Attending my first Parliament of the World's Religions conference was a deeply enriching experience. This conference served as a powerful reminder of the importance of interfaith dialogue in today's world. In a time when division often takes precedence, the Parliament provided a remarkable platform for diverse religious and spiritual traditions to come together, fostering mutual respect, cooperation, and harmony.
Read MoreIn March of this year, I joined a beautiful blue bus full of other eager learners on the 2023 Maryland Civil Rights Education Experience, an 8-day tour with 13 stops in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. I was extraordinarily moved by what I learned. I am writing to share a few takeaways and one indelible image, to encourage others to join next year’s Experience, and to make a public commitment to anti-racism.
Read MoreThe papal intention for the month of September is: “That the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.” To see a two-minute video of the Pope’s prayer message about this, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpv3zCBJzSc. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states clearly
Read MoreThe 2022 World Day of Peace Message: Pope Francis Reads the Signs of the Times - The theme--lasting peace in the world can be achieved only by responding to the needs of current and future generations--is expressed in Pope Francis’ 2022 World Day of Peace (WDP) message, “Dialogue Between Generations, Education and Work: Tools for Building Lasting Peace.” The pope is continuing his efforts to lay out a path to peace. Without specifically invoking nonviolence as the main structure, in Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis puts out some of its fundamental principles --. commitment to promoting the dignity of each human person, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, the pursuit of the common good and concern for protection of creation. In his 2021 WDP message he emphasizes the result of these principles, a “culture of care.” In the WDPmessage for 2022 he follows Saint John XXIII, reads the “signs of the times” and ..
Read More“In many parts of the world, there is a need for paths of peace to heal open wounds. There is also a need for peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter.” (Pope Francis, “Fratelli Tutti,” 225) The last couple of years have been filled with challenging, impactful events in our world. At all levels -- in our families, our neighborhoods, our countries -- we would benefit from practices that help us to listen more deeply to each other. An example of such a practice is a 'circle process,' which is derived from Indigenous teachings and other wisdom traditions and is rooted in an understanding of profound interconnectedness. In this process, ...
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