Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus from the Album “Golden Echoes of Kyiv – Divine Liturgy.” Translation: It is finished. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who is thirsty I will give a drink without cost, from the spring of the water of life. — Revelations 21:16

Zelenskyy called on “all countries of the world to immediately and effectively respond to this crime of the aggressor’s tactics and to declare that Russia is committing state terrorism. We demand full responsibility for terrorists in international courts. “

God of mystery, who is ever beyond us — For years now we have faced with courage, with exhaustion, with despair, a common invisible enemy. And while it has been plenty hard, our brothers and sisters in Ukraine now add to that fight a very real, very visible one. An enemy with a name, with a face, with an agenda which goes against the very essence of our shared humanity.

Music rooted in an ethnic culture offers a poignancy that touches hearts. Overlay today’s news of the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin and we can feel the peoples’ ongoing struggle for freedom and independence. We need not know their language to be touched by the spirit that comes through their music.

As a member of the Dominican Order I have some concern for my brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Having received this letter from my Dominican Provincial Office in Chicago, I am bringing your attention to the bond I have with them. Please view the web site that is posted at the end of the letter to get a sense of their presence in Ukraine.

Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz is hoping his new sculpture will help put a spotlight on an issue he believes too many individuals and governments would prefer to look away from. And on Sunday, Feb. 6, the pope offered his blessing — both to the sculpture and to the religious sisters on the front lines leading the fight against human trafficking.

The International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism announces that our beloved teacher Thich Nhat Hanh has passed away peacefully at Từ Hiếu Temple in Huế, Vietnam, at 00:00hrs on 22nd January, 2022, at the age of 95.

Dirk Ficca died on December 21, 2021 at age 66. He was the executive director of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and moderator of Chicago Presbytery’s Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.

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