God Is With Us
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God
is with us.’” – Matthew 1:23
Dear friends,
When Joseph was betrothed to Mary, he learned that she was pregnant. In those times, an engagement was as binding as a marriage, and being a “righteous man,” he was going to discretely divorce her rather than publicly shame her. However, Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream, who told him that she had conceived through the Holy Spirit and to proceed with the marriage. This son, to be called Jesus, would save his people from their sins. The angel said that this birth would fulfill the prophecy that “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).”
This brief line is so comforting – “God is with us.” It tells us that God kept His promise to send us salvation. He didn’t forget us. He came to us through Jesus. This is still true today. In so many ways, we can see how God is with us as our Sisters bring comfort to those who are poor.
Besides the programs highlighted in the photos, I would also like to mention our Brazilian Sisters’ social assistance and instruction program in Anápolis, Goiás called AFIA.
People visit the main convent every month to learn craft skills for income, receive food baskets, socialize and more. Our Sisters also visit community members and help in many ways. All of this is supported by the Mission Society’s monthly assistance as well as grants. Program organizer Sr. Isa Maria Batista shared the account of Cláudia, who is 43 years old and a mother of two children.
“I thank the Sisters a lot because they always help me when I need it. I received construction material when I began to build my shed: doors, windows and tiles. I also got glasses for my son who has a vision problem, as well as medicine, clothes and food. If the Sisters weren’t helping me, I would never have been able to have a place to live.”
On behalf of all the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and their partners in ministry, thank you for your generosity in helping them accomplish God’s work in serving those who are poor in Jamaica, Brazil, Bolivia and the United States. We wish for your family to have a Christmas filled with peace and joy. Please prayerfully consider a gift that will bring the love of Christ to so many of our neighbors in need.
May we all feel that God is with us this Christmas,
Laura Whitford
President, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
Click HERE for the 2020 Christmas Appeal
To view and order our 2020 Christmas Light Card, click HERE.
