Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Respect Challenge: Spiritual Playdate
Be a part of the Respect Challenge initiated by Spiritual Playdate!
Spiritual Playdate is a collection of fine online
resources that can be used for social, emotional, and spiritual learning for
young people. Topics include things like fear and anxiety, forgiveness, living
and dying. Edwina Cowell in Chicago, the
Spiritual Playdate director gave an overview of their resources at the November
“women connecting globally” gathering. Women are the main educators of
children. In the world now, there seem to be so many divisions, and so much
fear. How can we help children develop
spiritually so they have a sense of belonging?
See the introductory film to Spiritual Playdate.
Edwina invited us to share the “Respect Challenge” and to
get as many people as possible sharing this and “challenging” another group to
do so also.
It’s a WIN-WIN
Enter our Social Media: #RespectChallenge
2025 Grand Prize $1000
Now, you can join families, friends, schools, and even business teams from around the world in our global movement to restore humanity to a culture of respect!
We’ve made it super easy to participate whether you’re at home, in a classroom, at a spiritual center or with neighbors! Watch a film (18) How to Join the Global #RespectChallenge 🌍 | Quick Start Guide to Make Respect Cool Again - YouTube
Follow the directions https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:06fb450a-e0bd-471b-a4c7-72cd7e33d189
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Women of Gaza and Israel for Peace
Women Wage Peace Who with Their Palestinian Partners Women of the Sun have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
Watch the inspiring introduction to Women Wage Peace
co-sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women – San Antonio and the
University of the Incarnate Word as part of the annual Peace Day, Oct. 29 https://youtu.be/V1S94ePU3-Y?si=gOPyWtSvmhcwzuPS
Before the program, hear “The Prayer of the Mothers” by the
beloved singer and promoter of peace Yael Deckelbaum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyFM-pWdqrY.
The women
who spoke on Oct. 29, including Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, are among the crowd
in the lower left picture. They are
among 6,000 who were in the People’s Peace Summit, May 9, 2025, in Jerusalem.
Book on Gaza
Stories
I Couldn’t Let Die: Shadows of Gaza by Salem Medhat Alaydi. Dianne Monroe,
the Jewish author of the introduction of this book of Salem’s Instagram
postings, will spoke of her grandmother who suffered under the Nazis in Holland
and why she tries to help Salem and his family.
“I’m Salem. I’m 18 years old, and I’ve spent my whole life in Gaza. My
home was destroyed in 2023, and since then I’ve been living in a man-made tent.
Through everything, the bombings, the hunger, the endless days of fear I’ve
carried my cell phone.”
Women Connecting Globally
Women Connecting Globally Gathered on Nov. 8, 2025, 8 am to 10 am, Standard US time for our second “Women Connecting Globally” gathering.
NOTE: This is Standard Central time, NOT Daylight savings now.
Register here for the link.
In the first gathering on Oct. 25, undergraduate and graduate students from CIW, Mexico City, and the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, and professionals in Arts Therapy, Communication Arts, Early Childhood Education, Higher Education, Hospital Chaplaincy, and Law bringing ideas from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Palestine, the Philippines, and the USA had rich sharing on developing and sharing their gifts.
Catherine Cuasay, a successful Arts Therapist and mother in San Antonio, Texas, continues to build connections with her Filipino family. Natalia Hernandez, who had done fine work in the Young Women’s Global Leadership program in high school not only spoke of her university International Studies major, but also her passion to help immigrants.
Jacqueline Zavala Aguila of Mexico City shared from the perspective of helping international students in her position in the UIW Office of Research and Graduate Studies and of being a Ph.D. student. Catherine Cuasay, a successful Arts Therapist and mother in San Antonio, Texas, continues to build connections with her Filipino family. Natalia Hernandez, who had done fine work in the Young Women’s Global Leadership program in high school not only spoke of her university International Studies major, but also her passion to help immigrants.
