Chicago Central chapter meeting on January 25 included special guests Stephen and Betsie Weil. Stephen and Betsie were on their way to Nicaragua and had recently returned from Guatamala. Their email address is stephenweil@yahoo.com. These pictures were taken by Father John Eybel.
The first picture includes Celine Woznica, Stephen Weil, Bob Doyle, Betsie Weil and Joe Kelly.
The second picture inclueds Maureen Doyle, Celine, Stephen and Bob
The third picture includes Dan Driscoll, Don Woznica, Maureen and Celine
Father Dennis Cleary, M.M., served as missionary in Venezuela and China,. He is appointed Director of The Christophers, a New York-based media organization. Father Cleary, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., assumes the office March 1, 2009. The Christophers was founded by Father James Keller MM in 1945.
Father Cleary is a long term admirer of The Christophers' motto: 'It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,'" Father Cleary, ordained for Maryknoll in 1977 by the late Bishop James E. Walsh, M.M., was a missionary in Venezuela from 1976 to 1993. Living among the poor in barrios in the area of Barinas, he showed an early interest in communications projects. He created a popular program called Channel Zero, which included training, filming, editing and disseminating news among three barrios. He also launched a production studio in Caracas that prepared documentaries and barrio forums aimed at motivating faith-based Christian communities as well as resolving problems within them. For three years, beginning in 1990, he was Maryknoll's regional superior in Venezuela.
In 1997 he was elected Maryknoll's U.S. Regional Superior, assigning and supporting men to mission ministries in the United States, and served on the Maryknoll Senior Management Team. He also represented Maryknoll in U.S. Church organizations, including the Conference of Religious Superiors of Men and the U.S. Catholic Bishops Mission Committee, which he chaired.
He taught English and Spanish at a university in Shenyang, China, from 2004 to 2006. During that period, he also led a reflection group for members of the local Church in Shenyang, prepared language and cultural orientation programs for new teachers and counseled university students.
Father Cleary returned to the U.S. in 2006 as Maryknoll's Director of Mission Education and Promotion, continuing in that post until his appointment by The Christophers. He restructured the department and developed stronger connections with Maryknoll sponsors and partners, taking part personally in visits and other pastoral activities involving Maryknoll contributors.
Father Cleary received a B.A. degree from St. John Vianney Seminary, and holds both M.Div. and M.A. degrees from the Maryknoll School of Theology. He has also studied at the University of Notre Dame, the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Cal.; Gonzaga University and Canisius College.
Father Cleary will be the sixth priest to serve as director of The Christophers, which uses the media to promote the message that everyone can make a positive difference in the world. Among its activities are Christopher News Notes, newsletters on timely topics that appear 10 times a year and have a circulation of 1,122,300;"Christopher Closeup" interviews, which are broadcast on The Catholic Channel on satellite radio and 50 other stations; the popular "Three Minutes a Day" series and other Christopher books; the Christopher Leadership Course and its companion Leadership Course for Teens; a Web site ( www.christophers.org ) with interactive features including daily prayers, reading selections and video and podcasts, and the prestigious Christopher Awards, which are presented annually to creators of outstanding work in film, television and books. The 60th Christopher Awards will be presented at a gala in New York on April 16
“Deepening our understanding of the places where
faith, ecology and the global economy intersect”
January 2009
INTRODUCTION
Understanding the ways in which climate change has made us all aware of the limits of our planet’s natural resources, we will be focusing on the ways in which our faith, ecology and the global economy intersect. We are aware of resource-poor and indigenous communities and their principle of sufficiency. This world view is in sharp contrast to how the principal agents driving the global economy who allow profit and the endless pursuit of growth to blind them to the grave physical and moral consequences of ignoring resource limits and the natural processes for the regeneration of life.
We ask that you come together in a small group and follow the reflection process outlined below. You may choose to meet more than once, as we have two suggestions of videos to watch to get the discussion going. We invite you to draw on your own experience of the intersection of your faith, the ecology and the global economy.
We ask that you send us your reflections before May 1 to help shape the way we move forward with our Faith Ecology Economy Project. This year is filled with possibilities as global climate change discussions continue, as the United Nations calls a special assembly on the economy and as a new U.S. president begins to sift through climate and economic priorities.
SMALL GROUP PROCESS
Read allowed Luke 12: 27-34 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:%2027-34;&version=31;)
Watch together EITHER:
“The Story of Stuff” available for download at: http://www.storyofstuff.com*
OR Chris Martenson’s “Crash Course Chapter 18: Environmental Data” available for download at: http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse/chapter-18-environmental-data**
Questions to consider:
What do we feel are the most important values needed to respond to the issues raised in the video?
Considering the issues that the video surfaced, what are the most important issues facing our community, locally and globally, today?
Are there any real life experiences that the video brings to mind?
Closing prayer:
LEADER: “Loving God, we come in gratitude for the gifts surrounding us. Thank you for the earth, its flowers and grasses that you cause to regenerate over and over again so that we might know beauty and be fed by your bounty. Be with us as we celebrate your gifts and examine the many ways that you care for us. Help us to embrace your great and sufficient support. Guide us as we seek to promote your will on earth.”
ALL: I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?
My help comes from God, Who made heaven and earth.
WRITTEN SUMMARY: Please take time to summarize your reflections in the comments to this blog post.
Please include:
The list of the most important values and issues that you raised.
Other experiences you know of which relate to this intersection of faith, Ecology and global economy.
Please also include any evaluative comments people had about participating in this process.
Thank you again for your enthusiasm and your commitment to global concerns!
