The Province of St. Mary supports the Franciscan Action Network (FAN), which mobilizes the Franciscan family at its grass roots to work for justice, peace, and care for creation. Two of our friars attended FAN’s leadership conference in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 12-15 that culminated in 21 congressional meetings led by Franciscan college students and religious communities

Conference participants included more than 100 students from seven Franciscan colleges, campus ministers, volunteers from Franciscan ministries, friars, sisters, Secular Franciscans, and members of Franciscan Justice Circles, local groups supported by the Franciscan Action Network. The conference attendees formed delegations that met with the staff of House and Senate members from both parties. They asked their representatives for their support for two pieces of legislation: the assault weapons ban and a part of the Farm Bill that protects workers suffering from heat-induced illness.

“Conference participants set aside the sharp, partisan style of communication that prevails in the United States these days and instead used self-discipline to engage with members of Congress in a Franciscan style that is courteous and humble while also committed to the gospel value of loving our neighbors,” said Michele Dunne, the executive director of FAN and a Secular Franciscan.

Fr. Thomas Franks, the vice president of mission integration at Felician University, Lodi, N.J., brought three students to the Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference. Br. Anthony Zuba, chair of the provincial JPIC commission, also attended. The Province, which is an institutional member of FAN, also provided a grant to underwrite the conference and enable so many young adults to come to Washington.

Thank you to the participants for your dedication and to the Franciscan colleges, service organizations, and many religious communities who attended and supported the gathering with funding. We look forward to continuing this journey together,” Dunne said.