Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads (Loyola Press, 2013, 155 pages).

So many books out there about Pope Francis! How to choose? One of my happy selections is this book by Chris Lowney, Managing Director with JP Morgan and Co., author, and one-time Jesuit seminarian. This is not the usual kind of biography; it is more like a case study about leadership – understanding a mission and being an example of how to live it; giving invitation and example, not orders. Interviews with people who have journeyed with Pope Francis describe his leadership qualities and skills; workable ideas that can be appreciated and practiced by pastors, parents, principals and prelates, and by any of us who exercise leadership in any capacity. The book’s author believes this book is for all of us. It gets us thinking about why we are so often disappointed in leaders, and how we might imagine (articulate, even) inspiring new ways to be leaders and affirm leaders. 

Human Trafficking is a violation of human rights and a serious crime. The BC Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking defines trafficking as “the recruiting, harbouring and/or controlling of a person for the purpose of exploitation.” The exploitation of a trafficked person can take many forms including sexual exploitation, forced labour and coerced organ removal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJW8VPzr1eI&app=desktop

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On December 7, Sisters from the Congregation of Notre Dame and the School Sisters of Notre Dame hosted a Vigil Prayer as a part of the follow-up to the Climate March. This VigilforLima, explained in an earlier intranet posting, was an important step in our carrying out our primary Justice Goal for the year 2014-15. It provided a concrete expression of our desire to be in solidarity with all around the globe who are committed to reverse climate change. I want to invite you to a few other steps. Many of the sisters have received your copy of Climate Change: Our Call to Conversion. I wanted you to have it available for Advent Prayer. The booklet’s use is self-explanatory. I am working with Sr. Joan to plan a good way to get them out to Associates. The booklets are a wonderful call to prayer and reflection. Believing we should walk on two feet in our journey of responsible care for Creation, I am including a few of the practical steps I gleaned from participating in Greenfaith’s Energy Webinars and some individual steps suggested by www.ourvoices.net. All are both practical and doable choices for individual action.

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