Secular Servite

...from the Prioress of St Mary Source of Our Joy, Chicago

2009-12-20T09:35:00.000-08:00

The Secretariats of Ongoing formation
About: This is the official blog of the General Secretariat for the Evangelization of Peoples and Justice and Peace OSM!
Este es el blog oficial del Secretariado General para la evangelización de los Pueblos y Justicia e Paz OSM!
Questo è il blog oficiale del Segretariato Generale per l’Evangelizzazione dei Popoli e Giustizia e Pace!
Este é o blog oficial do Secretariado Geral para a Evangelização dos Povos e Justiça e Paz!
visit: http://www.sgfp.wordpress.com/

and the Evangelization of Peoples and Justice and Peace
About: A Servite friar from the Philippines. I am currently the Secretary for On-going Formation of the Order of Servants of Mary.
This blog hopes to be a virtual venue of formation, a linkage to our various jurisdictions and a source of mutual sharing of infomation among consecrated persons as they nurture their vocation and journey the path towards holiness.
visit: http://www.epjp.wordpress.com/

Both are now in blog network.
Everyone is invited to visit these blogs and participate with comments and news!
- Mary Ann Andersen, OSSM

OSSM Cookbook

2009-12-09T08:37:00.001-08:00

Recipes, Made with Sisterly Love
A Collection of Recipes from
Secular Servites, St Juliana Community (OSSM)
Sisters, Servants of Mary, Ladysmith, WI (OSM)
and Friends

This 86 page plus cookbook filled with recipes, helpful hints, photos, index and table of contents is an excellent addition to your kitchen and for your culinary excitement. In addition, the cookbook is dedicated to Guna Seelan at St Mary's School Southern India and some of the proceeds will be donated to him at St Mary's School.
This is an excellent Christmas gift! I am giving one to each of my Aunts and my Mom this year.
Cost: $8.00 plus shipping and handling
Place your order contact: tillygaletka@hotmail.com

Servite Peace Pots

2009-03-31T07:11:00.000-07:00

“Hand crafted pottery Servite peace pots for the home, community or worship space. When a candle is placed in the pot, light shines through the cut-out of the Servite logo. See the below link for ordering information.”
Peace Pot Link

Roots of Contemporary Poverty

2009-03-17T06:53:00.001-07:00

This video was created for a parish program on Poverty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTp6leOzcU4&feature=channel_page

An Extraordinary Ministry, by Deacon Jack Rhine

2009-03-11T04:56:00.000-07:00

An article appeared in this past Sunday’s Florida Today, the local east central Florida daily paper published by the publishers of USA today who are located locally. It is about a couple, Alan and Georgianna Payne, who have a house in Palm Bay that is stocked with food, clothing and other items.

People who are in need of these things are welcome to visit the house and take whatever they need free of charge. They are asked only, on the honor system, to help an individual or an organization in need whether it be materially or with volunteer labor. They count on the concept of “Pay it Forward.”

The house has six rooms... click here for complete report.

Homelessness In Our Own Backyard

2009-02-22T05:34:00.000-08:00

Melbourne, Florida camp for the homeless 2009
Fr Hugh OSM, Dave, Frank, Deacon Jack OSSM and Fr Vidal OSM

Report by Deacon Jack Rhine OSSM
Mary, Queen of the Servants Community
Palm Bay, Florida

Report click here

Servite Calendar of Celebrations, 2008

2008-10-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

Download Your Servite Calendar of Celebrations Here

Mobile Church, Driving Faith

2008-10-10T09:23:00.001-07:00

HEARTS OUT TO HAITI HURRICANE RELIEF

2008-10-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

Volunteers: Lamothe Lormier, Matthew Roy, Mary Ellen Sorensen, Jim and Mary Ann Loafman
By Mary Ann Loafman
Oct. 3, 2008

We have returned one more time. Your prayers lifted the team again up the mountains and
stayed by our sides as we witnessed the sadness left from the Hurricanes that plagued the
country of Haiti. While in Haiti, I kept visualizing an “open” sore on the body of Christ and I felt
that the sore was the country of Haiti.
Thru the eyes of Matthew Roy (a first-timer to Haiti), I again saw Haiti with fresh “first time” eyes.
Thru my new eyes I recognized that Haiti is a perpetual Hurricane disaster at all times. The whole
country normally looks like a Hurricane has passed thru the country! Buildings crumbling, full of
holes with broken bricks, roofs falling in, children with large swollen bellies and hunger in their
eyes; this is everyday Haiti! And NOW four hurricanes washed over Haiti bringing more
devastation to a country that teeters on the brink of perpetual brokenness.

Rest of the Story Here

Favelas - Neighborhoods Wild West Style

2008-09-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

Rio de Janeiro, 2008

By Deacon Jack Rhine SOSM

and Karen Rhine SOSM

Story HERE

Servite T Shirts "For Sale"

2008-08-26T15:41:00.001-07:00

More Information and Ordering Here

Book Review - The Shack

2008-08-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

To the Review and Website link, Here

Day Of Recollection, 2008

2008-08-26T14:53:00.001-07:00

The Photo Album Slideshow Here

Day of Recollection, 2008

The Well
Sisters of St. Joseph of La Grange
1515 W. Ogden Ave.
La Grange Park, Illinois 60526

To See Flyer Here

Peacebuilding: Called to Live Justly

2008-08-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

A symposium on faith, values and international politics.

The Peacebuilding Flyer

Save the Dates for...

• Bishops’ Faithful Citizenship,
September 4, 12:30 p.m.,
Stephen Colecchi, USCCB

• Interfaith Hearing on
U.S. Global Role
September 26, 9-11 a.m.

• Interfaith Peacebuilding
Commitment
September 26, 11 a.m.

• Russ Testa, Franciscan
Action Network

• Dozen+ Focus Sessions

Register Today!

Entire symposium free.
Pre-registration required only for any of 8 major events.

Register on-line at
http://cs.lewisu.edu/livejustly/

by phone at (815) 834-4028
or
by email at jeruyhak@jolietdiocese.org

See preliminary program at
www.lewisu.edu/peacesymposium

Father Mitch Pacwa, Seminar

2008-07-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Sandy Schmidt, SOSM at Sacred Heart Parish

I am a SOSM of St. Philip Benizi Parish in Fullerton, moved to Sacred Heart Parish in Medford, OR. I am still associated with the Salve Regina Community. I had you post a slide show of our last Promise celebration.

Sacred Heart Parish will be hosting a Fr. Mitch Pacwa Seminar here in Medford on Sept. 12 and 13, Friday and Saturday. Would you be able to publish this info. on our blog. I have sent you a flyer of this event, a letter from our Pastor, Fr. Liam Cary that he sent to all priests in Portland Diocese of Oregon, A registration form, and a small jpg of the flyer.

Fr. Pacwa is a very popular Jesuit Priest on EWTN and founder of Ignatius Productions. He will talk to Islam & Christianity, Culture in Conflict, and the Eucharist and Prayer. He will speak on St. Paul and Missionary work at the Benefit Dinner on Saturday night.

