Gonzaga 2017 NL - 4 DECEMBER Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, #6, St. Ange Street, Puducherry - 605 001. FSAG Generalate, Puducherry (For Private Circulation only) Dear sisters, As we come to the end of this year 2017, I would like to express my appreciation to all of you for your sincere commitment and your hard work in your ministries. Jesus made a preferential option to come and live with us so that he could reconcile all of us to God. Christmas reminds us the very fact that Jesus took a form of a human being to show how a son or a daughter could live his/her life according to God s will. We are in Christmas Octave: Celebrating Immanuel, God is with us. Those of us who have sufficiently prepared ourselves, welcomed baby Jesus to be born our heart would certainly feel the peace and joy he brings during this season. The greater joy could be if we are able to give that joy to our sisters in our community and to the people we meet in ministries. For all who are led by the spirit of God are children of God (Rom,8:14). The spirit, the angel, constantly led the Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Life was not very easy for any of them. Yet, they could live their life at ease for they were led by God. We too are chosen by God as Mary was. We are certainly led by the Spirit. Do we let ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit? The Spirit helps us in our weakness for we do not know how to pray as we ought. But that very spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words (Rom, 8:26). As the God s spirit was guiding the holy family, we are also guided by the Holy Spirit in our day today liffe. It is important that we listen to the voice that guides us. When we are guided by our own wishes and desires, God has not much to do with us. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God who are called according to his purpose (Rom,8: 28). The very birth of Jesus from the womb of mother Mary is a plan of God for our salvation, We are called to fulfill the purpose of God Each one of us is a messenger in the hands of God. When we love God, everything works for good. We are at the end the year. How did the year go for you? If we had loved God above all things, we should have had a sense of Joy and satisfaction in everything we did this year; because, if God is with us, who could be against us? (Rom,8: 31). If we are totally committed to God, nobody can do anything against us. Nothing can separate me from the love of Jesus Christ (Rom,8:38). When we meditate upon the life of Jesus, or of many saints including our Father Francis of Assisi or our patron Aloysius of Gonzaga, we realize that noting could separate them from the Love of Jesus. As we begin the New Year 2018, I would like to pray and wish all our sisters in our congregation that all of us may remain rooted and grounded in the love of God. May God bless you abundantly to do your ministry well! Yours in Christ Wish you all a Happy and a Prosperous New Year 2018! Sr. A. Mary Stella, FSAG, Superior General 1