"We're All in this Together": Exploring Pope Francis's encyclicals, Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti

Lent – a season of repentance and conversion.  Pope Francis continuously calls us to see the world through a different lens, a lens which emphasizes the unconditional and unending love of God for all God has created; a lens which highlights the connectedness of all God has created.  In Laudato Si’, written in 2015, he writes the earth “cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.” (LS#2) In his most recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, released in 2020, he writes:

 “It is my desire that, in this our time, by acknowledging the dignity of each human person, we can contribute to the rebirth of a universal aspiration to fraternity.” (FT#8) Pope Francis says that each encyclical was inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, a saint who “did not wage a war of words aimed at imposing doctrines … [but] simply spread the love of God.” (FT#4)

Let us attempt to spread that love of God, as we discern the message contained in these two encyclicals and reflect on how we are called to respond.  Join Sr. Denise Lirette, fj and Dr. Andrew Wilson on February 18, March 4 and March 18 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. While it is our intent to offer a hybrid of these sessions, given the fluidity of the COVID-19 challenges, we are uncertain at this time, whether in-person gatherings will be able to happen, so it may have to be all virtual.  We’ll keep you posted.  For now, register with Ellen.