The 12 Days of Christmas

As the holidays wind down, and most of us return to work and our routines after some time off, it is easy for Christmas to fade into the background. It hasn't even been two weeks since Christmas Day, and already most of the signs of Christmas are gone--people have taken their trees and lights down, WLIT stopped its 24 hour a day Christmas music. But for our Church, the Christmas season lasts until the Baptism of Jesus (on January 10th this year). What a wonderful way to extend our celebration of Christ's birth!

This article in U.S. Catholic talks about different ways to celebrate the whole liturgical season of Christmas and giving us reminders of ways to live out that joy for a bit longer. At the end of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge says: "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." How will you continue to honor Christmas and the coming of our Savior throughout the year?

~Lauren G

"A Simple Contemplation" on the Nativity

This is a nice reflection in America Magazine about the experience of Mary and Joseph bringing Christ into the world and relating to our lives, faith, and preparation for Christmas. It's a nice thing to check out and reflect on during the Advent journey.

-Mary Ellen

Remembering the Jesuit Martyrs & their Companions

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the assassination of 6 Jesuits, their cook, and her daughter at the University of Central America in San Salvador. They were targeted because of the Jesuits work to liberate the oppressed and impoverished in the country. Click the link above for a great reflection by John Dear, SJ, who worked with the Jesuits in El Salvador during the time of the civil war.

-Mary Ellen

The Nexxt Generation of Catholic Leaders

John Allen, from the National Catholic Reporter, writes about his thoughts on the "classifications" placed on young adult Catholics today. In a nutshell, he says that many young adults today shun the traditional "liberal" or "conservative" labels created and perpetuated by an older generation of Catholics. He says that we, as the next generation, seem "well-equipped to steer a middle course, embracing a robust sense of Catholic identity without carrying a chip on their shoulder." Check out the article and let us know what you think.

Jesuit that Served in Slums of Nairobi - Next Living Ignatian Speaker

Click the link above to find out more about Fr. Jim Collins' service as chaplain for St. Aloysius Gonzaga High School in Nairobi, Kenya. St. Aloysius is the world's first high school for AIDS orphans. Fr. Jim will will reflect on his experiences and offer his thoughts on how young adults can take steps toward transforming our world. Wednesday, November 4, 7:30pm, Holy Name Cathedral. Hope to see you there!

-Mary Ellen M.

St. Ignatius and Relationships--now on YouTube

Charis' Living Ignatian speaker series kicked off on Wednesday night. Terry Nelson-Johnson gave a wonderful reflection entitled "St. Ignatius and Relationships--A Nice, or Perhaps Holy, Combination." He is a gifted story-teller who captured our attention for the evening. If you missed his talk, it's posted in its entirity on the Charis Ministries podcast on iTunes or in pieces on YouTube.

















Next speaker: Wednesday, November 4 at Holy Name Cathedral.

-Lauren G

Discovering Spiritual Gifts

For those interested in their own vocational discernment, it might be worthwhile to check out this website looking into your spiritual gifts. We found it during some of our early preparation for our Spirit @ Work Retreat Day Retreat Day, coming up on November 14 this year. It helps to take an inventory of our spiritual gifts for ministries and other work. It might be something to check out and check out our website to learn more about our upcoming retreat!

-Jesse K.