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From the Director's Desk
"When we speak of the 'environment', what we really mean is a relationship existing between nature and the society which lives in it. Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it. Recognizing the reasons why a given area is polluted requires a study of the workings of society, its economy, its behavior patterns, and the ways it grasps reality. Given the scale of change, it is no longer possible to find a specific, discrete answer for each part of the problem. It is essential to seek comprehensive solutions which consider the interactions within natural systems themselves and with social systems. We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature" (Laudato Si', 139).
Pope Francis in his new Encyclical, Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home, offers us an opportunity and a challenge to reflect and act on the needs of our world. This encyclical is rooted in the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching or as termed by the Holy See, Social Doctrine of the Church, that is a more recent body of teachings about specific issues related to human dignity and life that has its origin with Rerum Novarum of Pope Leo XIII in 1891. The basis for such moral teaching is ancient, rooted in lived charity and justice as taught by Jesus Christ and in the Catholic understanding of creation as "the common work of the Holy Trinity" (CCC, 292, 1928, 1939-42).
The Holy Father notes well that the issues of our world - our environment - are interconnected. His broad view is clear about the complexities of life on our planet, but nonetheless calls us to live more fully in solidarity with one another and with all created things. We are in communion with one another and all creation, as St. Francis understood well. Such solidarity and communion draws us into deeper relationship with all creation and with the Trinity, our Creator.
Let us then act, together with Pope Francis, in care of our common home and pray along with him:
"O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen."
(Laudato Si', 246)
May the Charity of Christ urge us on!
In God, the Infinite Love,
Fr. Frank |
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Less than a week following the release of Pope Francis' latest encyclical, Laudato Si', the world is still reading and discussing this document with great excitement. We invite you to visit our resource page which compiles official links to the text of the encyclical and related Church teachings and commentary as well as some additional information from Catholic media outlets. Click here or the above image to visit this dedicated webpage and be sure to share it with family, friends and colleagues. |
According to the CDC, 1 in 8 couples experience infertility, and for many of them the pain is a biological, social and spiritual test. How is a Catholic couple to respond to the challenge of infertility; and what support can be offered by pastors and parish communities? This webinar will address the spiritual, moral and relational challenges associated with infertility. It will uncover the opportunities for individuals' and couples' spiritual growth, and ways the Church (pastors, religious, and the parish community) can walk with the couple experiencing infertility. Childless couples can become powerful evangelizers of Christ's life-giving suffering and bring forth love and hope in the Church and the world. Click the link below to register for this free webinar. |
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Campus Ministry Leadership Institute
The Campus Ministry Leadership Institute is a gathering of campus ministers and student leaders from colleges and universities around the country who participate in an intensive five-day training and working institute. It is grounded in the US Bishops' Pastoral Letter, Empowered by the Spirit, and is designed to produce effective leaders who are collaborative and able to develop and implement Catholic faith formation and service programs on their campuses.
From June 16-21 at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM, Campus Ministers and student leaders from colleges and universities around the country participated to create and develop collaborative projects that will be implemented in their schools throughout the 2015-2016 academic year. Program Manager Jonathan Sitko and Center advisor Barbara Humphrey McCrabb attended the conference and provided assistance and insight to help design the different programs created from their projects. The participants were able to further strengthen and develop their faith and their leadership skills through activities and presentations.
The Center has also partnered with the USCCB on the website Empowered Campus Ministry. The website provides resources, blog posts, webinars, and other online services to campus ministers across the country. It serves as a place for campus ministers outside the institute to learn and share their experiences.
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Catholic Apostolate Center Podcasts
The Catholic Apostolate Center is pleased to present our latest offering of faith-based resources. This series of podcasts is hosted by Center Collaborator, George Jin. In each of these 3 minute audio clips, our Director, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., offers insights on a variety of topics such as Catholic social teaching, marriage and family, vocational discernment, the new evangelization and much more! Short enough to listen to while you're on the go, these podcasts are a great resource to share with family, friends and even colleagues. To access the podcast simply click the link below. |
The Catholic Apostolate Center is pleased to present its newly released E-book, Ad Infinitum: Reflections from the Bloggers of the Catholic Apostolate Center. A project many years in the making, this E-book is a selection from the hundreds of posts that have appeared on the Catholic Apostolate Center's Ad Infinitum blog since its inception.
The E-book is divided into five sections, each group offering a different perspective on the faith. You will find suggestions on how to live a life akin to the Apostles, receive lessons from the saints, and much more! We encourage you to download this E-book and share it with your family, friends and colleagues.
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From the Ad Infinitum Blog
Starlight
by William Clemens
Student, The Catholic University of America
Let's face it, trudging along in our daily lives can be dull sometimes. One must try, even if the thought is just a curious leap of the soul, to remove oneself from the business of the world and to look up at the sky. We must look up in the sky toward a marvelous sight, the light that propels life on this earth, the face of the creation, and the Creator of beauty.
In all areas of darkness, light abounds brighter than ever. In all things, we exist and share in our lives with our Creator. Everything we do is profound in its own small way. Everything that happens, happens with and for a purpose, with and for a cause, ever meaningful and ever present in our lives. Our lives are living, never truly dying. We will always have the light to look toward. The hope that always lets us know we are never truly alone in anything we do.
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Catholic Apostolate Center to Participate in 2015 Mission Congress
The Catholic Apostolate Center is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming 2015 Mission Congress in Houston, Texas October 1-4. The 2015 Mission Congress, Witnessing Mission: Called to be Missionary Disciples, is organized by the Catholic Mission Forum and co-sponsored by Catholic Volunteer Network and the Secretariat for Evangelization and Catechesis of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The aim of this year's congress is to reflect on what it means to be a missionary disciple in today's world and how we are called in the Gospel to preach and serve those in need around us. Center Director, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. will be presenting a break-out session entitled "Unity is Greater Than Conflict": Relationships, Resolution, Community, which will explore ways toward greater unity in diversity through collaboration, co-responsibility and mercy. If you plan on attending be sure to stop by our booth and visit us!
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Catholic Apostolate Center
A Ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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