Good News from the Missions Office - December 2010

The December edition of our Good News newsletter is at the printer but also available now online:
http://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/Mi...ewsletter.aspx

Included in this issue: A Franciscan Christmas blessing; resources and mission art and video contests; Advent-related items including a reflection for December 6; Poverty Quiz; World Day of Peace message.

To all of you participating in the Work of Human Hands (www.crsfairtrade.org) program of purchasing fair trade handicrafts – thank you!

Our website has been changed and moved - along with (gradually) the entire archdiocesan website. Please let us know what you think and if you have any suggestions for changes?

Advent: there are many resources “out there” and here’s one we would like to suggest for distribution: atwo-pager“Advent resource” from Catholics Confront Global Poverty campaign, deals with Sudan, the Holy Land, and U.S., listed at this site (among other items):http://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/As...1144_Sudan.pdf

Another Advent item: St. Leo parish and Catholic Community Services in Tacoma are hosting a few of the series of events between Nov. 29 and Dec. 9, related to the upcoming trial of Fr. Bill Bichsel, SJ, and the rest of the “Disarm Now Plowshares Five.” (http://disarmnowplowshares.wordpress.com/events). On the eve of this Advent, Pope Benedict XVI remembered the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and said: “This tragedy persistently reminds us of the necessity to persevere in efforts to ensure non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and disarmament…..the memory of this dark episode in human history becomes more poignant each year as the witnesses of such horror pass away.” Benedict XVI also said that nuclear weapons were a major cause of concern, raising tension and mistrust in many parts of the world through their possession and threat of being used. Other statements from U.S. bishops available at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/nuclear.shtml.

Waiting with you for the coming of the Prince of Peace, and thankful for your service,

your Missions Office staff
Archdiocese of Seattle