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January 9, 2012
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
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What Are You Looking For?
 If I heard Jesus call my name tonight, would I respond, "Here I am"? Would I say, "Speak, for your servant is listening"? And if Jesus asked, "What are you looking for?" would I have a clear, ready answer? Or would I try to pretend I didn't hear, or respond, "Try me later," or not really know what I'm looking for?
It took Samuel three tries to get the message. Lord was patiently persistent and Samuel became a ready listener, so much so that as he grew up "the Lord was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect" (1 Sm 3:19). What a great blessing! The two disciples, who did not respond directly to Jesus' question, "What are you looking for?" (Jn 1:38) did accept Jesus' invitation to "Come and you will see" (Jn 1:39). They were so attracted by what they saw and heard, that Andrew hastened to his brother Simon, declared that he had found the Messiah, and took Simon to Jesus who recognized him as a leader and changed his name to Cephas, i.e., Peter. This was a life-changing event for these disciples who listened, who responded to Jesus' invitation to come and see, and who found what their hearts were looking for.
Like Samuel and the first disciples, we are human, therefore imperfect, and it may take us some time to get the message right. However, as Paul reminds each of us, "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you" (1 Cor 6:19). Both body and soul are gifts from God, which Francis acknowledged: "Consider, O human being, in what great excellence the Lord God has placed you, for God created and formed you to the image of the beloved Son, according to the body and to his likeness according to the Spirit.*
As we reflect on the readings of this Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, we might use our ears for listening to God's voice, especially in the cries of the poor, and our eyes for seeing Jesus in the sick, the imprisoned, the hungry, the violated and oppressed. May the Spirit within us cry, "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will." May our hearts know that we have already found what we seek.
Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF FAN Director of Advocacy and Member Relations
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Geraldine Carolan Sloat in Memoriam
Transitus for Geraldine Marie Carolan Sloat (Sept. 11, 1955-Dec. 30, 2011)
Please join the FAN staff and Action Commission in prayer for the reposeof the soul of Geri Sloat, sister of FAN Executive Director Patrick Carolan. Geri encouragedPatrick to embark on his journey with FAN, and we trust in her intercession for FAN's mission. Geri's husband Tom preceded her by eight years. Geri endured cancer since a diagnosis shortly after Tom's departure. Her funeral Mass was Jan. 3, 2012. Three sons and a grandson join many family members and friends who continue to celebrate Geri's life and the witness of her faith.
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Shine Light on Immigration: The Magi and Migration
This year's Sunday celebration of Epiphany on Jan. 8 begins National Migration Week. As we remember the magi's journey to find Christ and the Holy Family's flight into Egypt, let us pray for all those who migrate, willingly and under duress. Find resources for observing National Migration Week on the USCCB website.
FAN Board of Directors member Sr. Barbara Kraemer, OSF (School Sisters of St. Francis, Milwaukee) noted a Catholic News Service article on a December "posada," a traditional Mexican reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter, in Chicago to raise awareness of the challenges immigrants face. About 250 Catholics joined Chicago Auxiliary Bishops John R. Manz and Alberto Rojas and a couple portraying Mary and Joseph. FAN staff member Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF and FAN Action Commissioner Kent Ferris, SFO will attend a Jan. 11-13 conference on immigration sponsored by the USCCB's Migration and Refugee Services and Catholic Legal Immigration Network. Learn more about this 50-state initiative taking place in Salt Lake City
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| Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. in Prayer and Action
 FAN partner Faith Advocates for Jobs is organizing an interfaith prayer vigil on Jan. 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr's holiday.
What about gathering locally as Franciscan communities and parishes for prayer followed by organizing to address ongoing social concerns?
E-mail Patrick Carolan for more information if you would like to attend the prayer vigil in Washington, D.C.
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| Join Franciscans Who March for Life!
 Franciscans from all three Orders of the Franciscan Family will participate in the March for Life on Jan. 23, 2012. Look for a banner with the FAN logo (San Damiano Cross in front of the Capitol building). FAN staff hope to see you there! |
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FAN TSSF Action Circle Team Forming
 FAN Action Commission Francesca Wigle, TSSF wrote an article for the Third Order Society of St. Francis newsletter, the Franciscan Times, about FAN. Check out the newsletter, with Francesca's article on page 25. (Internet Explorer may work better than other browsers to view the newsletter.)
Francesca and Dianne Aid, TSSF are forming a TSSF FAN Action Circle Team. E-mail them at fwigle@gmail.com or sanmate921@yahoo.com to learn more.
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Canticle Campus Class Offerings Beginning January 15, 2012  Chris Hickman, SFO and Francesca Wigle, TSSF are pleased to announce that Canticle Campus will be offering two classes beginning January 15, 2012. The 10-week classes will be based on two books by Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF: - Clare of Assisi, A Heart Full of Love - "Although this is a small book on the spirituality of a medieval woman from a glorious past, it is also a book about Christian life today. Clare's decisive emphasis on the person of Jesus Christ is an emphasis on the human person as well, what we are and what we are called to be." - From the Introduction.
- Franciscan Prayer - "By examining Saint Francis' doctrine of prayer through the twin lens of Saints Clare and Bonaventure, this book provides us with a long overdue spiritual and theological synthesis which will be treasured by all who love the Franciscan tradition. A significant contribution, beautifully presented." - Lawrence S. Cunningham. (Published by St. Anthony Messenger Press)
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FAN Action Commissioner Offers Perspective on Iowa Caucuses
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Almighty ever-living God,
who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth,
mercifully hear the pleading of your people
and bestow your peace on our times.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Prayer for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)
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Mission Statement
Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform U.S. public policy related to peacemaking, care for creation, poverty, and human rights. |
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