February 2009 - Volume 2, Issue 1
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January 2009: What a Month.... and More to Come!
by Russ Testa
FAN Executive Director , the new year has brought a new level of action for Franciscan Action Network -- a reflection of the heightened level of activity in Washington, DC. Here is just a snapshot of FAN's recent doings:
- FAN encouraged President Obama to ground his approach to international relations in peacemaking. Specifically, 27 members sent him a message requesting that he put more focus on diplomacy and development. When President Obama introduced Secretary of State Clinton to the State Department, their joint message was one that mirrored our request. In our work as FAN in 2009 and beyond, we will advocate that they follow through on this commitment and that Congress support the effort.
- The Franciscan Life Campaign, January 21-31, 2009, was a big success. More than 70 FAN members sent more than 200 messages to their members of Congress requesting that they not support the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). We asked, instead, that they work for policies that uphold life by addressing the economic crisis and human-caused global climate change. Our mission as FAN is to shift the discussion so that it more fully reflects the gift of the Incarnation and supports all life, in a consistent ethic of life manner. We will continue to watch and respond in an effort to support all life.
- Your FAN Action Center Staff has been closely following the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (commonly referred to as "the stimulus package"). Fr. Larry Janezic, OFM has taken the lead on this work and writes about it in this newsletter. For the most part, much of what we have seen in the legislation is positive in its support for persons in poverty, its efforts to create more employment opportunities, and support for creation. During the week of February 8th, FAN members likely will be called upon to contact their members of Congress to ensure that our Franciscan values are incorporated into the legislation as much as possible. WATCH FOR AN ACTION ALERT THAT WILL REQUIRE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. In the future, the larger questions of how to re-shape our economy in order to have it better reflect our Franciscan values will be of increasing concern. Fr. Larry and Fr. David Courtier, OFM Cap. (St. Mary Province) will be offering us a number of background pieces in this area.
The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC offered a fascinating panel discussion evaluating President Obama's plans in the context of Catholic Social Teachings. The discussion raised points of great hope and great concern. You can view a streaming video of the discussion here. The message we can take from this discussion is that we all need to be civically engaged and active. One way of doing that is to participate in Ecumenical Advocacy Days, March 13-16, 2009 in Washington, DC. At EAD, we will be asking our members of Congress to act on human-caused global climate change. PLEASE JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Register at http://www.advocacydays.org today.
- Finally, our membership campaign continues to pick up speed. In January, more than 300 persons joined FAN. We are nearly half-way to our membership target of 3400. We set this number because we believe that when our voice is needed, this number will help us rise above the din and be heard. So, please continue to invite persons to join FAN.
I hope this snapshot of January activity excites you, as it excites me; it is the prospect of "transforming the world in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare" made manifest. Together, we are making a difference and, as we continue to grow, our ability to be a pathway for God's invitation of "love in action" can be more fully realized. |
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FAN Supports a "Shared Recovery"
by Rev. Larry Janezic, OFM
FAN Issue Advocate
In January 2009, the people of the United States faced the prospect of the biggest economic crisis since the Depression of the 1930s. Unemployment rose to over two million people. The number of people experiencing home foreclosures increased. Major industries teetered on the brink of bankruptcy. Retirement savings have been depleted. Major purchasing was at a standstill. In the month of January, not a day went by without news of major layoffs and job losses.
A central issue of the general election of 2008 had been the "Wall Street - Main Street" tension. Discussion of it continues, the tension recently aggravated by the disclosure of seven figure bonuses of bail-out money to departing executives. From the reports of failed financial institutions to the prospects of a bankrupt auto industry, people losing their jobs could see a dismal economic future well enough.
Advocates immediately proposed that policy be directed toward a shared recovery.Click to read more.
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C4C Pilot Lifts Off
Feedback from inaugural groups to smooth the way for improvements to FAN Care for Creation process
For a while, things were touch and go for "C4C," the care for creation offering from the Franciscan Action Network.
Development of the all-new, five-session offering took a back seat to the kinds of issues that often beset start-up organizations. Originally intended for a Fall release, the C4C kits, containing "sustainability soil" and "mystery seeds" in addition to CD's and DVD's of paperless content, were shipped to seven pilot sites around the country as 2009 began. Supported by the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change , the Stella Niagara Sisters of St. Francis, and Holy Name Province Franciscans (OFM), the C4C curriculum draws on the theology of Franciscans Blessed John Duns Scotus, Saint Bonaventure, Blessed Angela of Foligno, and of course, Sts. Francis and Clare.
Although the ground is not new, even long in the tooth Franciscans are apt to encounter some unfamiliar terrain.
"If the circles of caretakers don't find themselves a bit lost somewhere along the five week journey, I will be disappointed," program co-creator Peter Sloan said. "Transformation of the garden usually doesn't happen until after the seedbed has been turned a bit first," he added.
A little disorientation goes a long way however.
Dr. Ilia Delio, osf, (right) signs copies of her book Care for Creation for Charrie Wassmer (left) and other FAN well-wishers at the home of Ms. Christine Agnew in Washington, DC in late January. FAN wishes to thank Ms. Agnew for her hospitality in hosting this event. |
FAN Names David B. Couturier, OFM Cap., to Research Analyst Position
by Peter Sloan
Director, Development & Communications
Former President of Franciscans International brings wealth of experience to Franciscan domestic agendaFr. David B. Couturier, OFM Cap, outgoing associate professor of pastoral theology, vice rector of St. Mary's Seminary & University and Director of Pastoral Formation, has joined forces with the Franciscan Action Network as the  organization's research analyst.
