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Sept. 26, 2011
THIS WEEK: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act expires Sept. 30. Please contact your Senators to urge reauthorization! See below for more information.
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The God of Peace Will Be With You
 The 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time this year coincides with the first Sunday of October, when many communities observe Respect Life Sunday. 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!" As October 2, this Sunday also leads Franciscans into our celebration of Francis' life, which he lived to the full on earth and in his Transitus passage to eternal life.
At first glance, we may struggle to find fullness of life in the readings for this Sunday. Both the Book of Isaiah and Jesus' parable in the Gospel of Matthew tell us of a vineyard in dire circumstances. When the vineyard in the first reading produces only wild grapes, the owner intends to "let it be trampled" and "make it a ruin" (5:5, 6). When the landowner's tenants in the Gospel repeatedly kill his servants and then his son instead of handing over the produce which belongs to him, Jesus' listeners predict that the landowner "'will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper time'" (Mt 21:41). Jesus agrees that "'the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit'" (21:43). As we survey all the ways in which our hearts and our society fail to produce fruit for God, how can we heed Paul's instruction to the Philippians: "Have no anxiety at all" (4:6)?
Paul guides us in fulfilling his direction. We are to think about "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious," and "anything worthy of praise" (Phil 4:8); we are to do "what we have learned and received and heard and seen" (4:9) in the witnesses of our faith; and we are to bring our requests to God "in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving" (4:6). "Then the God of peace will be with [us]" (4:9). We choose to trust God, rather than ourselves, as the master of the vineyard. As the psalm implores, "give us new life, and we will call upon your name" (80:19).
Even in their evocative harshness, the vineyard stories reassure us that our God desires new and full life. The vineyard owner labored lovingly and faithfully to prepare his "fertile hillside" (Is 5:1) to bear fruit: he "cleared it of stones and planted the choicest vines"; "he built a watchtower, and hewed out a wine press" (5:2) in anticipation of the crop. The parable landowner maintained concern for his vineyard even at a distance, marking vintage time and pursuing the produce. We can trust that God's love for us and desire for our redemption to fruitfulness endures.
As we lament contemporary forms of disregard for the dignity of human life and the gifts of God's creation, let us pray for the wisdom to seek the Creator's sovereign will in our responses to injustice. May the God of peace be with us, that we may extend the fruits of this peace to the world.
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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.
Blessings of Animals  Have you ever wondered why many churches offer a special blessing for animals around the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology? Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM (Holy Name Province) offers his reflections:
"People bring their pets for a blessing because they want to thank God for their non-human companions, for their friendship and beauty. But there is an even more important reason to bless animals, especially at this time of the unprecedented ecological crisis that we face. First, the blessing of animals reminds us that all creatures have been created and blessed by God. Their worth extends far beyond a mere commodity value that we humans ascribe to them. Second, the blessing of the animals offers us an opportunity to strengthen within us a sense of compassion for all God's creatures. It can also reawaken in us our religious responsibility to protect them - much like Noah did - from a disaster."
READ MORE of Fr. Jacek's reflection
St. Francis Day in a Box 2011  On a related note, 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.Be Instruments of Peace  October 27, 2011 is the World Day of Prayer for Peace: Spirit of Assisi, which marks the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking interreligious event in Assisi in 1986. The Franciscan Friars of St. Barbara Province (OFM) offer resources to observe this day on their website.
The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change offers the St. Francis Pledge and other resources 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.
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Respond to Human Trafficking: Time is Running Out
 The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which established U.S. efforts and leadership to combat the multi-billion dollar human trafficking industry, expires on Sept. 30, 2011. Through this legislation, the U.S. government has worked to prevent trafficking in persons; prosecute those who profit from it; and protect victims. If Congress does not reauthorize the TVPA, U.S. pressure on countries across the globe to combat modern-day slavery will suffer. In this precarious economic environment, more vulnerable and marginalized people may fall victim to those who would exploit them. FAN joins Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which partners with U.S. government agencies and others to prevent trafficking and protect victims in more than 35 countries around the world, to support renewal of the TVPA. Please e-mail your Senators, or call call the Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask for your Senators' offices. Ask their staff to support S. 1301, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This CRS webpage provides additional reference points. While you're communicating, please urge your Senators to preserve life-saving, poverty-focused international assistance in the upcoming deficit reduction negotiations and the FY 2012 appropriations process. Thank you! SAVE THE DATE: If you are available, please plan to join FAN for a one-day conference on human trafficking at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC on Wed., Oct. 26. More details coming soon. |
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There's Something in the Water: The Challenge of Hydrofracking
 A recording of FAN's webinar on hydrofracking is available online.
The webinar features Prof. Robert Jackson, Ph.D. of Duke University, who presents the findings of research on the impact of hydrofracking on drinking water, shares policy recommendations, and places hydrofracking in the broader energy context. FAN Action Commission Sr. Caryn Crook, OSF applies St. Francis' "Canticle of the Creatures" to hydrofracking.
Please visit FAN's homepage for resources related to this presentation.
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Participate in GreenFaith Certification Program Webinar
Due to FAN's partnership with GreenFaith, FAN individual members and Franciscan parishes are eligible for tuition subsides for GreenFaith's Fellowship Program and Certification Program. To learn more about the GreenFaith's Certification Program, please participate in an informational webinar about the Certification Program on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 8-9 p.m. EDT. E-mail Stacey Kennealy to register.
A recording of the Sept. 19 webinar on this topic is available online. You can also view the PowerPoint slides for this presentation.
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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 taking place through Oct. 9 - or the Interfaith Immigration Coalition's companion "DREAM Sabbath events, also happening through 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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Father,
your love for us
surpasses all our hopes and desires.
Forgive our failings,
keep us in your peace
and lead us in the way of salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
[Prayer for the 27th 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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