BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sr. Claire Andre Gagliardi, OSC, and Br. Bill Short, OFM, presented talks last week at the annual Franciscan Federation conference whose theme was “Passionately Embracing Gospel Living.” Nearly 350 members of this national organization representing 67 religious congregations of sisters, brothers and priests of the Third Order Regular participated in the three-day event.
Bishop Edward Kmiec of Buffalo was a guest on the conference’s opening day on July 28. The conference examined the restructuring of the Franciscan Order, according to an article in the July 23 Western New York Catholic.
The mission of the Franciscan Federation, according to its website, is “to promote the exploration and study of Franciscan Evangelical Life and its implications for these times and for our world.” The Federation provides national and regional opportunities to collaborate, gather and celebrate so that the brothers and sisters can better live the Third Order Regular call to conversion, contemplation, poverty and humility.
Five Diocese of Buffalo communities are members of the Franciscan Federation: the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, the Franciscan Sisters of Penance and Christian Charity at Stella Niagara, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph and the Felician Sisters.