Congregational E-News ~ Sept. 15, 2018
I can never picture God as someone to fear---probably because no one ever portrayed God that way to me. Mysterious?---Yes, but never fearful. I find that God is patient---knowing at times that I’m not quite ready for “big steps but occasionally giving me a little nudge as if to say, “Come on---you can do this!” Who is God to you? If you envision God as someone fearful, who or what gave you that idea? Tell God about it---and then give the gentle God of love a chance!
And God Comes

Your door is open
oh so slightly…
I remember when it closed,
shut tight in fear,
but now, at least,
that oh so slight opening,
a sliver really
so the light can enter,
a light that barely touches
darkened depths
but still
that glimmer whispers hope;
a nudge…
more like a gentle breath…
and the sliver widens
till I can stand
within its space,
waiting quietly,
patient
till your eyes lose their fear
and quiet breathing tells me
I am welcomed
in your
heart.

Ann Marie Slavin, OSF

3D Printed Guns
With the myriad problems of violence facing our country and our world, it’s difficult to imagine that there are those among us that are actively trying to find new ways to get more guns in the public’s hands. But that is the horrifying reality.

Defense Distributed, a Texas-based “nonprofit” gained a settlement with the U.S. State Department that will allow the company to release blueprints to downloadable guns, also known as “ghost guns,” that can be manufactured by anyone with a 3D printer. These guns have no serial numbers—thus are untraceable—and are made of plastic, rendering metal detectors useless against them.

Defense Distributed’s founder, Cody Wilson, recently tweeted a photograph of a grave marked “American gun control.” Wilson shared his design for a 3D gun online in 2012. The plans were downloaded more than 100,000 times before federal officials blocked the site. A long legal battle ensued, culminating in the settlement with the State Department. The ruling will allow blueprints to be downloaded starting August 1. The company’s website features the Liberator pistol along with an AR-15, the weapon of choice in American mass shootings, and a VZ-58, a Czechoslovakian assault rifle.

Defense Distributed markets itself as a provider of products for hobbyists with one item’s description stating “Legally manufacture unserialized rifles and pistols in the comfort and privacy of home.” However, David Chipman, a 25 year veteran of with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, told Vice News that the homemade guns favored by hobbyists have since become popular with criminals. Ghost guns are being used as a way to circumvent assault weapon regulations.

The 3D printers needed to make the guns can cost from $5,000 to $600,000, with the quality of plastic being key. An early design printed by federal agents shattered after one shot. A second gun, made from a higher grade resin, stayed intact.

As socially responsible investors, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia will use our financial investments to urge positive change to corporate policies allowing access to these weapons. Since the guns will be manufactured by anyone with a 3D printer and the appropriate plastic material, investors must approach the printer manufacturers to push for change. Six of the 10 largest manufacturers are American companies, including the top three: 3D Systems, ExOne, and Hewlett Packard. As holders of Hewlett Packard common stock, the Sisters of St. Francis will approach the company for a dialogue.

In a sign of hope, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced his intention to file a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration over the decision to allow plans for 3D printed “ghost guns” to be released online. The Pennsylvania governor, attorney general, and state police have successfully sued to block the company from distributing their plans to Pennsylvanians. Unless the blueprints for these unregistered and untraceable weapons can be prevented from being released, America—and the entire world—face a more violent and inhumane future.

To get involved, we encourage everyone to contact their senators and representatives to urge them to support a total ban on access to the blueprints for downloadable weapons.

Tom McCaney
Associate Director - Corporate Social Responsibility
Companions in Mission - Sharing in Our Charism
Check out our new video about our companion program! Beginning in 1986, the congregation formally recognized the desire of many lay persons to become more closely aligned with the prayer life and ministry of the congregation. The Franciscan Companions in Mission (FCM) program resulted, welcoming interested persons to identify with the sisters as Companions in Faith, Companions in Prayer, or Companions in Ministry.

Learn more about the companion program by visiting our website or check out the latest edition of the Good News magazine which includes comments and feedback from current companions on what being a part of the program means to them.

24th Annual Golf Tournament - Online Auction Now Open
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AUCTION ITEMS AND START BIDDING

You can bid on such items as:

Eagles Tickets - Four tickets to your choice of one of four regular season home games: Carolina Panthers (10/21), Dallas Cowboys (11/11), New York Giants (11/25), or Washington Redskins (12/3). Lower Level seats.

Phillies Tickets - Two tickets to the Tuesday, June 11, 2019, game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Seats are 5 rows behind the Phillies dugout. Package includes a basket filled with Phillies memorabilia.

Red Hill Farm: Half Share of fresh organic produce from the farm to you. From early June to mid-November (24 weeks), you will enjoy a half-share from the Red Hill Farm of common produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, peas, and some unusual items like kale, swiss chard, and leeks.

HOW TO BID
  • Go on the link above.
  • Select the item on which you would like to bid.
  • Enter the amount of your bid.
  • Login or register (complete information form) to place your bid
  • You will then receive a welcome text message from a 247-00 number.
  • You will be alerted to any bid activity and given the chance to rebid.
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Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia | 610-558-7726 | communications@osfphila.org | www.osfphila.org