On August 6, 2015 – the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord,
Pope Francis established September 1st, as the
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

On this fourth anniversary, let us reflect on his closing paragraph:
“In expressing my hope that, as a result of wide cooperation, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation will be inaugurated and develop in the best way possible, I invoke upon this initiative the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, and of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose Canticle of the Creatures inspires so many men and women of goodwill to live in praise of the Creator and with respect for creation. As a pledge of spiritual fruitfulness, I impart my Apostolic Blessing to you, Eminent Brothers, and to all those who share in your ministry.”

Let us heed these words as we continue to develop cooperative care for all creation.
For some more information on our province efforts, visit JPIC!

Parishioners of our Jonesboro – GA pastoral ministry of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, purchased backpacks and filling them with school supplies such as binders, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil cases, erasers, crayons, glue sticks, and scissors. Their efforts helped to equip a large number of the community’s school children, promoting a positive start to the school year. Included in the backpacks and school supply bags were cards and notes of support, so the students will know that parishioners are praying for a successful school year. The parishioners, staff, volunteers and our friars serving there (Fr. John Koziol, OFM Conv. – Pastor, Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar, Fr. Luis Palacios Rodríguez, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar, and Fr. Martin Breski, OFM Conv. – Photo Cred), hope this act of giving, you reflect an example of “living” our Catholic Social Teachings and our call to serve others; reaching out to our surrounding communities. Members of the Parish Social Justice Committee and supporting ministries distributed the backpacks and school supplies to children on Thursday, July 25, 2019. They also collected slightly used preschool–high school aged books, for the students to peruse. Each child selected a book to take home. Friar John offered a welcoming and prayer at the start of the distribution event, including a blessing on the students, teachers, staff and volunteers at the area schools, as well as a blessing on the generous donors. 

Members of the Parish Youth Group helped facilitate lunch for all of the participants.

From the Heart

“Why the Children?”
Sometimes we stay away from discussing certain issues because they are politically charged and because of that, we become concerned with the ramifications that such discussions will have on us.  Yet, there are issues in our society and in our world that need to be addressed and discussed no matter the consequences. It’s never easy.
We, as a people in our country, have a situation at our southern border that rips apart the human heart, especially when it comes to the children.  The news give us information about the inhumane policies that are creating a cruel environment for these children. As people of good will and as believers in a God of compassion, as revealed to us by Jesus, we need to do everything possible to see the human faces of these children and recognize the situation at the border from a humane point of view.  It cannot be just an “issue.”
When it comes to the situation at our southern border there is enough blame to go around the planet an infinite number of times. Where will such blame game get us? What will it accomplish? What good will it bring to us and to humanity at large?
Why the children?
Do we honestly believe that we have the right to treat children in such a way? What have we become? What do such policies say about who we are?

Let us pray:

Friar Julio serves as pastor of St. Julia Catholic Church, in Siler City, NC

As friars minor, our call to “minority”, or being “lesser”, brings us to a new way of life through a spirit of prayer and devotion, evangelization, and fraternal life.  Our JPIC Summer immersion program seeks to reflect on these Franciscan values and Catholic social teaching in our society now.

Our Province Friars who minister in Coal Township, Shamokin and Trevorton (Pennsylvania) are undertaking a new ministry that will address sustainability in the Coal Region.