FMM and Care of CreationFMM (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) is an international network for social justice, peace and care of creation. FMM who are involved in different areas of society, see the necessity of collaborating, creating networks, of learning, of being more informed, and of sharing their experiences of justice, peace and integrity of creation. For these reasons, they wish to develop a network to increase and improve their work together. They feel a newsletter will help them connect, share information, receive spiritual ideas, deepen certain pertinent issues, reflect together to better serve others and to take care of our common home.
Desperate Rohingya Flee Myanmar on Trail of Suffering.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 2017
As followers of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of peace, we, the Franciscans Friars of the United States join with the many public and religious leaders and fellow-citizens who have condemned the recent violence in Charlottesville, VA. We hold that all forms of racism, white supremacy, neo-nazism, xenophobia and hatred are wrong. Because we believe that every person is created by God in love, we also hold that disrespect or diminishment of—or violence against--anyone offends not only that person but also the One who created that person. As Franciscans, we strive to be bridge-builders. Read full letter........ Comment: What could we as Secular Franciscans do in similar situations? FVC |
Latest Edition of Fair Trade Magazine
Fairtrade co-ops in Peru, New Campus Standards, and more!
View the full magazine now in circulation and available on-line.
Let us Begin Now........
St Francis of Assisi calls on us to continually begin again as new creations in Christ dependant on God's Mercy and Goodness. Thanks to Br Richard for this reflection.
Richard Hendrick
June 29 at 6:36am (link)
Richard Hendrick
June 29 at 6:36am (link)
"When do I begin?", said the novice
"Now." said the Master
"Why now?" said the novice.
"There is no other place to begin." said the Master
"What of the past?" asked the novice.
"That is the place of wisdom." said the Master.
"What of the future?" said the novice.
"That is the place of hope." said the Master.
"So what then is now?" said the novice.
"It is the place of Love;
and Love alone allows you
to begin again in freedom
in each succeeding now." said the Master.
"So let us begin; now."
The novice said nothing,
the Master just smiled;
and both walked on,
beginning.
Protect Our Waters: Say No To Plastic Waste
Today on World Oceans Day, people around the world are turning their attention to a huge threat to our seas: ocean plastics. Unfortunately, this issue is one that deserves attention every day of the year, but it doesn’t get it.
A recent study estimates that plastics will outweigh fish in our seas by 2050. It’s numbers like this that moved a college student from Ontario to start a global movement on Change.org to combat ocean plastics, and encourage his country to take stronger actions to prevent sea pollution.
A recent study estimates that plastics will outweigh fish in our seas by 2050. It’s numbers like this that moved a college student from Ontario to start a global movement on Change.org to combat ocean plastics, and encourage his country to take stronger actions to prevent sea pollution.
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Fair Trade Month
While every day should be a celebration of Fairtrade products, May is Fair Trade Month, a time to come together to celebrate and demand fair deals for farmers and workers around the globe. There will also be a special celebration happening the weekend of World Fair Trade Day! Take part in the biggest Fairtrade celebration ever from May 12-14! Consult Fairtrade Canada's digital toolkit which includes an array of resources from social media images and messaging, logos, producers photos and more! |
Development and Peace - 50 Years of Solidarity - Prayer
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Loving God, You who created everything that is good; You who stretch out the heavens like a tent. You have made us for each other. You call us from our isolation into one community of love. Your voice is sure and strong. We come from many places, and yet we are woven together in Your Spirit. Together, we hear the cry of the poor, bearing the weight of injustice. Together, we see the pain of the Earth as her beauty is destroyed. And together, we hear your voice most clearly: Calling us to join in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in need; Calling us to commit ourselves, as Ruth to Naomi saying, “Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay.” O Lord, stretch the canvas of our hearts that we might make room for the suffering of all humanity, and of all creation. Today, by your grace, we join our lives to those who labour in the fields – those who are weighed down by injustice and those who work to build the world according to your way. Lead us in the way of discipleship – the way of love, of faith, of justice, and of peace – the way that has always been yours. Amen.
