It is urgent!
It touches all of us.
Every one of us has a role to play.
We have no other home to run to. We need to save this earth, the one home we all share—before it is too late.
Before disasters force us to see our blindness.
Pope Francis told us all this five years ago, in the first encyclical written in response to scientific data. He is reminding us again—by keeping a whole year to focus on this life and death matter.
The cover story is written by the very person he appointed to get things moving—Fr Joshtrom Isacc SDB. Thank you, Fr Joshtrom, for helping to see what we need to see, and to plan what we need to do. We feel lucky to have got possibly the best person to write on this subject.
July 1st is Doctors’ Day—to remind us to understand, thank and support this band of men and women, who, right now, are under tremendous pressure, and more exposed than the rest of us to sickness and extreme fatigue. Our “Special Days” page thanks them, and then, our psychology column—a much-appreciated regular feature—presents ways in which doctors—and the rest of us—can recuperate from stress.
July 28th is Nature Conservation Day—linked to the cover story.
Want to learn from a simple and dynamic pastor inspired by God’s love and care for the people? Meet Archbishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad. He has also a simple personal suggestion to us. Religious.
At the other end of spectrum, we have young voices full of life—a young woman religious sharing her journey and a young woman executive revealing something of her walk with God.
Our regular columns are much appreciated—as they deserve to be. The appreciation that MAGNET gets owes much to our competent columnists. They truly bring us the best morsels from psychology, real life (candles), law, finance, canon law, books, movies, special days, life at the margins, a couple’s viewpoint, prayer.
By the side of all the serious stuff, you will see our “Fun and More” page. It is seen to by Sr Theresa Phawa FMA, our Associate Editor. I am sure the riddles tickle and stimulate your brain. I contribute the “ten differences” cartoon.
A piece of GOOD NEWS: The secretariat of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), based in Rome, has decided to put a link for MAGNET on their official website. With that, religious all over the world can access and read MAGNET. They find the magazine good and worth promoting. How about you?
Many religious communities are reaching out to those most affected by the lockdown—providing provisions, masks, shelter, medical care, and salaries for those who cannot come to work. Religious have always been at our best when situations seemed desperate, solutions in short supply and the world looked for generosity and courage. This is certainly one such hour.
May we be what we are meant to be—agents of hope, love and healing in a world of pain and division; bearers of Good News where is much fear and want.
Fr Joe Mannath SDB
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