|
|
In this Issue:
Shower for Mary
FAN Names New Executive Director
Updates from Brazil
Franciscan Federation Conference
Transition from Tri-CRI to IASJ
|
|
|
Seventeenth Annual Shower for Mary
By: Denise Bunk-Hatch, Communications Director
|
|
The St. Elizabeth Motherhouse community hosted the Seventeenth Annual Shower for Mary on Thursday evening, December 5.
Prior to the Shower for Mary, a group of sisters and community members braved the frigid wind chill to watch the lighting of the Creche at the bottom of the Motherhouse hill. Sr. Chris Treichel, Spiritual Life Coordinator, gave the blessing and led those gathered in the singing of "Silent Night" and "Come All Ye Faithful."
At 7 p.m., the masses gathered in the Motherhouse chapel for the Shower for Mary. Following a welcome from Sr. Mary Lou Lafferty, Local Minister, Rev. Kim Rossi of St. Stephen Episcopal Church and Deacon Carrie Wolfe of the Christ United Methodist Church read passages from the Gospel of Luke, and Fr. James Vacco of St. Bonaventure Church shared a moving reflection on the Advent Season.
This year, the gifts will benefit Gerard Place in Buffalo, NY. Gerard Place is a transitional shelter for the homeless and for single-parent families. Learn more about Gerard Place
here.
|
|
Franciscan Action Network Announces New Executive Director
|
|
Stephen Schneck has been named the Executive Director of The Franciscan Action Network (FAN), effective January 6, 2020. “Steve was the unanimous choice of the Board of Directors at our November meeting. We are delighted to have a Franciscan-hearted leader of Steve’s caliber and expertise. His experience and dedication to the common good leave him poised to build on the success stories of FAN’s outgoing Executive Director Patrick Carolan.” noted Board President Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. Dr. Schneck succeeds Mr. Patrick Carolan the founding Executive Director who has served since 2010.
A nationally-known Catholic advocate for social justice, Schneck comes to FAN after thirty years at The Catholic University of America (CUA), where he taught political philosophy and also served as department chair and dean. At CUA, he founded the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies, which involved him in advancing Catholic social teachings in public life, engaging with politicians, government officials, activists, and Church leaders in the United States on issues from migration and care of creation to health care and poverty.
“The charism of the Franciscans was instilled in my youth by the Sisters of Saint Francis in Clinton, Iowa, where I was schooled in the ‘60s by civically-engaged sisters and where my family often worked with the sisters on issues of poverty, racism, and economic injustice,” Schneck said. “It is a profound privilege to serve with the Franciscans now, returning full circle in perhaps the last chapter of my life’s work.”
Sr. Margaret Magee, OSF, FAN Board member and past president, praised outgoing Executive Director Patrick Carolan, “Patrick’s desire and passion that FAN would envision and embody what was needed for our church, our world, our Franciscan family and beyond has always been inspiring. In meeting Stephen, I was personally moved by his eagerness to share more in our Franciscan spirituality and values as we engage the world around us”.
|
|
Sr. Eloenia Soares da Mota (Novice) recently helped promote the "First Pilgrimage of Living Well... Mining-free territory" in Para, Brazil.
|
|
Sr. Suzanne Alves da Silva represented the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in the Diocese of Bom Jesus de Lapa on November 16-17.
|
|
Franciscan Federation Conference
|
|
Friday, June 5 – Monday, June 8, 2020
DoubleTree by Hilton Denver
3203 Quebec Street, Denver CO 80207
This 2020 Invitational Federation Assembly seeks to answer the following:
- How can more strategic collaboration strengthen the Franciscan voice as we respond to needs in both our nation and our church in this time of crisis?
- How can leaders of major Franciscan organizations collectively plan for a sustainable future for many Franciscan sponsored initiatives and programs?
- How will changing demographics and organizational structures of both the friars and many sisters’ congregations impact membership and the work of national Franciscan organizations?
The Denver Assembly Planning Group, includes the Executive Committee of the Commission of Charism Services, a few National Board Members, our Co-Executive Directors, and representatives of Franciscan Action Network, Secular Franciscans, Franciscan Mentors, Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities, is pleased to announce the keynote presenters:
|
|
Transition from Tri-CRI to Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ)
|
|
As shared in the first November e-newlsetter, the Investor Advocates for Social Justice is the new name for the Tri-State Coalition for Corporate Responsibility of which we have been members for years. The Congregation is now listed as an affiliate and Mary Beth Gallagher is our corporate responsibility representative in shareholder activities. The new organization's website is now linked on the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany webpage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