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Famine in Africa: Somalia on the brink - Aleteia
Red Cross warns that the world has three or four months to prevent disaster
UN Photo - Stuart Price
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The humanitarian situation in Somalia is “rapidly deteriorating,” and famine is a strong possibility this year, the United Nations says. Its statement, issued March 24, echoed a dire warning by the International Committee of the Red Cross that the world has only three to four months to save millions of people in Yemen and Somalia from starvation.
Drought and civil conflict have led to extreme conditions in several African nations, and some areas are already experiencing famine. Spreading disease is complicating matters. READ FULL ARTICLE |
NEW - CIOFS publication VOX Franciscana
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Fair Trade Magazine, Winter/Spring 2017 Edition
Another world is needed. Together it is possible!
Another world is needed. Together it is possible!
by Andrew Conradi, ofs
Laudato Si’ (LS) - A call to action: final in a series on the 2016 World Social Forum (WSF) held in Montreal
Benedict XVI (2012), in a Message to the International Catholic Action Forum, clearly stated that the responsibility of the laity in the New Evangelization is one of co-responsibility with the clergy: “At this stage in history, work in the light of the Church’s social teaching to become a laboratory of “globalization of solidarity and charity”, in order to grow with the entire Church in the co-responsibility of offering a future of hope to humanity, by having the courage to make even demanding proposals.”
“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (LS, 217)
What can we do, as D&P - Caritas Canada puts it, to create a climate of change? We must continue to raise our awareness but ultimately it comes down to this: will the many voices of people calling for lasting change be stronger than the powerful interests working behind the scenes to defend the power of the few? As the Pope asked in LS : “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (160)
As examples of injustice in an earlier article I mentioned Exon and its funding of deliberate climate denial. I could have reminded readers of the tobacco industry for years denying tobacco was harmful; the fact that OceanaGold is suing El Salvador for $3M for denying a mining permit based on environmental and local community concerns - the case has dragged on for seven years; Volkswagen’s emissions fraud; and the recent revelations about the Harvard scientists who were paid to direct attention away from sugar’s potential health risks. Then there is tax avoidance e.g.: “money-launderers buy multimillion dollar properties in Vancouver, flip them for enormous profits, and live like potentates while reporting poverty-level incomes but seem to attract no scrutiny from the tax authorities.” (The Vancouver Sun, 15 Sept 2016)
How can you become aware and make your voice heard for justice for all creatures as Pope Francis asks us in Laudato Si’ (179)? This does bear repeating: “Society, through non-governmental organizations and intermediate groups, must put pressure on governments to develop more rigorous regulations, procedures and controls. Unless citizens control political power – national, regional and municipal – it will not be possible to control damage to the environment.”
How can you counter the fact that multi-national companies in pursuit of profit infiltrate all systems, economic, academic and political? Use the internet and sources you trust!
I will only cite three but there are many others. First, Development and Peace-Caritas Canada; second, the Global Catholic Climate Movement and third, MiningWatch Canada. When you feel confident that you understand enough you can then put pressure on corporations and governments by signing petitions.
A true leader, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa leads a 'prayer march'
against the building of coal plants in Batangas, Philippines, 17 March 2016.
As an example you could sign Development and Peace-Caritas Canada’s petition card (coming this fall) to Prime Minister Trudeau to support small farmers and agroecology. This campaign will be supported by the Canadian Bishops. Sign either the cards you get in church or sign online. You could go to the Global Catholic Climate Movement’s website and become a Laudato Si’ animator and spread the word about the encyclical itself and the Season of Creation which will occur every year.
As Ilia Delio, osf has written, some see St Francis of Assisi as “the first [Catholic] materialist” because of the way he looked on the material world -- not for what it is but for how it is -- God’s creation.” As Angela of Foligno, a lay Franciscan, said: “This world is pregnant with God!” And then there is the Jesuit founder St. Ignatius of Loyola who said: "Find God in all things."