I am requesting that you post the small jpeg of the flyer somewhere on our blog so people who are interested can learn about this seminar. I am sending you the rest of the above attachments to show registration form and info on talks and other activities and permission from our Pastor for your information and only request that you post the jpeg for those who would be interested in coming.

Thanks so much for your consideration
Sandy Schmitz, SOSM

For Event Information See Links Below

Event Links
Event Letter
Event Program

On The Road to Emmaus - Fr. Perry C. McCoy O.S.M.

2008-07-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

On the Road to Emmaus is a powerful collection of short stories from the real life experiences of Fr. Perry. He has a strong calling to ministries of service, justice and love. On his journey, he has met a wide variety of people and sees Christ in all of them, even when it is extremely difficult. He has ministered to those next door and those half way around the world. He has ministered in situations that many would avoid. As you read the book, you can't help but journey along with him and evaluate your own life in terms of the ordinary becoming extraordinary and the impossible becoming possible. Be prepared for a deeply spiritual and exciting trip.

The book is available only from Fr. Perry. You can reach him at perrymccoy2@juno.com to purchase the book. Fr. Perry has pledged 10% of the gross profits from his book to support Mother Antonia her sisters in San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico who work with women in prison and feed street people.

Boston, Pauline Sisters in the Year of St Paul, Maine, and St George, Quebec

2008-07-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

The Secular Franciscan and Secular Servite began the year of St Paul celebration with the Pauline Sisters in Boston. We met the Sisters at their bookstore in Dedham, MA. The store provided us with an opportunity to do some shopping and allowed us to see the Sisters in Action!
There we met with Sr Lusia and Sr Mary James friends from Chicago. They introduced us to Sr. Regina and Claire.
We then proceeded to have lunch at Bugaboo Creek a taste of Canada. Our stay in Boston included a Duck boat tour on land and on sea. We traveled in a WW ll amphibious landing vehicle. Kind of cool. Quack! Quack! was the code around town. After the tour we found our way into a little Italian restaurant by the name of Antonio's. We had a great Italian lunch with the natives. Then headed to a Colonial Mansion tour - the Otis Mansion. Our day ended with ice cream with the Sisters and a late movie - "Sign".
The hospitality and love given to us was wonderful and deeply appreciated.
Next we traveled through New Hampshire and enjoyed a lobster roll on the shore, then off through Maine. Maine is beautiful country and we commented on the joy we had from driving during the day. We pushed through to Quebec. There we found a beautiful little town called St George.

While in St George looking for a dinner, we met two couples at a Bed and Breakfast and talked a bit about our travels to date and their travels too. One couple was the owner and chef of the Bed and Breakfast, Maison Vinot, http://www.maisonvinot.com/. We initially walked there for a dinner from our hotel. Javier saw the restaurant sign while on his run. We found out the restaurant was closed and began our conversations. The second couple was following a bike tour sponsored by Tom Horton (I think this is a restaurant chain in Canada). They have family visiting here in Chicago - small world. They also gave us news about Quebec City and news of the 400 year old city preparing for their anniversary celebration on July 3rd, the day we will arrive in Quebec City, without a hotel reservation :).

More on that later :) it worked out though.

Check out the added photos. Sorry about not having my camera during our ice cream outing in Boston with the Daughters of St Paul. We shared such a light, friendly, and enjoyable moment together eating ice cream filled with calories of peace, friendship and love.

To photos

Catholic University of American and New Jersey

2008-06-30T06:26:00.000-07:00

Bon Jour!
We are in Newport, Rhode Island, heading to Pauline Boodstore in Dedham, MA to visit with Sr. Lucia and Sr. James.
Since our last post Javier and I visited Catholic University of American (CUA) - where Javier was a Basselin Scholar in the early 90's. The Shrine is beautiful and was busy. We parked our car and started our walk up to the Shrine and Javier and a Priest recognized eachother straight away. They both greeted eachother by name, after 15 years. Javier was greeted with, "you have gray hair!". Fr. Kevin went to school with Javier and even traveled to Chicago to Humbolt Park and had homemade tamales by my Mom in Law, Maria. The meeting was a great surprise. Father informed us that the Shrine just finished the Deaconate ordination of 16 men and there was going to be a Marian Filipino Celebration next.
We missed the Cathedral. In the elevator on the way to breakfast that morning we ran into two Episcopal Priests who informed us the Cathedral was closed to those without tickets to the Bishop Ordinations. So, we drove by the second largest Cathedral in the USA on our way to New Jersey to visit with my Aunt Pamela.
With Aunt Pam we had conversation, pasta, rest and quiche after mass at St Jopsephs in Swedesboro, NJ where the mob hangs out - so we are told :)
On our way to Boston we found an angel of God who directed us to Newport, Rhode Island. Newport is a seaside community where many of locals go for seafood, sun on the beach and rides to the Atlantic Sea. Javier had his first lobster meal - TWO Pounds!
To Photos.

Washington DC - Georgetown

2008-06-28T04:59:00.000-07:00

Hello from DC.
Javier and I are on our trip up the East coast to Quebec City - Bon Jour!
Today we are heading to the second largest Cathedral in the US the sixth in the world and then over to Catholic University of America, Javier's alma mater. There we will visit the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and do a short tour of campus.
Enjoy the photos from last night!
Love
Javier and Theresa

To the Photos

Randy Rausch & His Last Lecture on Oprah

2008-06-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

Sent in by Fr Vidal, we have a video presentation with Randy Rausch on Oprah ...

See Video

Servites Send Help to Myanmar

2008-06-08T03:50:00.001-07:00

The June 8, 2008 issue of the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Chicago, The Catholic New World, contains an article about the Servite effort to send aid to Myanmar. The Servite friars and sisters have had a presence in Myanmar for about 75 years. Much financial help, as well as prayers, are needed to rebuild the facilities of their communities and ministries. Click here to read the article.

There are a number of other articles and photos available on the disaster in Myanmar. Some of the information is from Servites about Servite houses and ministries and the impact from the cyclone. Click here to view more.

coldplay, "Fix You"

2008-06-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

The post below titled, Young @ Heart sing coldplay's "Fix You" (you may have already viewed) the chorus Young @ Heart sings coldplay's song "Fix You"

In this post you are able to watch coldplay's video of their song "Fix You"

coldplay is a well enjoyed group today, I found out from my niece one evening. She was giving me all of coldplay's album titles one album and most current "Viva la Vida" but not the best because it doesn't have this one song on it. I did not know the song she was referring, so she is going to lend me her CDs by coldplay. I will know it soon enough!
I enjoy their music too....

Show Video

Young@Heart sing "Fix You" by coldplay

2008-06-05T19:13:00.000-07:00

Young @ Heart singing "Fix You" by coldplay.

Show Video

To find out more about go to their website Young at Heart...
You will find bio's on the chorus, upcoming events, photos, and CD's available for purchase.
It is a lovely website with a terrific story!

See Website

Call your senator to help prevent escallation of global climate change!

