In this issue, we deepen our reflection of theological nature of the ecological crisis and invite all to re-discover the sacredness of God’s creation. Cardinal McElroy (Washington DC) reminds us that workers must have a voice as creation through work is being reshaped in the age of AI.
We remember Fr. Peter Henriot, co-author of Social Analysis: Linking Faith and Justice, who died September 12. We bring back Fr. Ty Hullinger’s reflection on St Francis of Assisi during this 800th Franciscan Jubilee year. Richard Putz’s reflection on the Heart of the People analyses the shared principles and the tension between Catholic social teaching and Christian socialism.
Lest we forget that the synod on Synodality has only just begun, we bring Stefan Gigacz’s critical review of the most recent report from Study Group 6 on associations of the faithful, movements, and new communities.
Finally, we feature three events and encourage readers to be involved. Cardijn Associates will be holding a Day of Reflection and Renewal on October 3. Other events of note is a gathering of young adults on community and the meaning of work at Georgetown University and a Community Call by Christians for a Free Palestine with the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery on Indigenous People’s Day.
Vatican draws attention to “ecological sin”
On September 2, the Vatican’s International Theological Commission published, in Italian, “Caring for Our Common Home: A Responsible and Fraternal Response to the Triune God.” During the Season of Creation, it is time to recognize the theological nature of the ecological crisis of our time, to know that “sin against our common Home is a sin against creation and against the Creator in that it violates the meaning of creation intended by God the Creator.”
“We propose to define ecological sin as an action or omission against God, against one's neighbor, the community and the environment [94].
“Caring for our Common Home ”:A Responsible and Fraternal Response to the Trinitarian God (International Theological Commission)
Care for Creation is a Theological Question (Vatican News)
Will there be meaningful work left? asks Cardinal McElroy
As artificial intelligence accelerates changes in the workplace, Cardinal Robert McElroy said the coming transformation of labor raises a fundamental question about the future of human work, NCR Online reports.
“Will there be meaningful work left?” the archbishop of Washington asked during his homily at a Labor Day Mass celebrated Sept. 6 at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington.
Cardinal McElroy warns AI will transform work, says workers must have a voice (National Catholic Reporter)
Remembering Peter Henriot SJ
The Southern Africa Province (SAP) of the Society of Jesus is mourning the passing of Fr Peter Henriot, SJ, former Director of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), who died on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Centre in Los Gatos, California, USA. He was 90 years old.
Together with Joe Holland, he co-authored the influential book Social Analysis: Linking Faith and Justice, which developed the pastoral-circle approach to understanding social realities and connecting them with theological reflection and pastoral action.
Remembering Peter Henriot SJ, promoter of the pastoral circle (See Judge Act)
Fr Ty Hullinger reflects on St Francis
Pope Leo has made 2026 the Year of Francis. We bring back in this 2024 video, Fr Ty Hullinger’s reflections on the importance of his message for us today.
The lesson of St Francis is not the renunciation of wealth and the deification of poverty. It is on the contrary simply this great truth: the work of the world is to satisfy the world’s wants and that the object of St Francis was not to make the world poorer by his poverty, but richer.
~W.E,B Du Bois, quoted by Fr. Ty in his reflection
The Heart of the People
In the winter of 1887, a machinist from Carbondale, Pennsylvania, waited anxiously to learn if his Church would cast countless fellow workers beyond the reach of the sacraments.
The trouble started in Quebec. In 1884, Archbishop Elzéar-Alexandre Taschereau brought back the Church’s old ban on secret societies, which was first meant for the Freemasons, and applied it to the Knights. Catholics in Canada who stayed in the Order risked being denied absolution.
It came down to this:
To lose the heart of the people would be a misfortune for which the friendship of the few rich and powerful would be no compensation.
READ MORE
The heart of the people (Richard Putz, Cardijn Reflections)
Ecclesial associations and movements in a synodal Church
Reflections on the Synod on Synodality Study Group 6 Final Report and Iuvenescit Ecclesia
Synodality Study Group 6 has now released its final report (SG6) on “the relationship between bishops, consecrated life, and ecclesial associations.” In this post, I want to look closely at what the study group proposes in relation to those ecclesial associations, which comprise “associations of the faithful, movements, and new communities” and are bundled together under the rather unwieldy acronym AFMENC.
Ecclesial associations and movements in a synodal Church Stefan Gigacz, Synodal Reflections
Events
October 3, 2026 | 10:00 am - 4:00 PM Cardijn Associates Day of Reflection and Renewal | New All Saints Church, Gwynn Oak MD. This retreat is an opportunity to discover the mission of Cardijn Associates, deepen your understanding of Church’s Social Doctrine, and discern how we are called to transform our communities through Cardijn’s method of See – Judge – Act.
September 29, 2026| 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST | Georgetown University Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life | In-Person and Livestreamed
Salt and Light Gathering for Young Adults on “Something That No One Could Achieve Alone”: Community and the Meaning of Work. This conversation will bring young people together to explore the connections between work, community, and the common good.
October 12, 2026 | 8:00 -9:00 PM EST | Christians for a Free Palestine October Community Call: Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. Explore the connections between the decolonial struggle in Palestine and the ones of Indigenous peoples here.
Cardijn Associates USA
Contact
Email: cardijnassociates@gmail.com