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July 11, 2011
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Those Who are Just Must Be Kind
The readings for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time illustrate that "those who are just must be kind" (Wis 12:19). The Wisdom author recognizes God's lenience and patience: "you gave your sons good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins" (ibid). Jesus' parable of the weeds sown with good seeds confirms God's desire for all to come to fruition in fullness of life. In Jesus' story, the master instructs his slaves to allow the weeds to grow along with the wheat "until harvest," when the master will direct the slaves to separate weeds for burning and wheat for safekeeping in his barn (cf. Mt 13:30).
As we learn that we must imitate the Lord, who is "good and forgiving" (Ps 86:5), we realize also where our imitation falls short. "[W]e do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rom 8:26), so we rely on the intercession of the Spirit "according to God's will" (8:27). While we imitate the master in tempering justice with kindness, the master retains the final privilege of judgment. Assured of his ultimate victory, the master in Jesus' parable calmly endures the waywardness of weeds and is "lenient to all" (Wis 12:16). As blessed believers in this assurance, may we intercede for our brothers and sisters and entrust the harvest of judgment to the Lord.
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Immigration, Scripture, and Franciscan Values: FAN Webinar
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Thursday, July 14 - 3-4pm EDT
Register online
Join FAN Executive Director Patrick Carolan, and Todd Scribner from Migration and Refugee Services at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to learn more about the scriptural support for a Franciscan approach to immigration and to assess developments in current U.S. immigration policy. Patrick will report on his experiences presenting concerns to the United Nations special rapporteur for migration. Todd will explore the theme of migration as it finds expression in the Bible, with particular attention given to the way in which this Gospel message provides a foundation for the Church's moral teaching on this issue in the modern world. Both will address challenges and opportunities in current legislative proposals.
Read the USCCB resource on the U.S. as a nation of immigrants.
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Responding to the Word: Ask your Senators to support the DREAM Act
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Last Tuesday, June 28, the Senate held a hearing on the DREAM Act. Please urge the entire Senate to support DREAM and give thousands of deserving students a chance to be legal residents.
Call, and/or e-mail your senators now to encourage them to support S. 952, the DREAM Act of 2011. You can call their Washington office via the Capitol switchboard202-224-3121.
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More information on the DREAM Act:
S. 952, the DREAM Act of 2011, would authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children. Applicants must have entered the U.S. before age 16, they must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years prior to the DREAM Act becoming law, they must pass a criminal background check and the must not have turned 35 when the act becomes law. The DREAM Act is not an alternative to comprehensive immigration reform but a step in the right direction.
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Sowing Seeds with GreenFaith: Congratulations Sr. Jackie!
FAN and GreenFaith are pleased to announce that Sr. Jackie Keefe, CSSF has received a place in the GreenFaith Fellowship Program Class of 2012!
The Felician Sisters of North America are institutional members of FAN. Sr. Jackie will receive a scholarship for 50% of her tuition.
FAN invites all its members to consider engaging our partnership with GreenFaith through their Certification Program or Fellowship Program. You can learn more about this partnership on FAN's website.
To learn more about the Fellowship Program and GreenFaith's Certification Program, you can view a recording of the info session webinar online, visit GreenFaith's website, or participate in another info session webinar on September 12 (8:30-9:30pm ET). Contact Stacey Kennealy (skennealy@greenfaith.org) to register.
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Come practice justice and kindness through...
Effective Action for Justice in the Spirit of Saints Francis & Clare
 The Franciscan Action Network (FAN) offers its national training on integrating powerful action for justice with Franciscan spirituality. Participants will wrestle with what it takes to create systemic change and will increase their ability to build and lead teams to achieve this change. The training infuses a deep spirituality with effective community organizing methods that have been honed over decades.
The program begins Tuesday, July 26 at 9 a.m. and finishes on Wednesday, July 27 at noon. Accommodations are not provided.
Hosted by:
St. Francis Capuchin Center, 1927 N. Fourth St., Milwaukee, WI 53212-3611
The St. Francis Capuchin Center is ONE MILE from the Milwaukee Hyatt, where the Franciscan Federation Annual Conference takes place July 27-30.
The cost for the training is $60, which includes lunch and dinner on Tuesday.
For more information or to register please contact Christy Elliott at elliott@franciscanaction.org.
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Proclaim Franciscan Values to Protect Human and Environmental Health!
"Safe Chemicals Act of 2011" (S. 847)
FAN members have shared their stories of exposure to toxic chemicals:
You can be agents of change by asking your Senators to support policy for safe chemicals. Our commitment to chemical policy reform reflects the Franciscan Values of care for creation, the dignity of the human person, a consistent ethic of life, and respect for the poor and vulnerable.
The "Safe Chemicals Act of 2011" (S. 847) would:
1) Require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify chemicals known to be toxic and to enforce their removal from products on the market, and...
2) Require new chemicals to be tested for safety before they reach the market.
You can send an email through FAN's Action Alert or use these talking points to call your Senators at the Capitol Switchboard (1-888-784-0527).
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Father,
let the gift of your life
continue to grow in us,
drawing us from death to faith, hope, and love.
Keep us alive in Christ Jesus.
Keep us watchful in prayer
and true to his teaching
till your glory is revealed in us.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Alternative Opening Prayer for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time]
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