Catholic School Matters

February 1, 2021

Fratelli Tutti

This week marks the beginning of a monthlong study of Fratelli Tutti (link to the text here) on the Catholic School Matters podcast. I realize that everyone is busy so I’ve tried to break down the encyclical into five manageable parts. The first section is Chapter One and my guest is author and theologian Dr. Ann Garrido. Here’s a link to our podcast conversation. Take the 30 minutes to read Chapter One and then listen to us discuss the most inspiring parts.


The introduction and first chapter illustrate the relevance of this encyclical on solidarity during the pandemic. We explore Pope Francis’ thoughts on relationships between Muslims and Christians (including the example of St. Francis himself), he meaning of solidarity & fraternity, the impact of the pandemic on our fragile societies, the deconstruction of history and the value of truth, and the impact of online behavior on our relationships. Ann shares insights from her upcoming book Rules of Engagement due out this month which explores social media.


Here’s the link to a Fratelli Tutti google doc with inspirational quotes, study guides, and other resources. Feel free to print out and use in your own newsletters! This study of a papal encyclical fits in with other podcasts about church documents.


Here’s the link to previous podcasts about Church documents:

· Joy of the Gospel with David Faber

· Vatican II overview with Fr. John O’Malley, SJ & Fr. Oliver Doyle

· Declaration of Christian Education with Sr. Mary John Fleming, OP

· To Teach as Jesus Did with Dr. Tom Burnford

· To Teach Them with Gwen Byrd

· The Catholic School with Sr. Elizabeth Anne Allen, OP

· Lay Catholics in Schools with Tom McDonald & Tom Schutte

· Religious Dimension of Education in Catholic Schools with John Galvan

· In Support of Catholic Elementary & Secondary Schools with Dr. Kevin Baxter

· Principles for Education Reform in the United States with Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, PhD

· The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium with Rev. John Belmonte, SJ

· Consecrated Persons & Their Mission in Schools with Jack Peterson

· Renewing our Commitment with Bishop Robert Lynch

· Educating Together in Catholic Schools with Kristin Melley

· Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism with Bishop George Murry

· Educating to Fraternal Humanism with Michael Zelenka

· Amoris Laetitia with Fr. James Keenan, SJ

· Male & Female He Created Them with Rev. Bryan Massingale

· Laudato Si with Dr. Dan DiLeo


Next week, I’ll be back with a podcast conversation with Fr. Joe Corpora about Chapter 2 which focuses on the Parable of the Good Samaritan and mercy.


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Dr. Tim Uhl

Study Guides

Articles Related to Fratelli Tutti

Catholic School Matters podcast

Check out the past episodes from this season:

What I'm Reading

    The Last 5 Books:

    1. A Fine Line: How Most American Kids are Kept Out of the Best Public Schools (2020) by Tim DeRoche.
    2. The Cult of Smart: How Our Broken Education System Perpetuates Social Injustice (2020) by Fredrik DeBoer
    3. Fratelli Tutti (2020) by Pope Francis
    4. The Upswing: How American Came Together a Century Ago & How We Can Do It Again (2020) by Robert D. Putnam with Shaylyn Romney Garrett
    5. Jesus & John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation (2020) by Kristin Kobes de Mez

            Click this link for a full list of my professional reading

            Past Issues of Catholic School Matters

            Orchestrating Conflict

            A couple of years ago I set out to write a book which would explore the challenges of Catholic school leadership. My premise that there are no easy answers and that we have to learn from our (and other's) mistakes in order to form a mindset appropriate for orchestrating conflict proved prescient as we all faced completely new and unexpected challenges in 2020. The book,Orchestrating Conflict: Case Studies in Catholic Leadership is now available on Amazon or on the Barnes & Noble site in print or e-book formats. The book explores issues in Catholic school leadership and the tensions between building community and following Church policies and introduces deliberate practice as a method for leadership formation.