December 2019
Immaculate Heart Community
News Notes
Christmas Hospitality “We see the tracks of entire families forced to set out in our own day,” Francis said, describing the Gospel story of Jesus and Mary being forced to set out for Bethlehem, where Mary would eventually give birth to the baby Jesus. “We see the tracks of millions of persons who do not choose to go away, but driven from their land, leave behind their dear ones,” the pope said. “In many cases this departure is filled with hope, hope for the future; yet for many others this departure can only have one name: survival. “Mary and Joseph, for whom there was no room, are the first to embrace the One who comes to give all of us our document of citizenship.” “The faith we proclaim makes us see God present in all those situations where we think he is absent,” the pope said. “He is present in the unwelcomed visitor, often unrecognizable, who walks through our cities and our neighborhoods, who travels on our buses and knocks on our doors.” In the teeth of those realities, Francis called for a “new social imagination,” one that welcomes newcomers rather than ostracizing them. “This same faith impels us to make space for a new social imagination, and not to be afraid of experiencing new forms of relationship, in which none have to feel that there is no room for them on this earth,” Francis said. The pope argued that Christians are obliged by their origins to show hospitality for today’s displaced persons, including immigrants and refugees. “In this Child, God invites us to be messengers of hope,” he said. “He invites us to become sentinels for all those bowed down by the despair born of encountering so many closed doors.” “In this child, God makes us agents of his hospitality. John Allen, National Catholic Reporter Pope Francis, Christmas message 2017, excerpt.
December 2019
Contents Page 2 Christmas Blessings Ethel Swain Joann Connors Page 3, 4, 5 Corita Art Center Page 6 Casa Esperanza Page 7 Kenmore Residence La Casa de Maria Page 8 Message from the President Page 9 Judy Vaughn Page 10 LA Times: Letter to the Editor Page 11, 12, 13 Helen Kelly Page 14 Prayers & Messages Birthdays Back Page Save the Date