House of Grace CW Christmas Card 2025

[Catholic Worker]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: House of Grace <houseofgr...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 20, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Subject: House of Grace CW Christmas Card 2025
To: Catholic worker List <catholicw...@gmail.com>

Good morning CW friends,

Please note we learned after sending our card  that the Advent Credo credited to Dan Berrigan was actually written by Allan Boesak in 1983.

It had been inadvertently published in Dan's 2004 book Testimony: The Word Made Flesh.

 With our apologies. 

Peace,

Mary Beth and Johanna

House of Grace Catholic Worker Community of Kensington Advent Credo It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss— This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life; It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction— This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly. It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever— This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace. It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world— This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world. It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers— This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams. It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history— This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth. So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world. by Daniel Berrigan, SJ From Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, 2004 Advent 2025 Dear Friends, In a stark time of false words, we turn our hearts to the uncompromising truths of the Word--so powerfully lifted up yet again by Dan Berrigan. Bear them in your heart like a light in darkness. At our door daily are those who are ravaged by this world which offers them no place--those caught in the cycle of relentless poverty, who wander the streets, suffer abandonment, live with mental illness and substance use disorder, and flee violence. In these times, what can we do? Uncertainty often grips our hearts, and we ponder the way forward. Our answer arrives with clarity, a truth we have known deep in our bones. Practice the works of mercy: care for the sick, provide hospitality for the stranger, protect the marginalized, listen to the broken-hearted, and cry out for justice. Through your prayers and generosity together with our faithful volunteers, we continue to open the clinic door, to shelter those we can and share the bounty of our garden. This year, we witnessed a number of our patients take that first, frightening step on the arduous journey of recovery. We are part of a collaborative that assists those in recovery to find housing, and partner with an outstanding team of outreach workers to provide transport to treatment or shelter. There is radiance in darkness when someone returns to share with us how well they are doing. We rejoice to see how proud they are to be back to their best selves. Brother Mickey McGrath’s words and art on our card breathe this joy. The mystery of the light, the presence of the holy one in the darkness of this world compels us on. We surrender to all we cannot control while we remain present and do what we can. Your support is always deeply appreciated. May the Prince of Peace be radiance in the darkness, bring you comfort, peace, and joy this season. Peace, Johanna Berrigan Mary Beth Appel Copyright (C) 2025 House of Grace Catholic Worker. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: House of Grace Catholic Worker 1826 E Lehigh Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125-1112 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe