Move Love Forward

Meeting corrections officers in Philadelphia

Last week the attention of our nation was centered on a person and his message in a way that we have not seen for some time. News of Pope Francis’ presence in Philadelphia was an amazing contrast to the usual news of the day which is primarily focused on violence, racism and money. However, the story lines last week were captured by the themes of mercy, joy and compassion. As evidenced by the crowds in Philly and the multitudes paying attention from afar, it was a welcome message.

But if we see the pope’s visit primarily as words and we continue to move forward without acting differently, his visit will have been in vain. The true message is that we do not need the pope to move us forward. Sure, he has been an incredible messenger, but many of our holy writings, from many of the various religious traditions, contain these themes of mercy, joy and compassion. Take your pick. It is up to us to “move love forward” as the pope challenged us to do.

I was part of a group of people who gathered in Philly for the pope’s visit to remember those in our nation whom we do not see. Some say the opposite of love is hate, but it’s actually apathy and that we do not see one another. Many times we choose to look the other way as being involved takes energy and perhaps a change of heart. Besides, ‘other’ people are doing that work.

ISAIAH of Minnesota and People Improving Communities Through Organizing organized events to coincide with the pope’s visit grounded in the gospel and inspired by a man who is helping us see those for whom society has removed from its vision. ISAIAH works with faith communities toward building economic and racial equity.

We marched through the streets in prayer, calling attention to violence and racism and income inequality. We listened as Cardinal Peter Turkson from the Vatican Office of Peace and Justice reminded us that God created light first – and that we must be about bringing that light to others. We heard Pope Francis’ speech on immigration, and we celebrated Mass with the pope and hundreds of thousands of others.

Through it all we were reminded of who we do not see. So, we go back to our communities to be more in touch, to have encounters as the pope has asked us to do.

In the St. Cloud area, those encounters might be getting to know our immigrant neighbors as you mow the lawn or shop with them in our stores. It could mean you visit the homeless shelters and get a better sense of who is in them and where help is needed.

We know across the St. Cloud school district over half the student population is on free and reduced lunch. In St. Joseph, we connected with Kennedy school and found out that this is true for 31 percent of its students. That must mean that there are needs there that are not being met. How are we seeing them? What can we do?

Already we have taken steps to partner with them in support. Over the next 40 days PICO is calling on all people – not only Catholics – to take part in 40 Days of Faithful Action. What will you do to continue what Pope Francis started in Philly? Two options are coming up:

• “Encountering Our Neighbors” will be 8:45-10:30 a.m. Oct. 27 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell.. Come with your questions, concerns, joys or perhaps fears about our changing community with so many new immigrant and refugee neighbors. Email stfrancissjcc@gmail.com for more information.

• “All Aboard! Getting Northstar to St. Cloud” aims to make sure our voices are heard in advocating for systems that create more inclusion and opportunity here in our region! The event is from 7-9 p.m Nov. 12 at the River’s Edge Convention Center. Registration is encouraged; call 339-1941.

Philadelphia is the city of “brotherly love and sisterly affection,” which was a perfect reflection of recent activities there. Now we are home in this community, where we look forward to working with many of you to continue the work of Pope Francis’ teachings.

How might we respond in moving love forward so that our sisters and brothers can be seen and heard?

This is the opinion of Molly Weyrens, Central Minnesota Catholic Worker.
Molly is a former member of our community and maintains a close connection with us.

Photo: Associated Press

Challenged to be "Nice"

“When people become Christians, they don’t, at the same moment, become nice,” says Eugene H. Peterson in his rendition of the Bible in contemporary language (THE MESSAGE). The Corinthian community was such a community of new Christians and they were not always nice! Though St. Paul was cognizant of this fact, his love for the people extended to both truths—the new life of the early Christian community and the fact that they needed correction of their old ways:

“Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There’s no end to what has happened to you—it’s beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.

“Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus.  He will never give up on you.  Never forget that.

“(BUT) I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master.  I’ll put it as urgently as I can: You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common (1Cor 1).”

To me, St. Paul reads like Jesus or like Pope Francis. Would you agree?  Perhaps you, too, like to read about yourselves in language crafted to our time, our situation, our need for praise and for correction. (You can check your electronic devices for THE MESSAGE: the Bible in Contemporary Language / Eugene H. Peterson).

I live in community. I have been given open access to God through baptism. I am not always nice, even as an octogenarian! How about you?

Renée Domeier, OSB

Photo shows Sister Theresa Lodermeier (l) with a friend

The Visit from the Pope

I often wonder why people are so attracted to Pope Francis. What is it about the Pope that makes us want to listen to another documentary of his life? Why are we infatuated with the Pope? I believe it is because we are seeing an authentic leader who is above all human, vulnerable, paradoxical, kind, and caring.  He is the real thing and people are recognizing it. The Pope is a leader who brings forth a message of joy, mercy and tenderness. I often wonder if this is what people experienced when the encountered the historical Jesus. The Pope mirrors the gospel back to us when we can’t get our head around it. 

We breathe a sigh of relief that we have a pragmatic pope who wants to wear comfortable shoes and drive less expensive cars. He has made it clear he is a Pope to and for the people. He has brought the words "ordinary" and "humility" front and center to the Church.

Pope Francis is a man who truly has taken on the role of shepherding a flock – ironically his flock is the planet. He genuinely cares about connection and it doesn’t just stop with the Catholic Church. He is genuinely concerned about the family, systems of oppression, building bridges for dialogue and the planet's environment.

I believe we are attracted to this Pope because he has the courage to think big, generously and be inclusive. He reminds us we are one and but does not shirk pointing out how divided we have become. He calls us back to connection and oneness, not in shame but in faith and hope. He has the capacity to hold the opposing view so sincerely and thoughtfully, and to top it with off with cheerfulness, so that he makes it hard for anyone to want to demonize our enemies or political opponents.  

And overall he remains vulnerable with a hospitable heart. As a matter of fact he is so hospitable that he is willing to come to richest nation on earth.  Why? Maybe to remind us Americans that, believe it or not, we are not center of the universe but a nation blessed by God who values freedom, a humble spirit and a hospitable heart.   

Trish Dick, OSB