A Star of Hope Shone in the Convent Sky, the title of a recently published history of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, was the theme of the Community summer gathering. It was a gathering of prayer, conversation, input and celebration of the Eucharist.
Paul J. Wadell, St. Norbert College Professor of Theology and Religious Studies gave a motivational talk on Enkindling Hope-a Calling of the Church in an Age of Soft Despair. “Hope is joyful confidence about the future, a joyful confidence that tells us that despite all the setbacks and struggles and disappointments that may come our way, life is good, blessed and promising.”
The message focused on 3 questions:
- What exactly is hope? How should we
understand it and why should we be hopeful? - What is it that most threatens and diminishes hope?
- What are ways of thinking and living that rob us of hope’s great promise and move us into lives of soft despair?
All aspects of the whole day nurtured hope in us.
