December 1, 2022

 

Dear

 

Everyone at Chestnut Hill wishes you a prayerful Advent and a happy and holy Christmas.

 

We join with you in thanking the Holy Infant for the many graces we have received this past year, many of which we do not perceive, yet come our way.  Many of these graces come simply through the interactions that we have with people each day. We also thank God for the opportunities Chestnut Hill Center has to affect the lives of people through our activities, wherever they may be in the greater New England area, but above all through ordinary friendships and conversations.

 

As we look ahead to the new year, we invite you to attend a retreat at Arnold Hall Conference Center, in Pembroke, MA.  Making a retreat always constitutes a renewal, a renewal in our life of prayer, spirit of friendship and openness to hearing what Our Lord may be asking of us.  Please see the Arnold Hall website for the 2023 retreat offerings.

 

I also ask you to consider contributing to Arnold Hall for the endowment started to ensure its proper development.  Arnold Hall serves hundreds of people each year, and we want to make sure its facilities are always adequate for retreats and other programs there.  If you wish to contribute to the endowment, please send a check payable to Arnold Hall, Inc. to Woodlawn Foundation, 56 Harrison Street, Suite 401, New Rochelle, NY   10801.

 

On November 28, the fortieth anniversary of the prelature of Opus Dei, the Prelate of Opus Dei, Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz had an audience with Pope Francis.  The Prelate apprised the Holy Father of various initiatives of the faithful of the Prelature, including a recent international meeting with those responsible for seventy social initiatives inspired by the message of St. Josemaría. The Pope encouraged Msgr. Ocariz “to continue the efforts of those associated with Opus Dei to bring Christ’s charity to many, especially those who suffer most, because this wounded world is going through a period of violence and pain that none of us can be indifferent to.”

 

I ask for your prayers to enable Opus Dei to spread Christ’s charity to those in need.   Thank you for your prayers and support.

 

 

Merry Christmas,

Joe Billmeier