How Do We Esteem Work?How Do We Esteem Work?

National Work Commission

June 17-20, 2004 (Denver, Colorado)

What to Expect…What to Expect…

Why a National Work Commission?

Church’s social teaching Practical applications

of the Work Commission

at any level of fraternity

Article 16 of the SFO RuleArticle 16 of the SFO Rule

Let them ESTEEMESTEEM work both as a GIFT

and as a SHARING in

the CREATION,

REDEMPTION,

and SERVICE of

the human community.

Over the Past Five Years…Over the Past Five Years…(Since June 1999 at St. Bonaventure’s University)(Since June 1999 at St. Bonaventure’s University)

National Work Commission activities Promulgate our commission Quarterly “TAU USA” articles Identify uses of our Work Resource Manual Be a resource link to the regions

INFORMATION

(SEE)

FORMATION

(JUDGE)

TRANSFORMATION

(ACT)

QUINQUENNIAL CONGRESS 2002QUINQUENNIAL CONGRESS 2002Called to Build a More Fraternal & Evangelical World…Called to Build a More Fraternal & Evangelical World…

TT ransformation

AA postleship

UU nity

Mission Statement (Work)Mission Statement (Work)20032003

The Work Commission of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States of America has as its mission to remind the sisters and brothers of our commitment to embody our lives of prayer by bringing to the workplace an experience of participation in the work of God who creates, redeems, and inspires. In our manner of working and in our hopes and aspirations for material success, Secular Franciscans should mirror the work of the Holy Trinity in the garden of this world, the laboratory of life, and the classroom of human endeavor as mandated by our Rule.

Going from Gospel to Life and Going from Gospel to Life and Life to Gospel…Life to Gospel…

SFO Rule General Constitutions National Statutes Franciscan sources Work Commission Manual

What do we VALUE?What do we VALUE?(N.B. “Esteem” means to place value)

Catholic Social TeachingCatholic Social Teaching(SEE – Information)(SEE – Information)

Life & Dignity of the Human Person Call to Family, Community, & Participation Right & Responsibilities Option for the Poor & Vulnerable Dignity of Work & the Rights of Workers Solidarity Caring for God’s Creation

Faith-Based SourcesFaith-Based Sources(SEE – Information)(SEE – Information)

Rich treasury of Gospel-values… http://www.vatican.va

Papal statements, encyclicals, messages http://www.zenit.org

Current global Church information from Rome http://www.usccb.org

US Bishops’ statements & guides for small groups

Practical ApplicationsPractical Applications(JUDGE - Formation)(JUDGE - Formation)

Meaningful ongoing formation

at all levels of fraternity Commitment to study our Rule

through the lenses of the commissions Unifying communal prayer Apostolic activities

that link directly to Kingdom values Respectful DIALOGUE!

Baptism calls the faithful to holiness…Baptism calls the faithful to holiness…

What Choices Will We Make?(ACT - Transformation)

““ResistanceResistance is futile!” is futile!”

Philosophy of the Borgon “Star Trek: Next Generation”

““Surrender to God,Surrender to God,

and He will do everything for you!”and He will do everything for you!”(Antiphon from The Liturgy of the Hours’ Office of Readings)

A Hubbel telescope view called “the Eye of God”

Turning Up the Flame…Turning Up the Flame…

If SFO’s truly ESTEEM work as a gift…

then how shall we furtherthen how shall we furtherthe WORK of the reign of God?the WORK of the reign of God?