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Justice, Peace and Care of Creation - Fall 2008

Justice and Peace Corner

Br. John Kerr, T.O.R.

Dear Brothers,

It was wonderful being with you during our retreat and having the opportunity to share with you about our proposed eco farm/spirituality center at St. Bernardine�s.� Most of the province joined us for that evening conversation, which tells me that there is a great interest in manifesting our Franciscan charism in another concrete�better yet, down-to-earth�way.

We heard from you both excitement and challenges.� The latter focused on the interest in the Hollidaysburg area of participating in this type of project and having a friar�s face connected to it.� Pat Foley has offered to be at least part of that face, to plant himself at St. Bernardine�s for some time while also doing vocation promotion.� As he speaks with locals about their interest in the initiative, he will have new promotional materials, including the DVD currently under production, and ideas to share with the friars.

For my part, I want to continue to foster the justice in being stewards of our land and producing healthy food for all as well as deeper ways we connect with and preserve our planet.� As the book Care for Creation (Delio, Warren and Wood) expresses so beautifully, we are co-creators with God in the building of the kingdom.� This capacity for co-creation originates in the relationship of Father and Son that emanates in the love of the Spirit.� As the Father has created all in the divine likeness, we are gifted with an abundant love through the Son and Spirit in order to deepen our relationship and commitment to God and others (human and non-human alike). To participate in that relationship of creator-creature is to likewise engage directly in doing the justice that God through Jesus and the Spirit calls us to.

This theology of divine call, indwelling and transformation in Christ, based primarily on Bonaventure, and its application has moved me to change the name of my ministry in the province to director of Justice, Peace & Care of Creation.� I wish I could say I�m being original but this is something many of our religious brothers and sisters have been doing for a few years.� What is more original, however, is the Franciscan nuance of �caring for creation� rather than merely �preserving the integrity of creation.�

If you have any thoughts, please feel free to pass them on.� My hope in the coming year is to visit with all of you about what issues of justice you feel most passionately about and how I can serve you in moving them forward.� As we move toward the fall harvest, may we all experience the rejuvenation of our vocation through the call to be co-creators/co-workers in the Lord�s vineyard.

John�������������������������������������������������������������������������������


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