We continue Pope Francis encyclical letter entitled Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and social friendship. This week is a summary of Chapter 8 by Brendan Gottschall, SJ.
Chapter 8 – Religions at the Service of Fraternity in Our World
In this final chapter, the pope asserts the essential role that the different religions of the world should play in fostering universal fraternity. Religions remind humanity of the existence of transcendent truth which is the source of human dignity. Moreover, religious formation fortifies human consciences against the individualism and materialism that underlie the divisions and polarizations in our world. The Roman Pontiff calls for greater collaboration among religions “for the common good and the promotion of the poor” (282). Finally, Pope Francis quotes directly from the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” which he signed in February 2019 with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi, committing again, in the name of God, to a path of peace and dialogue toward greater human fraternity.
Fr. Michael Tierney
Fr. Michael Tierney, former pastor of Holy Spirit Parish, passed away this week. As of now there is no date set for the funeral. The family is planning on a small private service with family, close friends, and close priest friends. Please keep Fr. Tierney in your prayers.
Catholic/Lutheran Bible Study
Wednesday Bible Study will take a break until January 13th. They will meet on Zoom at 11:00 AM and read Revelation 1 for their next study. The Zoom link will be available after Christmas.
Christmas Giving Tree
Please return your gifts and tags for the giving tree by this Sunday, December 20.
You can find this week's Prayers of the Faithful here.
Fr. Mike