This leads me to remember that: “ ..... purchasing is always a moral — and not simply economic — act. Hence the consumer has a specific social responsibility ....." (Benedict XVI, 2009, Caritas in veritate, 66)
Seventh and final article in a series of articles by Andrew Conradi, ofs on the 2016 World Social Forum. The first was a general introduction and touched on lifestyle and values, followed by mining, climate, and agroecology. The last three covered why we need to act and what we can do to help bring about the necessary changes to implement Laudato Si’.
by Andrew Conradi, ofs
Laudato Si’ (LS) - A call to action: final in a series on the 2016 World Social Forum (WSF) held in Montreal
Benedict XVI (2012), in a Message to the International Catholic Action Forum, clearly stated that the responsibility of the laity in the New Evangelization is one of co-responsibility with the clergy: “At this stage in history, work in the light of the Church’s social teaching to become a laboratory of “globalization of solidarity and charity”, in order to grow with the entire Church in the co-responsibility of offering a future of hope to humanity, by having the courage to make even demanding proposals.”
“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (LS, 217)
What can we do, as D&P - Caritas Canada puts it, to create a climate of change? We must continue to raise our awareness but ultimately it comes down to this: will the many voices of people calling for lasting change be stronger than the powerful interests working behind the scenes to defend the power of the few? As the Pope asked in LS : “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (160)
As examples of injustice in an earlier article I mentioned Exon and its funding of deliberate climate denial. I could have reminded readers of the tobacco industry for years denying tobacco was harmful; the fact that OceanaGold is suing El Salvador for $3M for denying a mining permit based on environmental and local community concerns - the case has dragged on for seven years; Volkswagen’s emissions fraud; and the recent revelations about the Harvard scientists who were paid to direct attention away from sugar’s potential health risks. Then there is tax avoidance e.g.: “money-launderers buy multimillion dollar properties in Vancouver, flip them for enormous profits, and live like potentates while reporting poverty-level incomes but seem to attract no scrutiny from the tax authorities.” (The Vancouver Sun, 15 Sept 2016)
How can you become aware and make your voice heard for justice for all creatures as Pope Francis asks us in Laudato Si’ (179)? This does bear repeating: “Society, through non-governmental organizations and intermediate groups, must put pressure on governments to develop more rigorous regulations, procedures and controls. Unless citizens control political power – national, regional and municipal – it will not be possible to control damage to the environment.”
How can you counter the fact that multi-national companies in pursuit of profit infiltrate all systems, economic, academic and political? Use the internet and sources you trust!
I will only cite three but there are many others. First, Development and Peace-Caritas Canada; second, the Global Catholic Climate Movement and third, MiningWatch Canada. When you feel confident that you understand enough you can then put pressure on corporations and governments by signing petitions.
A true leader, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa leads a 'prayer march'
against the building of coal plants in Batangas, Philippines, 17 March 2016.
As an example you could sign Development and Peace-Caritas Canada’s petition card (coming this fall) to Prime Minister Trudeau to support small farmers and agroecology. This campaign will be supported by the Canadian Bishops. Sign either the cards you get in church or sign online. You could go to the Global Catholic Climate Movement’s website and become a Laudato Si’ animator and spread the word about the encyclical itself and the Season of Creation which will occur every year.
As Ilia Delio, osf has written, some see St Francis of Assisi as “the first [Catholic] materialist” because of the way he looked on the material world -- not for what it is but for how it is -- God’s creation.” As Angela of Foligno, a lay Franciscan, said: “This world is pregnant with God!” And then there is the Jesuit founder St. Ignatius of Loyola who said: "Find God in all things."
