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Laudato Si' Goals

12/13/2022

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A possible fraternity project
Laudato Si Action Platform
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South Sudanese Church leaders praise prosecution of oil executives

12/29/2021

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​A high-profile case involving two top executives of Swedish oil company Lundin Energy has sparked hopes that at last, companies involved in the extractive industries could be forced to respect human rights in the areas in which they operate.

In 2011, the southern part of Sudan in which the human rights abuses are alleged to have occurred became the independent republic of South Sudan.

“It’s first of all fantastic news for the many victims of the crimes,” said.
​

“Also, the international legal importance is already there but will mostly depend on the proceedings; in case of a conviction the trial will set new and higher international standards for business conduct in violent and other high-risk conditions,” he [Wesselink] told Crux.

Such fights are won and it is often the small actions we take in raising our voices that help it get there. FVC​
Learn More at CRUX
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Photo by sergio souza from Pexels
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Make Me An Instrument - Sacred Steps For Living An Inspired Life

10/31/2021

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Make Me An Instrument is a 7 week online journey in the footsteps of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi.

In Make Me An Instrument, Nina and Robert present seven modules featuring a rich mix of multimedia offerings– including LIVE online classes, films from Assisi, interviews, meditations, and weekly assignments.

This soulful program elevates spiritual seekers from self-mastery to sacred service. It’s designed to help you develop the clarity and confidence you need to make a positive change in today’s world. Francis and Clare would tell you: that you, too are unstoppable– when you let love lead the way.
                                               LEARN MORE

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A Promise to the Park

9/7/2021

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Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in Fraternity
A Promise to the Park
Visitors to P.E.I. National Park will now be able to show their support in stewardship of the Parks Canada sites by taking the Park Promise. It's a new initiative that kicked off on June 21, 2021 — National Indigenous Peoples Day. The idea started in January of 2020 with a collaboration between Parks Canada and Mi'kmaw artist, actor and the poet laureate of P.E.I., Julie Pellissier-Lush.
"We were talking about creating something beautiful and long lasting that would be dedicated to the heart and soul of Parks [Canada] here on P.E.I.," said Pellissier-Lush, who is also a knowledge keeper for the P.E.I. Mi'kmaq rights organization L'nuey.
After working on multiple versions to see what would work best, Pellissier-Lush discovered an underlying theme that was coming out. "I was embracing my teachings that I grew up with — my seven sacred teachings and the seven directions — and how all of those things could be used to create something beautiful," she said. 
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How people can take part
Parks Canada launched a website to help visitors to the P.E.I. National Park learn more about the promise and actions people can take. The website includes best practices for visitors with things like properly sharing the space with wildlife, reporting invasive species and bringing out all the things they bring in.

A Promise to the Park
by Julie Pellissier-Lush
It is time to sing the promise it isn't very long The seven directions we learn today will help to make us strong I promise to the East to love flora and fauna I promise to the South to leave the park the way I found it I promise to the West I will respect the land I walk on I promise to the North I will have the courage to be strong… to be strong I promise to the Sky that I will keep her clean I promise to myself that I will follow all my dreams I promise to the Earth, to be a human being And a promise is a promise and I am promising My teachings from the directions are love, humility, respect, courage, truth, wisdom and honesty. My heart will always be here with breathtaking sunsets The water and sand, the dunes and trails with benches for me to rest I promise from my heart in each direction that I know That I will always look after you each day that I grow It's time to sing the promise it isn't very long There are seven directions that will help to keep us strong.

Prayer of Discernment
Yahweh, God of the journey,
you went with the Israelites in the form of a pillar of cloud by day to show them the way,
and by night in the form of a pillar of fire
to give them light for their journey. (Ex.13:21-22).
We long for that kind of assuredness of Your Presence
as we discern the future direction for our fraternity.
We fear the unknown and wonder what the future may hold for us.
A part of us wants to hold on to the blessings we have known
and to rest in the security of letting others take the lead.
Remind us often that we each, in our own way, have gifts to offer our fraternity.
May we be open to your Word and your Way.
Encourage us with a deepened awareness
of the needs of our brothers and sisters in fraternity.
May we have the wisdom to follow the lead of the Spirit
in planning for the future of our fraternity.
​
We ask this through Christ Your Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
​

(Submitted by Doug and Mary Hagen)
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Myths & Facts about the First Nations, Métis and Inuit

7/4/2021

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Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in Fraternity
 Myths & Facts about the First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) – Part One 

Myth #1: Aboriginal people are all the same.
Facts: The term ‘Aboriginal’ is used in the Constitution to describe 3 distinct groups: First Nations (Status & non-Status), Métis and Inuit. Each has a unique history, culture, language and spiritual beliefs. A variety of terms have evolved such as Indian, Native, First Nation and Indigenous. While preferences vary, it is important to take direction from individuals or community as appropriate. A growing trend is the use of specific Nations such as: Mi’kmaq, Maliseet (Wolastoqiyik), Passamaquoddy, Cree, Algonquin, etc.

Myth #2: Aboriginal people get everything for free.
Facts: FNMI are entitled to the same benefits as ALL Canadians including Child Tax Benefit, Old Age Security, Medicare and Employment Insurance. Where treaty rights exist and entitlement is rights-based, they are still subject to regulation and/or funding such as hunting, fishing, housing, education and health. Comprehensive land claims settlements include reserve land and payment of annuities depending on the terms and conditions of their Treaty agreement. It is important to note that government legislation such as Bill C31 and C3 continue to impact rights-based eligibility and access to services.
​
(Excerpt from Culture Card (A Guide to Build Cultural Awareness), published by the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI, and inserted in the Saint Francis of Assisi Fraternity (PEI) July newsletter.)