2008-06-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

The Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), an organization that represents over 20,000 religious priests and brothers, along with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops is trying to get legislation through the US Senate to attack the problem of climate change also known as global warming.

ACTION NEEDED: The Senate is expected to take up major climate change legislation today,Monday, June 2. We urge you to call, e-mail and fax your Senators immediately and ask them to act now to address the serious moral dimensions of climate change. Urge them especially to maintain and strengthen the anti-poverty provisions within "Boxer-Lieberman-Warner Substitute to the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act" (S. 3036).

To reach Senators, go to www.senate.gov.The phone number for the Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121

SUMMARY:Beginning June 2, the Senate will begin debating groundbreaking climate change legislation. The USCCB and other religious partners have emphasized that a central moral measure of climate change legislation is how it touches the poor and vulnerable. We ask that you contact your Senators as soon as possible and urge them to support climate change legislation that reflects the demands of prudent action, promotes the common good and protects the poor. The introduction, improvement and consideration of this major legislation represents an important step in addressing climate change and its impacts on the poor. While the USCCB does not endorse the many specific provisions of the bill, we welcome and support provisions that address the disproportionate effects climate change and climate change legislation will have on poor and vulnerable people in our country and around the world.

OVERVIEW:The "Boxer-Lieberman-Warner Substitute to the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act" (S. 3036) institutes a "cap and trade" program that provides market-based incentives to lower greenhouse gases and generate funds for public goods. The USCCB is primarily concerned with key provisions that provide much needed assistance, at home and abroad, to poor people and poor countries for adaptation and mitigation of climate change.

International Provisions: The bishops support the significant funding in the bill that will help poor and vulnerable people in developing countries adapt to the impacts of climate change. This funding has doubled in this latest version of the legislation but we are concerned that there may not be enough assistance in the early years of the bill when it may be most needed.

Domestic Provisions:Substantial resources are targeted for states, utilities and others to help offset the anticipated energy price rises for low-income people. However,the USCCB believes that more careful targeting and better mechanisms for aid delivery should be supported.

In summary, the USCCB welcomes these efforts and will continue to work with Senate leaders and others to build on and strengthen these essential commitments and to assure that those with the greatest needs receive the most help through effective, targeted and workable allocations and programs.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Position:

In their statement, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good, the U.S. Catholic Bishops declared:

We especially want to focus on the needs of the poor, the weak, and the vulnerable in a debate often dominated by more powerful interests. Inaction and inadequate or misguided responses to climate change will likely place even greater burdens on already desperately poor peoples. Action to mitigate global climate change must be built upon a foundation of social and economic justice that does not put the poor at greater risk or place disproportionate and unfair burdens on developing nations.

As Bishop Wenski (Orlando), Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace emphasized at a press conference:

"The real "inconvenient truth" is that those who contribute least to climate change will be affected the most and have the least capacity to cope or escape."

The USCCB and other partners in the faith community continue to support the current anti-poverty provisions and will support additional improvements as the bill is debated including 1) more and earlier funding for international adaptation measures in the early years and 2) better targeting and more effective vehicles for the domestic low-income energy assistance provisions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Cecilia Calvo, Project Coordinator, USCCB Environmental Justice Program:202-541-3188, ccalvo@usccb.org

Dan Misleh, Executive Director, Catholic Coalition on Climate Change,301-322-1180, danmisleh@catholicsandclimatechange.org

American Friends Service Committee Peace and Justice Update

2008-06-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

The American Friends (Quakers) Service Committee (AFSC) sponsors many peace and justice related projects. Click here to see their June 2008 email newsletter.

The American Friends Service Committee carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. Founded by Quakers in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian war victims, AFSC's work attracts the support and partnership of people of many races, religions, and cultures.
AFSC's work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

The organization's mission and achievements won worldwide recognition in 1947 when it accepted the Nobel Peace Prize with the British Friends Service Council on behalf of all Quakers.

The AFSC is directed by a Quaker board and staffed by Quakers and other people of faith who share the Friends' desire for peace and social justice.

You can subscribe to their email newsletter by clicking here.

You can click here to go to their website to learn more about

Isolated Trible Spotted In Brazil

2008-05-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

Photos are being used to prove the tribe's existenceImage: Gleison Miranda, Funai

Show Photo

One of South America's few remaining uncontacted indigenous tribes has been spotted and photographed on the border between Brazil and Peru.
The Brazilian government says it took the images to prove the tribe exists and help protect its land.
The pictures, taken from an aeroplane, show red-painted tribe members brandishing bows and arrows.
More than half the world's 100 uncontacted tribes live in Brazil or Peru, Survival International says.
Stephen Corry, the director of the group - which supports tribal people around the world - said such tribes would "soon be made extinct" if their land was not protected.
'Monumental crime'
Survival International says that although this particular group is increasing in number, others in the area are at risk from illegal logging.
What do the pictures tell us?
In pictures: Brazil tribe
The photos were taken during several flights over one of the most remote parts of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil's Acre region.
They show tribe members outside thatched huts, surrounded by the dense jungle, pointing bows and arrows up at the camera.
"We did the overflight to show their houses, to show they are there, to show they exist," the group quoted Jose Carlos dos Reis Meirelles Junior, an official in the Brazilian government's Indian affairs department, as saying.
"This is very important because there are some who doubt their existence."
He described the threats to such tribes and their land as "a monumental crime against the natural world" and "further testimony to the complete irrationality with which we, the 'civilised' ones, treat the world".
Disease is also a risk, as members of tribal groups that have been contacted in the past have died of illnesses that they have no defence against, ranging from chicken pox to the common cold.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7426794.stm

theresa orozco, sosm

Women-Eye (video)

2008-05-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

Women-Eye Conference 2008

Rosemary Reeves my sister at St Mary Source of Our Joy in Chicago, remains true to her mission and dream by providing support, service and opportunity for Women around the world.

Video

Women-Eye Website

Peace
Theresa

Human Bondage: Explotation and Immigration Policy

2008-05-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Human Bondage: Exploitation and Immigration Policy By Mary Ellen Dougherty and Jane Burke America Magazine APRIL 14, 2008

Undocumented immigrants victimized by human traffickers are among the most vulnerable of the people affected by U.S. immigration policy. Many of them embark on their journey as hopeful migrants but run up against limits on legal migration and jobs. For the promise of honest work and earnings to share with their families back home, they are willing to risk the unknown to enter this country and stay here. More desperate than dream-ridden, many such migrants have ended up as victims of human trafficking.

By definition, a victim of human trafficking is one who has been forced, through fraud or other coercive means, into labor or sexual exploitation for commercial purposes. Their labor can take the form of debt bondage, peonage or any work under slave-like conditions. Victims have been forced to work in brothels, factories, farms or even private homes without freedom of movement or adequate wages. Most of them typically work under harsh conditions as well. Seduced or misled by false promises, the victims are often held in place by psychological or physical force or both. Some are coerced by threats to their loved ones in their home country. Such migrants are also captives, unable to move on without great risk.

