The draw to religious life is more than community, says Sr. Jessica Kerber, director of the retreat center of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: "It's finding that at that deepest level of self, there is this desire to give fully to God one's own being. . . . It's a commitment to God and God's project, the project of salvation."

In the wake of the elections, I feel the need to be grounded ever more deeply in contemplation so I can move forward in new ways into the space that holds the tensions, contradictions and challenges that are before us as families, as congregations, as a nation, as Christians, as Earth community.

"No people on the globe would accept to coexist with oppression. By nature, humans yearn for freedom, struggle for freedom, sacrifice for freedom. . . ."

The end of the liturgical year, the anything-but-quiet waiting weeks of Advent filled with the tug between the contemplative and commercial, the awesome birth of Christ in hearts anew on Christmas night, the first day of the brand new year and the World Day of Peace.

Residential invasions like Una Sola Fuerza are not recognized by their respective governments. As a consequence, Una Sola Fuerza lacks basic municipal services.

Mariana Srs. Fanny Bolaños and Gladys Robles live and work in Una Sola Fuerza, a so-called invasion community outside Guayaquil, Ecuador. Within the impoverished, densely populated area, they address low incomes, malnutrition and a lack of family structure and support.

"Each child is a mystery. Our children are embroidered with threads of loneliness and thirst for love, fear and hope, joy and rage. Only time and endless dedication can heal their inner wounds. Then they will able to look back and forward with real love and understanding."

What is an immigrant to do now that Donald Trump has been elected? While well-meaning people encourage us to think positively or wait it out, many among us don't have that luxury. The new administration is poised to directly and significantly alter the lives of certain groups of people. My fellow Guatemalan parishioners are in that group, and they're deeply troubled.

"We are sisters from nearly every nation of the world who share a common life as women vowed to live out the Gospel in the service of others. We are one global community of commitment."

From A Nun's Life podcasts - Advent is about new life and about recognizing that Christ is among us. In this Random Nun Clip, a listener asks how we're celebrating Advent — and if that includes any Advent parties!