Communique #18

Communique #18            29-08-2020          Beheading of St John the Baptist  

Dear Subscribers

The Church is promoting the global ecumenical initiative of the SEASON OF CREATION which runs from 1 September to 4 October. The 1^st September is the DAY OF PRAYER FOR CREATION and 4^th October is the feast day of St Francis, the patron saint of creation. It is an appropriate moment to re-read Laudato Si’ and to use the prayer for union with creation from Pope Francis' encyclical.

Father, we praise you with all your creatures.

They came forth from your all-powerful hand;

they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.

Praise be to you!

Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made.

You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother.

You became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.

Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory.

Praise be to you!

Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the Father's love

and accompany creation as it groans in travail.

You also dwell in our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good.

Praise be to you!

Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,

teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you.

Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made.

Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.

God of love, show us our place in this world as the channels of your love

for all creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.

Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference,

that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.

The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord seize us with your power and light.

Help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future,

for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty.

Praise be to you!  Amen.

Presentation of the Salesian Mission in Korr (AFE)

Don Bosco, Korr, a mission in the North East of Kenya, is one of the first missions started by the Salesians of Don Bosco in East Africa. Nomadic pastoralists, who relied on their animals, found stability, education for their children and water with the arrival of Salesians. “An Oasis in the Desert” is a 15-minute documentary showing the journey of Korr Mission from 1980 to 2015. It tells us of the reality the pioneers found, the struggle they faced, and the mission’s growth.  Watch: https://youtu.be/HWnmugUKXEY 

As we do each week, we recommend you explore the Safcam.org website at least once a week to discover the latest posts – different in the French section from the English section! Also, if you have time, compare the short clips (5 minutes and less) on YouTube between the DNC and RNC (Republican v Democratic National Convention). Just search those initials and ignore the long clips. The US election campaign provides some entertainment, some education in democracy, but plenty to be depressed about, as both sides demonize each other and cannot see any good in the other. Rather than support individual personalities, it would be important to vote according to the authentic human values which are at stake in the manifestos of each party.

God bless, 

Camiel and Francois