Once victims of human trafficking are identified as such by U.S. authorities, they become eligible for such government benefits as legal aid, medical care and education, the same benefits available to refugees. But the one benefit they want most, the right to work, is not given them.

Over the course of 20 months, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has facilitated services in the United States for 569 foreign nationals from 69 countries as victims of human trafficking. Of these, 57 percent were victims of exploitation in the workplace, 32 percent were victims of sexual exploitation and 11 percent were victims of both kinds of human trafficking. Although some of the foreign nationals were in the U.S. legally, most were undocumented and integrally implicated in immigration issues. The U.S.C.C.B. has also served an additional 121 people who are entitled to aid, mostly as spouses or children of victims. Of the total 690 people served, 72 percent are female.

Human trafficking is lucrative for the brokers, who, like traffickers of drugs and weapons, protect their "products" because people are reusable: they can be sold and resold, over and over again.In the Name of Security.

Despite the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a federal law passed to protect victims, implementation can become blurred when a person's status as an "undocumented person" trumps the status of "victim." Societal mantras (like "they broke the law" and "they could be terrorists") and increasing hostility toward undocumented persons also play a negative role.

The Convention for the Common Good, July 11-13, 2008 - click here for more information.

Since law enforcement officers are trained primarily to be vigilant about national security, they may treat the human rights of trafficking victims as secondary. In the name of national security, they may detain and deport people who lack legal documents, often without investigating for evidence of human trafficking. At that point the cycle of trafficking may simply begin again. While some well-informed officials do the right thing by victims of trafficking, they are in a minority.

At the state level, the distinctions between undocumented persons and victims of human trafficking may become even less relevant. People defined as victims by federal law may be treated at the state level as criminals. In the absence of comprehensive federal immigration reform, states have started enacting their own immigration laws. The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that 1,404 measures were introduced in states around the country between January and July 2007.

The Greater Threat: What becomes obscured in all this is that human trafficking itself is a far greater threat to the United States than are the undocumented foreign nationals the traffickers have victimized. And deporting victims simply feeds traffickers, who often operate as part of criminal networks that destabilize an area. Failure to identify the crime of human trafficking is a failure to identify the criminal whose trade in human persons for commercial sex or forced labor demoralizes society as a whole. As the number of victims escalates, so does the crime rate and the real threat to security. Criminalizing the victim is shortsighted at best.

Hidden trades like human trafficking also create an underground economy with its own complex systems of exchange, and this contributes to economic inequity and moral disorder. As Moisés Naím, author of the recent book Illicit , says, "Supply and demand, risk and return, are trafficking's primary motivators." What drives traffickers are "profits and a set of values that is often impervious to moral denunciations." He adds that what we need are not "moral exhortations" but "honest analysis of the problem."

This is precisely what has been missing from our national debate on immigration. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn noted the lack of progress in his 2007 Labor Day statement: The debate was truly a case of "more heat than light," more passion than progress. In my view, sometimes anger trumped wisdom, myths overwhelmed facts, and slogans replaced solutions. After this debate we are a society more divided, a people more confused, and a nation unable to move forward.

Meanwhile, victims of human trafficking, who ought to be protected under U.S. law, are becoming more and more vulnerable as state laws conflict with one another. Without comprehensive immigration reform, state-generated initiatives could lead to continued double jeopardy for immigrants.

The intersection between immigration reform and the human rights of people is a risky one. As a society, we need a civil conversation that will both unite and change us for the better.

Mary Ellen Dougherty, S.S.N.D., is coordinator of education and outreach for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' program against human trafficking. Jane Burke, S.S.N.D., former national manager of the Justice for Immigrants program, is a consultant and facilitator at the U.S.C.C.B.

Nurses, Healthcare, and St. Peregrine...

2008-05-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

... history and a story of Chicago's 50th Anniversary celebrating the Nurse Parade at Our Lady of Sorrows, Chicago. Fr Joe Chamblain, OSM, celebrated mass and presented a St Peregrine award to Susan Doyle a cancer survivor and caregiver, Chamblain said, "In a quiet way - St. Peregrin's way, she's made the world a more loving place."
Click ► Catholic New World to the complete story by Pam DeFiglio, "Chicago's Nursing Parade celebrates 50th anniversary, honors patients"

DeFiglio, Pam. "Chicago's Nursing Parade Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Honors Patients." Catholic New World 11 May. 2008, 116:32

A Amazônia: que não conhecemos

2008-04-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Order information coming soon...

Project Irene - Help for Prisoners and Their Families

2008-04-26T05:43:00.000-07:00

The is a bill pending in the state of Illinois to ensure that incarcerated parents and spouses are provided with information about programs and services that could help their families. This type of bill is necessary in all fifty states. At the end of the following article, submitted by Theresa Orozco, there is a contact for more information on Project Irene

Project IRENE Alert

SB 2879 Incarcerated Parents
and Their Children

Background
If this bill, SB 2879, becomes law, the Department of Human Services will be required to make information for families and children of incarcerated parents available on its website and through its existing toll-free telephone numbers. The Department of Corrections will be required to provide incarcerated parents with an envelope containing information about programs for families and children of incarcerated parents so that the materials may be sent to the guardian of the children. Postage will be paid by the inmate. However, the Department of Corrections will pay if the inmate cannot afford the postage.

This bill passed the Senate April 17 with 55 yeas, 0 nos, 0 present. Four Senators were not present for the vote: Senators Peterson, Sandoval, Syverson and Viverito. The bill is currently in the House, scheduled for first reading.

Chief sponsors of this bill were Senators Raoul, Clayborne, Martinez, Lightford, Hunter. Co-sponsors were Delgado, Wilhelmi, Koehler, Collins, Hultgren.

Action
Thank your State Senator for voting yes on SB 2879 if she/he were present for the vote. See above for the four not present. If your senator was either a chief sponsor or co-sponsor, as noted above, please thank the senator for that also.

Thank you
This bill is extremely important to parents of the incarcerated,family members and guardians of the children as well as the children themselves. All will benefit. Thank you for your action on behalf of this bill, SB 2879.

Rose Mary Meyer, BVMProject IRENE2319 ClarenceBerwyn, IL 60402708 484-0270708 484-8373 faxprojectirene@aol.comJoin Project IRENE in advocating for justice regarding women and children in Illinois!

The Mother We Never Knew - Book

2008-04-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

The Mother We Never knew, by Cecilia Fandel, OSM

Cost: $10.00

Contact: Sr. Cecilia Fandel, OSM. 773-973-4812.

Introduction

It was shortly after publishing the book The Dream Connection that I received a short note from Sr. M. Peter Prince. One of the many interesting comments made was this, "We have beautiful information about Blessed Anne Juliana and Catherine in a translation of a French book made by Miss Jessie Schenk and Sr. Mary Charles in our archives. It includes the translations and pictures accompanying it..."

