Heavenly Father, during this festive time of year we as Your people pause and reflect on Your abundant blessings. We thank You for family and friends. We thank You for the gift of this great Nation and for the gift of our liberty.
And while we reflect on our many blessings, we also remember those among us who are in need, especially the poor and marginalized of our society.
We remember those who are separated from family and friends, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces. May they know of our untiring support for them and their families, for the sacrifices they make for us each day.
Father, we ask You in a particular way to show Your love upon these our brothers and sisters, that our love and concern for them may be an act of gratitude for the blessings You have bestowed upon us.
We ask this all in Your most holy name.
Amen.
“Here is the text for the "global wave of prayer," sponsored by Caritas and suppported by Pope Francis. On Dec. 10, the "global wave" started on the island of Samoa and will progress around the world until it reaches the same island some 24 hours and more than 164 countries later.
* * *
O God, you entrusted to us the fruits of all creation so that we might care for the earth and be nourished with its bounty.
You sent us your Son to share our very flesh and blood and to teach us your Law of Love. Through His death and resurrection, we have been formed into one human family.
Jesus showed great concern for those who had no food – even transforming five loaves and two fish into a banquet that served five thousand and many more.
We come before you, O God, conscious of our faults and failures, but full of hope, to share food with all members in this global family.
Through your wisdom, inspire leaders of government and of business, as well as all the world’s citizens, to find just, and charitable solutions to end hunger by assuring that all people enjoy the right to food.
Thus we pray, O God, that when we present ourselves for Divine Judgment, we can proclaim ourselves as “One Human Family” with “Food for All”. AMEN.
”
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The December Profiles in Faith event will feature Congressman Steve Pearce from New Mexico’s 2nd District and will take place on Thursday, December 5th from 8:00–9:00 in 334 Cannon. Coffee and donuts will be provided and we are looking forward to a great time of food and fellowship.
The purpose of the Faith on the Hill Staff Assn. is to provide opportunities for Congressional staff to hear the personal faith stories of Members of Congress and to facilitate discussion on issues relating to religious freedom. Each month, a Member of Congress shares the role that faith has played in their personal and professional lives.
We encourage all staff and interns to attend. Please contact Sarah Seitz, sarah.seitz@mail.house.gov or 56365, with questions or if you are interested in speaking at a future event.
If you would like to receive e–mail reminders about FHSA events, please e–mail FHSA@mail.house.gov.
Sponsored by the Congressional Jewish Staff Assn.
Contact Amitai_Bin–Nun@coons.senate.gov
This week's discussion is centered around an enigmatic and virtually unknown Jewish observance that is coming up next week, and what it tells us about Judaism’s relationship with early Christianity.
Open to Congressional Members, Staff and general public.
For more information contact Moon Sulfab
moon_sulfab@mcconnell.senate.gov
Chaplain’s Office Advent Talk
Beauty in Advent: Meditations on Vatican Art
with Fr. Mark Haydu
Friday, December 6
12:00 pm
2261 RHOB
Fr. Mark Haydu is the International Coordinator of the Patrons of the Arts of the Vatican Museums and spends his day surrounded by beauty and working in support of the arts. He will join us on Friday to discuss how art and beauty impact our spiritual lives and can aid our reflections and meditations.
All Members and staff are invited to join us for this special presentation. BTW– Lunch will not be served; it is a brown–bag event.
For questions, please contact Karen Bronson in the Chaplain’s Office at 5–2509 or karen.bronson@mail.house.gov
Host: Karen Soltes LCSW, RYT is a licensed clinical social worker, registered yoga teacher and iRest yoga nidra teacher. She has been teaching iRest Yoga Nidra, a mindfulness based meditation practice, at the Washington DC VA Medical Center as part of the Integrated Health and Wellness Program for 6 years. Additionally, she has been involved in a research study looking at the impact of yoga nidra on chronic pain for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury. Her primary interest in weaving her over 30 years of clinical experience with the practices of yoga and meditation to support healing and well–being in military communities.
FOr more information contact Crystal.Price@mail.house.gov
Chaplain’s Office sponsors
Advent Reflections
Tuesdays in Advent – December 10 & 17
12:30 pm – 12:40 pm
1300 LHOB
I would like to invite you and your staff to join me as we prepare for the upcoming holidays.
Each remaining Tuesday in Advent (December 10 & 17), we will be taking a brief time out to reflect and pray on how we can live this time of hope in a deeper way, in the midst of all the pressures, anxieties and movement of Capitol Hill in these days.
We will keep host these sessions during the lunch hour and keep them short (less than 10 minutes) so you can still have time for lunch.
Please join us as all are welcome…
If you have any questions, contact Karen Bronson at 5–2509 or karen.bronson@mail.house.gov
Members and staff are invited each Wednesday at 11:00 am to pray the Rosary in H–234, the Congressional Prayer Room.
Praying the Rosary is a way to reflect on the life of Christ through the perspective of Mary. It only takes twenty minutes for this traditional time of prayer.
We welcome all who are interested, those who regularly pray the Rosary and those who wish to learn. We have prayer sheets and rosaries available.
If you have any questions, please call Karen Bronson in the Chaplain's Office at 6–4835. Or email Karen.Bronson@mail.house.gov
Sponsored by the Office of the Chaplain.
Join Chaplain Black and the Senate Staff
For the Bible Study Series:
Living the Good Life:
When: 12 to 1:00 p.m. Where:tba
Topic: Turn Your Obstacles Into Opportunities
Jody M. Spraggins
Director of Communications
Office of the U.S. Senate Chaplain
S–332, The Capitol
d. 202–224–2048