The Dicastery invites Catholic communities across the world to join a grassroots movement to gradually work toward "total sustainability"in the coming decade, a path that would include carbon neutrality, simpler lifestyles and divestment from fossil fuels.
A multi-year "Laudato Si' Action Platform" will invite Catholic dioceses, religious orders, schools and other institutions to publicly commit to journey toward ecological conversion and "total sustainability." The action platform is framed across seven "Laudato Si' Goals" grounded in the encyclical's concept ofintegral ecology. Learn more in Andrew's June Blog
Laudato Si' Revolution
Amid so many crises, our contemporary civilization needs the Franciscan vision of the world and values.
If indifferent to awareness and advocacy, are we complicit?
Is silence consent?
Is silence violence?
Is prayer enough?
What to Do?
Protect Restore Fund
In Laudato Si’ (n 179) we are reminded to raise our voice and Pope Francis did encourage Greta Thunberg and her Fridays for Future protests when introduced by Tomás Insua, Executive Director of the Global Catholic Climate Movement.
For more on what to do (i.e. protect, restore and fund solutions) all would do well to watch environmental activists Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot in this Sept 2019 short film (3 min 40 secs) highlighting the need to protect, restore and use nature to tackle the climate crisis.
Andrew Conradi, ofs (OFS JPIC and GCCM Laudato Si’Animator)
Laudato Si'
“Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.” (§91)
Making Connections: What We Eat Matters in Caring for Creation
What we eat matters if we care for creation. Raising livestock, beef in particular, to satisfy our lust for more rather than a ‘need to feed’ and conventional agriculture (perhaps developed in haste to satisfy our growing appetites) are contributing to the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. (Drawdown, 2017) That build-up of greenhouse gases leads to global warming which in turn leads to a changing climate.
...problem is the deforestation of the Amazon and destruction of a homeland for Indigenous peoples so cattle can be raised to supply beef markets around the world.
At A Rocha, Souris, B.C the farmers are living a way of life that reaps the benefits of God’s abundance while honouring creation. Learn more in Margaret's June Blog
From Gospel to Life
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ... But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture - “I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak ...
2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 &13 (NRSV):
Notes from GCCM Webinar "Everything is Connected"
We welcome this new contribution from Lourdes von Burg, ofs, Laudato Si’ Animator & OFS Director of JPIC, Western Region of Canada (OLOTA. These are her notes which capture the essence of the webinar put on by Global Catholic Climate Movement.
"To summarize a week’s event of spiritual growth, we Franciscans cannot escape from people’s great expectations. This causes great shame if we shy away from this challenge. I’m afraid the world may consider us false Franciscans, worse than non-biodegradables, unworthy of financial support and attention."
A beautiful expanded Beatitudes produced by the Franciscan Action Network.
"It is high time for us to share how we and our communities are trying to live authentically the ideals of St. Francis. Now is the time to show our worth.
Let us stand tall like St. Francis, in our common home through our bold and joyful Franciscan witnessing in words and actions and in our simple lifestyle in the global economy." See Lourdes' Notes
Franciscans Staying Connected from PEI
In their 11th edition of staying connected Doug and Marion Clorey sing another song Doug wrote, "Bearers of Peace", based on OFS Rule 19 and Gospel of Penticost.
GC 11: Trusting in the Father, Christ chose for himself and his mother a poor and humble life, even though he valued created things attentively and lovingly. Let the Secular Franciscans seek a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying their own material needs. Let them be mindful that according to the gospel they are stewards of the goods received for the benefit of God's children...
Book Suggestion of the Month
Water, Wind, Earth & Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements
by Christine Valters Paintner, Phd, REACE, OBLSB
Organized around "The Canticle of the Creatures" by St. Francis of Assisi, Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire is the first book to consider the ways in which praying with the natural elements can enliven Christian spiritual life. Teacher, artist, and Benedictine oblate Christine Valters Paintner offers concrete suggestions and guided contemplative exercises; for instance, she suggests that readers take time to "watch the sunrise or sunset and breathe in the beauty of the fiery sky. Contemplate what those beginnings and endings have to say in your own life." Readers benefit from Paintner's extensive training in theology and Benedictine spirituality, as well as her unique work in bringing the expressive arts to spiritual direction. Recommended - Andrew Conradi, FVC
Pope's Prayer Intention for May .
The Way of the Heart
We pray that all those who suffer may find their way in life, allowing themselves to be touched by the Heart of Jesus.
Wherever there is sorrow, wherever there is suffering, wherever there is difficulty, the Heart of Jesus is always there first. No one is alone.
Many people in the world are suffering, and not just due to the pandemic we’ve been experiencing. As Pope Francis said last month, people are also affected by other pandemics, such as “the pandemic of wars, hunger, and many others” (5/14/2020). What can we do? How can we avoid falling into indifference? The Pope shows us the way: compassion.
And One More Video... Many many months ago we posted this video and it was relevant then. But of late it has become ever more relevant to the world who is crying for justice for people of colour, for a stop to racism, for greater equality. Take another look.
if someone doesn't understand privilege, show them this video
submitted by Sherrill Guimond
Here is a short but powerful last minute video (1:35sec). It's worth the watch.
Franciscan Paths est un membre régulier de l’AMECO, une association de médias catholiques et œcuméniques qui regroupe plus de 70 revues publiées au Québec. Il propose un nouvel art de vivre inspiré de Claire et François d’Assise au cœur des défis actuels de la famille humaine.
Editors: Andrew Conradi, ofs, Laudato Si' Animator, Global Catholic Climate Movement; George Guimond, ofs, RFEC Dir of JPIC & Margaret Ross, ofs, Minister, St Agnes Fraternity, Coquitlam, BC & Laudato Si' Animator
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