Dear Friends,

Greetings in the name of our Good Lord!

Pope Francis’s second encyclical, Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home) critiques consumerism and irresponsible development, laments environmental degradation and global warming, and calls all people of the world to take “swift and unified global action.”

This year Pope Francis inaugurates a seven-year plan that calls for action on local, regional, national, and international levels. We friars, faithful to the Church following the example of our Father Francis, are committed to exploring ways in all ministries to care for Mother Earth and care for the most vulnerable. We sacrifice to support the programs which help the disadvantaged improve their lot, protect the environment, or help communities understand these needs.

St. Francis and St. Anthony exemplify for us that our fraternity of brothers accepts the challenge of proclaiming the greatness of the Lord in mission and ministry. We invite you to join us in doing the same.

May the Lord bless you and keep you; May He show His face to you and be merciful to you. May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace. May the Lord bless you! (Blessing of St. Francis)

Fr. John Elmer OFM Conv.
Spiritual Director

On this fifth-anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis has launched a seven-year Action Platform to implement into practical realities his message to the world. This Action Platform calls for action at all levels – local, regional, national and international – and seeks to engage seven institutions.

This issue of our St. Anthony’s Newsletter focuses on Pope Francis’s platform. As one of the seven institutions called to discern and implement a response to Laudato Si’, we wish to share with you, our readers, efforts around the Province that are working toward an integral ecology. An ecology that is reflected in our daily lives, the messages we spread, and the work that we do.