Social Friendship and being brothers and sisters to one another
Pope’s latest encyclical forms a triad inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi
One distinctive trait ofFratelli Tutti, Cardinal Tagle explained, is that it forms a triad with two other encyclicals – all three unified by the memory of Saint Francis of Assisi. The first, Evangelii Gaudium,[actually an Apostolic Exhortation, not an Encyclical] is inspired by the request Saint Francis received from God to rebuild the Church. Pope Francis, echoed this by creating the idea of a vision in which the Church in the 21st century is "re-built" through the joy of the Gospel. The second, Laudato sí, outlines our shared responsibility for our common home. The third, Fratelli tutti, invites us to social friendship and to be brothers and sisters to one another. ...Read more(Vatican News)
Pope Francis' message to the youth for the Economy of Francesco International Online Event November 19-20, 2020 in Assisi
Pope Francis convened an “Economy of Francesco” conference that explores innovative ways Catholics are developing a sustainable economy, with leadership from young people front and center. (1 min video)
The Economy of Francesco conference has ended but the process will continue...
This leads us to the issue of sustainable agriculture... In the November issue of the Common Good we included the Holy Father’s second TED talk, where he focused on three courses: (1). education in the care of our common home; (2). focus on water and nutrition (including farming) & (3). transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Franciscan Voice Canada sees itself as part of (1) the educational process and has frequently featured the various organizations which promote (3) an end to fossil fuel use especially through Fridays for Future. In terms of (2) it has promoted Development and Peace (Caritas Canada’s) articles on water, food sovereignty, small farmers and sustainable agriculture.
FVC wishes to bring to your attention renowned Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, and anti-globalization author Vandana Shiva’s interview for the Economy of Francescowhere she speaks about sustainable agriculture.
Farmers' Launched Bharat Bandh Protest in India Farmers block a highway during a nationwide general strike called to protest against the recent agricultural reforms at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border in Ghazipur.
Protest against the recent agricultural reforms
But analysts and farmer leaders warn that, at a time of unprecedented economic decline, leaving the farmers at the mercy of market forces may not work and the government should support the agriculture sector which underpins India’s food security. .....Learn more
Photo AFP
Lessons from Evangeline’s garden
Evangeline Kagwiite, an 90 year-old Ugandan elder, has much to teach us about resilience and food growing.
"It will be a great tragedy, for African people and the planet, if, in years to come, we are left at the mercy of those who think that the use of agrochemicals, hybrids and genetically modified seeds are the only modes of farming.
In Evangeline’s nine grandchildren and her connection with them on the land, we see real hope for the future.
We must urgently strengthen intergenerational learning in our communities."
....READ MORE
157. Underlying the principle of the common good is respect for the human person as such, endowed with basic and inalienable rights ordered to his or her integral development.
Fratelli Tutti -
“God is universal love, and as long as we are part of that love and share in it, we are called to universal fraternity, which is openness to all. There are no "others,” no "them," there is only "us”. We want, with God and in God, an open world (Ch. 3), a world without walls, without borders, without people rejected, without strangers. To achieve this world, we must have an open heart (Ch. 4).
Understanding JPIC
3.1.11. In a 31 May 1963 Time magazine interview, Karl Barth recalled advising young theologians in the 1920’s “to take your Bible and take your newspaper and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.” This famous oft-quoted statement makes sense for Secular Franciscans who live in the world. Today we need to add a laptop to the newspaper and master the electronic media. One must be well aware of the perils of the internet. Awareness of authors’ positions and discernment are essential. This use of newspapers/internet and bible fits well with the see, judge, act methodology of JPIC or see, learn, pray, act as the Canadian bishops called it in 2017 in Living Out Laudato Si': A Commentary and Practical Resource for Canadian Catholics. Pope Francis has called it “contemplate-discern-propose” - and uses it to describe the current state of affairs, to look at attitudes behind many issues and to call for a new way of doing things. (Austen Ivereigh, 2020, Let us Dream, Simon & Schuster, New York)
From Gospel to Life
"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous."
