As the world moved deeper into the pandemic, Pope Francis released his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, offering a dream for social friendship after the pandemic. In this presentation, we explore the chaos we all experienced during the pandemic, what social friendship might look like, why it is so urgently needed in our broken world, and what it requires of us.
In addition to Pope Francis’ encyclical, this reflection is inspired by Gospel and sacramental themes. It concludes with some thoughts on baptism as a sign of unity in a time of fracture, drawn from “Baptism: Alive in Christ” (Justin Huyck, Liturgical Press).
This presentation was originally given in April 2021, during the Easter Season. It was part of the “Virtual Family of Believers,” co-sponsored by Ss. John and Paul Parish in Altoona, Iowa and the St. Joseph Educational Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
FAITHSHAPE 