This leads me to remember that: “ ..... purchasing is always a moral — and not simply economic — act. Hence the consumer has a specific social responsibility ....." (Benedict XVI, 2009, Caritas in veritate, 66)
Seventh and final article in a series of articles by Andrew Conradi, ofs on the 2016 World Social Forum. The first was a general introduction and touched on lifestyle and values, followed by mining, climate, and agroecology. The last three covered why we need to act and what we can do to help bring about the necessary changes to implement Laudato Si’.
Exxon’s decades of deceit
A timeline of what Exxon knew about climate science, and
what they’ve done to deny, hide, and muddy the truth.
what they’ve done to deny, hide, and muddy the truth.
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WHEN EXXON KNEW....
A 70 year timeline of what Exxon knew about climate change and what they did (and didn't do) about it. See the shocking timeline here. Take ACTION |
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Season of Creation
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Latin American organizations hope for stronger accountability of Canadian mining overseas.April 25, 2016
Montreal |
Development and Peace and Mining Watch Canada are calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to give special attention to an open letter from close to 200 Latin American and international organizations urging for sweeping change to Canada’s foreign policy regarding the global mining sector.
READ THE FULL LETTER....
".... copy of the letter to Trudeau from mainly Latin American organizations including Franciscans International and some other OFM and Catholic entities.
Please, if you know how to twitter (I have never done that - yet!), spread the word as is suggested and put it on social media with the hashtag CANADAmining." Andrew Conradi, JPIC Director/Animator
READ THE FULL LETTER....
".... copy of the letter to Trudeau from mainly Latin American organizations including Franciscans International and some other OFM and Catholic entities.
Please, if you know how to twitter (I have never done that - yet!), spread the word as is suggested and put it on social media with the hashtag CANADAmining." Andrew Conradi, JPIC Director/Animator
Franciscans International NewsOur own Doug Clorey, ofs, FI President, meets Pope Francis.
Go to the connecting story at our Franciscans International page. |
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12 PRINCIPLES FOR LIVING SUSTAINABLY
David Suzuki’s Green Guide cuts away the stress and confusion of living sustainably by breaking down the impact that our complex modern lifestyle has on the environment. Beyond the simple acts of reducing, reusing, recycling, and repairing what we have—here are David Suzuki’s top 12 principles to help you achieve the goal of living sustainably. See the guide.
Franciscan International
The Mining Working Group at UN
As part of the Mining Working Group (MWG) at the United Nations, Franciscans International has been actively communicating with Member States and UN authorities regarding human rights concerns and environmental degradation relating to extractive industries. ....READ MORE
November 04th, 2013
Fracking on Hold - NFLD
The Newfoundland and Labrador government says it won't look at an application for fracking near Gros Morne National Park until it's satisfied the process is safe for people and the environment.
Natural Resources Minister Derrick Dalley made the announcement Monday in the house of assembly.
Read more........
Also see more about fracking from: National Geographics Daily News.
The largest recorded earthquake in Oklahoma history was likely triggered by the injection of wastewater from oil production into wells deep beneath the earth, according to a study published Tuesday in the scientific journal Geology.
The magnitude 5.7 earthquake, which struck in 2011 near Prague in central Oklahoma, is the largest and most recent of a number of quakes scientists have tied to waste-water injection from oil and natural gas production, raising new concerns about the practice.
Advanced methods of oil and gas drilling create massive amounts of toxic waste-water. For example, hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, uses high-pressure water to unlock natural gas from shale formations. Drillers also use water to force oil from wells that cannot be captured through traditional methods, part of a practice known as "enhanced oil recovery." Read more...
Also see our Ethical Use of Resources page.
October 16th, 2013
Avaaz.org works!