Immediately my curiosity was aroused and questions after questions crowded my mind: Who was this woman? How much did Mother M. Alphonse and her companions know about Blessed Anne Juliana? If so, was she their inspiration? Was the only legacy handed down to us the short words of Father Boniface Efferenn, O.S.M. and in agreement to pray to her for the success of the founding of an American Servite Congregation? What kind of woman was she? Where did she come from? What was her family like? Are we really her daughters? Do we carry any of her characteristics? Do we, as Ladysmith Servites, resemble her in any way? Is her spirit burning within us in this time of transition? Could the vision she had of the Servite life speak to us today?

In the past she had been more a shadow or like the dry bones mentioned in Chapter 37 of Ezekiel the prophet. But then, the Lord God said to the bones, "See! I will bring spirit into you that you may come to life." Perhaps this was the time for Anne Juliana to become a living memory, one regenerating new life for us. Could she also inspire us in our refounding process?

In a strange way I felt that our congregation at its birth had been quickly adopted. Only now were we discovering clues to someone who in one sense was our birth mother. Upon securing a copy of the translation of the 1926 biography of Anne Juliana Gonzaga I was confident that my many questions would be answered. It was time to find out. It was time to meet the mother we never really knew.

The Dream Connection - Book

2008-04-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

The Dream Connection, by Cecilia Fandel. O.S.M.
Cost: $10.00

Contact: Sr. Cecilia Fandel, OSM. 773-973-4812.

Preface
My attempt to live the Servite charism and interpret it in a new way to the world of the twenty-first century has indeed been challenging. It has inspired me to write this book which is an outgrowth of many hours spent searching and reflectin on the Word as it is presented in the rythm of the liturgical seasons, gleaning new insights from our Constitutions, and in my own personal prayer.

By placing the vision articulated herein before the Servants of Mary, Ladysmith, my hope is that the community vision accepted in 1989 will move forward one more step.

After Listening to community members over the year and hearing the desires of their hearts, I am encouraged to take the risk to write my vision down and humbly yet boldly offer it as a means to initiate dialogue, earnest questioning and prayerful pondering.

I am an opimist by nature. I find myself choosing life and Scripture beckons be to make that choice, for Jesus said: "I came that they may haev life, and have it more abundantly." (Jn 10:10) The members of my community have consistently expressed hope for our Servite congregation to continue and flourish into the future. As we grow older ti may seem more and more impossible, but then, is that not percisely when God acts? Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth all felt it was impossible to bring forth new life, but it happened. However, we must not be deluded. If there is to be life, it will not be the life as lived in the past, but in a new form. "One does not put new wine into old wineskins." (Mt. 9:17)

Therefore, I invite you, the reader to enter into this book in a personal way. Try to dream the dreams, and visualize the vision. See yourself relfected in them; notice your resistances. Take them to prayer, and talk about them with others. Remember, new life does not come without labor pains.

The Mary, Queen of the Servants, St Peregrine Healing Mass

2008-04-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

The Mary, Queen of the Servants Community in Palm Bay, Florida will be sponsoring a St. Peregrine Healing Mass at Our Lady of Grace Parish, 300 Malabar Rd., Palm Bay, Florida at 7:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2008. The presider will be Fr. Carl Feil O.S.M. and he will perform anointing of the sick. Deacons Bill Wanca SOSM and Jack Rhine SOSM will bless attendees with relics of St. Peregrine. The secular order community will provide hospitality in the parish center after Mass.

Voter Education

2008-04-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

Father Doyle, Pastor of Assumption Church, Chicago will host a voter education seminar on the American Bishops’ Pastoral Letter entitled,
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, Wednesday evening April 23 at 7:00 in the Parish Hall.
Mark the date on your calendars and join us.

Theresa Orozco will report on the seminar for those who are not able to attend.

Click here to see the bishops' pastoral letter.

SOSM National Conference 2007

2008-04-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

Photos from Karen Rhine ...

Welcome to the Observance

2008-04-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Observance is an intentional lay community immersed in the charism of the Sisters, Servants of Mary. Persons of mature spirituality are invited to join us in life together, living simply, praying communally, and alongside one’s main career or ministry, reaching out to those held captive by prison, detention, human trafficking, or the cycle of poverty and violence. Contact Sr. Cecilia Fandel, OSM. 773-973-4812.

Order of Servants of Mary

2008-04-18T05:46:00.001-07:00

Moved by the Spirit, we commit ourselves, as did our First Fathers, to witness the gospel in fraternal communion and to be at the service of God and all people, drawing abiding inspiration from Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord.
(OSM Constitutions Art.1)

Orden de los Siervos de Maria

2008-04-18T05:42:00.001-07:00

Movidos por el Espíritu, nos comprometemos, como nuestros Primeros Padres, a dar testimonio del Evangelio en comunión fraternal y a vivir a servicio de Dios y del hombre, inspirándonos constantemente en María, Madre y Sierva del Señor.
(constituciones OSM Art.1)

GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES TO ALL!!

2008-04-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Servites,

May this Easter Season be cause for joy and new life for each of us, our families, and our Servite communities and fraternities. Since February, 2008, we have welcomed new members to our Servite Family with great joy and hope. We are pleased to know that there are others who wish to share with us the joy of living out the call to be Servants of Mary, to follow in the footsteps of our Seven Holy Founders. We celebrate 775 Years of faithful service, inspired by Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord, following the example and model of life received from those who have gone before us HAPPY 775TH ANNIVERSARY TO ALL!!

We welcome the following new members to our Servite Family:

January 6 MO, Affton – Seven Holy Founders Community
Betty Cloughley
Marian Reitz
Ed Schmitt
Kathy Schmitt
Wally Schultz

February 8 FL, Lady Lake, Our Lady of Sorrows Community
Barbara L. Gorry
John E. Gorry
Barbara A. Lazzari
Diane Rambo

February 17 CA, Fullerton, Comunidad Nuestra Señora de los Dolores
Patricia Alfaro
José Manuel Chavez
Maribel Chavez
Marisela Flores
Silvia Garcia
Yazmin Garcia
María Gomez
José Gomez
Eva Ledezma
Edela Luna
Laura Nieto
María Noria
Bertha Raygoza
María Luisa Rojas

February 17 CA, Fullerton, Salve Regina Community
Kerri Dillon
Teresa Enriquez
George Krajacic
Susan Richard
Yvonne Rominger

February 17 IL, Chicago, Our Lady of Sorrows Community
Marjorie Cobbs
Gregory Michalek
Wayne Morris
Deborah Turner

February 21 CA, Fullerton, Comunidad Nuestra Señora de los Dolores
María Guevara

February 25 IL, Chicago St. Mary Source of Our Joy Community
Nancy Debiasi

April 9 WI, Ladysmith, St. Juliana Falconieri Community
Kathy Mai
Mary Morgan

Our sincerest congratulations to all the new Secular Servites and to all those who have been involved in their formation and preparation to make their Promise as lifetime members of the Secular Order of the Servants Of Mary. Let us pray continually for vocations to our Servite Family. Let us extend an invitation to others to come and walk with us this journey of faith and of mission, under the guidance and protection of our Seven Holy Founders, St. Philip Benizi, St. Juliana Falconieri, St. Peregrine Laziosi, St. Anthony Mary Pucci and all the Blessed who have preceded us and who inspire us.

