Ubi Caritas: Our Winter Newsletter!

With a Heart Full of Gratitude...

Dear Friends,

What a great privilege it has been for me to steward Henri Nouwen's legacy for the past nine years. I never could have imagined, when I first met Henri in 1994, that I would someday play a role in sharing his life and work with the world. I am so aware that Nouwen's spiritual insights are needed more now than ever. In an age when people often refer to themselves as "spiritual, not religious", Henri's words reach beyond these labels feeding hearts and minds with what it really means to be God's beloved. I am deeply grateful for the wonderful talented staff, and the faithful board members, who have given their very best to help share Henri Nouwen with our world. Most of all, I thank all of you who have supported and encouraged us in our journey. Onward!

With Gratitude,

Karen Pascal

Executive Director

Karen Pascal's visionary leadership and creativity

have brought Henri’s legacy to a needy world. She leaves a legacy of which she can be so proud, and

will enable the Society to confidently move forward

into new areas of ministry. — David Parkinson, Chair

READ & DOWNLOAD WINTER NEWSLETTER

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT

When was the last time you read this well-loved book? Why not read it again, or give it as a gift this Christmas? And while you do so, pray for our Father to the Fatherless program that is taking this book along with videos and a workbook, into prisons.

FOR MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT | TO PURCHASE THE BOOK

JOIN US FOR OUR ADVENT BOOK STUDY

For this coming Advent Online Book Discussion, we’ve chosen Henri Nouwen’s latest book – Ukraine Diary. A previously unpublished work of Nouwen’s, it’s like a time capsule, a message from the past with special meaning for today. Join us Wednesday, November 29th for greetings and introductions. Then beginning Sunday, December 3rd, we’ll journey through Advent reading and discussing this timely book. No registration is necessary!

ONLINE ADVENT BOOK STUDY

FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS UPDATE

Bringing Henri Nouwen’s The Return of the Prodigal Son into prison ministry has been a meaningful collaboration with Prison Fellowship over the last year. The Books have been ordered and ready to go. The Workbook has been written, piloted, and finalized. The Videos have been shot and are in the final stages of editing. These transformational resources will be in the hands of chaplains for an exciting program launch in early 2024!

FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS PROJECT

A SPIRITUALITY OF FUNDRAISING

Henri Nouwen’s paradigm-shifting ideas about the spirituality of fundraising is a gift to both those who give and those who raise funds. Join us for a free one hour webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 25!

The Society will then offer a full five-part series on Wednesdays from February 7 - March 6, 2024. Special guests representing both fundraising and philanthropy perspectives include: Kerry Robinson, Mark Petersen, Brian Bachand, Ben Keesy, Rose Feerick and Jon Hokuma. Early bird registration: $59 FOR MORE INFO

CALLED TO BE FRUITFUL: NOVEMBER 20.23

On November 20th, we are gathering at Tyndale University to celebrate Karen Pascal’s retirement! For nearly a decade, Karen has worked diligently to expand the impact of the Henri Nouwen Society. Highlights include:

· Commissioned official biography and 11 new Nouwen books

· New website for a growing, global Nouwen community

· Daily Meditations reaching 60,000+ and launching Spanish version

· 5 Conferences with the world’s preeminent Nouwen scholars

· A pandemic pivot: creating online events that reached thousands

· Hosting the “Now & Then” podcast with over 120+ episodes

· Partnering with 5 groups for the annual Voices for Peace conference

· Creating the Courage for Caregivers program

Thank you Karen for the imagination, passion, and vision that you have poured into the Henri Nouwen Society as Executive Director. We are so very grateful for your commitment and determination to see Henri Nouwen's work sow plentiful seed and bear good fruit.

JOIN US ON NOVEMBER 20, 2023 @ 7:30 PM

THE NEW READING ROOM

On September 21, the anniversary of Nouwen's death, we dedicated the Henri Nouwen Reading room at Light on the Hill (St. John's Anglican Church, north of Toronto). We had a wonderful gathering with the Spirit Movers, L’Arche’s dance group, guest speaker Rev. Daniel Cho, and Rev. Arthur Boers serving the Eucharist at the graveside. Visitors can now explore the Reading Room with Nouwen's furniture, artifacts and a library packed with foreign translations of Henri's books. We hope you will stop by and visit.

VISIT THE READING ROOM

EXPANDING SPANISH MINISTRY

We are planning to create audio recordings of the Daily Meditations in Spanish for release on radio and a meditation app in 2024. We are grateful for our Spanish liaison, Hugo Herfst and were delighted to connect with him in Canada in September.

TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE

BEHIND THE SCENES

Tammy joined the Nouwen team last October, taking on the role of Communications & Administration Coordinator when Will Finlay retired at the end of 2022. Hers is the friendly voice you will hear when you call our office. She is originally from the West Coast of Canada but currently resides north of Toronto with her husband of 32 years, and their three university-aged daughters.

RETURNING HOME: CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM

In anticipation of the 30th anniversary of Henri Nouwen’s death in 2026, we have launched a three year campaign to equip us for the next season of ministry and partnership. To check out our goals and see how you might prayerfully consider how you might participate:

RETURNING HOME CASE FOR SUPPORT