Dare to Care - Sept 30th 2022

92. Moreover, when our hearts are authentically open to universal communion, this sense of fraternity excludes nothing and no one. It follows that our indifference or cruelty towards fellow creatures of this world sooner or later affects the treatment we mete out to other human beings. We have only one heart, and the same wretchedness which leads us to mistreat an animal will not be long in showing itself in our relationships with other people. Every act of cruelty towards any creature is “contrary to human dignity”. We can hardly consider ourselves to be fully loving if we disregard any aspect of reality: “Peace, justice and the preservation of creation are three absolutely interconnected themes, which cannot be separated and treated individually without once again falling into reductionism”. Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth.
 
Reflection: The heart of Laudato Si’ is in this paragraph. “Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of God’s creatures and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth.” Reflect in silence on this paragraph and the final sentence in particular. How do you understand the phrase “everything is related?” Journal your prayer and reflection. 
 

Action: Read the Canticle of Creation, and reflect on how everything is connected, everything is related. Consider how Francis added Sister Death to this canticle as he moved closer to embracing even death as part of the created order. Share your action and reflection with others who may not have considered this.  
 

Season of Creation

For full resources on the Season of Creation click here(link is external). Consider this SSND International Solidarity Reflection prayer(link is external) service for your local community, school, or ministry during this Season of Creation. For a beautiful liturgical guide that’s easy to use and access, click here(link is external)Click here and look in the Friday newsletter to find short pieces for the five weeks of Season of Creation, on climate topics including education, contemplation, and action.

Spaces of Hope 

The cellist Yo-Yo Ma is deeply committed to sharing beauty and hope in the world through his music. Listen to “Over the Rainbow” performed by Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott. Breathe in goodness and hope. 

Thirty inspirational quotes to consider from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II from her seventy year reign. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 
                        
Christian conversion requires new thinking and new living, a continual change of mind and heart as individuals and as community. Our call to conversion and our response find expression in…. courageous coping with insecurities and fears (19); attempts to alleviate human suffering, especially that of the poor (20); the promotion of justice and peace (20). We struggle to live by the conviction that love is, indeed, the fulfillment of the law. (You Are Sent 51a, 19-21; 51b)

 

Justice for Immigrants

The human beings trapped in the lack of comprehensive immigration reform in the United States have once again made the national news, now being flown and bussed to cities, often without information about where they are headed or what will be there for them when they get there. Read this article about the challenge for Catholics to respond. Read here about the current administration back to working on the border wall started by the previous administration. Read in this PBS story about the struggles for those who live on the border to these unprecedented times. The USCCB Justice for Immigrants suggests these two actions on immigration.  Remind those who you are in conversation with that everyone is made in the image and likeness of God and due dignity because of their creation. Dignity. 

Ending Human Trafficking

The US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking has released a three-minute video on the basics of human trafficking that is clear and easy to understand. Share it with others. Watch it with others and get involved – consider joining the Ending Human Trafficking Committee!

Dismantling Racism

In this 19 minute TED talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” novelist Chimamanda Adichie talks about finding her own authentic voice, and the danger of hearing only a single story as representative of all those who belong to that culture or group. Watch it and discuss it with someone else. 

Climate Change

The US Senate voted to ratify the Kigali Amendment, a binding agreement to reduce the use of HFCs used in refrigeration and air conditioning. Learn more about this development here

Partnership with Haiti

Our prayers continue for the people of Haiti as they struggle for peace. Staff members of Beyond Borders in Port-au-Prince are going to Lagonav to safely be able to work. Commit to continue learning about the current situation in Haiti, and add Haiti and the Beyond Borders staff to your litany of daily prayer.

Gospel Fund Announcement

The Gospel Fund of the Atlantic-Midwest Province is established for the purpose of assisting in the financing of projects whose goals are consistent with the SSND congregational mandate to reverence all creation and make the concerns of the poor our own. The next funding cycle is open for new applications until October 1, 2022. For full information and to access the online application form, click here

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