Fr. Vidal Martinez,OSM

National Assistant

Servite Secular Order

SOSM Salve Regina Community

2008-04-08T15:45:00.001-07:00

50 Anniversary

2008-04-06T19:39:00.000-07:00

Our official St. Philip Benizi parish 50th Anniversary celebration yesterday was a beautiful event. Bishop Tod Brown presided. Previous OSM pastors, many OSM priests and deacons attended, with SOSM Communities, Fullerton city and Calif State dignitaries or representatives. A casual dinner followed for the entire parish. It was a momentous occasion.

By Gracy Krajacic, SOSM

Salve Regina Announcement

2008-04-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

We are in our third year of operation and our system is changing and we would like to wish all a Happy Easter!
Please pray for Sally.
Peace the Prior

Easter Greetings: OSM Prior General

2008-03-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

Alleluia!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Happy Easter!
I cordially greet and wish you all the best in this moment in which we celebrate the Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ. The Easter refers to an event that happened once and for all, but at the same time has a concrete impact on our everyday life. The words of St Ireneus: “the glory of God is the fullness of man”, are the light in which we can understand better the meaning of Easter. The Resurrection of the Lord is not only a guarantee of our faith but it sustains also our hope and invites us to live in love. Man gives glory to God and manifest his faith in the Resurrection when he lives fully his humanity and his sentiments of Christ. To live the Resurrection is to live in fullness every moment of our life, in that way our very existence is a reflection of the light of the Risen. As disciples of Christ we are called , therefore, to be witness of life and to oppose to any form of death. The time of Easter is the time of Christ and the time of man, the time of the Holy Spirit and the time of the Church: in Christ the universe resurrects and renews itself, man returns to the spring of life and the Spirit introduces the Church into an understanding of the mystery of Christ.
We live, therefore, an intense paschal time and that the light of the Risen Christ illumines our life and fill us with hope and peace.
Holy Mary, Woman of Eater, glory of the Spirit, receive the prayers of your Servants.
Happy Easter!

fr. Ángel M. Ruiz Garnica, o.s.m.
Prior General
generale.angel@gmail.com

Responsible Consumption and Investment

2008-03-08T05:29:00.000-08:00

About Co-op America

Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

Our Vision
We work for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the bounty of the Earth is preserved for all the generations to come.

What Makes Co-op America Unique
We focus on economic strategies—economic action to solve social and environmental problems. We mobilize people in their economic roles—as consumers, investors, workers, business leaders. We empower people to take personal and collective action We work on issues of social justice and environmental responsibility. We see these issues as completely linked in the quest for a sustainable world. It’s what we mean when we say green.”

We work to stop abusive practices and to create healthy, just and sustainable practices.

Click here to see Co-op America's programs.

UN Warns on Food Price Inflation

2008-03-06T12:36:00.000-08:00

Theresa Orozco, SOSM submitted this article. This problem is having a major impact on the poor! This information came from BBC News.

Governments are urged to take action to help ease rising pricesThe head of the UN World Food Programme has warned that the rise in basic food costs could continue until 2010.

Josette Sheeran, head of the UN World Food Program, blamed soaring energy and grain prices, the effects of climate change and demand for biofuels. Miss Sheeran has already warned that the WFP is considering plans to ration food aid due to a shortage of funds.

Some food prices rose 40% last year, and the WFP fears the world's poorest will buy less food, less nutritious food or be forced to rely on aid.
Speaking after briefing the European Parliament, Miss Sheeran said the agency needed an extra $375m (244m euros; £187m) for food projects this year and $125m (81m euros; £93m) to transport it.

This is not a short-term bubble and will definitely continue She said she saw no quick solution to high food and fuel costs. "The assessment is that we are facing high food prices at least for the next couple of years," she said. Miss Sheeran said global food reserves were at their lowest level in 30 years - with enough to cover the need for emergency deliveries for 53 days, compared with 169 days in 2007.

Biofuel prices
Among the contributing factors to high food prices is biofuel production.
Miss Sheeran says demand for crops to produce biofuels is increasing prices for food stuffs such as palm oil. Miss Sheeran said governments needed "to look more carefully at the link between the acceleration in biofuels and food supply and give more thought to it".

The WFP says countries where price rises are expected to have a most direct impact include Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Haiti, Djibouti, the Gambia, Tajikistan, Togo, Chad, Benin, Burma, Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Yemen and Cuba.

Areas where the WFP is already seeing an impact include:

Afghanistan: 2.5 million people in Afghanistan cannot afford the price of wheat, which rose more than 60% in 2007

Bangladesh: The price of rice has risen 25% to 30% over the last three months. In 2007, the price rose about 70%.

El Salvador: Rural communities are buying 50% less food than they did 18 months ago with the same amount of money. This means their nutritional intake, on an already poor diet, is cut by half.

Anger over rising food prices have already led to riots in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Senegal and Morocco. The BBC is planning a special day of coverage of this issue on Tuesday 11 March, online, on radio and on TV.

The War Against Women Never Ends

2008-02-25T07:13:00.000-08:00

Ann Jones, who, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, spent several years as a humanitarian aid worker in Afghanistan focusing on the lives of women and wrote a moving book, Kabul in Winter, about her experience, takes us to West Africa and into the chilling nightmare of women's lives in war-torn lands. This is the first of a series of reports she will be writing for Tomdispatch.com in the coming months.

To read The War Against Women: A dispatch from the West African Front, click here.

Franz Jagerstatter Beatified October 26, 2007

2008-02-11T16:48:00.000-08:00

Blessed Franz Jagerstatter was a farmer in Nazi occupied Austria during the Second World War. He was beheaded by the Nazis for refusing to serve in the German military. Jagerstatter refused to serve in the military because taking the life of another human was against his Catholic faith.

During his beatification Mass at the Cathedral of the Diocese of Linz, Austria, the following was part of the prayer for Bl. Franz's future cannonization: "During a time of contempt for God and humankind, you bestowed in him unerring discernment and integrity. In Faith he followed his conscience and said a decisive NO to unjust war."

There are several websites where we can learn about Bl. Franz and his life and programs during Lent 2008 to honor him and his stand against unjust war and its cost to humanity.

www.cjd.org/paper/franz.html

http://www.franzprayforus.org/

On January 9, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI stated "... less than one half of the immense sums spent worldwide on armaments would be more than sufficient to liberate the immense masses of the poor from destitution. This challenges humanity's consciences."

Let us pray that we can walk in Bl. Franz's footsteps and help to change our world to a place where disputes can be settled without war.

Justice for Children - A Resource for Abused Children

2008-02-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

Justice for Children is a national child advocacy organization with headquarters in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1987 by Randy Burton, a former Chief Prosecutor of the Family Offenses Section of the Harris County District Attorney's office, and a group of concerned citizens within the community in response to the inadequacies and failure of child protective system to protect abused and neglected children.

