FAN to Mark Five Years of Advocacy With Celebration in November

Maria Hayes Franciscan World

WASHINGTON — Five years ago, approximately 135 Franciscans — friars, sisters, secular and lay — gathered in Baltimore, Md., to pray, reflect and discuss how they could move forward in the 21st century as agents of transformation. They created the Franciscan Action Network — an organization to bring a coordinated and effective voice to matters of justice, peace and care for creation in today’s world.

This fall, FAN will hold a 5th anniversary celebration honoring board president Sr. Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF, for her dedicated service. Sr. Margaret was recently elected congregational minister of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.

All are welcome to the anniversary dinner at Trinity Washington University, 125 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, D.C., on Nov. 9. Tickets are $50. Attendees should RSVP by Oct. 15 via email to reception@franciscanaction.org.

FAN has a history of advocacy and dialogue with the United States government on both domestic and international issues, such as climate change, the Gulf Oil spill, and peacemaking in the Holy Land. Details about FAN’s recent projects can be found in the Aug. 20 issue and Aug. 27 issue of the organization’s newsletter. The electronic publication describes:

  • Calls for President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney to address global climate change
  • Requests for Republican presidential and vice-presidential candidates Romney and Rep. Paul Ryan “to spend time with the poor in order for them to learn to treat the poor with dignity and prioritize the poor in their policies”
  • Attendance by FAN’s executive director Patrick Carolan, and the FAN director of advocacy and member relations Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF, at the Franciscan Federation Conference held July 27 to 30 in Cincinnati, Ohio
  • The anti-natural gas hydraulic fracturing rally held in Washington, D.C., in which FAN members, includingJacek Orzechowski, OFM, participated
  • FAN’s support for Green America’s campaign for Clean Energy Victory Bonds to provide a competitive government-backed instrument to invest in alternate energy

— Compiled by Maria Hayes