Thank you for visiting my page on faith. We are all on an ongoing journey and can learn from each other's experiences. I hope you find something on this site helpful in navigating your own journey as we discover our purpose here on earth. I was born into a Catholic family, went to church every Sunday. And joined youth group in high school, which opened up a whole new world for me...heaven on earth. This world was called Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries, and was my first experience with Franciscan community. This community left an indeliable mark on my life and my view of my faith. It strengthened my faith in so many ways. So much so that when I went away to college, grad school, and then working life, I always sought to feel this community of lived-out faith. My path led me through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Delaware (where I became familiar with the work of Shane Claiborne and The Simple Way, reading "The Irresistible Revolution"). It then led me to Graduate Christian Fellowship at NYU, where I found out about Radical Living. My path led me to work for Bronx Health REACH (which has a Faith-Based Outreach Initiative) and then to NY Faith & Justice. I found Trinity Grace Church which seeks for us to "join God in the renewal of all things." And then I found the Franciscan Action Network table at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference in April 2013, where I learned about the newly-launching Franciscan Earth Corps. A day that would change my life forever, as I no longer felt the need to separate out my faith from the service I have been called to here on earth. I could see the Catholic Church in a whole new light, with the advent of this organization living out the mission that St. Francis of Assisi called us to - to repair God's house. We are called to join God in the renewal of all things.... Including the Catholic Church. Including the environment. Including every aspect of society. All things and people here on earth that God created are worthy of our care and attention because everything is a reflection of God, our Creator. I've read about a holistic view of Christianity offered by John Stott in "The Radical Disciple", whereas we are called to seek the balance of 6 duties in our lives: individual discipleship and corporate fellowship; worship & work; pilgrimage & citizenship (1 Peter 2:1-17). In this book John Stott shares with us the tenants of "'An Evangelical Commitment To Simple Lifestyle." I've come full circle with the realization that these basic tenants are the same ones promoted by St. Francis of Assisi, who lived a simple lifestyle and sought justice and peace for all of creation while following the example of Jesus. And found that Catholic Social Teaching has a truly green doctrine (see the Catholic Statements on Energy). I've been encouraged about what's possible for the Catholic Church by reading "Repair My House: Becoming a Kindom Catholic" by Capuchin Franciscan Michael Crosby. As Fr. Richard Rohr from the Center for Action and Contemplation and many other wise Franciscans tell us, we must undergo constant conversion - this brings us closer and closer to God and the joy that comes with becoming the beings we were created to be. And so I look to the wisdom of so many others through training opportunities through the Franciscan Action Network and Franciscan Earth Corps. We're all in this life together. Join me in making it count. Franciscan Action Network / Franciscan Earth Corps Dating God: Franciscan Spirituality for the 21st Century Some words to live by: "My first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man. My first allegiance is not to democracy or blood. It's to a king and a kingdom." -Derek Webb, as quoted in "Jesus for President" by Shane Claiborne. "Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi P.S. I have infrequently posted musings on faith, religion & spirituality Here. |
