Prayer for the World March 13, 2024

 Pro Life Issues and Catholic Social Teaching

Introduction

Today is Founder’s Day, the anniversary of Fr. Sigstein’s death.   So as we pray today, we thank God for Fr. Sigstein and our vocation to this Congregation.  “Striving to practice the humility, simplicity and zeal exemplified in their early members, the Missionary Sisters seek to maintain the Victory Noll expression of religious life as a ‘life of justice for the sake of the kingdom,’….   Prologue of the OLVM Constitutions

We foster a global vision and a sensitivity to world-wide injustices in order to remain faithful to our corporate vision of discipleship in favor of the poor.  Constitutions of OLVMS, #25

Song:  What have we done for the Poor Ones? By Lori True, youtube.com  https://youtu.be/m9_dAiMfJfs?si=HGqWmxjqxVY1sROo

Focus for Reflection:  Excerpts from a Talk by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades to a Club at St. Mary’s College

“…To be pro-life is to love and protect the unborn, the poor, the marginalized, the sick and suffering, and the elderly and dying.  We need to be united as Catholics, as a people of and for life.  ….   There’s a terrible split that has taken place among some in the Church, a division between so-called ‘pro-life’ and ‘social justice’ Catholics.  This is a false dichotomy.  I see this tendency within the church—sometimes it’s identified as liberal vs. conservative Catholics or left-wing vs. right wing Catholics.  But this is not authentic Catholicism.  Our tradition has never endorsed such a split.  The Church has always had a deep commitment to the dignity of every human person and respect for life from conception to natural death.  It is a very regrettable phenomenon that some Catholics have bought into a segregated view, which distorts the Church’s defense of human life and dignity.”

“We can’t be ‘either-or’ Catholics … we are ‘both-and.’  The Church is profoundly concerned about justice and human rights for all people.  We are profoundly committed to the right to life, which is the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights.  We are also profoundly committed to the right to health care, the right to food and shelter, the right to work, etc.”

Silent Reflection

Suggested Action for this week (from LCWR Transforming Grace) 

This week, listen for the language and images whichencourage harm to a group or individual who is the“other.”Imagine a person in your family, community,neighborhood or organization with whomyou experience some fear when engaging in aconversation about what matters to you.Instead of imagining the conflict, simply be present insilent contemplation. Share the experience. 

Silent Reflection: 

Catholic Social Teaching

The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society.  Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents.  The following key themes are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition:

• Life and Dignity of the Human Person

• Call to Family, Community and Participation

• Rights and Responsibilities

• Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

• The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

• Solidarity

• Care for God’s Creation

Silent Reflection

Closing Prayer

from Catholic Relief Services,

Prayer of Transformation

Lord, in you I am transformedAnd transformed still again.When the discouraged cry for hope, make me hope.When the hungry cry for bread, make me bread.When the thirsty cry for water, make me water.When the suffering cry for help, make me help.When the sick cry for healing, make me healing.When the bound cry for freedom, make me freedom.When the outcasts cry for love, make me love.