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Blessings to you as we walk with hope and dreams into the New Year 2020. Two of Pope Pope Francis’ recent messages are especially worthy of our reflection at this time of new beginnings. His message for 105th World day of Migrants and Refugees 2019 and his message on the Celebration of the World Day of Peace reflect the heart and essence of our HVM mission and vision for the past 70 years.
In World Day of Migrants he writes:
- The Lord through migrants invites us to embrace fully our Christian life and contribute to the building up of a world more in accord with God’s plan.
- When we show concern for migrants, we also show concern for ourselves – we give voice to a part of ourselves that we may keep hidden because it is not well regarded in our throw-away culture
- Our fear of “the other” conditions our actions and makes us intolerant, closed and even racist. Fear deprives me of the ability to encounter the other and Jesus.
- Progress depends on our openness to being touched and moved by those who knock at our door. Their faces shatter all those false idols that can take over and enslave our lives-idols that blind us to the lives and sufferings of others.
- A development which excludes makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. Real development seeks to include all and show concern for coming generations.
- Person is at the heart of reality – the whole person and all people.
- The true model of the Christian is “the last shall be first!” We need to see, and help others see that migrants and refugees are brothers and sisters to be welcome, respected and loved.
In World Day of Peace he writes:
- Peace is a journey of hope: Hope is the virtue that inspires us and keeps us moving forward, even when obstacles seem insurmountable.
- Peace is a journey of listening: The world does not need empty words but convinced witnesses, peacemakers who are open to dialogue that rejects exclusion or manipulation.
- Peace is a journey of reconciliation: Only by choosing the path of respect can we break the spiral of vengeance and set out on the journey of hope.
- Peace is a journey of ecological conversion: This conversion must be understood as a transformation of how we relate to our sisters and brother, to other living things, to creation in all its rich variety and tot the Creator who is the origin and source of all life.
Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary on two continents have dedicated their lives to these precepts for the past 70 years. We thank you for walking with us and we appreciate your support.