Rector Maria Fabiola Iturbide, who leads the branch of the University of the Incarnate Word in Mexico City shared some of the things that have helped her to be a leader including her many experiences with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.
Darlene Jasso is the co-founder and Vice-President for Communications for an agency helping Mayan indigenous children and their families, the Little Angels of Mary. We hope to meet some of the women with whom she works in our next session, Nov. 8. Dr. Joan Labay-Marquez is both an attorney and the Graduate Education Coordinator in the Dreeben School of Education at the UIW. Her wise and consistent assistance and encouragement has helped so many students be successful.
Learn more from the “women connecting globally” July newsletter, the October newsletter, the November newsletter which includes articles on Peace Day at UIW which pictures and was dedicated to Sr. Helena Monahan.
Palestinian Dana Osaily, a speaker at the October
gathering of “women connecting globally.”
The "Let the Children Live" Grant Program
The “Let the Children Live” Grant Program is now accepting educators, both formal and informal, who care about the lives of children and others in the Holy Land. The program is to promote understanding, dialogue, and compassionate action. Those participating will be expected to share what they learn helping to build empathy among people. Participants will receive a copy of Teaching Palestine, a subscription to Re-thinking Schools, opportunities to participate in discussions both face-to-face and virtual, and other resources such as the recording of Women Wage Peace. The grant leader Sister Martha Ann Kirk was a scholar-in-residence at the Vatican founded Tantur Ecumenical Institute between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Read some about her in Global Sisters Report.
Read of her May 2025 experiences in the Holy Land among the Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace, and Creation Office invites you to be a part of this effort to build compassion, justice, and peace. For more information and/or to apply for the grant program, write kirk@uiwtx.edu or call 210-883-5934.
Renew Your Hope, Initiate Conversations that Unite
Six men on death row were executed in Texas, 41 nationwide, and a man scheduled to be executed from nitrogen hypoxia died from natural cause in 2025. Mr. Robert Robertson of Texas is waiting for new execution date or retrial if he would be given a chance.
What does our world need for Justice and Peace? Does a punitive and retaliation system work? Do we need more prayers? Do we need more unitive conversations? Do we need to forgive more? Would do you advocate for healing and mercy?
Reinventing the wheel takes time and can create unnecessary waste. Collaborating with others who have worked on similar cases makes things efficient and effective than doing it alone or doing it in isolation. There are opportunities to learn from others and get your hopes and dreams for a more forgiving and merciful society a reality one step at a time. Catholic Mobilizing Network offers training events so that you can be in solidarity with those who care like you do.
Training: Conversations in Communion
Interested in facilitating to build capacity for deep listening for a more lively and fuller participation in the parish and ministries?
Upcoming Training Cohorts:
- Cohort 13: Wednesdays, November 12, 19 & December 3 | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET | Deadline to Apply: Nov. 6
- Cohort 14: Wednesdays, January 7, 14, & 28 | 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET
- Cohort 15: Thursdays, February 12, 26, & March 5 | 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET [Special-focused cohort for Women Religious]
See more: https://catholicsmobilizing.org/events/
Texas Coalition Against Death Penalty
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Prayers for the Survivors of Kalmaegi Typhoon in Cebu, Philippines
We hold the survivors of the typhon Kalmaegi or Tino, a local name in Philippines, in prayers. The families in Cebu Philippines have lost everything after November 6 disastrous calamity.
Lessening our carbon footprint, and increasing our resilliency can also be a way of praying and offering our love to those affected. Joining a green and faithful organizations can be a good way to not feel isolated when working on anything as big as Climate Crisis.
Prayer For the People
God of healing and mercy, we come before you with our hearts filled with grief as we see the devastation.
We pray that your presence would be felt by those who are grieving, who are injured, who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
We pray for wisdom and safety for those who are responding to the people in need and the many challenges left in the wake of the event.
We pray for our church, that it may be a witness to your compassion and care for all who suffer.
