Rode Sent A Letter

Cardinal Franc Rodé Encourages Assistancy Strategic Discernment

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Cardinal Franc Rodé Encourages Assistancy Strategic Discernment

In a letter dated January 30, 2009, Cardinal Franc Rodé wrote Fr. Tom Smolich, SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference, encouraging Assistancy Strategic Discernment.

Dear Fr. Smolich,
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Pietro Sambi, the Apostolic Nuncio in the United States, has forwarded a copy of the booklet entitled "Assistancy Strategic Discernment Decisions and Commitments of the United States Provincials".

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you and all the members of the Conference for the study and planning necessary to have produced such a document and for the commitment of the United States Provincials to the implementation of this proposed program.

This Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life was particularly interested in those sections which dealt specifically with Jesuit Life and Apostolic Partnership.

The section entitled Jesuit Life manifests an interest in assuring that the core elements of the centrality of the Eucharist, witnessing to the vows, community life and prayer, and vocation development, are valued and enhanced by the members of your community in the United States.

The section on Apostolic Partnership affirms the desire to competently share the charism and mission entrusted to the Society with members of the laity who staff your Institutions and those who manifest an interest in sharing your Charism. Such programs are good examples of ways of enfleshing the Spirituality of Communion.

I would like to encourage you in the implementation of the ambitious program outlined in Assistancy Strategic Discernment Decisions and Commitments of the United States Provincials. May the Lord grant each of you a keen insight into the charism of your founder, St. Ignatius and a deep appreciation of the great heritage that is yours as Jesuits. May you be faithful servants in the Church seeking to do all you do "for the greater glory of God"

Sincerely in Christ,

Franc Cardinal Rode C.M.

Prefect

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