BEING PASTORAL or How a Secular Franciscan Should Talk and Act

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BEING PASTORALorHow a Secular Franciscan
Should Talk and Act
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DEFINITIONS

• Pastoral (dictionary)
• (1) related to the farming or grazing of sheep or
  cattle
• (2) a literary, artistic or musical work
  portraying country life
• (3) relating to giving spiritual guidance by a
  member of the clergy
• As we use it
• Means in a gentle, loving, compassionate manner

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OUR RULE

• Perfect charity
• Follow Christ and the Gospel
• See and encounter Christ in every person
• Be witnesses and instruments
• Conform our thoughts, words and deeds to Christ
• Complete self-giving of Mary
• Stewards of all we are given

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OUR RULE

• Have a gentle and courteous spirit
• Promote justice by how we live
• Be full of peace, fidelity and respect for life
• Seek unity and harmony
• Be messengers of perfect joy
• SUMMARY KEEP RELATIONSHIPS ALIVE!
• BE A COMMUNITY OF LOVE!

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VATICAN II

• Have respect and love
• Dialogue
• Seek understanding
• Dont judge
• Establish and maintain relationships

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OUR WORLD

• Our life is counter-cultural
• World lives by the rule of me
• No concern for the other
• Easy to destroy reputations with
• Half-truths
• Anger
• Lying or violence
• Rigid opinions
• Poorly research information

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TENSIONS IN OUR WORLD

• Practical efficient vs. laid back and general
• Stickler for rules vs. guidelines only
• Devoted to a practice vs. view it as a waste of
  time

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SOME CAUSES

• Anger
• Fear
• Ego pride
• Jealousy
• Suspicion
• Insecurity
• Feeling of worthlessness

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LIVING AS FRANCISCANS

• Called to live in community
• To be holy
• To live the Gospel
• Be people of love
• Be aware of our thinking process
• Actions caused by character flaw
• Actions caused by circumstances

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LANGUAGE

• Use I language, not you language
• Leaves door open for dialogue
• Isnt accusatory
• Not you language
• Causes feelings of insecurity
• Makes listener feel belittled
• Causes loss of face

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ASSISTANCE IN SCRIPTURE

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

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EARLIER RULE

• Respect one another
• Be attentive to one another
• Honor one another without complaining

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UNITY

• A condition of harmony --
• Obstacles to unity
• Angry words
• Aggressive attitudes
• Rash opinions
• Stubborn and rigid dogmatism
• Accusations
• Need to be right
• Quality or state of being made one
• Refusal to forgive
• Poor listening
• Unwillingness to understand

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DIALOGUE

• Understand
• Be compassionate
• Exercise forgiveness liberally
• Listen carefully
• Respond only after thought
• Love, compassion
• Soft voice