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Sept. 12, 2011:
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Magnify God's Abundance
 We hear in the readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time a transformation of our ordinary ways of thinking. We are pushed beyond our fear of scarcity into faithful acceptance of God's abundance. Isaiah affirms that, yes, the Lord may be found. God can be reached, and we can "call him while he is near" (55:6). God is so close, as St. Augustine says, even "closer to me than I am to myself." We are asked to hold God's closeness alongside God's transcendence: "as high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways" (Is 55:9).
In Jesus' parable in Matthew's Gospel, the owner of the vineyard gives without calculation for what his workers deserve. At times this generosity makes us jealous, and we can ask the same question as the owner of vineyard: "Are you envious because I am generous?" (20:15). Jesus is calling us to do God's will not to earn God's love, but as a response to God's love. Make gratitude for God's abundant giving the basis for doing justice, and we will do it with immense energy and joy.
The Philippians reading presents us with the incredible calling to "magnify Christ" with our lives. Even in death, and in the way we leave this world, we can enhance Christ, who "will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death" (1:20c). How can my little life, with my rag-tag collection of relationships and half-accomplished initiatives, magnify the Savior? Let us trust, not in our own intelligence, but that the loving Christ will amplify the good we set forth into the world.
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Last Chance to Share Your Views on Climate Change
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There's Something in the Water: The Challenge of Hydrofracking
 Wed., Sept. 21, 3-4 p.m. EDT Register online The Franciscan Action Network (FAN) invites you to participate in a webinar on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing for shale gas. Prof. Robert Jackson, Ph.D. of Duke University will explain the distinct challenges of this form of extraction. He will present the findings of research on the impact of hydrofracking on drinking water, share policy recommendations, and place hydrofracking in the broader energy context. FAN Action Commission Sr. Caryn Crook, OSF will apply St. Francis' "Canticle of the Creatures" to hydrofracking. If you wish, you can consult Duke University's Center for Global Change website for resources related to this presentation, including Prof. Jackson's data paper, a white paper with policy recommendations, and an Op-Ed article. You can also read a FAN blog post from intern Ben Feuerherd (St. Francis College) on hydrofracking.
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Responding to the Word: Stand Up for the DREAM Act
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There a number of ways to express your support for the DREAM Act (S. 952), which will give thousands of deserving students a chance to be legal residents:
Contact Your Senators
Please urge the entire Senate to support the DREAM Act and give thousands of deserving students a chance to be legal residents. Call and/or e-mail your Senators to encourage them to support S. 952, the DREAM Act of 2011. You can call their Washington office via the Capitol switchboard 202-224-3121.
Send a Postcard to the President
Go to the USCCB's Justice for Immigrants website to send an electronic postcard to President Obama asking him to protect innocent DREAM youth from deportation.
Attend or Organize a "DREAM" Event Find out how your parish can participate in the upcoming "Pray for the DREAM" events Sept. 18-Oct. 9 - or the Interfaith Immigration Coalition's companion "DREAM Sabbath events Sept. 16-Oct. 9.
Let FAN Know About Your "DREAM" Event
The Franciscan Action Network wants to help promote your community's DREAM event - and to share words, photos and other reflections on your event after it happens. E-mail us about your "DREAM" event.
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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FAN Helps FI Prepare for the Rio 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development  Franciscans International (FI) invites all Franciscan and Franciscan-hearted persons to contribute to the preparation for the Rio 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, informally known as Rio+20. In collaboration with FI, FAN encourages members to support this effort. We can offer support first of all by our prayers, secondly by educating ourselves about this process, and thirdly by contributing input according to these guidelines.
As an NGO with consultative status at the UN, FI will submit recommendations to the working document for this Conference. Until Sept. 30, FI is collecting input for submission. To share your input, please contact Christy Elliott (elliott@franciscanaction.org).
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FAN Members Join in GreenFaith Fellowship Program
Dennis Testerman, OEF, who features in the DVD that accompanies FAN's C4C: Franciscan Care for Creation program, joins Sr. Jackie Keefe, CSSF in the next class of the GreenFaith Fellowship Program. As members of FAN, Sr. Jackie and Dennis receive scholarships towards their program tuition.
To learn more about the GreenFaith's Fellowship Program and the Certification Program, please visit the GreenFaith website. You can also participate in an informational webinar about the Certification Program on Monday, Sept. 19 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. EDT. E-mail Stacey Kennealy to register.
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Everybody Loves Francis: Ways to Observe St. Francis' Feast Life to the Full with Francis
 The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops promotes the first Sunday in October as Respect Life Sunday. This year, Respect Life Sunday (Oct. 2) precedes the Transitus celebration of St. Francis' birth into eternal life (Oct. 3), followed by the Feast of St. Francis (Oct. 4). The theme for the 2011-2012 Respect Life Program year comes from Jn 10:10: "I came that all might have life, and have it to the full!" St. Francis lived his life fully by following in the footsteps of Christ, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Francis reverenced all life at every stage. Visit the USCCB Respect Life Program website for resources on this theme.
Honor Francis in Prayer
 Canticle Campus' Fall 2011 online class begins October 3 and ends December 10. The class will study the book Franciscan Prayer by Sr. Ilia Delio, O.S.F.
"By examining Saint Francis' doctrine of prayer through the twin lens of Saints Clare and Bonaventure, this book provides us with a long overdue spiritual and theological synthesis which will be treasured by all who love the Franciscan tradition. A significant contribution, beautifully presented." -Lawrence S. Cunningham
To sign-up, e-mail Francesca Wigle, TSSF (fwigle@gmail.com) or Chris Hickman, SFO (hickmcm@hotmail.com) for access information. All are invited and there is no cost to participate.
St. Francis Pledge The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change offers the St. Francis Pledge and other resources to feature in preparation for and celebration of the Feast of St. Francis on Oct. 4.  NEW resources include:
· Friending Planet Earth: Helping Youth Understand Solidarity and Sustainability in Light of Climate Change, a six-session program for high school youth ministry
· Sustainability and Catholic Higher Education: A Toolkit for Mission Integration, developed in collaboration with the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities
· Catholic Parish and School Planning Guide to Take the St. Francis Pledge
· A revised JustMatters module on care for creation in collaboration with JustFaith Ministries
· The announcement of the St. Francis Pledge Award for elementary and secondary schools sponsored by the National Council of Catholic Women. Please join with us to help promote the St. Francis Pledge as part of what it means to Care for Creation and Care for the Poor: two values by which St. Francis lived and through which his example continues to inspire millions around the world.
Learn more by going to the Catholic Climate Covenant: St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor website.
St. Francis Day in a Box 2011
This year, the Humane Society of the U.S. partners with St. Anthony Messenger press to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis with a box full of books, DVDs, and an audio book of Murray Bodo, OFM's Francis: The Journey and the Dream.
You can check out the resources and order a box online.
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Father,
guide us, as you guide creation
according to your law of love.
May we love one another
and come to perfection
in the eternal life prepared for us.
Grant this through Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
[Opening Prayer for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time]
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Mission Statement
Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform U.S. public policy related to peacemaking, care for creation, poverty, and human rights. |
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