REFLECTION

Simeon and Anna, a generation of hope

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.” (LK 2:29-30)

We all know that history – all history – moves towards its destination with ups and downs along the road, like when driving along a country road we are sometimes able to see the horizon widening in front of us from on top of the hills, and while when down in the valleys – some of them deep and long – we may lose perspective all together. It is precisely when we find ourselves driving in the valleys that we need to stay on track and be careful not to lose sight of our goals when our destination is no longer visible and has become a mere promise, even though we know that sooner or later the horizon will become visible once more in all its splendor and show us the way.

Only Luke features in his Gospel the story of rather pretty unknown characters, two elderly persons, Simeon and Anna, who were living in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth. Their lives had been devoted entirely to the fulfillment of God’s promises for his people, promises of consolation, nearness and salvation. Both are filled with great joy when meeting with this child, born just about 40 days earlier in a little town in Judea, and they are able to see in him the light that illuminates the wide horizon that they for so long had been yearning to see once more …

Retreat for Members of the CSP Lead by Bishop Sklba

Twenty five members and friends of the Community of Saint Paul gathered from January 13 through 21 at the Siena Center in Racine, Wisconsin for our annual week of retreat. It was facilitated by Bishop Richard Sklba, retired auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee.  Focusing on the theme “The Prophetic Call,” he guided us through Scripture so that we could mirror our own lives, both as individuals and as a community, in the lives of the biblical prophets.  We were invited to ask ourselves the questions that the prophets asked themselves: Who am I/are we in this day and age?; Where do I/we find God today?; What are the signs of the times around us?; How can I/we witness to God’s love in our present day world?

Above all, we learned that our prophetic call invites us to find God every single day, including in situations not always of our liking and when carrying out tasks not always of our choosing.

It was a privilege to enjoy the hospitality of the Racine Dominicans who run the center, to be nourished by Bishop Sklba’s wisdom, and to share for a few days as a community while some of our members experienced the cold Wisconsin winter for their first time!

The following link will take you to an article of Bishop Sklba in which he mentions the days we shared together, published shortly after our retreat in the “Catholic Herald,” Milwaukee’s Archdiocesan paper.  http://www.chnonline.org/herald-of-hope/bishop-richard-j-sklba

Thank you Bishop Sklba!

IV WRITING CONTEST IN SABANA YEGUA (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

To continue the on-going tradition, a month ago the IV Literary Contest was held in Sabana Yegua. The theme of this contest was “Take care of the Earth”, with the idea of promoting environmental awareness and the love of nature, while promoting the love of writing and reading. Eighteen prizes were giving in the age categories of children, youth and adults. Many of the participants are members of the Sabana Yegua Parish Library, who attended the event a bit nervous expecting their work to be the winner. The photo below is of the prize winners. Once again, the contest was something simple but important in that it brings out the interest for writing of many children and youth within our communities.