"A Declaration of Interdependence"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
For there to be another 250 years of human life on Earth, let us recognize our interdependence…and experience gratefulness for the generosity that comes our way each second.
"Two Wings Toward Truth"
Reflection by Emily Lucas
In a time marked by division, may we choose conversations rooted in faith, reason and love, remembering that “Above all, love each other deeply” (1 Peter 4:8).
"Transforming Grace, Expanded Perceptions"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
How can we have moral courage to engage in conversations across present-day divides? Practicing methods learned at LCWR’s recent “Transforming Grace” can lead to expanded perceptions.
"Garbage In, Garbage Out"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
We live within an interrelated, interdependent system. How do we perceive Earth? Let’s not allow the trashing of our planet to become normalized behavior!
Image– NASA: Earthrise
"Walk On!"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
Recall a time when you walked away from something. Perhaps your intentional leaving was due to a new awareness, calling, inspiration. Perhaps you deliberately chose instead to walk toward something more beautiful.
"Needed: Critical Thinking"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
Our US Unit Presentation Sisters recently published a prophetic statement. Pope Leo has called for critical thinking. Let us join with the Sisters in their thinking critically and “strive to bring a world of justice, love and peace as proclaimed by Jesus”.
"What is Truth?"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
Pontius Pilate’s question is no less relevant today, especially as it relates to justice. This reflection seeks an answer from two sources of revelation: Scripture and Creation. Let us embrace the really real and humbly ask for direction.
Laudato Si's Persistent Insistence of Commonality: it's "Ecological Reality"!
Reflection by Maurice Lange
Throughout Laudato Si, Pope Francis painstakingly emphasizes the commonality that we all share and are called to build up. From the outset Francis points to “the conviction that everything in the world is connected” (#16). His continual insistence regarding this conviction is indefatigable.
*Photo of Pope Francis courtesy of Michael Swan, The Catholic Register*
Presentation People and All of Us: "Let's Adopt Sustainable Lifestyles in 2025"
December 2024 Reflection by Maurice Lange
What are you resolving to do? Why not live more sustainably?! 3x a day we can adopt sustainable dietary habits—-and here’s a biggie!
SDG Goals 2024
Advent Reflections by Maurice Lange
Read this year’s Advent Reflections on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by clicking the corresponding buttons below.
"Where Are We?"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
We find ourselves within this season of Summer being deluged with news. Amidst it all let us not forget the values we profess as Presentation People.
*Image taken by the author – Chilhuahuan Desert. Big Bend National Park, Texas, December, 1999*
"Pondering the Promise and Possibility of Summer Time"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
This Summer, ponder and dive deeply into the blessings of the season and your surroundings. Why not be “a bride married to amazement“?!
"Let Ecology Teach Us How to Create Ecological Economies"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
Pope Francis stresses the word “ecological” within the phrase “Ecological Economics.” A healthy economy is not possible without a healthy ecology. Despite a polarization in the country that astoundingly includes science…what might we learn from ecology?
*image courtesy of Fr. Jim Brobst, OMI*
"Being an Ethical Consumer: An Earth Day Zoom Event"
Presentation given by Dr. Ellis Jones, author of “The Better World Shopping Guide”
Pope Francis calls for an ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS in his encyclical Laudatory Si. In our interactions with the dominant economy, how can we be supportive of corporations that are not just taking from Earth (and their employees), but are giving back? Watch this AWESOME 1-hour Earth Day Zoom as the Presentation Sisters hosted Dr. Ellis Jones as he helped us learn how to utilize our dollars as votes in order to help build a better world.
"Hijacking the Childhood of our Children"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
We who grew up in the 1970’s (like my cousins and I at my Grandparents’ Texas farm) had no social media to contend with back then. We could play together and just be kids. Let us come to the awareness of a HUGE sign of the times for today’s children.