God, you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. For this we give you thanks and ask that you hear our prayers for the people of Cebu, Philippines.
- Adopted from a prayer of the Mennonite World Conference for the people of Japan following the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011.
From Prayers In Times of Natural Disaster
More about this:
As Typhoon Kalmaegi wreaks havoc in Southeast Asia, scientists say rising temperatures are to blame
Laudato Si' Movement
Animators - Laudato Si Animators
Plentiful Artworks and Nature Walk on Pilgrimage with UIW Brainpower Connection
By the start of the school year, JPIC engaged with the University of Incarnate Word Brainpower Connection to get the children start thinking about caring for creation again. This is the third year that the Brainpower Schools participated. The first and second year Artworks were participated by Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic School and the Saint Anthony Catholic School. This time, we have the support of Saint Anthony Catholic High School who also contributed to the artworks that have been displayed in Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center.
We thank the UIW Brainpower Connection for participating in the Artworks and special thanks to those who participated in the Pilgrimage especially the Earth Angels of Saint Anthony Catholic High School. The volunteers from UIW Enivioronmental Science with Dr. John Hooker graciously helped to put together about nearly a hundred if not hundred pieces of artworks.
The winner of the raffle goes to Saint Anthony Catholic High School. The school will receive Gardening Class Pack from Gardopia sponsored by JPIC-US. Congratulations!
S. Martha Ann and Dr. John Hooker,
two of the supporters/organizers
The Pilgrims walking along the
San Antonio River towards Mission Concepcion
Dr. John Hooker giving a talk on Caring for Our Common Home
S. Martha Ann teaching the crowd about
Sacred Land, Sacred Water and Sacred People
The guests walked towards the Art Exhibit
Sister Martha Ann talking with her newfound
Scientology Missionary friends
The Organizers of the Jubillee-Care for Creation
Pilgrimage in Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center
Growing Care for Our Common Home
COP30 (Conference on Parties) is a gathering of parties worldwide hosted by United Nations starting on November 10 and ending on November 21 in Belem, Brazil. The aim is to talk about the impacts of climate change, the actions for solutions to achieve the netzero carbon emissions by 2050 goal. Belem is in the heart of the Amazon forest. It has rich biodiversity given its rainforest and vast impact on carbon store affecting local and global climate.
To take a step back, the Catholic Church sponsored conference called "Raising Hope" in October. Though not intentionally part of the COP30 program, it sets the tone for the COP 30 which has a goal of putting actions together globally to meet the carbon netzero by 2050 goal. Pope Leo XIV on Raising Hope Conference on the Laudato Si' tenth anniversary on October 1 challenges us to move into a modality of caring, and living an ecologically transformative lifestyle in a personal, communal and political level. This is an advance testament of the church support on the COP 30 mission through integral ecologically transformative actions.
Laudato Si' Movement invites parishes, diocese, hospitals, schools, religious institutions and other Catholic organizations to integrate God’s call in caring for creation given the already established platform identifying major seven goals through Laudato Si' Action Platform (LSAP). This platform has been used by thousands of Catholic Organizations around the world sharing their resources and information about their plan, projects, and changes in policies and lifestyle to make Laudato Si’ integrated in the organization's life.
Given the two Texas Arch/Bishops (San Antonio, and El Paso) who signed publicly and enrolled in the platform by this year, it only shows that the Holy Spirit is moving the people to care for all with the platform as the instrument and the people as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. The presence of Laudato Si' Texas Chapter continues to collaborate in parishes and diocese level with hope that all Texas Diocese will enroll its organization into the LSAP and eventually getting their parishes to do the same. The North American Chapter's SMART Goal established in February 2025 is below:
Every chapter is to approach the (arch)bishop(s) within their borders by 2027 asking they sign onto the LSAP. Our overall goal is for all of them to have signed on by 2030.