(Mt 5: 44-45) & (OFS Rule 4)
General Constitutions
GC 18
They should work together with movements which promote the building of fraternity among peoples: they should be committed to "create worthy conditions of life" for all and to work for the freedom of all people. (GC18.3., Rule 13)
Pope's Prayer Intention for December
For a life of prayer
We pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer.
Pope Francis says that “if we do not pray, we will not have the strength to go forward in life. Prayer is like the oxygen of life.” During this Advent, share the words of the Holy Father with your friends and remind them that it’s necessary to pray for the challenges facing humanity and the mission of the Church, because “we can do many things, but without prayer, it doesn’t work.”
Reflection: Why do people pray? What is the point of these ritualistic actions? Does prayer affect us and the world? Is prayer just another method used to numb our pains, to feel good about ourselves, or to practice wishful thinking? Read More...
We Pray: Advent Prayer
Oh that I might say Lord with as much truth did the kingly Prophet, “My God early before the sun rises will I arise to seek you.” I long after you, my soul thirsts for you with burning desire. Yet, I know but too well that for lack of watching over my soul I have left it like an untilled field in which the evil weeds of bad habits have taken but too deep root my heart and has become the prey of a multitude of imperfect attachments and has lost many graces. If the Shepherds had been sleeping the Angels would not have announced to them your Birth. O my Savior, I desire to watch like them that I may profit by it. Lord, arouse my sleeping soul and establish it in Christian watchfulness by the authority of your Divine Word. Amen.
This a prayer adapted from the 17th-century A guide for passing Advent holily, asking God to increase in us a watchful spirit. - Aleteia, Philip Kosloski
Film of the Month
"Sonic Forest": Music makers journey to Colombia rainforest
Documentary makers collaborate with renowned Colombian band Bomba Estereo and actor Joaquin Phoenix to record indigenous environmental projects.
“We’re living in the midst of a climate and ecological crisis. Keeping forests standing is one of the most important things we can do to address both. Creating alternative economic models with local forest communities is crucial to making it happen.” - Josh Thome, filmmaker
The 35 minute documentary showcases their work to conserve the region’s biodiversity, and protect against climate change funded by the purchase of certified credits through the Stand for Trees online platform. Take Action!
Clare of Assisi and the Thirteenth-Century Church:
Religious Women, Rules, and Resistance.
by Catherine M. Mooney
In a work based on a meticulous analysis of sources, many of them previously unexplored, Catherine M. Mooney upends the received account of Clare of Assisi's founding of the Order of San Damiano, or Poor Clares. Mooney offers instead a stark counternarrative: Clare, her sisters of San Damiano, and their allies struggled against a papal program bent on regimenting, enriching, and enclosing religious women in the thirteenth century, a program that proved largely successful.
Mooney demonstrates that Clare (1194-1253) established a single community that was soon cajoled, perhaps even coerced, into joining an order previously founded by the papacy.
Clare of Assisi and The Thirteenth Century Church provides a fresh look at St Clare's struggle with the papacy after the death of St Francis. Author Catherine M. Mooney's analysis of original letters and testimonials reveal the depth of Clare's fighting spirit. This book challenges commonly held beliefs about gender roles in medieval monastic communities. If you're inspired by grassroots reform, read this book! Recommended.
by Nina Hirlaender
Christmas Day on Planet Earth
Wishing you peace, all good and joy!
In the spirit of tradition, we are posting but this song and video Christmas Day on Planet Earth by Lennie Gallant, Atlantic Canada songwriter. It expresses wonderfully the relationship between the gift of the birth of Christ and the work of Franciscans for justice, peace and care of creation.
Chemins Franciscains 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
Thank you for being a subscriber to the Common Good newsletter. The newsletter has more content than one can read in a typical setting. Save the newsletter on your device and take the time over the month to read articles that interest you most. The more we learn about the many issues we are faced with in our world, the better prepared we can be to influence change needed to "care for our common home".
- a message from the editors
If you are not already a subscriber to this newsletter you can become one by going toFranciscan Voice Canada - Contact Us. If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time and do not wish to receive it simply go to the "unsubscribe" link below.
