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Dear Friars,
For a few beautiful days in October, Bill Linhares, Steve Baker, Pat
Foley and I met at La Vista Gardens, a Community-Supported
Agriculture (CSA) initiative and eco-spirituality center in Godfrey,
IL, run by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. We talked for hours with
Fr. Maurice Lange, OMI about his ministry there and among ourselves
about what we might do for and with our province in a similar way.
The farm that the Oblates have developed on their land spans four
acres and holds a bounty of vegetables and flowers. People in the
community buy a share of every year. It was a joy to behold the
lush crops growing and the produce being distributed one day we were
there. The poor in the area can buy a share of the weekly harvest
for 10% of the regular cost and excess food is given to some food
banks in the area.
Although food is the most tangible relationship people have with the
Oblates, hosting a variety of talks, retreats and celebrations
brings more people to visit. From the video Maurice showed us, a
joyful spirit of community was clear. People are initially drawn by
the food and then curious to learn more about the sacredness of the
way it’s grown and the connection to God’s gracious gift of
creation.
So, what does this mean for the Province of the Immaculate
Conception? The four of us talked about how we could create a
similar venture at St. Bernardine’s and how this fits in with what
we value as a province.
Nobody would dispute that we prize food. When the friars sit down
at table together for a province gathering, joy is palpable. Yes,
it’s the “rich, juicy food and pure, choice wines” (Isaiah 25:6),
but it’s also the togetherness and sharing of lives. We all have
experienced how food is a vehicle for community building; why not go
a step further by raising food that’s grown without chemicals, that
honors the earth and that could be shared with our brothers and
sisters, particularly those in need?
Our new vision statement highlights the notion of hospitality. We
friars are very hospitable, to one another and to all we meet.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to share that gift with more people coming
to the grounds of St. Bernardine’s, as is happening at La Vista
Gardens
We also boast a heritage that speaks to the goodness and
interrelatedness of all creation. How do we make St. Francis’
Canticle of Creatures
resound for those whom we encounter today? A farm and “spirituality
of creation center” could be a tangible sign. We could also offer
talks on our spirituality, especially focusing on Christ and
creation, care of creation and other topics that would draw Secular
Franciscans and others. Our spirituality and charism are powerful
messages that we need to share, as we have expressed at the last few
province chapters.
Right now this is a dream and we don’t know if practical
considerations will make the reality possible. Is it a dream that
you might want to share in? We hope that in the future we will have
further conversations with you and the people in parishes and
fraternities around St. Bernardine’s. Let us consider how this may
be an opportunity to bring Christ to birth in a new way.
Your brother in
Christ and Francis,
John
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