Christmas Stories from Bethlehem Today

a) Christmas Scenes Provide Families of Bethlehem with Livelihood
          carmelites.info/ngo/e_bulletins/bethlehem_story.htm
         

b) “Angels of Hope” from the Christmas Church in Bethlehem
          carmelites.info/ngo/e_bulletins/angels_of_hope.htm
 

58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference at the United Nations
Our Challenge: Voices for Peace, Partnerships, and Renewal
September 7-9, 2005

a) Two Carmelites Reflect on the Carmelite NGO as a Ministry and its Contribution to the Work of the Carmelite Family
           carmelites.info/citoc/citoc/octdec 2005/citoc_magazine_octdec2005 _ngo 2.htm

b) Links to the Conference:

Conference Website:
     www.unngodpiconference.org/

Attendee Resources:
    www.ngodpiexecom.org/conference05/map/04atten/01confreg.htm

Plenary Conferences:
     www.ngodpiexecom.org/conference05/map/01conf/01day1.htm#1

Final Report:
     www.un.org/dpi/ngosection

     Upcoming United Nations Events
 

2006 is the Year of ….

International Year of Deserts and Desertification 2006
     www.unccd.int/publicinfo/iyddlogo/menu.php

and ends the UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty
     www.un.org/esa/socdev/poverty/poverty.htm

December 11 is … 

International Mountain Day
     www.fao.org/mnts/intl_mountain_day_en.asp

   This is something for Carmelites to reflect on in each of those events!

 Meeting Dates to Mark on Your Calendar:

a) DPI/NGO Training Session: February 23-24, 2006
b) 59^th DPI/NGO Congress: September 6-8, 2006

     Carmelites and Justice and Peace
 

a) Spain: KARIT Celebrates 10 Years

This NGO of the Carmelites in Spain has provided many projects over its 10 year history, always challenging others to become involved.

          Website: www.karitsolidarios.org

b) Philippines: Priests, including one Carmelite, are refused access to celebrate Eucharist   Read more
          carmelites.info/ngo/newsitems/Philippine Incident.htm

c) USA: UN Commission on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty Visits Post Hurricane New Orleans   Read more
          carmelites.info/ngo/newsitems/usa.new orleans.htm

d) Brazil: The São Martinho Community (Rio de Janeiro)

A project to provide shelter, education and legal protection to the street children of Rio de Janerio—affiliated with the Rio de Janeiro Province of the Carmelites

         Read more

carmelites.info/citoc/citoc/octdec 2005/citoc_magazine_ octdec2005_focus_1.htm#São Martinho Kids Show the Present and Future to Participants

e) Saint Peter Thomas (Feast Day: January 8)

Born into a poor family in 1305, Peter Thomas served as the Order’s procurator general and was ordained bishop in 1354. He was entrusted with many papal missions to promote peace and justice and unity with the Eastern Churches.

A chronicler wrote “This archbishop … made many peace treaties … and for sure he was much loved for that reason.”