In this episode: Maria Johnson, Steve Nelson, Fr. Cory Sticha, Sarah Vabulas
Conference Man and risk management; Bad behaviour in social media; Drinking Holy water? Sarah’s book launch party; Sarah’s new podcast; Laudato Si’; Massacre in Charleston; Polarization, tolerance, and social media.
Podcast: Download
Links discussed during the show:
- The CNMC 2015 Virtual Ticket is available now! It’s only US$49.00! Go to the SQPN Store and order now!
- Sarah’s book, The Catholic Drinkie’s Guide to Homebrewed Evangelism, has been released!!! If you want an autographed copy, contact her at her website!
- Preorder Maria’s book, My Badass Book of Saints: Courageous Women Who Showed Me How to Love on Ave Maria Press, use the coupon code “Maria,” and receive a discount!
- Tommy Tighe’s blog: The Essential Catholic Hipster Guide
- Pope Francis releases his Encyclical, Laudato Si’:
Picks of the Week
- Maria: Catholic Press Association’s 2015 Catholic Media Conference in Buffalo: “Power of the Word”
- Steve: The High and the Mighty starring John Wayne; and his friend, Nate, is entering postulancy with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
- Fr Cory: Saint of the Day app by Franciscan Media: Website | iOS | Google Play
- Sarah: Fr. Darryl Millette takes in his very first MLB game in Episode 46 of The Sports Fathers
Our Blogs
Click here to find out where to find your favorite Catholic Weekend personalities!
I found the treatment of the Papal encyclical pretty dismissive in this podcast. The encyclical itself contains the statement that “Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions”. I felt this podcast only encouraged people to continue being nonchalant about the impacts of their actions on the environment.
Here in the Middle East, far away from taps that reliably have water in them, I saw the encyclical as a point of hope – the hope that people (not just Christians) will educate themselves on the impacts of not moderating their consumption. We have learnt the hard way in our region. Our river is the Jordan River, where Christ was baptised. You might think “how lucky you are”! But that River was only kept flowing thanks to the sewerage it was being pumped with at one stage (http://savethejordan.com/the-river/). The Jordan will never be what it once was, but it could be a lot better. Global climate impacts are really not helping when it comes to its restoration – our people still need water to drink – including the thousands of refugees from extremism and terrorism.
“Humanity is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption” says the encyclical. I don’t know what River you might loose by “indifference” or “blind confidence” in others to solve the problems. If our river were healthy, we could have better supported the thousands in poverty and need that are now in our country (46% of Jordanian population is immigrant, as opposed to 14% in the USA). Please consider what the encyclical has to say with some more seriousness. It has good things to say. If it is hard to understand the science, maybe ask a teacher at your local school? You could be spreading the word at the same time as learning things. I am sure that your actions to prevent climate change really would be seen as holy work in God’s eyes.