Anthony Mullin is the founding executive director of the Thomas Berry Place, a non-profit center for spirituality, community empowerment, and ecological stewardship, in New York City. In this conversation with Kyle Kramer, Director of the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center, Anthony reflects on the vision and values that guide the work of what he describes as a spiritual startup. Image: With permission from Br. Mickey McGrath OSFS
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We had accomplished so much in just those few days during our 35th Provincial Chapter, June 5 to 11, 2019. We had affirmed many exciting proposals that arose from our Visioning process. Approaching the conclusion of our gathering, Fr. Clemente Barron asked me to help with some language for a final declaration which could be the "icing on the cake" for our time together. I agreed and Clemente crafted most of it. While the declaration was not acted upon during that Chapter, I am happy to celebrate and raise it up again now as it seems so right for the signs of our times. Clemente reflected that at the Chapter, "Fr. Joachim gave us this stirring image of the statue of St. Paul of the Cross in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome: St. Paul of the Cross pointing to the Crucifix which he holds in his left hand with his right hand. He does not point to himself. As I reread this reflection, I think this is St. Paul of the Cross pointing to the living crucifix today." From the declaration: "It is being at the foot of the Cross where we Passionists are reminded of the cost of redemptive love, as we gaze on the dying Jesus the Christ. The foot of the Cross reminds us to be in solidarity with everyone who has ever lived and who will breathe the air we do in the future. It is the Cross that gives us hope and the courage to commit to creating a better community, a better world and sustaining God’s beautiful creation. As Passionists, we commit to prayer. We also commit to education, advocacy, and action at the local and national scene. We resolve to commit to this work, in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our cities and states where we live." Read the entire declaration here. In his latest news report from Haiti, following the assassination of the president, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, then followed by a direct hit from tropical storm Grace, Fr. Hugo Esparza begins with a piece titled Grace and Bleakness. In the story he addresses those who have said to him that "these tragedies, which give no break to the Haitian people, are because these beautiful and people have been consecrated to Satan." But no, he says! "The life of the disciple is to plant the Kingdom, fields of justice, truth, compassion, etc. More so, we are called to sustain the grace of redemption as we face the bleakness of our sin and the power of our accuser, Satan, fully displayed before us in the fruit of the weeds of corruption, the mendacity in Haitian Politics; neo-colonization, the not-too-invisible-hand of first world powers, interventionism; the arms industry, that makes a few millions of dollars by arming our thugs and police, at the same time; and hunger, sustained by intermediaries who raise the price of the basic food the poor can afford." We are pleased that Fr. Hugo was recently joined by Father Julián Díez González, CP (Sacred Hearth Province). Fr. Julián is from Infinillas, Northern Spain and has been a missionary in the lands of Central America for two decades: in Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Chile. With permission of his Provincial he has come to accompany and reinforce our Mission in Haiti. Read Fr. Hugo's latest newsletter here Please keep the work of the Passionists in Haiti in your prayers, and if you can, make a donation to their work through the website setup by Fr. Hugo Esparza CP. (it also includes Hugo's great podcast, Ask A Haitian | Ask a Foreigner) It is here: https://spphaiti.com/ |
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