The Archdiocese of San Antonio continues to grow in its support for integral ecology through the Laudato Si' Action Platform. There are now 62 parishes who registered. Mexican American Catholic College, though not a parish, is one of the Catholic organizations that signed up for the Laudato Si' Action Platform (LSAP).
Dr. Virginia Mata, the social justice director in San Antonio archdiocese completed the second part of Laudato Si Action Platform and Laudato Si' training for Archdiocese of San Antonio on October 30. There are now 62 parishes in the archdiocese who registered.
Below are Parts I & II of the Laudato Si Series.
- Part I – Introduction to Laudato Si -Introduction to Laudato Si’ and the Laudato Si’ Action Platform
- Part II – Building Relationships – Laudato Si’ Webinar Series Part II: Building Relationships
Laudato Si Parish Assessment is here.
Laudato Si Goals document can be accessed here.
Each parish can discern with your pastor’s approval how best to proceed, for example:
-Parish Reps may meet with each ministry leader in the parish.
-Others may hold a single listening session with all or several ministries,
-And some may focus primarily on developing their goals with each ministry leader and/or pastor or parish councils.
Zoom and Meeting Information for Part III
Topic: Laudato Si Series Formation Part III- Laudato Si SMART GOALS
Time: Jan 30, 2026, 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82435768278?pwd=IHojqJKrpXytLWmiWkQfmGRa2x5BrV.1
Meeting ID: 824 3576 8278
Passcode: LR3e21
- End January 2026: Complete Parish Assessment and start conducting 1-1s and listening sessions
- End of February 2026: Complete Parish Goals
- End of February 2026: Submit Plans to Archdiocese and to Laudato Si' Action Platform
Email: Virginia.Mata@archsa.org
There is no better time to answer this call to care for all in creation. The time is now. Get in touch with your local Laudato Si' Chapter or form your own Laudato Si' Chapter by contacting us texas@lsmchapter.org.
If any of the readers do not belong to a state where there is a Laudato Si' Chapter, the interested person can contact, the North America Program Manager Anna Johnson (anna@laudatosimovement.org).
More Information:
Pope Leo XIV Raising Hope for Climate Justice
An Interview with Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller - Laudato Si' Action Platform
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Q & A with a Sister
She shares thoughts about witnessing as Christ among the poor. Given her call, she reflects and ponders about vocation. She continue to challenge herself on what a calling in religious life is.
What can you share about witnessing as religious and as church?
We heard the message from our Catholic Social Teachings. The church needs to continue the legacy of Dorothy Day. We have a calling to be with the poor as Pope Leo said. Simon Pedro whom we had him as speaker a few chapters back challenged us that we cannot go to the poor and live to be the middle class. Anthony Gittin offered a concrete example and encouraged religous to work with the marginalized and encounter them and those in the fringes of life.
God is calling into the Mystical Deep. Simon Pedro highlights the crisis in religious life. We need to start with how we live. What is the lived reality of our lives? How are we showing the sign of the Eucharistic washing of the feet?
What did you learn from various theologians of our time about washing of one's feet?
The Three Essentials of Our Religious Life (Community Life) as recalled by Sr Francine with the help of her well-kept notes from Simon Pedro's talk in chapter prior years ago:
1. Contemplation Prayer. This is truly living Gods presence. Our mystical life flows from our prayer. We need to live this in community.
2. Community is a laboratory for the Reign of God. Fr. Falco talked about Intergenerational Community. How can we make this happen? We need to take it seriously.
3. Ministry/Service. We have institutional ministries and we are only sponsoring them. Just as Ted Dunn says, we are luring for the love of God because we are yearning to be whole again. We discover the mystery in life, death and resurrection. We must surrender to the ultimate test of faith. We must learn to let go of what is no longer life giving. We will not have life unless we are willing to do the hardwork.
Our life needs to be in this order which we can witness for the world. Option for the poor is essential and fundamental which is to live with them. We need them in fulfilling our vows. Living our charism is a mystical experience. We need to be countercultural. We have a relationship with Jesus Christ in living in all of these as these are the signs of God.
