12/31/2025
Happy NYE from New Encounters!
As you gather around friends and family to ring in the new year, and perhaps distribute the last of your gifts, I hope you’ll take a moment to look in the mirror. YOU are a gift to the world and to each other!
Together, we’re building a vibrant community of Catholics who believe that our baptism calls us to be racial healers in every part of our lives. “We are one in Christ who is one,” as Pope Leo reminds us.
We've accomplished a lot together in these last FIVE YEARS, because of our community - YOU!
We reflect on how far we've come and the programs that have touched us:
Seasonal Series: Each Advent, Lent and Pentecost we offer a unique online experience of that sacred season, through the lens of our call to be Catholic racial healers. This December, Dr. Toni Reaves led us in “From the Manger to the Movement: Advent & Christmas in the Black Catholic Soul.”
Interparish gatherings: 12 parish groups come together every quarter to respond to “We Are One Body,” Archbishop Nelson Pérez’ 2023 pastoral letter on racism. We offer interpretation, so speakers of both Spanish and of English can communicate with each other.
Program for Educators in Catholic K-12 schools: We hosted a “Pilgrimage of Courage” to local Catholic sites of racial wounding or healing. Some participants are mentoring each other now on racial healing projects they plan to offer in their schools.
Collaboration: We work extensively with the Archbishop’s Commission on Racial Healing and the Office for Black Catholics.
Partnership with Cranaleith Spiritual Center: We have been drawn to Cranaleith’s “incarnational” way of living their mission on the beautiful Northeast Philadelphia grounds where they offer opportunities for reflection and action. In turn, they are drawn to New Encounters’ intensive focus on racism and immigration, two of the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy who sponsor Cranaleith.
Solidarity with Immigrants: In these anxious days, religious groups are leading prayerful solidarity events, and we see participating in those as an important expression of New Encounters’ mission.
Symposium on Catholic Education & Racial Justice: Planned for Fall 2026, during the Semi-quincentennial year, this event will look at the potential of Catholic schools to model and teach the truth enshrined in our Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights…”
And now, for the first time in our history, we are asking formally for YOUR support.
Can you help us continue to thrive and build?
Thank you for any amount you choose to give. Tax-deductible donations of any amount make a difference. The number of responses we receive is as meaningful as the size of each gift, truly!
4 ways to give:
1) A check to Cranaleith Spiritual Center with “New Encounters” mentioned for earmark. Mail to Cranaleith at 13475 Proctor Rd, Philadelphia PA 19116
2) Scan the QR code in the post and select “New Encounters”
3) Visit bit.ly/GiveNE and select “New Encounters”
4) Text “NE” to 215-392-5979
Thank you for your commitment to being Christ-centered racial healers who “do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).
With deep gratitude,
Mary and The New Encounters Team
New Encounters’ work is made possible through the generous support of The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia and of Cranaleith Spiritual Center.
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