Today, Justice for Children continues to function as the voice of the abused and neglected child. They remain unique in their purpose to advocate and intervene on behalf of the abused and neglected child at any stage of an abused child's case. Their advocacy for a child is not dependent on a court appointment. Their advocacy for the child's safety and protection can become a reality long before the case even goes to court. This distinction is critical when it comes to protecting an abused or neglected child since sometimes by the time the child's case gets to court-it's too late.

To learn more about Justice for Children and how they protect abused children, visit their website at:

http://www.justiceforchildren.org/

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: THE TRADING OF PEOPLE AS COMMODITIES

2008-01-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

What is human trafficking?Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Examples of recent cases of human trafficking in the U.S. include adolescent Mexican girls trafficked to the U.S. for prostitution, Indian men trafficked for forced labor, and African women and children trafficked for domestic servitude, among others.

The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 defines “severe forms of trafficking in persons” as follows:
Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age, OR
The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

What is the extent of the problem?The U.S. government estimates that approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year; about 14,500-17,500 of them into the United States. Based on estimates by the U.S. government of the numbers of all trafficking victims and comparing those figures with widely cited figures of foreign-born children in the sex trade in the United States, we estimate conservatively about 1/3 of foreign-born trafficking victims are children.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

BE AN ACTIVIST
To learn more about this crime and what to do to help exterminate it log onto:

http://www.usccb.org/mrs/traffickingweb.shtml

www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/fact_sex.html

www.polarisproject.org

www.notforsalecampaign.org

www.cargoinnocencelost.com

Book Review - Three Cups of Tea

2008-01-22T05:21:00.000-08:00

Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, is a work of non-fiction about the life of Greg Mortenson. Mortenson, while climbing mountains in Baltistan, the poorest and most isolated part of Pakistan near the Afghanistan border, finds his purpose in life --- the education of Balti children. As a result of his single minded determination, Mortenson builds 55 schools. He also implements other projects such as a women's center and health clinics to improve the lives of the Balti. He earns the respect and support of the Muslim leadership and fights a one man war on terror by bringing hope to people. Truly an extraordinary book about an extraordinary man that shows the positive impact one person can have on the lives of many people. A very hard book to put down once I started reading.

More information on the book can be found at www.threecupsoftea.com and information on Central Asia Institute, the organization that Mortenson founded, can be found at www.ikat.org

This book is a must read and is available in paperback for $15.00. It can be ordered through the website with a portion of procedes going to fund Mortenson's work.

Peace & Justice Prayer Service & Presentation

2008-01-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

The Mary Queen of Servants Community, which meets at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Palm Bay, FL, has been sponsoring these services and presentations for about a year. They occur about once a month. A topic is chosen for each service. Some of the topics have been Capital Punishment, Handicapped, Immigration, Children, Hunger and the Oppressed in Haiti.

The first half hour of the program is a Liturgy of the Word. It follows a fairly standard format:

Gathering Hymn
Greeting
Opening Prayer
First Reading
Psalm
Gospel
Short Homily or Reflection
Prayers of the Faithful
Our Father
Sign of Peace
Closing Prayer
Dismissal
Hymn for Sending Forth

We generally have a parish musician. The presider has been a deacon, but doesn't have to be. The readings are chosen to relate to the topic of the day. The homily or reflection is given by the presider or a guest speaker. The prayers relate to the topic and are generally found on the Internet. We prepare prayer aids with responses to prayers and music or reference to numbers in the hymnal.

The presentation lasts no more than 90 minutes and can be done in different ways. Our diocese has a good media center and we often preview a number of videos on the topic. We have had guest speakers who may or may not bring videos. There is usually time for discussion and questions.

The time ends with secular order provided hospitality.

Publicity is through the parish bulletin, bulletins of close by parishes, Mass announcements and local newspaper religion pages as well as the diocesan newspaper.

We generally get a good turnout from the Secular Order Community and depending on the topic, some parishioners.

Faithful Citizenship

2008-01-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

The three part document authored by the USCCB on faithful citizenship is now available. The first part discusses why and how we need to form our consciences. The second part addresses application of Catholic teaching to major issues. The third part discusses the major challenges to citizens, candidates and public officials.

The document is 44 pages long and can be downloaded by clicking here.

Adobe Reader is required to read this document and can be obtained by clicking here.

2008-01-17T20:06:00.000-08:00

SERVITES MARK 775 YEARS

ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

February 17, 2008, The Feast of the Seven Holy Founders, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, 3121 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois, 10:30AM Mass, Opening of the 77th Year.
June 12, 2008, Mass and Festive Gathering, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago, Illinois, 6:30PM, USA Province of Servites Celebration of 775th Anniversary.
August 15, 2008, Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Grotto: National Shrine of Our Sorrowful Mother, Portland, Oregon, 7:30PM, Mass and Candlelight Procession in Celebration of the 77th Anniversary.

How will your Secular Order Community celebrate the 775th Anniversary? Please share with us your plans.

Just Faith

2008-01-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

JustFaith is a formation program that helps participants to grow in their commitment to the poor and vulnerable. This program serves to strengthen parish commitment to be agents of social transformation, mercy and compassion.

The program consists of eight months of weekly sessions using videos, presentations, books, discussion, prayer, two retreats and immersion experiences. Over the course of the sessions, participants learn about Catholic Social teaching, become community, and open up to God's transforming power.

For more information about how to bring this program into your parish, click here.

Prayers for Economic Justice

2008-01-11T05:03:00.000-08:00

These prayers are from the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and have been contributed by people from different countries. They remind us of the needs of the peoples of much of the world and that workers are more than tools of production and profit.

See the prayers.

GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES TO ALL

2008-01-09T19:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Servites,

We are looking forward to the many blessings that God has in store for us in this New Year: 2008. As Servite Family, we are jubilant and rejoicing as we celebrate the 775th Anniversary of the Order of Servants of Mary. Let us celebrate! Let us give thanks to God!

Just recently, Seven Holy Founders Community, Affton, Missouri celebrated the Rite of the Promise of four candidates who have accepted the call and invitation to walk with us in the footsteps of our Seven Holy Founders. Congratulations to our new sisters and brothers and welcome to the Servite Family!

The National Council of the Secular Order will have its first meeting at Our Lady of Sorrows Monastery, Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, January 30, 2008. We ask for your prayers and encouragement as we gather to plan for the life and welfare of the Secular Order in the United States. You will hear from each of the National Councillors very soon.

The month of February will be a time of "new beginnings" for the Secualr Order. In Lady Lake, Florida, Our Lady of Sorrows Community is born. Don and Nancy Siple,SOSM have been guiding four candidates during their Period of Probation as they prepare to make their Promise. The time has come! On Friday, February 8, 2008, 10:00AM, St. Timothy's Parish, Lady Lake, the four candidates will make their Promise as Secular Servites. Our prayers and best wishes are with them, with Don and Nancy, and Fr. Gene Weiss, the Spiritual Assistant.