We can help bridge the divide between the Indigenous peoples and the rest of us by learning more about our Indigenous sisters and brothers and journeying with them. As this fraternity did you can invite an Indigenous leader to come and speak to your fraternity. - FVC
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JPIC Moment at St Francis of Assisi, PEI - March

3/1/2020

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Community and Fraternal Life
​

A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ. (OFS Rule, Art. 13 b)
Think about all the relationships you have in your life. In order to strengthen and nurture those relationships, you must spend quality time with the people in those relationships. During this time, we dialogue, we listen, and we get to know the other person. In our relationship with God we must spend time with 
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God and get to know Him. From that relationship, we are better able to be with our brothers and sister, in family, in community and in fraternity.

Today we need our communities and fraternities. Lives have become busy. Loneliness has heightened and, more and more, people are hiding behind the screens of their online devices.
It is said that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. This applies to all of our relationships, and our apostolic mission is to let people who are struggling know that they are loved. It is also an important message to consider in fraternity. It is important that we develop caring relationships with our brothers and sisters. It is also important that we extend our interaction beyond our monthly meetings. What about taking some time occasionally (setting time aside) to just chat with each other about what is going on in our lives, and offering support and encouragement? This builds community, and community builds vibrant, healthy fraternal life.

(taken from Catholic Teaching and Fraternal Life, Carloyn D. Townes, OFS, National JPIC Animator)
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JPIC Moment at St Francis of Assisi, PEI

2/13/2020

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Justice Peace and Care of Creation
​
Five ways families can help tackle climate crisis
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Today we have five questions for you to think about and come up with ways you and your family can help fight our climate crisis.

  1. What Are You Eating? Food production accounts for 23% of human greenhouse gas emissions. We must adjust our diets. If we eat less or eliminate meat and dairy it is one of the most effective carbon – cutting changes we can make in our homes. Discuss what dietary changes you can make.
  2. What Transportation Do You Use? Globally transportation accounts for 23% (28% in Canada) of human emissions. Suggestions that might help: start riding a bike, car pool, use public transportation when possible. Live car free if possible or drive a smaller car.
  3. How Does Your Home Contribute? Heating both space and water, makes up 80% of residential energy in Canada. Small actions you may take would be to wash clothes in cold water. On a larger scale you might consider retrofitting your home for more energy efficiently.
  4. What Do You Throw Out? On a per capita basis, North Americans produce the highest amount of waste in the world. Most of us know the mantra reduce, reuse, recycle. To reduce, plan carefully and buy only what you need. It saves money and reduces emissions from packaging, transportation and production. Families could consider how they might reuse goods.
  5. Who Can You Influence? Take time to educate yourself on the evidence, causes and effects of climate change. Children are sure to notice when an adult makes an effort to reduce waste. Explain what your actions and choices mean for the environment.
​
These are some ideas you may use. Come up with some of your own. Share ideas with family, friends and your community. Small steps can lead to big change. 
                                                                                     (Article from the PEI Guardian newspaper, Monday Jan. 20, 2020)

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JPIC Moment - Lord, Make Us Instruments of Your Peace

11/5/2019

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Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
From the St. Francis of Assisi, PEI, JPIC Team, November, 2019

 
Lord, Make Us Instruments of Your Peace
by Pope Francis (World Communications Day - January 24, 2018)

​ 
Lord, Make Us Instruments of Your Peace
Help us to recognize the evil concealed in a
communication that does not build communion.

 
Help us to remove the venom
from our judgements.
 
Help us to speak about others
as our brothers and sisters.
You are faithful and trustworthy;
 
May our words be seeds of goodness for the world:
 
Where there is shouting,
let us practice listening;
 
Where there is confusion,
let us inspire harmony;


Where there is ambiguity,
let us bring clarity;

Where there is exclusion,

let us offer solidarity;
 
Where there is sensationalism,
let us bring sobriety;
 
Where there is superficiality,
let us raise real questions;
 
Where there is prejudice,
let us awaken trust;
 
Where there is hostility,
let us bring respect;
 
Where there is falsehood,
let us bring truth.
 
Amen
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St. Maximilian Kolbe Fraternity, Kingston, visits a mosque to celebrate the meeting of St. Francis and the Sultan

10/15/2019

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This photo is the start of our Interfaith visits in the Kingston area for the Saint Maximilian Kolbe Secular Franciscan fraternity. It took place at the Muslim Mosque Sept 24, 2019.

In attendance from left to right Walter Stock, Bob Howard, ofs, Minister; Diane Bruce, ofs, Vice Minister; Patrick Lublink, oef; Jman Ababukar Mulla; Brian Greigson; Friar Ed Debono, ofm conv, Spiritual Advisor and John Walton.
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St. Francis of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ottawa - a JPIC Moment

9/10/2019

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​JPIC Moment
 St. Francis of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity - September 2019
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We challenge you to go further with your commitment to live out our rule. 
 
Rule #18: ” Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate which bear the imprint of the “Most High”, and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.”
The 7 R’s


  • Reduce: use less of something
  • Recycle: re-use the item and make something else with it.
  • Reuse: put it into service or action again
  • Respect: treat with consideration
  • Refuse: avoid buying products that are not sustainable or recyclable.
  • Rethink: think about how you can reuse a product or its materials.
  • Repair: fix or mend items rather than buy new ones.
 
Did you know that you can re-order new bins if yours are damaged or missing by calling the City of Ottawa at 311?                          or click City of Ottawa - Recycling   
 
 Actions: 
1. Our fraternity has decided to reduce its footprints at meetings by recycling materials (paper, plastic, glass and compost) from our potluck meals.
 
2. Members are encouraged to adopt at least one new practice in their daily life and share next month.   
                                                                               Prepares by the JPIC Committee of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity
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