"Comprehensive Compassion"
Reflection by Sr. Constance Kozel, RSM
Developing comprehensive compassion (or care) and practicing a sustainable way of life are inseparable. Sr. Constance provides striking examples of compassion that is comprehensive. Image Credit: Compassion by Sr. Mary Southard, CSJ, http://www.
"In Solidarity"
Reflection by Sr. Annette Figueiredo, PBVM
In anticipation of the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita the group, “Bridge of Light: Human Trafficking toHuman Triumph” (a part of the St. Irenaeus Health Ministry, Cypress, CA ), had its annual Solidarity Walk and Prayer Vigil to honor victims and survivors of Human Trafficking.
"Leave No Trace"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
Maurice was walking by this lovely scene. What he found on the ground brought back childhood memories…and…also evoked some serious introspection.
SDG Goals 2023
Advent Reflections by Maurice Lange
Read this year’s Advent Reflections on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by clicking the corresponding buttons below.
"What is the Work of Justice Now?"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
It is “Transformative Justice” — that is to say transforming the consciousness of the community. And the predominate consciousness or paradigm in the West is that “everything is separate.”
"Can We Provide Better for Our Children?"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
Do you remember yucky school lunches? I do. “Mystery meat” we called the main course. Fortunately, now in some schools, children love their lunches because they grew them.
"Let us Evoke Human Decency and Compassion"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
A recent game showed us the possibility and depths of human decency…can we summon such compassion for an ultimate sign of our times?
"SDG Goals"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
Advent Reflection on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
"Presentation Day connects to the Cosmos"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
As we celebrate Presentation Day, November 21st, we find that this day can speak to us in many ways…
"May We Humbly and Heartfully Hear"
Reflection by Maurice Lange
During the upcoming Season of Creation we are called to “listen to the voice of Creation.” How does true listening challenge our Western mindset?
"Profound Need of the Human Soul"
Reflection by Maurice Lange, Photo Credits: Phil Coleman
There is a “profound need of the human soul” to have a color-filled, radiant, diverse, lovely and verdant planet.
A Cure for Short-Sightedness
Reflection by Maurice Lange, Photo Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA and STScl
Let our constrained vision be expanded by both Indigenous wisdom and the latest deep-time photographs from space.
Thoughts on "Life" by Maurice Lange
Let’s not reduce the term “life” into soundbites but expand our sense of life into a holistic, interdependent and lived-out worldview.
LCWR "Imagining Justice" Gathering
“Imaging Justice” is a LCWR workshop attended by members and justice promoters. Our Director of Peace and Justice, Maurice Lange, recently attended this workshop and wrote an article on his experience.
Creating an Ecological Economy
by Maurice Lange
“We work for the transformation of unjust systems, the integrity of creation and the flourishing of humanity and Earth.” (Our Way of Life C9)
The Gift of Conversation in Justice Ministry
During this time of physical distancing, isn’t it especially good to have a meaningful conversation with someone? Maurice Lange, the newly-hired Director of the Justice and Peace Office, facilitated eleven very meaningful conversations with small groups of Presentation Sisters and Friends of Nano (FON).
Justice in Action
Minerva Briones, on behalf of the United Methodist Women National Office, presented Sister Sharon Altendorf with a Special Mission Recognition pin and certificate. It was given in recognition of her “gift for ministries with women, children and youth.”
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign begins on November 25, 2018, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and concludes on December 10, 2018, Human Rights Day.
The 16-Day Campaign opposing violence against women is an important opportunity to raise awareness and call for changes at an international, national and local level to make women and children safe from abuse.
Anti- Human Trafficking
As Presentation Sisters we keep the Catholic Social Teaching at the heart of our mission. All people are made in the image and likeness of God and deserve unconditional love and respect. We advocate for protection of all people, and pray for all those impacted by human trafficking, as well as for the end of human trafficking. The U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) put together a Newsletter promoting Awareness, Advocacy and Action, click HERE to read more.