WASHINGTON — The Franciscan Action Network has announced several events for the next two weeks.
On Oct. 2 at 4 p.m., Christine Elliott, FAN’s director of care for creation, will present the 9th Annual Franciscan Lecture at St. Francis College in Brooklyn on “All Praise Be Yours: Franciscan Relationship to Creator and Creation.” The lecture is open to the public.
Training on Franciscan Spirituality and Community Organizing takes place on Oct. 5, 7 to 9 p.m., and Oct. 6, 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at St. Pius X Parish in Middletown, Conn. Participants will explore creating systemic change while remaining rooted in peace and love. The cost is $25. Information is available from Fr. Sam Fuller, OFM Cap., 860-347-4441.
Fifth Anniversary Celebration
As the Franciscan Action Network prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary on Nov. 9, the organization extends its heartfelt thanks to all its supporters and invites people to send a gift in honor of its founding.
“From publicizing the Franciscan friars’ support of LCWR to marches with a golden calf through the streets of Milwaukee and Washington, D.C., FAN has made a big impact,” it was reported in the Sept. 18 issue of its electronic newsletter.
Donors of gifts of $125 or more will receive a signed copy of the book Breathing Under Water and a CD by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province in New Mexico. A copy of Repair My House, autographed as a thank you from Fr. Michael Crosby, OFM Cap, is also offered. Donors may give online by visiting FAN’s website.
Other Initiatives
The action network is also working on a variety of other advocacy projects.
• FAN will recognize National Food Day on Oct. 24. As Earth Day does for the environment, Food Day hopes to raise awareness for sustainable food and the issues surrounding hunger. FAN encourages it supporters to host their own Food Day event, including a healthy potluck dinner, film screening, lecture, health fair, or other appropriate event.
• As a follow-up to the July “welcome home” turnout for the Nuns on the Bus tour, FAN headed to New York City to join the nuns on a ferry. The nuns and their supporters participated in a rally on Sept. 24 in front of Staten Island Borough Hall as part of their continued protest against Paul Ryan’s proposed budget, which they deem immoral. FAN’s Sr. Marie Lucey gave a TV interview on the Arabic news network Al Jazeera about the U.S. budget as a moral document. The interview may be seen on the FAN website.
• FAN partners at Food & Water Watch have collaborated with communities of faith in New York to respond to hydro-fracking. The coalition, called New Yorkers Against Fracking, invites FAN members to consider signing an online endorsement and to use resources for faith leaders. Members are also encouraged to call New York Gov. Mario Cuomo at 866-961-3208 and voice their concerns.
— Wendy Healy, a freelance writer based in Connecticut, is a regular contributor to HNP Today.