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Mac Johnson, Vision of Hope CLC (Cincinnati), for AAT
We
invite you then to share about opportunities-to-act, which you can
recommend. Identify these for kindred CLCs.
A.) Define reality
Haiti's intense quake, in so severely impoverished a country, is an
appalling disaster. Social systems in very-Catholic Haiti are
plagued by domination and elite corruption, failing in their
vocations to serve persons and the integrity of creation.
Ratings-driven media focus on spectacles, a-historically, and move
on. We feel compassion and give, but also risk being mesmerized into
silent desolation by serial tragedy.
But, where sin abounded, grace abounded all the more.
(Rom. 5:20)
Instead, we can notice the grace of our calls, gifts to discern
deeper, consoling commitments. Pope Benedict reminds us of a grace
of our Church: We have one of the world's largest and most capillary
(developed-at-the-grassroots) charity and advocacy networks. We can
build on our strengths.
"Whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if
there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
(Ph 4:8)
Haitians themselves speak of hope, and witness to us the possibility
of hanging on to hope when it's hard. In a similar “spirituality of
cultural resistance,” we can focus on God's grace. With freedom, we
may be able wisely to discern fruitful missions.
B.) What Needs to be Done
Magis: “the more.” AAT invites you to share specific life-giving
stories of on-going Haiti solidarity, which you have had the grace
to encounter. Reflect on creative missions you know. Choose your
actions, to resist passivity. In solidarity, more widely share
(on-line) descriptions of these missions with your fellow CLCs. Help
others find grassroots “opportunities-to-act” which you can confirm.
What compassionate Haiti mission have attracted you? What is the
Holy Spirit doing among us already, with our Haitian brothers and
sisters? Perhaps CLCs together can amplify what's working well
already. To connect gifted people in this way, we offer this
“appreciatively inquiry” (AI).
First we ask you to consider inquiring and sharing in your CLC.
Second, we ask you to call forth gifts to share brief, encouraging
reflections, more widely. Let's try using our CLC-USA Facebook page
to post brief stories, which we outline to leaven and guide others'
inquiries.
C.) Why its important
God is communion. We are called to relationship. Where one or two of
us is, all of us are. We are challenged to develop together our
perceptions, behaviors and choices for apostolic action.
In
the early Church, disheartened disciples' deep sharing transformed
pain into peace and the power to follow where the Spirit led.
As Fr. Nicolás reminds
us, practically, “We can see and experience how whole groups,
movements and collaborative projects make the difference.”
God gifts each of us with calls, certain abilities, relationships
and resources. Working together is our primary resource, to discern
commitments, to make adequate use of our gifts for justice.
D.) How Love is the key that unlocks the door. Let's notice love by
engaging in spiritual conversation.
Prayerfully share graced-stories of consoling Haiti solidarity, to
help us inter-connect. See discussion questions, below.
Consider your CLC members' personal gifts. Is someone acting re
Haiti? Is another person encouraged by this dialog? Perhaps together
compile and post a short story, to connect others.
Include relief and justice advocacy. See CLC stories now on our
CLC-USA Facebook (FB) page.
A
framing outline (link below) may help organize your entry. Share
publicly your short reflection using our FB page, with links. Based
on experience, recommend websites, contact info., next-steps.
Unfamiliar with FB? Ask a young person to help. To post, join FB,
search “CLC USA.” Become a “fan” of our page. At our page-top click
on “Discussions” tab, then the “Haiti...” topic. Post entries as a
reply to this topic.
“Let us bring the
gifts that differ And in splendid varied ways, Sing a new church
into being, One in faith and love and praise.”
Mac Johnson,
Vision of
Hope CLC (Cincinnati), for AAT
Background
(links):
Framing outline; CLC USA Facebook page
Appreciative Inquiry in the Catholic Church (good short book)
Asset (gift) Based Community Development principles we follow;
Daily Examen
CLC Discussion Questions:
-
What do we know of re heart-felt solidarity with Haiti, that's
working well?
- Seeing this as a glass that's half-full, how might we make it more
full?
- How do we feel about this discussion, now?
- Practice The Daily Examen, and let's appreciate our felt-responses
at our next meeting.
- Who might be interested in CLC-USA's request to document briefly a
fruitful Haiti mission, for others to appreciate, using our FB page?
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