SWIC prayer of the week 11.20.05

I am listening to days growing shorter,
to the air turning crisp and cool,
to the slow waning of the light,
to the stars that shine in cold, dark nights.
I am listening to the growing harvest moon.
 
I AM LISTENING.
 
I am listening to happy harvest cries,
         to hearts overflowing with thanksgiving
         to tables laden with gifts from the earth,
to baskets overflowing with fruit,
I am listening to the bountiful gifts of autumn.
 
I AM LISTENING.
 
I am listening to a call for inner growth,
to my need to let go of material possessions,
to my need to reach out for invisible gifts.
I am listening for transformation.
 
I AM LISTENING.
 
I am listening to the death of old ways.
I am listening to the life force turning inward.
I am listening to the renewal of the earth.
 
I AM LISTENING.
 
I am listening to summer
         Handing over autumn.
I am listening to the poetry of autumn.
 
I AM LISTENING.
 
-Macrina Wiederkehr
 

Bowling - at a undisclosed location

Thanks to everyone who came out tonight to bowl! As Elise pointed out, I forgot to put the LOCATION on the website. So if anyone wanted to come and missed out on that - I apologize!

There were twelve of us there tonight, most of our regulars and a few new faces, too. Aaron and Orin "cheered" each other on. Dave and Christine brought yummy desserts from Michigan! Pete was kind enough to buy everyone a round of drinks - Thanks! I had the funnel cakes again - and some chili cheese fries! There's no better place for greasy food than a bowling alley!

Next month our social activity will be dinner and checking out what there is to do at the Shrine's Way of Lights. Thursday, December 18th. Join us for dinner at 5 - or come a little later for a trolley ride and to see carolers and other fun!

November Theology on Tap

Thanks to all who came out for the great Theology on Tap. Pete Cerneka and Erin Simmons did a fabulous job presenting "To Guatemala and Back: Service in the World." Also a big THANK YOU to Oddwalk Ministries' Shannon Cerneka and Orin Johnson who did a fabulous job as emcees.

Pete mentioned in his talk ways for us to be aware of what is happening in the world around us. He told us to ask questions, to educate yourselves and to vote! Below are some links to resources Pete had mentioned, if you were interested.

From the Diocese of St Paul, MN - A good site on Catholic Social Teaching

The League of Women Voters
(This is listed as a good place to start on educating yourself. Please read and take their opinions and examine them with your conscience and with Church teaching.)

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
This is a missionary order whose charism is to serve and bring the Gospel to those who are most abandoned. They also own and operate the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, in Belleville.

I hope many of you will be able to make it to the next Tap. The Title is "Stand, sit or knee?" and discussing our mass and what is happening there. Our liturgy is rooted in tradition and ritual that is truley beautiful, but often feels routine or even "boring." Come be reminded or learn for the first time what is going on during mass!

December 11, 6:30 gather and get settled with a drink and something to eat.
7pm - speakers Jared Ainsworth-Bryson and Orin Johnson will "wow" you with their knowledge of liturgy!

Have a great Thanksgiving!
erin