Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor
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Week Four
Trust in the Lord
The Fourth Sunday of Advent may come just one day before Christmas, but we should never rush through the day without considering its rich purpose and meaning! On this day, we celebrate the trust of our Holy Mother, who opens herself to the will of God with these words to the angel Gabriel: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
Although Sylvia Morales has not personally seen an angel, she still has steadfast faith. Her home is falling apart around her, but she remains confident in God’s love and his plan to bless her life.
“If it wasn’t for God, we would not be here today,” the 44-year-old mother and grandmother said. An extended family of eight lives in a makeshift home built by her husband, Mario, before he died five years ago. The walls and roof are made of palm trees and no longer keep out water when it rains, so the family has covered the home with plastic tarps.
Sylvia’s son, Henry, and son-in-law, Franklin, work hard at a nearby rubber tree plantation, but their income is barely enough to provide food and medicine. When Sylvia comes before God in prayer, she simply places her needs before him with great = trust.
“A new home will not be possible without God, so we ask him to touch the hearts of the people who can help,” she said.
Impoverished people in rural Guatemala remain trusting in God despite the hardships they face. Take some time to reflect on how you approach the Lord in prayer.
Gospel from the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:26-38 (NRSVCE)
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Take Action: Provide a Safe Home
We can share the love of God with a family in need — and we can do that by providing a safe home! Complete the maze and have someone time you. Set a reward and a time limit (e.g., $5 for completing the puzzle in under 5 minutes).
Add the reward to your collection box!
Life in Christ: Decorate and Solve Your Own Puzzle
To live our best lives, we need certain things — clean water, nutritious food, family and friends, a relationship with Christ, and more. Download the puzzle, print it out and decorate each piece with the things you need to be happy and healthy!
Learning Corner
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that we should have a special love for people who are poor. We can share our love through Works of Mercy by providing the things that poor families don’t have — things like food, water, medicine and, in this case, safe houses.
Our ministry partner in Guatemala is doing wonderful work and leading souls to Christ! By taking part in this mission, you are helping them reach hurting people with God’s love.
* Fact Source: The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2448
Family Discussion
1. What is peace? What does peace feel like?
2. When you are sad, scared or angry, is there anything that helps bring you peace (or makes you feel better)?
3. What are some things that Catholics can do (and are doing) to share peace with people in need? What are some things you can do?
Pray Together
Lord, we thank you for the blessed season of Advent. Thank you for sending your son, Jesus, and thank you for the peace that we can enjoy through him. We pray for families in Guatemala who might feel unsafe or scared. Help us as your Church to share your life-changing peace with them.
We ask that Jesus would be their Prince of Peace today. Amen.
Proceeds from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures incurred through June 30, 2024, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.