Fr. Falco highlighted about vocations that we are to let go and be free. He compares this act of letting go like Nicodemus when he had to seek Jesus Christ. Later, he had to go to the burial site and seek Jesus Christ in the darkness. He was reborn again.
What are your thoughts on being born again?
Being reborn is to let go of ministries we used to preside and we are still presiding. We have to take the risks of letting go. Our constitution and directory require us to evaluate our lives. We can work on this evaluation during Assembly.
Where is God calling us?
Are we living a fancy life in community or as an individual? We need to break down the behavior that clericalism has. The power individual in community needs to be dismantled. The real power in community living is the life of the vows. Our life is meant to be countercultural. What is the process of the person and not the demands of the Congregation? How are we listening to God's call?
Celibacy is about maturity, and the Reign of God is in the relationship. Jesus Christ did not marry because it is a power system (e.g. man is served and has the power and woman is set aside, or opinions are not valued). On the other hand, celibacy is new relationship between men and women.
Counter-cultural is the ideal way of way of witnessing. Small is good because we depend more on God. If we depend on God, He will open doors. We are the voice. We need to walk the simple lifestyle. Poverty is about simplication of life. Kindness is everything.
Community is where the vows are lived. Fr. Falco also highlights that community is not two but three like the Holy Trinity where there is a flow of love in relationship and not a bestfriend-kind of relationship. Community brings maturity.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Interfaith Prayer Vigil during the U.N. Climate Conference (COP30) @ Houston
Join People of All Faiths & Spiritual Traditions
Let's come together for a time of prayer, meditation and reflection in Hermann Park during CoP30, the U.N. Climate Conference.
Location:
Hermann Park
6001 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77030
Learn More about COP30: UN Climate Change Conference - Belém, November 2025 | UNFCCC
Pax Christi's Fourth Quarterly Forum
Pax Christi Texas invites you to our
Fourth Quarterly Forum
"Hope at the Border: The Response of Communities of Faith to Mass Deportations"
Presenter: Dylan Corbett
Dylan Corbett is the founding executive director of the Hope Border Institute and has over fifteen years of experience working in international and human development globally and in the borderlands. Dylan has served as an official at the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and also coordinated the work of the Vatican's Migrants & Refugees Section in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Dylan previously worked with the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development as well as with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the USCCB's national anti-poverty program. He has studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. Dylan is the chair of the Commission on Migration for the Diocese of El Paso. He is a board member of the Border Immigration Law & Justice Center, a member of the Texas Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a member of the advisory board of the Texas Resilient States Project, and he is also a consultant to the USCCB Committee on Migration.
This Forum will take place by zoom on Monday evening November 17, 2025 at 7 – 8:30 PM CST
At 6:30 we will open the zoom for information sharing/fellowship.
Mr. Corbett will begin his presentation at 7 pm CST, to be followed by open discussion.
Mr. Corbett has been asked to share materials which could be read before this event, but not required. See attachment below.
Mr. Corbett will be introduced by Patricia Delgado, El Paso representative of Pax Christi Texas.
The zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83136753287?pwd=Prf1x9eeeZRTuEKhbaypMtasSxqemm.1
Meeting ID: 831 3675 3287
Passcode: 976335
For additional information contact Arthur Dawes, MSW
For additional information contact
Arthur Dawes, MSW
Pax Christi Texas: arthurdawes@att.net
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Preparation/Preview Board Introductions with Dylan Corbett
When: Monday November 10th, At 2 pm CST
who will present on Monday November 17, at 7pm CST.
Mr. Corbett has extensive experience in immigration and the Church.
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86991396765?pwd=UfnxKulLj3qvTKPQIxjIyktgAu81rn.1
Meeting ID: 869 9139 6765
Passcode: 761591
Read More:
A prophetic response to the urgent challenge of migration
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