It’s a great day to make time to reflect on the natural world, to connect in some way with nature and nature’s wonders. “Connecting People to Nature” is the theme for World Environment Day 2017. Begun in 1972, World Environment Day is a huge annual opportunity for positive environmental action. This year’s host country Canada chose the theme and will be at the centre of celebrations around the planet. Schools, governments, businesses, scientists and citizens are organizing events to inspire us to appreciate our dependence on the natural world and fire up our desire to protect it. How long since you let your bare feet touch the earth? How recently have your senses enjoyed the fresh fragrances in the natural world? When have you heard bird songs or identified butterflies? Connect!

http://www.worldenvironmentday.global

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"The Holy Spirit is the living God, not some inert concept. The community has to trust the Holy Spirit in every decision and believe strongly that the Spirit continues to be present in the community and at work in it. The Spirit will not permit our community to grope about to darkness, if only we are willing to take the Spirit's teachings seriously..." Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

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There are two basic beliefs that inform my reflection on the Visitation. The first is: I have come to know and appreciate that the Feast of the Visitation is more than a celebration of arrival. Rather it holds up for our consideration the ongoing conversations between Mary and Elizabeth, which took place in the three months that followed Mary’s arrival.  And, I imagine one of the conversations between Mary and Elizabeth could have gone like this:

After Mary had settled in, Elizabeth took her on a short walk to Elizabeth’s favorite quiet place to sit for a while and to talk. Elizabeth had noted Mary’s reaction to her greeting, had heard Mary’s unspoken questions, had sensed Mary’s need for assurances from her older cousin. 

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