We continue Pope Francis encyclical letter entitled Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and social friendship. This week is a summary of Chapter 5 by Brendan Gottschall, SJ.
Chapter 5 – A Better Kind of Politics
In the political sphere, Pope Francis discusses two movements that hinder our ability to see the world as open and having a place for all people: populism and liberalism. Populism distorts the notion of a “people” in a closed and exclusionary way. Liberalism, specifically neoliberalism, exalts the marketplace as the solution to all problems, to the benefit only of those in power. Citing St. John Paul II, Pope Francis imagines a nobler politics that puts social love at the forefront rather than economics. Political love is practiced in sacrifice for those in greatest need, but in accord with subsidiarity so that it does not become “a soulless pragmatism” (187). This requires politicians to strive for “fruitfulness” over “results”: “what is important is not constantly achieving great results… It is truly noble to place our hope in the hidden power of the seeds of goodness we sow, and thus to initiate processes whose fruits will be reaped by others” (194-195). Thus, politics should focus on the long-term common good. Concretely, the pope also calls for reform of the U.N. and an end to human trafficking.
Christmas masses
You will soon receive a postcard in the mail with the Christmas schedule. Christmas masses this year will be December 24; 2:00, 4:30, 7:00 and 10:00 PM. On December 25; 10:00 AM. Attendance will be by signup only beginning Tuesday, December 1. I encourage you to sign up early for the Christmas mass you are planning to attend.
Neil Kelly memorial mass
Friday, November 27th, at 11:00 a.m. we will have a Memorial Mass for parishioner Neil Kelly. Remember Neil in your prayers and keep his wife, Marge, in your prayers, too.
You can find this week's Prayers of the Faithful here.
Fr. Mike
