Hope in a Time of Anxiety, a prayerful encounter of one other’s experiences, voices, anxieties, hopes and dreams, took place in San Damiano Hall on Monday, January 16, the holiday honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Provincial Minister Fr. Kevin Mullen, O.F.M., began the evening by framing the event on the three essential reasons why the Catholic Church engages with the social order: respect for human dignity, the defense and protection of human rights, and the responsibility to make human activity meaningful.
With ample time and well-designed group instructions provided by Joseph Nuzzi, participants engaged with each other by listening to the concerns and hopes of their table mates as well as sharing their own anxieties and sources of hope as they confront the difficulties that have arisen in our country during the past eighteen months.
At the end of the discussion period, Fr. Kevin responded to questions posed by the participants. A prayer service concluded the evening during which readings were proclaimed from the prophet Micah and St. Paul. Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M. read an excerpt from Pope Francis’ address to the United States Congress. Prayers were offered for those in government, for those who serve, and for the citizens of our nations, especially the poor and disenfranchised.
Meredith Augustin led the assembly in song, and Fr. Andrew Reitz,O.F.M. gave the final blessing to conclude the evening.
Thank you to everyone who participated.
