ANNUAL APPEAL

ADVENT / CHRISTMAS 2025

“What if we close our eyes right now and are interiorly awakened so that when we opened our eyes, we would see through our own awakened eyes what Jesus saw in all that he saw. What would we see? We would see God. Because Jesus saw God in all that he saw.

   What is stunning is that it didn’t matter if Jesus saw his own mother or a prostitute. It didn’t matter whether he saw the joy of those gathered at a wedding or the sorrow of the burial of a loved one. It didn’t matter if he saw his disciples or his executioners, or a flower or a bird. He saw God in all that he saw.”

                                                                                                                                                   James Finley

   This all-inclusive view of incarnation reminds us that we are all inter-connected and that we are indeed part of the cosmic web of life. If only we have eyes to see. So, how can we see like Jesus? How can we see God in every person and in all things? Finley suggests that it begins with an interior awakening that leads us to a new way of seeing the world around us. To see as Jesus sees. To see God incarnate in you and me and every living thing.

   One place where we most clearly see God is in our friends in prison. These are people who have been through the crucible of life, and it is utterly amazing to witness the transformation of these awakened hearts and souls.

“Who are these, robed in white, and where did they come from? These are they who have come out of the great ordeal.”      Revelation to John 7:13.14 

In the early years of our ministry, we were aware that we bring Christ and we see Christ. That is truer for us now more than ever as we continue to evolve and expand our consciousness. We are the body of Christ and therefore participate in the ongoing incarnation. As we live this, we are called to emulate the life of Christ. His care for the least inspires our ministry. We seek to participate in the Divine Nature in our life of prayer and service with our incarcerated brothers and sisters. It has enabled us to see more each day with awakened eyes, and it has been our incarcerated friends who have not only been our companions, but indeed our teachers.

FROM OUR FRIENDS INSIDE

“Your presence is changing lives, including mine, because of the love of God that you bring every Friday. I am humbled and thankful for the impression you have made on my life. I can only hope that some day Christ will be seen in me the same way.”  - Tielman, California Men’s Colony

“I want to thank you for all these years of encouragement, love, and support, and by staying in touch with me. I just want you to know that I appreciate you both.”   - Kiana, California Institution for Women

“You came into my life at a time when it felt like the whole world hated me. But with you, I feel like the Lord has really come through with somebody who loves me and whom I can share that love back. You have done more for me than my biological father or family. I want so badly to somehow demonstrate how much I appreciate all the help you have extended to me over these many years.”   Larry, Kern Valley State Prison

 Each of these messages reflect the transformation, love, and hope that comes from these friendships.

   Namaste is the Hindu way of saying: “The Divine in me sees and acknowledges the Divine in you.”

When we can embrace the truth that God lives within each of us, then we are embracing the incarnational Christ consciousness within us and within all people. When we do this, the floodgates of Divine Love are opened and

there is a real chance at inner peace and transformation and an opportunity to see the world in a radically different way. This is the interior awakening of which Dr. Finley speaks.

   The incarnation of God in the person of Jesus is not limited to that one moment a bit more than two thousand years ago. It continues with us in every moment of our lives. The story we embrace this time of year is about remembering the coming of Jesus all those years ago and points us to the future and the next coming of Christ. As Richard Rohr says, “We are the second coming of Christ.”

   We hope that you will consider a contribution to support our monastic life and ministry.

   May your Advent season be rich with anticipation and your Christmas be filled with joy.

In Divine Love,

Sister Greta & Brother Dennis