National Public Radio Feature

Oblate Sisters of Providence

Oldest African-American Congregation

Received this link today and pass it on to you; a twelve minute feature in NPR interviewing two Oblate Sisters of Providence. This congregation is about to celebrate its 180th anniversary of service to the people of the United States. It was long overlooked in the general culture and even by the Catholic Church. They carried the burden of prejudice both as females and women of color. How well these sisters speak of their experience, faith, and dedication. One sister interview has spent 63 years in religious life. The other is a younger member who brought considerable education and professional experience when she responded to God's call to vowed life and service to the world. Here is the link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98679700

Christmas Message of Pope Benedict XVI

This excerpt is taken from the conclusion of the Pope's message. It is a poignant appeal for us to come away from the Bethlehem manger with the gifts of love and peace, determined to penetrate our own world with the light of Christ.

...Wherever the dignity and rights of the human person are trampled upon; wherever the selfishness of individuals and groups prevails over the common good; wherever fratricidal hatred and the exploitation of man by man risk being taken for granted; wherever internecine conflicts divide ethnic and social groups and disrupt peaceful coexistence; wherever terrorism continues to strike; wherever the basics needed for survival are lacking; wherever an increasingly uncertain future is regarded with apprehension, even in affluent nations: in each of these places may the Light of Christmas shine forth and encourage all people to do their part in a spirit of authentic solidarity. If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart.

Dear brothers and sisters, today, "the grace of God our Saviour has appeared" (cf. Tit 2:11) in this world of ours, with all its potential and its frailty, its advances and crises, its hopes and travails. Today, there shines forth the light of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High and the son of the Virgin Mary: "God from God, light from light, true God from true God. For us men, and for our salvation, he came down from heaven". Let us adore him, this very day, in every corner of the world, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a lowly manger. Let us adore him in silence, while he, still a mere infant, seems to comfort us by saying: Do not be afraid, "I am God, and there is no other" (Is 45:22). Come to me, men and women, peoples and nations, come to me. Do not be afraid: I have come to bring you the love of the Father, and to show you the way of peace.

Let us go, then, brothers and sisters! Let us make haste, like the shepherds on that Bethlehem night. God has come to meet us; he has shown us his face, full of grace and mercy! May his coming to us not be in vain! Let us seek Jesus, let us be drawn to his light which dispels sadness and fear from every human heart. Let us draw near to him with confidence, and bow down in humility to adore him. Merry Christmas to all!

Solemnity of the Birth of the Lord

Christmas in the Monastery

It is the great blessing of contemplative monastic life to have, through the privilege of time along with the talent and personal devotion of many, to fully celebrate the great feasts of our tradition. Through the faithfulness and generosity of our Redemptorist brothers who are just a few hundred yards away from our monastery at Mt. St. Alphonsus Pastoral and Retreat Center, we revel in all of the rituals of the feast, Liturgy of the Eucharist and homilies that never fail to inspire and enrich.

Yesterday we had morning Mass of December 24 and the Mass at Midnight, moving it to 8pm in favor of our older sisters. That Mass began with the Vigil of Reading for Christmas and ended with a procession to the creche. This morning we will have the Mass of Christmas Day at 11am. All of these Masses celebrated by different priests and concelebrants. What a blessing!

We shared a bounty of Christmas goodies with the Marist Brothers and other friends who joined us for evening Mass. All went very well considering that the day began with no water coming from our taps and water flowing into our kitchen from backed up ice on the roof! But we soldiered on and everything was beautiful. Both problems have been dealt with, at least for the moment.

After Mass today, we will have a great feast lovingly prepared by many hands. Some Redemptorist priests will join us as well as some of our lay associates. The phone keeps ringing and the door bell keeps sounding - well wishers and gifts galore. God is so very good.

M. Schmalzl, C.Ss.R. (1850-1930)

Adoration of the Shepherds

PROCLAMATION of THE BIRTH of CHRIST

Today, the twenty-fifth day of December,

unknown ages from the time when God created

the heavens and the earth and then formed

man and woman in his own image.

Several thousand years after the flood,

when God made the rainbow shine forth

as a sign of the covenant.

Twenty-one centuries from the time of

Abraham and Sarah;

thirteen centuries after Moses led

the people of Israel out of Egypt.

Eleven hundred years from the time of Ruth and the judges;

one thousand years from the anointing of

David as king;

in the sixty-fifth week according to

the prophecy of Daniel.

In the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;

the seven hundred and fifty-second year from

the foundation of the city of Rome.

In the one hundred and fifty-second year from

the foundation of the city of Rome.

In the forty-second year of the reign of

Octavian Augustus;

the whole world being at peace,

Jesus Christ, eternal God

and Son of the eternal Father,

desiring to sanctify the world

by his most merciful coming,

being conceived by the Holy Spirit,

and nine months having passed since his conception,

was born in Bethlehem of Judea of the Virgin Mary.

Today is the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

according to the flesh.

Beautiful and Unusual Weather Effect

Hoarfrost Sprinkles Its Glitter

Its been about eight years since we last saw this glorious phenomenon. It has been very cold here - 15 degrees at dawn - for a couple of days. Plants and objects are very cold, well below freezing. As moist warmer air rose from the Hudson and spread up the shoreline, crystal frost - hairy in appearance - formed on all surfaces. Here's a more technical definition: Radiation frost (also called hoar frost or hoarfrost) refers to the white ice crystals, loosely deposited on the ground or exposed objects, that form on cold clear nights when radiation losses into the open skies cause objects to become colder than the surrounding air.

The visual effect is magical and at dawn the light plays on the crystals. Enjoy the photos.