Out of the Birdbath and Into the World
Dear Parishioners and Supporters of Immaculate Conception Church,
In just a few days, our parish will, once again, celebrate the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is one of the most popular saints. His countless birdbath statues decorate people’s backyards and homes, including one at our friary. It is so quaint, charming and non-controversial. But the real man whose purpose-driven life continues to inspire people around the globe even after 800 years was a quite radical and controversial figure in his own time. That was true, especially after he crossed the battle line of the Crusades and reached out to the enemy. The overwhelming majority within the Church and the larger medieval society were bent on using violence as a normative solution. Francis dared to explore alternative, non-violent paths to resolving conflicts. Here, I would like to invite you to watch a short documentary entitled: “In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan,” produced by Franciscan Media which elaborates on this topic.
Saint Francis of Assisi and his radical witness of living the Gospel continue to challenge us to do what is ours to do in our world today. This is why I joined 230 faith leaders in signing a letter that calls for robust diplomatic initiatives to end the war and establish a just peace in Ukraine. This action is part of the peace education and advocacy efforts of the Franciscan Action Network.
Please join me during a Week of Global Mobilization for Peace in Ukraine (Sep. 30 to Oct. 8) in calling on Congress to promote diplomacy and peacemaking in Ukraine. This is part of a larger, global mobilization, including the Noble Peace Prize recipient International Peace Bureau in support of an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and prevent a nuclear escalation. Let's help to get Saint Francis out of the birdbath and into the world.
In just a few days, our parish will, once again, celebrate the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is one of the most popular saints. His countless birdbath statues decorate people’s backyards and homes, including one at our friary. It is so quaint, charming and non-controversial. But the real man whose purpose-driven life continues to inspire people around the globe even after 800 years was a quite radical and controversial figure in his own time. That was true, especially after he crossed the battle line of the Crusades and reached out to the enemy. The overwhelming majority within the Church and the larger medieval society were bent on using violence as a normative solution. Francis dared to explore alternative, non-violent paths to resolving conflicts. Here, I would like to invite you to watch a short documentary entitled: “In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan,” produced by Franciscan Media which elaborates on this topic.
Saint Francis of Assisi and his radical witness of living the Gospel continue to challenge us to do what is ours to do in our world today. This is why I joined 230 faith leaders in signing a letter that calls for robust diplomatic initiatives to end the war and establish a just peace in Ukraine. This action is part of the peace education and advocacy efforts of the Franciscan Action Network.
Please join me during a Week of Global Mobilization for Peace in Ukraine (Sep. 30 to Oct. 8) in calling on Congress to promote diplomacy and peacemaking in Ukraine. This is part of a larger, global mobilization, including the Noble Peace Prize recipient International Peace Bureau in support of an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and prevent a nuclear escalation. Let's help to get Saint Francis out of the birdbath and into the world.