Gratitude - Roberto Chiotti

I have a long and gratitude filled relationship with the Passionists.  I first discovered them while taking theology courses at University of St. Michael’s College back in the 90’s.  As a part time student working in an architect’s office, I only had a chance to take the few evening offerings.  Fortunately for me, Father Stephen Dunn, CP was teaching an evening course on Ethics and the term after that, Environmental Ethics.  It was in the latter that he introduced us to the writings of fellow Passionist Thomas Berry.

 

As it happened, Thomas Berry was scheduled to be the main speaker at a CCA conference held at OISE as advertised on a poster displayed prominently on Father Steve’s faculty office door.  The decision to attend that conference was forever life changing and solidified my commitment to learning more about and attempting to understand and integrate Thomas Berry’s eco-theology.  I enrolled in the Elliott Allen Institute for Theology and Ecology, directed by Father Stephen Dunn, CP and with my partner Kim, attended the annual colloquia at the Holy Cross Centre for Ecology and Spirituality at Port Burwell.  What a privilege it was to have witnessed Thomas Berry in conversation with indigenous artists, scientists, politicians, and other luminaries each summer for most of that decade. 

 

But the greatest gift to the parish and particularly to me was the Passionist’s decision to leave us all the legacy of a new church dedicated to embodying the eco-theology of Father Thomas Berry.  As an architect who designs churches for the Diocese, I know how long it takes for parishes to raise enough funds to begin the process of building a new church and still be saddled with a decades’ long mortgage commitment.  I cannot think of a more generous gift than what the Passionist’s have given the parish since its inception in the early 1950’s.  Two new churches and decades of pastoral leadership that is second to none.  They have a special way of empowering us and bringing alive the gospel message in ways that are always relevant for our times.

 

I look forward to participating in this synod as we begin to re-imagine how to use the gifts we have received and give back to the communities we serve and the earth itself.

 

Roberto Chiotti