Dear Carondelet Community, 

“We are continually waiting…Yet, the truth is that God, the Source of All, is present now.” ~ adapted from CSJ Brentwood Daily Reflection

This reflection from one of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Congregational websites invites us to slow down and notice God in our midst, especially during this busy season. The days of Advent are often filled with decorating, making wish lists, shopping, baking, more shopping… and yet, we are called to something deeper. Just as the decorations, Christmas lights and tinsel brighten our homes and school, we are called to bring light, color, and cheer to the people who need it most. This year we’d like to focus on bringing that colorful cheer to children and memory care patients who are in hospitals and care facilities.

We are partnering with The Crayon Initiative for this year’s annual Advent Service Project. This organization collects used and broken crayons that usually end up in landfills, melts them down, and creates new, bigger crayons that are easier for children and the elderly to hold. The crayon drive has already begun and our goal is 100% participation, which translates to about 100 pounds of crayons. There are many details about the project that can be found on our website, as well as Schoology and daily announcements. 

As you support your students through these weeks leading up to finals, encourage them to find quiet moments of reflection among their many hours of studying. We invite you to create space as a family to slow down and notice God in your midst. Perhaps you can spend an evening together finding a handful of old crayons in your house for the Advent Project—those crayons have the potential to bring God’s light and love to others. May we all work together this Advent to create peace in our lives and to rediscover the true meaning of the season. 

In Unifying Love, 

Campus Ministry 

Edie Payne, Vanessa Miranda, and Rick Grand-Lejano