Dear amazing community,
I often get asked by Avaazers, “what happens after I sign a petition?” And the truth is, a HECK of a lot! Every Avaaz campaign springs from a massive global mandate, and then zeroes in on the best way for our voices to win. Here’s just (one) of our victories from the last few weeks:
"Last week, we raised a $1 million challenge grant in a few days to donor governments to put Syrian refugee kids in school. At a UN meeting, I was able to put a cheque on the table and issue the challenge on behalf of over 40,000 Avaaz donors. UN Education Envoy Gordon Brown, who chaired the meeting, called our community's effort a "magnificent and impactful intervention" in getting other governments to give! "
The Avaaz Team, Avaaz.org
October 09th, 2013
Malala Yousafzia speaks to the United Nations
Published on Jul 12, 2013
Pakistani girl celebrates her 16th birthday on day she speaks to United Nations' student delegates. Hear her speech......
September 24th, 2013
D&P Education Campaign
Mining and Extraction
Here is the D&P 2013 Education Campaign on mining and extraction. It includes an action card addressed to Members of Parliament, calling for the creation of a legislated, extractive sector ombudsman in Canada. Supporters of the campaign can sign the card and send it to the Development and Peace office in Montreal (it includes prepaid postage). Development and Peace will present the cards to respective MPs in Ottawa in May 2014.
Hopefully many Canadian Franciscans and others will sign. Read more....
Fracking on Hold - NFLD
The Newfoundland and Labrador government says it won't look at an application for fracking near Gros Morne National Park until it's satisfied the process is safe for people and the environment.
Natural Resources Minister Derrick Dalley made the announcement Monday in the house of assembly.
Read more........
Also see more about fracking from: National Geographics Daily News.
The largest recorded earthquake in Oklahoma history was likely triggered by the injection of wastewater from oil production into wells deep beneath the earth, according to a study published Tuesday in the scientific journal Geology.
The magnitude 5.7 earthquake, which struck in 2011 near Prague in central Oklahoma, is the largest and most recent of a number of quakes scientists have tied to waste-water injection from oil and natural gas production, raising new concerns about the practice.
Advanced methods of oil and gas drilling create massive amounts of toxic waste-water. For example, hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, uses high-pressure water to unlock natural gas from shale formations. Drillers also use water to force oil from wells that cannot be captured through traditional methods, part of a practice known as "enhanced oil recovery." Read more...
Also see our Ethical Use of Resources page.
October 16th, 2013
Avaaz.org works!
Dear amazing community,
I often get asked by Avaazers, “what happens after I sign a petition?” And the truth is, a HECK of a lot! Every Avaaz campaign springs from a massive global mandate, and then zeroes in on the best way for our voices to win. Here’s just (one) of our victories from the last few weeks:
"Last week, we raised a $1 million challenge grant in a few days to donor governments to put Syrian refugee kids in school. At a UN meeting, I was able to put a cheque on the table and issue the challenge on behalf of over 40,000 Avaaz donors. UN Education Envoy Gordon Brown, who chaired the meeting, called our community's effort a "magnificent and impactful intervention" in getting other governments to give! "
The Avaaz Team, Avaaz.org
October 09th, 2013
Malala Yousafzia speaks to the United Nations
Published on Jul 12, 2013
Pakistani girl celebrates her 16th birthday on day she speaks to United Nations' student delegates. Hear her speech......
September 24th, 2013
D&P Education Campaign
Mining and Extraction
Here is the D&P 2013 Education Campaign on mining and extraction. It includes an action card addressed to Members of Parliament, calling for the creation of a legislated, extractive sector ombudsman in Canada. Supporters of the campaign can sign the card and send it to the Development and Peace office in Montreal (it includes prepaid postage). Development and Peace will present the cards to respective MPs in Ottawa in May 2014.
Hopefully many Canadian Franciscans and others will sign. Read more....
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Pope's Intention for July
“Lapsed Christians: That our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the faith, through our prayer and witness to the Gospel, may rediscover the merciful closeness of the Lord and the beauty of the Christian life.”
“Lapsed Christians: That our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the faith, through our prayer and witness to the Gospel, may rediscover the merciful closeness of the Lord and the beauty of the Christian life.”
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Franciscan Voice Canada
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contact@franciscanvoicecanada.com
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contact@franciscanvoicecanada.com