In Fulllerton, California, at St. Philip Benizi Parish, there will be two celebrations of the Rite of the Promise: one in English and one in Spanish, on Sunday, February 17, 2008. Salve Regina Community welcomes the new members of their community who will make their Promise. The Spanish-speaking candidates will also celebrate as 15 candidates will make their Promise and will initiate a new community of the Secular Order. Let us remember our sisters and brothers in our prayers as they seek to walk with us on our journey of faith.

The feast of our Seven Holy Founders, February 17, 2008, will also be the date in which four candidates of Our Lady of Sorrows Community, Chicago, Illinois will make their Promsie. Let us remember our sisters and brothers in our prayers as this special moment in their lives approaches. They will make their Promise at the Mass Opening the 775th Anniversary of the existence of the Order of Servants of Mary, which is to take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago, Illinois, 10:30AM Mass!

Fr. Vidal Martinez,OSM

Community Prayerbook

2008-01-09T17:58:00.000-08:00

St Mary Source of Our Joy 01.08.08
Chicago, Illinois

At our monthly meetings, we gather and discuss mission work and sometimes this turns into a project.

The most recent project we started working on is developing a prayer book. The prayer book will date and record all prayer requests. We find this to be something that will center our prayer, strengthen our spirituality and bring consciousness of our greater Servite Community, during our monthly gathering prayer time.

Our Communication Chairperson or Compassion Chairperson will manage the prayer book record and date. At the beginning of our gatherings, the responsible chairperson will read the prayer requests from the book record. We will have the prayer requests now in our hearts during this special time together with my brothers and sisters of St Mary Source of Our Joy and in our local community prayer record archive.

We hope chairperson will keep us updated on the progress and development of the prayer book in the blog "comment section" or in the "project section" and if you have any suggestions please let us know here too.

Theresa
St Mary Source of Our Joy

PLANNING IDEAS FOR PARISH STAFFS AND PARISH COUNCILS*

2008-01-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship:
A Call to Political Responsibility
from the Catholic Bishops of the United States

Early in January 2008, a new Faithful Citizenship Web site will be launched that will include a wide range of resources for parishes committees, educational programs, youth and young adult ministries, and other groups. In the meantime, parishes may want to consider the following ideas to begin developing a plan for sharing the message of Faithful Citizenship.
click here for the full article from the USCCB, Faithful Citizenship website

Servite Research and History

2008-01-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

By Jack Rhine

Mary, Queen of the Servants Community

Cosmo Online!

2008-01-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

You can read Cosmo online now!
You can read conveniently online in four easy steps.

1) go to Servidimaria.org
2) click your language choice
3) go to the "News" section
4) click "cosmo online" and read...

Engaging the Spirit in Choosing Public Leaders

2008-01-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

The Setting

Chairs arranged to allow for some sharing and dialogue.
Symbols may include a globe or other symbol of all peoples of the world; a
map of the United States of America; pictures of people especially affected by
political decisions.

Call to Prayer... click here for reflection and prayer found in Hill Connections

Translators Needed!

2008-01-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

We are in need of translators, ENGLISH, SPANISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, PORTUGUESE and OTHER. If you are interested in volunteering your time please contact the Classified Ads Editor.

The Gift of Compassion

2007-12-27T20:29:00.000-08:00

"Compassion, to be with others when and where they suffer and to willingly enter into fellowship of the weak, is God's way to justice and peace among people." Henry Nouwen

Click here for Compassion Reflection and Prayer found on Hill Connections

SOSM Photos and Videos Here!

2007-12-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

Submit your Photos and Videos to the Photos and Videos Editor. This Editor will then post your submission to the Photos and Videos section with your Photo Titles and any additional submitted information.

January 1: World Day of Peace

2007-12-27T13:39:00.000-08:00

According to Church teaching, peace is built on a commitment to love and justice and flourishes when all realize their responsibility for promoting it. True peace can only be attained when the dignity of each human being is respected. The Church is called to be a sacrament and instrument of peace in the world and must work, along with its members, to promote peace and its foundations; Love, Justice, Development and Reconciliation.
Click here for World Day of Peace action

Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development - USCCB

National Assistant

2007-12-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Fr. Vidal would write or report here.

SOSM classifieds

2007-12-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

We are looking for Writers!
In blog lingo you would be called an Author. The author will monitor SOSM reader comments and would be responsible for posting SOSM reader submitted lead reports, stories and keep your section with current SOSM news.

Photographers!
Please send us your photos for posting along with an explanation of your photosharing. We can upload video too!
Please contact Theresa at, ta.orozco@sbcglobal.net with your interest.

Discussions

2007-11-17T21:02:00.001-08:00

This section is for setting discussions.
Examples:
1 - A topic for the week would be "Human Trafficking", we, being the blog contributors would highlight a current event on this topic reported in the news, frame the event in Catholic Social Justice Teachings and begin discussions on line to resolve to a thought, an action to be taken by a particular community(s).
2 - Posting an SOSM article for reflection and sharing of reflections.
3 - Posting a discussion question from a book, this would require people to have the book for this discussion, but that could be an interesting community effort; organizing an online book discussion.

Celebrations . Events

2007-11-17T20:58:00.000-08:00

This section would be for celebrations of all kinds, anniversaries, graduations, christian life, etc...
Including photos, video, can be added along with a memorable story.

Projects

2007-11-17T20:46:00.000-08:00

Here is where a community would submit projects they feel may be of help/use to other communities.
This project sharing post could include a photo submission, video, recording of a report given during a community meeting. A written report regarding community work being accomplished pertaining to mission.

Salmo del Inmigrante

2007-11-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

Salmo del Inmigrante
F. Javier Orozco, SFO

Dios de Israel, escucha nuestro clamor;
Dios de la Tierra, escucha nuestro dolor;
Dios del Pueblo Viviente, escucha nuestra esperanza.

Atiende a nuestra súplica;
Recibe nuestra plegaria;
Convive en nuestro caminar.

Dios de Israel, en ti confiamos;
Dios de La Tierra, en ti vivimos;
Dios del Pueblo Viviente, contigo luchamos.

Tus manos son refugio eterno;
Tus pies son senderos de alegría;
Tu cuerpo es nuestro alimento y sostén.

Dios de Israel, danos tu justicia;
Dios de la Tierra, bríndanos tu compasión;
Dios del Pueblo Viviente, extiéndenos tu paz.

El desierto venceremos;
El río cruzaremos;
La distancia uniremos.

Dios de Israel, tu vida ya encarnamos;
Dios de la Tierra, tu pasión y muerte ya experimentamos;
Dios del Pueblo Viviente, tu resurrección ya engendramos.

Juntos en nuestra Reforma Inmigratoria caminaremos;
Juntos en nuestra Reforma Inmigratoria confiaremos;
Juntos en nuestra Reforma Inmigratoria viviremos.

Dios de Israel, tu paz ya nos inspira;
Dios de la Tierra, tu justicia ya nos motiva;
Dios del Pueblo Viviente, tu compasión ya nos sostiene.

Amen.