The Capuchin Franciscan scholar and author has written extensively on social forces impinging on contemporary secular and religious culture including the groundbreaking tract, The Fraternal Economy: A Pastoral Psychology of Franciscan Economics (Victoria Press, 2007).
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COMING SOON!
Ecumenical Advocacy Days
Register Early and Save!
800 Years of Franciscan Charism to be Highlighted
Join us for Ecumenical Advocacy Days (March 13-16, 2009), in Washington, DC, to advocate for climate change legislation.
The 2009 theme, Enough for All Creation, offers us an opportunity to more effectively live out our call to be stewards of creation, a clear Franciscan priority.
Drawing from the theme, this year's legislative "ask" will center on climate change. In March 2009, the legislative focus most likely will be on energy, although it also may include some climate change policy prescriptions. With a new Congress and a new Presidential Administration, we have a real opportunity to move forward some good legislation to help the environment and be supportive of persons who are poor. FAN will be using EAD as a venue to kick off our own climate change legislative campaign.
This year at Ecumenical Advocacy Days, since Franciscans have been such an integral part of the EAD effort and since 2009 marks the 800th anniversary of the recognition of the Franciscan movement, EAD will be giving special tribute to Franciscans in the prayer component of the event. In addition, Francisco O'Conaire, OFM, formerly of the Rome OFM-JPIC Office, will be offering the opening keynote address, linking faith to climate change. Obviously, there will be a strong Franciscan feel to the event, so the more Franciscan friars, sisters, seculars, and ecumenical partners we have in attendance, the stronger the spirit will be. In addition, on Saturday, March 14, 2009, we will celebrate the one year anniversary of FAN and offer some training and planning resources to help build on our movement's momentum.
Our goal is to have at least 2-3 persons from each FAN member congregation, province, region and organization participate. (Of course more than 2 or 3 are welcome!)
When thinking of people to invite, consider Franciscans and Franciscan-hearted partners who might want to take a more active role in building advocacy action. People who participate in EAD have a first-hand experience with the legislative advocacy process, which is invaluable for building local, provincial, congregational and/or regional interest and excitement. In 2009, FAN will begin an intensive effort to build the capacity for locally-based Franciscan advocacy action. EAD participants will be integral to the success of this process.
Go to http://www.advocacydays.org to sign-up today. Remember, if you sign up before February 13th, you get the "early bird" conference rate!
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Moving Toward Immigration Policy Reform
updates from Larry Janezic, OFM, FAN Issue Advocate
SCHIP Includes Funding for Children of Legal Resident Immigrants
On February 4, Congress passed an increase in SCHIP (the State Children Health Insurance Program). President Obama quickly signed it into law. This program is designed to insure children whose parents do not qualify of Medicaid by providing funds to the states. Altogether, this program will cover 11 million children . It will be funded by an increase in the federal cigarette tax. This program would cover the children of legal immigrants and pregnant women. Formally, immigrant children and pregnant women had to wait 5 years to qualify. This is certainly a step toward better immigration policy.
Immigration Training In Cincinnati, OhioJustice for Immigrants, a program of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is sponsoring a training for immigration advocacy. The training will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 26, 27, and 28. For more information and to register go to http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org |
FRANCISCAN INSPIRATION
Baptism and Cross: A Lenten Franciscan Perspective on the Work of Social Transformation
by Marc DelMonico
FAN Web Outreach Coordinator
Indeed, all the striving of the man of God,
whether in public or private,
revolved around the cross of the Lord....
Just as, internally, his mind had put on the crucified Lord,
so, externally, his body also put on the armor of the cross;
and, in the sign by which God had vanquished the
powers of the air ...
the mysteries of the cross began to shine forth in him.
~ Bonaventure, Major Legend of St. Francis, "The Miracles," Chapter I
The times in which Francis lived were marked by the sign of the cross in many ways. True, it was a time of fervent (perhaps even at times, overzealous) piety focused on the Crucified Christ. Francis, himself, child of his times, as all of us must be, had his own significant devotion to the cross of Christ. He was instrumental in developing the tradition of the Stations of the Cross, which still adorn the walls of many Catholic Churches. However, the passage from Bonaventure suggests a much deeper reality at work. Francis and those early Franciscan communities "put on the cross," more than just clinging to it sentimentally.
Can we relate the core of this Franciscan "cruciform" spirituality to dimensions of FAN's ongoing education and advocacy? What better time than the upcoming season of Lent - a time in which we as church are called upon once again to prepare catechumens for baptism and ourselves to observe the truth of how closely related that baptismal call and the cross truly are?
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FAN Action Commissioners Share Solidarity in Brazil
Franciscan Solidarity Experience and World Social Forum Highlight Links Between Poverty and Ecological Devastation
Fr. Pio Jackson, OFM and Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, members of the Franciscan Action Network Commission, participated in the recent Franciscan Solidarity Experience and the World Social Forum in Brazil (Jan. 17 to Feb 1, 2009).
Stories of poverty and environmental destruction were common although the circumstances varied. They felt the pain of abject destitution and the consequences of environmental degradation. A letter (PDF) was drafted by the participants as a way of reaching out and sharing these experiences with the rest of the Franciscan Family.
As the Franciscan Action Network, we understand the value of our connections with our brothers and sisters in Latin America and we seek ways to further work together for the cause of the poor and for environmental justice.
International persons who are interested in joining in solidarity with FAN's U.S.-based initiatives, please click here for more information.
Click here to view some pictures from the forum.
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