On October 21, Catholic Church Reform International (CCRI), together with Spirit Unbounded, We Are Church International, and the International Church Reform Network, hosted a global webinar on “What Are Small Christian Communities and How to Start One.” Participants explored four models of Small Christian Communities—home-based and online, parish-based, university and young adult, and liturgical communities—and the ways they contribute to developing a more inclusive, participatory, and synodal church.
Tomorrow’s American Catholic was excited to be on hand to share some of the experiences of our Small Christian Community initiative. In preparation for the event, we began to think of our written and recorded work as a “descriptive” take on how we conceive of the future of the church, and our Small Christian Community initiative as a “prescriptive” one that offers a way to live into that conception. We are grateful to CCRI and the network of reform organizations for the invitation to participate, and we came away inspired by ecumenical groups such as Open Icon Baptist Church of Melbourne, Australia, that are carefully crafting prayer and worship experiences rooted in the ancient wisdom of the church.
As we come to the end of Franciscan Month today, we are pleased to share our latest podcast with Brady Young, the Manager of Member Engagement and Communications at the Franciscan Federation. In this episode, Brady shares with us the gifts of his religious upbringing as well as the moments that challenged and deepened his practice and perspective. He recounts his awakening to Franciscan spirituality and Christian mysticism, gives us a helpful overview of the “family tree” of Franciscan orders, and explains the history and mission of the Franciscan Federation. We also consider why it’s so hard to put words to the experience of “unitive consciousness” and discuss the future of the church as “a place where everybody belongs, and that everybody can lead.” Listen to the full episode here.
In addition to this conversation, Brady has also contributed “Following Jesus, the Franciscan Way,” a reflection on how the Franciscan understanding of the incarnation “not simply as a response to human sinfulness, but as a revelation of the goodness of being human and of all creation” transformed his spiritual bearing.
Brady’s piece joins other responses to our call for stories about the impact of Franciscan spirituality on people’s lives, including James Magner, MD’s reflection on Franciscan poverty; Stephanie Cottrell Caporaso on creation, stewardship, and overcoming cycles of violence; and Janine Walsh on learning to live in simplicity and service. And if you haven’t listened yet, tune into the transmissions of joy from Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn Gregory Cellini in our podcast conversation earlier this month.
Maryknoll lay missioner Rick Dixon has previously contributed poetry to Tomorrow’s American Catholic. This week he shares with us a dispatch on a library initiative he is facilitating in Quezalapa, El Salvador, helping to build imaginations one book at a time.
At Flipping the Tables, our partner podcast, host Colleen Shaddox has offered a response to the controversial October 22 meeting (and subsequent explanations and apologies) between 12 bishops and the president at the White House.
Our previous podcast guest Rick Lee James sent word that his latest holiday single, “Lights of Love,” will be impacting radio stations internationally this Friday. If you have a moment, call your local station and ask them to give it a spin in the lead-up to the Christmas season.
And don’t forget: Women and non-binary people are invited to join Catholic writer, contemplative activist, and spiritual director Leslye Colvin for a free virtual daylong retreat on Saturday, November 7. In preparation for the Season of Advent, participants will gather in community to reflect on the lifelong and intergenerational work of decolonization and anti-racism through Leslye’s writing, guided reflection, and creative contemplative practice. Information is available here, and Leslye’s poem that will be a framing text for the retreat is here.
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From November 9–11, Tomorrow’s American Catholic will be on site to cover the 10-year anniversary conference of the World Institute for Science, Religion, and Culture (formerly the Center for Christogenesis) in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Drawing on the theological legacy of Teilhard de Chardin, “Love, Conflict, and an Unfolding Universe” will bring together theologians, scientists, and philosophers to address the relationship between love and evolutionary becoming. We look forward to sharing our reports from the road. In the meantime, stay tuned for features on the Global Formation Project, an interview with author Joe Pagetta, coverage of an exciting event from FutureChurch, and podcast episodes with John Dear, Shane Claiborne, Rev. Carlos Malave, Brian H. Smith, and more.
Finally, for those interested in the visual arts, I have a review of the Catholic Universities Art Triennial exhibition in the National Catholic Reporter this week. The exhibit is on view at the Burns Library at Boston College through November 15.
Thanks as always for reading and listening!
Blessings,
Michael Centore
Editor, Tomorrow’s American Catholic