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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Almsgiving | Christmas Season | Feast of St. Stephen | rosary
If you are someone who lends your favorite books to family members or friends only to find that the loan has become permanent, or sends thank you notes and birthday cards only to realize with a heart that sits somewhere between resignation and a slight ache that not everyone remembers your birthday or sends you messages of thanks, then the Church’s teaching on almsgiving and charity will be a source of much consolation—for in essence it is that only what is given away will be ours to keep. St Augustine places this teaching in the mouth of Christ as Augustine speaks of this to his congregation: “…on earth, my members were suffering, my members were in need. If you gave anything to my members, what you gave would reach their Head….I placed them on earth for you and appointed them your stewards to bring your good works into my treasury.” Then Christ laments to those who have not given to the poor and suffering, “But you have placed nothing in their hands; therefore you have found nothing in my presence” (Sermon 18, 4.).
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Advent | Almsgiving | corporal works of mercy | family prayer
The Corporal Works of Mercy—feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless—can all be categorized with one powerful word: Almsgiving. We often associate that word with Lent, but the truth is people and organizations who serve those in need require assistance all year long. As Christians, we must love and care for those in our society who are in most need. That is why it is important to continue the practice of almsgiving year-round. On the Feast Day of Saint Stephen, we remember his role not only as the first Christian martyr but also as one of the first deacons! As a deacon, Saint Stephen was charged with giving alms to the poor and serving those in most need. On the Feast of Saint Stephen, December 26, make time to reflect upon how you can best serve our brothers and sisters in need.
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Almsgiving | Lenten practices | Love thy Neighbor
I was born and raised in a small village called Wairaka in the Jinja District of Uganda. I remember years back while in seminary, I became close friends to an elderly woman in Wairaka, her name was Alistera.
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Almsgiving | Lent activities | prayer
During the liturgical season of Lent, we faithful are asked to seek the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to practice self-control through fasting, and to serve by giving alms. Lent is an ideal season to travel through with your parish’s women’s group because when we partner with friends in praying, fasting, and almsgiving, we keep each other on track, bear each other’s burdens, and deepen our faith and friendships.
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