Pope Francis envisages Catholic schools as “welcoming places” where one heals not only one's own wounds but also those of others.  He wants them to be places where one learns to read and discern the "signs of the times" he wants them to help develop in their students a critical attitude towards certain models of development and consumption that create shameful inequalities among people The Pope expressed his vision of an ideal Catholic school in a message he sent on Thursday to the Latin American Federation of Jesuit Schools (FLACSI) the federation of some 92 Jesuit-run schools in 19 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean  FLACSI was started by the Conference of Provincials for Latin America (CPAL) strategies and initiatives across the network in the service of education and the social transformation of the region.  invited FLACSI schools to "go out" following the example of Jesus "who teaches us to relate to others and to Creation"  He particularly insisted on “meeting with the little ones  "May our schools form hearts convinced of the mission for which they were created with the certainty that life grows and matures to the extent that we give it for the life of others".  Instead “life which is preserved ends up being a museum piece smelling of naphthalene Hence “welcoming schools” should really have open doors where the poor can enter and where others can go and meet them.  Schools should embody the wisdom of the Gospel which is the privileged perspective from which one can learn so much should not withdraw into “selfish elitism” but must be places where students “live together with everyone knowing that everything is connected.”  In this regard the Pope said one should remember that “fraternity it is the “objective identity of the human race and of all creation” by which “we are created in a family The Pope also hopes that FLACSI schools "teach to discern to read one's life as a gift to be grateful for and to share".   He hopes that they “have a critical attitude on development which frenetically push towards a shameful inequality that makes the great majority of the world population suffer”.   “As you can see my desire is that your schools have a conscience and create consciences,” the Holy Father said urging FLACSI members to be “disciples and missionary schools” Thank you for reading our article. 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Just click here The handmade leather armor not only protects from the burning sun but also shields from the scratchy bare branches and long spiky needles of the surrounding bush the James Gang – these good and bad hombres of the frontier: They walk tall ride hard and spend more time with guns than cows A new book by Uruguayan photographer Luis Fabini gives a truer picture Fabini has photographed real cowboys in eight countries on the two continents of the Americas I stayed on holidays with my family on a ranch in northern Uruguay,” he says It was like the world suddenly exploded in my head the world’s largest wetlands and one of the most pristine and bio diverse environments on the planet locally known as Terras d’ Agua or Waterlands Those childhood memories led Fabini on a 10-year journey through Chile and an exhibition on view until April 2 at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff as part of Alberta's annual Exposure Photography Festival His family moved frequently – from Uruguay to Belgium Brazil and the United States – and the camera became Fabini’s way of adapting he began working as a trekking guide in Peru eventually becoming a fashion and commercial photographer he had become disenchanted with the industry and with himself “I stopped everything.” He studied with a Zen master for three years sometimes sitting for six hours in meditation “I knew that I wanted to do something more as a photographer I had no money but I knew I was going to do it no matter what first met Fabini in Banff when he was on his way through Alberta to shoot Canadian cowboys the hardest thing was to select 16 or 17 images from his 107 in the book,” says Richards and South America.” The images are shot digitally and those selected range through captivating portraits such as a vaqueiro wrestling down a bull by hand Pedro Arthur shows off his skills as farmer and cattle breeder the biggest challenge is how much he is willing to sacrifice for the cowboys’ way of life Amplifying the compelling images in the book is an equally eloquent text by Canadian anthropologist and explorer Wade Davis His words broaden the visual information with an edifying contemplation of history of the cowboys in Chile – the huasos – he writes: “Known also as arrieros cordilleranos they are a mix of native and mestizo blood as relentless as the glaciers that slowly carve away the flanks of the Andean Cordillera.” Such words and Fabini’s images show us not the myth soul brothers despite the distances between them Where does Fabini’s work fit into photographic art of today Richards says: “I think this is documentary work He has documented these different cultures within the Americas “I don’t have a goal of documenting something,” he says “Every time someone asks me what kind of photography I do I work from my heart and that’s why I say I’m a visual poet-photographer What fascinates me is the connection between man and earth I’m trying to connect with my surroundings through colour The Exposure festival takes place at 40 galleries in Banff with each gallery curating its own exhibitions The Whyte is showing two other photographic exhibitions – the tableaus of Winnipeg artist Diana Thorneycroft a museum outreach project with students at Bow Valley High School Fabini speaks less about the technical aspects of photography and more about his passion and discoveries but they have pride and dignity and they work very hard in harsh conditions I followed that thread all around the Americas and I have found a net of solidarity and it makes me believe more in humanity.” WebsiteVisit Website arts journalist and former Banff Poet Laureate has contributed to many art and literary magazines Notable works are his seven-book poetic series fluttertongue and his recent book Glimmer: Short Fictions especially notable is one photo of McIntyre Ranch in Southern Alberta Worth to visit the Whyte for Through the Lens and Diana Thorneycroft too.Craig Richards did a fabulous swan song show for the Whyte You are supporting the arts and making a lasting impact by donating to Galleries West Whether you choose a monthly contribution or a one-time gift your support helps us spotlight emerging talent and sustain the vibrant creative community across Western Canada we can ensure that our open-access site continues to thrive and inspire for generations to come.