Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

The Creed we recite together at Sunday masses was formulated 1700 years ago by the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical gathering in the history of Christianity. Pope Leo just returned from a Pastoral Visit to Turkey where he and the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church marked the anniversary, remembering that all Christians are bound together by the faith confessed in the Nicene Creed. It was a big step toward unity.

Pope Leo and Patriarch Bartholomew also signed a Joint Declaration in Istanbul reaffirming their commitment to the path toward full communion and forcefully rejecting any use of religion to justify violence, “We reject any use of religion and the name of God to justify violence.” The Declarations also states that "The goal of Christian unity includes the objective of contributing in a fundamental and life-giving manner to peace among all peoples. Together we fervently raise our voices in invoking God’s gift of peace upon our world.”

It also renewed their willingness to seeking greater Christian unity, which began at the Second Vatican Council. They noted providentially and with gratitude that this year all Christians celebrated Easter on the same day. Building on Pope Francis' call to celebrate Easter together every year, they renewed their commitment to ongoing discernment.

One of the most moving parts of the Declaration is the expression of unwavering Christian hope. They affirm that "God will not abandon humanity… By the Holy Spirit, we know and experience that God is with us" and entrusting every person—especially those suffering hunger, loneliness, or illness—to the mercy of God."

Father Mark is offering an Advent Mini Advent Retreat next Saturday focusing on the Nicene Creed. If want to learn about the Creed and pray with it, please join us next Saturday.

Peace and love, Father Gil

P.S. Don't forget to join us for the Night of Lights!

For our immigrant sisters and brothers living in fear of deportation, may the Lord accompany them through the ministry of the Christian community:

For the healing, comfort, and peace of the sick, for Alexa Kierzkowski, Montana Gill, Jack & Vicki Phillips, Patricia Arias, Byron Adams, Tel Ramon, Mary Pat Cooper, Kate Dzierzek, Janet Platin, Catherine Gotfredson, Andrew Hinnebusch, Todd Wiench, Bernadette Tee, Estrella and John Monzon, Charles Candel, Joan Doyle, Marisa Kavanau, Carol King Wolcott, John Wolcott, Angel Appleton, Clark Gassan, Lohriena Lohrie Counts, Nora McCormick Heinen, Weldon Tilley, Paul Lannan, Mitchell Twersky, Erny Pinckert, Eileen Gaffney.

For the eternal rest of our beloved departed, Laura James, Anne Marie Hannick, Father Greg Goethals, SJ, Ron Schuster, Bobby Burks, Father Jack Lynch, CSP, Arlene Havel, Phil Duncan, Michele Kearin, Father Brad Schoeberle, CSP, Mary Tokuza, Haruko Hiromura, Donny Kie, Cesar Robeniol, Nellie Scholar, , may they rest in peace.

For peace in every nation: may the light of the Holy Spirit transform hearts so that all may seek the way of peace together and comfort the wounded and grieving, let us pray to the Lord: