Fasting and Feasting - JPIC in Fraternity 3

The Last Supper, Salvador Dali

Here is a summary of the anonymous responses to February's challenges of “being for the poor” and “being welcoming and non-judgmental”:

1. “I gave an anonymous donation to the Salvation Army to their Home Heating Assistance program for those in need in our community.”
2. ”During Lent 2014, ... I will consult with the parish to determine the need and the opportunity to collaborate (i.e. cost-share) with the parish community to address the basic family need to keep warm and healthy.”
3. “I need to constantly work on accepting and welcoming newcomers, especially people of other faiths...  I believe this to be my biggest ‘Leper’.”
4. ... I resolve to look at and think of others as I wish to be thought of.”
5. “Since we are all lepers in need of healing, I begin with myself and embrace and celebrate all that is good in me.  Then, can I reach out to my family and Franciscan family and focus on that divine seed in each, rather than react to behaviors that may annoy.”
6. “I am really trying to be inclusive and non-judgmental with a certain colleague at work.  It isn’t easy!”
   

The St. Francis of Assist Fraternity share the anonymous responses to the challenges they set themselves in February - see the left-hand column.

During their March meeting, they also worked on two other items:

1. Pope Francis’ third goal:  A Feminine Church and
   
2. Fasting and Feasting during Lent - a novel approach

Fraternity members have agreed to try and respond to the following challenges over the coming month: 
As a Franciscan and inspired by the following phrases, what specific action can I take during Lent to FAST and FEAST appropriately?

• Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling within them.
• Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
  

• Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
• Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

At their April 13 fraternity meeting, they will once again collect written anonymous responses to share with us all. A warm "Thank you" to the St. Francis of Assisi JPIC Committee (Mike, Doug, Louise and Marion) for your continued rich sharing.