By Sister Joanne Dress | Special Contributor

An intriguing title, this was the theme of the 2014 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering that was held on Feb. 2-5 in Washington.  It was inspired by the words of Pope Francis during the inaugural homily of his pontificate on March 14, 2013.

 More than 500 people attended this annual gathering that brought together notable speakers who address domestic and international contemporary issues.  Their insights challenged our thinking, moved us to act and encouraged us to visit our members of Congress and their staffs to advocate on our priorities and leave behind a Capitol Hill message.

Breakout sessions addressed a plethora of issues.   Sessions included: Middle East in Crisis; Poverty as a Challenge to Family Stability; the Criminal Justice System: Building an Economy of Inclusion; Human Trafficking; Fighting for Just Wages; Migrant Children; Armed Drones, Central African Republic; How Free Trade Can Burden the Poor, and Protecting Life, Human Dignity and the Environment.  Strategy sessions addressed Spiritual Poverty in our Work, CCHD as Encounter that Transforms; Advocacy in our Parish and Diocese, and Taking the Message to Campus and Beyond.

Legislative Issue briefings took place to help focus issues and help participants prepare for Capitol Hill visits.  An integral part of the gathering was the opportunities for Mass, prayer and reflection.

I enjoy attending the Social Ministry Gathering.  It tends to fire my energy, challenges me to keep abreast of current issues and to look at them from a Catholic perspective.  My frustration comes from having to choose among the many excellent topics and speakers.

One speaker who caught my imagination and interest was John L. Allen, associate editor of the Boston Globe and senior Vatican analyst for CNN. Mr. Allen, who spoke about the “Francis Effect” of a Pope who has a 90 percent approval rating, 11.5 million Twitter followers and 3 million youth who gathered with him for World Youth Day in Brazil.  He spoke about the appeal that Pope Francis has: the popular appeal, the media appeal (Vanity Fair, Rolling Stones and The NY Times) and the impact he is having on culture in Rome (“simple is the new chic”).  But Mr. Allen took us deeper for a look at the three pillars that mark Pope Francis’ papacy.

Leadership and service:  Mr. Allen spoke of Pope Francis’ humility and simplicity, citing his simple living at Casa Santa Marta in Rome and of his previous residence, the simple apartment in Buenos Aires.  According to Mr. Allen, Pope Francis is setting a new standard.  “Think in terms of service.  The Pope does not want princes but shepherds.”

The Social Gospel:  Mr. Allen gave four examples.  The first was Pope Francis’ interview on the papal plane and his well known sound byte “Who am I to judge?”  A second example was Pope Francis’ visit to the island of Lapalusia where 20,000 died.  Pope Francis highlighted the globalization of indifference with regard to migrants and refugees and our “throw away culture.”  A third example was on July 25 during Pope Francis’ time in Brazil.  He visited a slum in Brazil where gangs and the police were in conflict.  Pope Francis told the gang members that the “Church is with you” (to the poor) and indicated that Peace cannot be imposed by force.  The last example given was Pope Francis naming Sept. 7 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria. 

A Pope of Mercy:  Mr. Allen spoke of Pope John Paul II’s message as “Be Not Afraid”; Pope Benedict’s as “Reason and Faith” and Pope Francis’ as “The Lord never tires of forgiving.”  He told a story about Pope Francis’ visit to St. Ann Church (a worker church in Rome). He arrived early and he took time to hear confessions.  He sees this as a privileged moment (Kiros) and mercy as the strongest message of the Lord. 

Mr. Allen was the first keynote speaker of the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering 2014. What better way to begin than reflecting on this new pope who promotes the “new evangelization” and issues a missionary call to mercy and solidarity. The theme of the conference and the reflection on Pope Francis focused our deliberations on all the multiple issues facing us in today’s world.

Sister Joanne is the Diocese’s executive director for Catholic Social Services.