VOTFNJ to Present a Series of Discussions of Laudato Si, On Care for Our Common Home

MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Nov. 22, 2015 - PRLog -- On Sunday, December 6, 2015, at 3:30 PM at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 100 Harter Road, Morristown, NJ, Voice of the Faithful New Jerseywill present the first in a three-series discussion of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si, On the Care for Our Common Home.

Next month in Paris representatives of over 120 nations will meet to discuss the reality of climate change and the consequences of our disregard for our planet.  In solidarity with these initiatives, Pope Frances has expressed his concern and desire for united action in this universal struggle to reverse the ravages of existing conditions and plan for future efforts.  He states: "Now, faced as we are with global environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this planet.…In this Encyclical, I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home….  I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet…. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all."

In this first discussion moderator, Beatrice Mondare, will concentrate on the Introduction and chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the encyclical using questions from Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J.’s A readers’ Guide to Laudato Si with Study Questions to Help in Reading the Encyclical which was published in the “National Catholic Reporter” and can be downloaded free from their web site.

As Fr. Reese has stated:  “The impact of the encyclical is going to be significant even outside the Catholic church. Environmentalists and scientists have endorsed the document. Likewise, non-Catholic religious leaders are eager to discuss the encyclical, which will become a topic of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.”

Discussions will continue on January 17 and February 7, 2016.

All are welcome.  There is no charge for the program.

Information: www.votfnj.org, info@votfnj.org or 973-267-4539