Cecilia Calva, SNJM Offers Invocation at San Jose City Council

Cecilia Calva, SNJM (Saratoga) was again invited to offer the invocation at the San Jose City Council's first meeting of the year. Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei introduced Sr. Cecilia, celebrating her work with a local group of faith community members advocating for the needs of their neighborhoods and her support of the Cadillac Winchester neighborhood. Sr. Cecilia blessed the council, asking God to "grant them the grace to look for opportunities to serve one another, understand different opinions and show mutual respect in all that they do together." Click here to read Sr. Cecilia's invocation.

Top photo: Cecilia Calva, SNJM (on far left) blesses the San Jose City Council.

Bottom: San Jose Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei and Sr. Cecilia.

Reminder: Fill Out the New 2024 Assembly Survey This Week

Sisters and Associates received an email on Wednesday, Jan. 17, with information about our April 2024 Assembly as well as a link to the Survey for In-Person and Virtual Attendees—have you filled out the survey yet? The deadline is Friday, Jan. 26.

Thank you for reviewing the information in the Jan. 17 email and filling out the survey. If you think you did not receive the email, please check your spam or junk folder for a message from our official Assembly email, Assembly2024@snjmuson.org. Any questions can be sent to the Assembly email address. If you are unable to find the email, click here to view a PDF of the email that includes a link to the survey.

2024 Schedule of Spiritual Ministries Network Retreats

The Spiritual Ministries Network is hosting several individually directed retreats and retreat days throughout 2024. Click here to view the schedule of upcoming retreats and click here to view or download the retreat registration form.

Reminder: Love Lessons from Life on Jan. 23

"Love Lessons from Life" returns Tuesday, Jan. 23, at 4 p.m. Pacific, 6 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. Eastern/Peru and 9 p.m. in Brazil. Join the Province Justice Network for our next discussion session on awareness of racism and white privilege. The Zoom link will be shared via email closer to the event.

Invitation to Contemplative Prayer Group

It has been suggested that Sisters and Affiliates who engage in contemplative prayer might want to do so in a congregate setting. The prayer would be simple: an opening prayer, 20 minutes of contemplative prayer and a closing prayer. During Lent, the prayer would be weekly. We'll work with those who would like to participate to decide the day and time or prayer.

If you are interested in participating in a weekly contemplative prayer group beginning in Lent, click here to email Connections@snjmuson.org to indicate your interest. If you would be willing to be part of the core group that helps with the simple logistics of the gatherings, please also indicate that in your email.

Living in the Light of Christ's Peace

From Rosemary Everett, SNJM (South Bay): An excerpt from part three of Archbishop John C. Wester's pastoral letter, "Living in the Light of Christ's Peace":

"In 2019, Pope Francis declared... 'The arms race wastes precious resources that could be better used to benefit the integral development of people and to protect the natural environment. In a world where millions of children and families live in inhumane conditions, the money that is squandered and the fortunes made through the manufacture, upgrading, maintaining and sale of ever destructive weapons, are an affront crying out to heaven.'"

I agree with Pope Francis and many others that the time has come to commit ourselves globally to the complete abolition of nuclear weapons. Click here to read Archbishop Wester's pastoral letter.

Conserve energy when charging devices.

How long does each device need to be fully charged? All night? Four hours? Daily? Or less? We encourage everyone to check on your cell phone, iPad and laptop needs. Unplug your device once it is fully charged to reduce unnecessary spending and use of power in your home.

St. Therese of Liseaux: Pope Francis published an exhortation on the 150th anniversary of the birth of St. Therese of Liseaux. He describes her life, prayer, mission and love for the church, arguing that her "little way" is the best approach to the chaos of our times. "Going to God with empty hands" recognizes that all the good in the world comes from the power of a merciful and loving God, and that frees us to live with confidence—a message that is congruent with our current work with Thresholds of Transformation. Click here to read the exhortation.

Statement on War: Archbishop John C. Wester, Associate (South Bay) and San Diego Cardinal Robert W. McElroy released a statement calling for a halt to military action in the Gaza Strip. Click here to read the statement.

Anti-Trafficking Report: The Polaris Project, an anti-trafficking advocacy organization, released their annual report detailing their recent research and public campaigns. Click here to read the report.

The Canadian Religious Conference newsletter shares links to several articles about ongoing spiritual and justice ministries. Click here to read the newsletter in English. Click here for French.

Communiqué from the Quebec Province includes a blessing for the new year and resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18-25). Click here to read the newsletter in English. Click here for French.

• From Antoinette Janisse, SNJM (Windsor): At the request of a friend, please pray for healing for Lorraine Baxter, who went to the hospital yesterday. Also, pray for a friend who is struggling with her diminished capacities and is looking for someone to accompany her to her appointments.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

• International Day of Education

Thursday, Jan. 25

• Mass of Resurrection for Wanda Jordan, SNJM

Changes to your contact information or Mission Centre can be sent to DirectoryChanges@snjmuson.org.

Mary C. Boys, SNJM (p. 20) has a new home address: 100 Claremont Ave., 5F, New York, NY 10027. All other contact information remains the same.

PLT Schedule for Jan. 20-26

Saturday, Jan. 20

• Thresholds of Transformation—Marcia

Monday, Jan. 22

• Educational Ministries via Zoom—Marcia, Maureen 
• Ontario Corporation via Zoom—Carol, Mary, Maureen

Tuesday, Jan. 23

• PLT meeting
• Health and Well-Being via Zoom—Diane, Linda, Marcia
• Mary’s Woods Finance Committee—Carol

Wednesday, Jan. 24

• PLT meeting
• Province Health and Well-Being via Zoom—Diane
• Oregon Health and Well-Being—Carol
• LCWR via Zoom—Maureen 
• IPJC Board via Zoom—Mary

Thursday, Jan. 25

• Mass of Resurrection for Wanda Jordan, SNJM—Carol, Linda
• Mary’s Woods Board of Directors—Carol

Friday, Jan. 26

• Thresholds of Transformation—Maureen
• Hope-Esperanze gathering for Sisters under 65 via Zoom—Carol