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Pope Francis, certainly no stranger to innovative use of technology to spread the Gospel message, made a surprise historic first this week: the first Pontiff to conduct a TED talk.

If you have trouble seeing the talk using the link above try https://vimeo.com/215038541

TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) Talks have become popular for bringing well-known individuals from around the world to a stage before an audience to share big ideas about science, technology, and culture. Using a format of being 18 minutes or less, they provide bite-sized insights from well-known personalities on a wide range of topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages.

Delivered by the Holy Father in Italian and translated via subtitles into at least 20 languages, his talk titled The Future You: Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone, noted that while there are incredible scientific and technological advances happening across the world, we shouldn’t forget the human connections that we have. He warned against companies and organizations that put products ahead of people: "How wonderful would it be if the growth of scientific and technological innovation would come along with more equality and social inclusion. How wonderful would it be, while we discover faraway planets, to rediscover the needs of the brothers and sisters orbiting around us.”
The Pope said he liked the title of the TED conference, "The Future You", because it starts a conversation about the future. But, he said, our goals are only achievable if we work together. He encouraged all to "try a little tenderness": "Tenderness means to use our eyes to see the other, our ears to hear the other, to listen to the children, the poor, those who are afraid of the future. To listen also to the silent cry of our common home, of our sick and polluted Earth. Tenderness means to use our hands

and our heart to comfort the other, to take care of those in need."

Please be sure to pray for Pope Francis during his trip to Egypt today and tomorrow.

Scheduling note: We hope to see you at the Brick town meeting with Mayor John Ducey this Sunday 4/30. It is sponsored by the Brick Clergy Association and will be at 2-4PM in the Brick Municipal Center. More information can be found at http://visitationrcchurch.org/documents/2017/4/2017-04-30Brick%20Clergy%20Town%20Hall%20flier.pdf

Power can ruin you.

-Pope Francis, TED talk 4/25/2017

Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
Audio: Is God on your iPod?
https://formed.org/talks/58e56f915aa469ac13677fd6
Continuing on the theme of technology and faith: is mainstream music bad for you? Can hit songs remind you of the things of God? Matt Smith discusses how we as Christians can judge all different types of music to determine whether or not it is going to lead us closer to The Good The True, and The Beautiful...which is ultimately closer towards God.
If you haven't done so already, go to www.formed.org, click on the REGISTER button and enter our parish code V8KNDV). Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!

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