May HOP 2014
Embrace Cultural and Religious Diversity
May 2014 HOP
(English) – May HOP 2014
(French) May HOP 2014 french
(Spanish) May HOP 2014 spanish
We pray with the Church and the World
From the words of Pope Francis: When properly understood, cultural diversity is not a threat to Church unity. The Holy Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, transforms our hearts and enables us to enter into the perfect communion of the blessed Trinity, where all things find their unity. He builds up the communion and harmony of the people of God. The same Spirit is that harmony, just as he is the bond of love between the Father and the Son. Evangelii Gaudium # 117
The United Nations International Day of Families is celebrated on May 15th and seeks to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families. Later this year the Synod of the Family will be held at St Peter’s in Rome. Whatever the shape and membership of the family let us pray for this vital building block of society and the church.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated on May 21st. The day helps promote the importance of cultural diversity and harmony.
We pray with the Institute
In this month there will be six Final Professions in India: Soria Nongtdu, Amia Anita Tete, Abhay Ekka, Shakuntala Kujur, V. Punitha and Edline Toppo. V. Punitha will make her vows in Trichy on May 8th, Soria in Jowai on May 18th and Amia, Shakuntala, Abhay and Edline in Ranchi on the 25th. The province will be alive with celebrations, so we join with them in giving thanks to God and congratulations to the six.
The final list of the members for the General Congregation has been circulated along with the ex-officio members, making a group of 51. There is much to bring to prayer in these next months especially that the Spirit will continue to bring us to the deeper, discerning questions.
One Small Voice
Our Institute is called to more relevant expressions of ‘Communion’ which reflect a relational God generous in gift, equality, diversity and outreach. Call 2
Over this month take time to celebrate and treasure the diversity that is our experience in communities, places of ministry and social connections.
Let us pray
Erase all the lines, O God,
that I have drawn in my mind
to separate the life that is ‘not-me’
from the life that is ‘me’.
Enlarge the boundaries of my heart
to include soil and water,
air and animals,
friend and stranger –
all that, in Christ, you’ve called me
to love and nourish
Psalm 1:3 … like a tree planted by streams of water that yields it’s fruit in its season, and it’s leaf does not wither. In all that it does it prospers.
Be with us in the power of your new life
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