Most of us have marked the last week in any of several ways \u2013 Thanksgiving and the beginning of Hanukkah on Thursday, Black Friday for intense bargain hunters (and some even shopped on Thursday this year), Small Business Saturday to support locally owned merchants, the beginning of Advent on Sunday and Cyber Monday for those seeking online sales. Enter into the mix \u201cGiving Tuesday,\u201d a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support non-profit organizations.<\/p>\n
The move away from a focus on consuming and buying to an emphasis on charitable giving is refreshing. \u2019Tis the season to reach out in care and compassion to those most in need among us.\u00a0 Yet another opportunity to be in spiritual solidarity with the poor begins on December 10.\u00a0 Pope Francis and Caritas International are launching a world-wide campaign to combat hunger called One Human Family, Food for All.<\/i> Caritas Internationalis (CI) is a global confederation of 165 Catholic organizations working in humanitarian emergencies and international development.<\/p>\n
Although the idea originated with the Pope and Catholic groups, anyone can participate in a global “wave of prayer\u201d to kick off this campaign.\u00a0 All are invited to pray at noon in each time zone around the world next Tuesday. I\u2019ll be praying in Snidow Chapel from noon to 12:30 and invite you to join me or simply pause wherever you happen to be at noon and join your own prayers to a global wave in trust and confidence that there is a spiritual power far beyond our wildest imaginations.\u00a0 May our planet-wide prayers bring us closer to the Reign of God where the hungry will be fed and those of us who have plenty will share more generously with those who have far too little in our world.<\/p>\n
Loaves and Fishes<\/strong><\/p>\n Sharing the loaves and fishes, Sharing yourself in the Bread and Wine, Give me the hunger to be a part of the feeding Nourish me with your Grace, Open my eyes and my heart In your name we pray for the end of hunger. Peace, Anne<\/p>\n From EducationforJustice.org<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most of us have marked the last week in any of several ways \u2013 Thanksgiving and the beginning of Hanukkah on Thursday, Black Friday for intense bargain hunters (and some even shopped on Thursday this year), Small Business Saturday to …<\/p>\n
\nYou gave us an image of solidarity with the hungry, O Lord.<\/p>\n
\nYou called all to the table, O Lord.<\/p>\n
\nAnd the healing of this world.<\/p>\n
\nSo I may work with joy to serve your children.<\/p>\n
\nTo recognize those in poverty
\nAnd increase my awareness
\nOf the structures and systems
\nThat need to be changed
\nSo we may all break bread together.<\/p>\n
\nAmen.<\/p>\n