“If you want to resolve street homelessness, you have to think about prevention: how do you turn off the tap?”
Formation
Message of the Holy Father for the World Day of Prayer for Creation
Every September 1 is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, so established by Pope Francis in 2015, in keeping with the theme addressed in his encyclical Laudato Si’ on care for our common home.
Understand & Listen (Genesis 18: Luke 10: 38-42)
Recently I came across an intriguing quote from the 18th century author, Henri David Thoreau, which touched on a theme prominent in the scriptures.
The Value of Effort
At this time, in many countries of the northern hemisphere the school year begins. As a reflection on the value of effort and the importance of education, we invite you to see, comment and share the following video, an animated short story that tells us how education...
What Can Collective Impact Learn from Organizing?
Two strategies. One goal. Community Organizing. Collective Impact. Older folks will remember community organizing. Confrontational -- but it got things done. For the past ten years, the "collective impact" strategy has moved to the fore. But the two can learn from...
Evangelizing:“assumptions” about Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and social justice
Catholics often struggle to explain doctrines to their friends (Catholic by birth and/or non-Catholic). We often think "everyone knows." We have assumptions. John Kane, in his Denver Post commentary "Holy day highlights Catholic “assumptions” about Virgin Mary, mother...
Expecting and Seeing
Expecting and Seeing (Matthew 13:13) Some time ago I went to see a touring art exhibit featuring Monet’s water lilies. Laid out in three big murals that were hung together, it wrapped around the room to give the visitor a sense of being right there at the pond’s edge....
Does charity choke justice? On the Limits of Charity (part 2)
David Hilfiker, a veteran of decades of direct service with the poor, raised questions 15 years ago in a 2001 article from The Other Side magazine exploring the tension between charity and justice. This is the second of a two-part reflection on his writings. Symptoms...
Caring for Those in the Outskirts
To see Jesus is to see the merciful God who is caring towards those in the outskirts who cry out to him. Jesus is a Jew. It seems he is even portrayed as siding with those who show their contempt for the Gentiles by calling them dogs or swine. This closed and...
Mary Gentle or Tough – Jesus the Person
Mary, Gentle or Tough - Do you ever think of Mary as being tough? I always think gentle, full of grace. Mary is gentle and pious, but at the same time is one tough woman. Not with roughness, but a tough love. Mary is portrayed as meek in pictures and statues and in...
Mary, the Intercessor of the Weak and Vulnerable
Listen as Fr. Robert Stone, C.M. explains “Mary, the Intercessor of the Weak and Vulnerable”.
Partners in Transformation: Nonviolence
There are Vincentians of Wherever who share our goals, and who encourage us to adopt further goals. Like Nonviolence. Here is something from the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative for us to consider. From Ched Myers, who is working with one of the follow up committees...
