Greetings of peace, dear ones!
I pray this finds you well and continuing to stay safe. You know I am safe because your are getting lots of emails from me! But this news could not wait:
The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is happy to announce a Special Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year from 24th May 2020 – 24th May 2021. We hope that the anniversary year and the ensuing decade will indeed be a time of grace, a true Kairos experience and “Jubilee” time for the Earth, and for humanity, and for all God’s creatures. The anniversary year will open with Laudato Si’ Week 2020, and will proceed with several initiatives, realized in partnership and with a clear emphasis on “ecological conversion” in “action”. We invite everyone to join us. The urgency of the situation calls for immediate, holistic and unified responses at all levels – local, regional, national and international. We need, above all, “a peoples’ movement” from below, an alliance of all people of good will. As Pope Francis reminds us, “All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” (LS, 14)
For more information, please visit the website in the link above. I have also attached the special anniversary guide for your perusal. I am going through it now; lots of wonderful formation materials there.
Also, did you catch: immediate, holistic and unified responses at all levels – local, regional, national and international. Sounds like they are speaking directly to us Secular Franciscans!
I know several of you have already begun some wonderful initiatives. Please share any and all that you are doing in your families, fraternities, and faith communities – albeit virtually!
Thanks again for your attention and may the Lord continue to keep you safe and give you peace!
Wishing you blessings of peace and all good!
Carolyn D. Townes, OFSNational Animator, Justice, Peace and Integrity of CreationU.S. Secular Franciscan Order
“Journey Together in Love and Compassion“(OFS-USA 2020 Theme)
LAUDATO SI’ Special Anniversary Year Plans