts of the United States, Mexico, and Central America. And this was Saturday, November 17.

On Sunday, the experience was on the U.S. side of the border wall and pulled at the heart strings of all of those who have died from the early 1980’s on. It was a litany that lasted over an hour and ended in a gravesite that honored the people and those who continue to die. On the U.S. side, unlike former years we were forbidden to be near the wall. A large iron built fence prevented us from touching others on the Mexican Side. Also wire prevented the human connection of touch. In spite of all of this we found ways to make our voices heard. The experience brought young and older people to take a risk and use the space between the iron built fence and the wall to depict a cemetery of those who have died and those who will die. This was a risk that people took; there was a possibility of arrest. Border Patrol did not interfere.

There is much more to tell and I will be in Fond du Lac during the month of December if anyone wants to hear more.

 

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Tags: Arizona, Border, peace

Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh

November 09, 2018
By CSA Sisters of St. Agnes

We are deeply saddened at the horrific antisemitic crime that has claimed the lives of 11 of our Jewish brothers and sisters at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, and injured six other people, including four police officers. We pray for the victims, their grieving families and friends and the surrounding Squirrel Hill community as they mourn and seek healing.

There is no place in our country for rhetoric that incites violence. We are all God’s children, together comprising the beloved community of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream as inspired by Jesus.

We join with all people of faith and goodwill who refuse to let hatred and fear find a place in our hearts, kindling instead our capacity to love.

Tags: peace

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