“Fraternal dialogue” was the theme of the November issue of As a Rule. Fr. Joseph Thien Dinh, SCJ, lead formation director, has a unique perspective on the topic. He is with Dehonian students in their first years, helping them to both give and receive fraternal dialogue in community. About it he writes:
“Fraternal dialogue, as indicated in Cst. 109, is essential for community life and ministry. Community life can be challenging, as it involves navigating different personalities and ideologies. We come from diverse cultural and generational backgrounds with varying ways of expressing ourselves and upholding essential values. We disagree with each other. We don’t listen to one another. We ignore each other’s presence. Superiors sometimes find themselves in the difficult position of navigating disagreements among members and finding solutions that work for most, if not all. This task can be quite challenging.
“Fully aware of the challenges of living and working together, what unites us as Dehonians and helps us rise above our differences? We believe and embrace God’s boundless love for us, revealed in the Sacred Heart. Imperfect as we are, we commit ourselves to serving Christ in His Church as an expression of our gratitude for His love. Through our communal life, we foster a sense of belonging and opportunities for self-discovery and spiritual growth. Recognizing that we are a work in progress in God’s hands, we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement and development, both in ourselves and in our commitment to communal life and mission, inspired by the Gospel and strengthened by the Eucharist (Cst. 25).”
Click here to read Fr. Joseph’s full reflection.
Writing about the spirit of Fraternal Dialogue in everyday life, Laura Grisham, the PR/Communications and Grants Manager at Sacred Heart Southern Missions, notes that “We each have opportunities to speak, to share perspectives, foster unity and understanding, and attempt to resolve conflicts in the world. These issues are wide and varied—from climate disruption and the plight of animals to strains on the economy and beyond—but they also include things much closer to home, such as disruptions in our families or tensions in our workplaces.
“It takes courage to speak. It takes courage to listen and remain open. By finding common ground and working together, we can make a difference. With open hearts and open minds, we bring about God’s kingdom.”
Laura’s full text can be found at the same link as Fr. Joseph’s.
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