Immigration and Creation: Networking in Mutual Love (2009)
Statements of Resolution: Be it resolved that the members of the Franciscan Federation focus on immigration and creation through effective networking on joint advocacy efforts both within the Franciscan family and with other related organizations.
Background: Through our mutual love we can generate a positive and hopeful future. When Franciscans attend to collaborating within the family we are enabled to speak with one voice. By networking with other organizations we will deepen our understanding and broaden our Franciscan influence to make the world a better place.
As a Franciscan Federation, members have been actively involved in the care of immigrants and creation for the past three years. With this collective experience and accountability reporting, we are enabled to move ahead with the connections necessary to create a critical mass that would benefit these issues. Concerns around the environment and immigration are priorities for many local, state and national governments. Due to this direction, a number of organizations will be focusing on these agendas.
Rationale: Franciscans are being called to respond to the needs of our times through the organizations available to us. There are two major Franciscans organizations that would benefit from joint networking efforts of the AFC. The Franciscan Action Network, which is comprised of all 3 branches of the family, focuses on the policies of the United States and their impact locally, nationally and internationally. Franciscans International represents one million Franciscans world wide and has achieved ECOSOC status at the United Nations. This means that FI can formally speak and provide viable input for reports to the UN. Both organizations rank immigration and the environment as top priorities.
There are a myriad of other organizations for networking on these issues, such as the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Catholic Relief Services, (CRS), NETWORK, and Sierra Club, to name a few of the immigration and environment groups, where Franciscans have valuable connections. Since we have established a pattern for actions and accountability, now is the time to focus and record our collaboration with others.
Call to Respond:
Let us as members of the Federation work together to find ways to network around issues related to care of creation and immigration so:
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That the members join in the prayerful action in related organizations by sharing prayer resources, remembrances at intercessions at liturgy or on special days, etc.
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That the members become more educated about ways to become involved in specific advocacy through newsletters, internet searches, e-mail alerts, etc.
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That the members are encouraged to determine which organizations are most appropriate for their active collaboration and where feasible, contribute financially to the development of these organizations.
- That the members join in effective advocacy efforts to promote comprehensive immigration reform:
Putting a special emphasis on ending the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on factories by networking with organizations and small groups who are also working to end the raids.
In partnership with the United States Catholic Bishops we highlight in our communities and beyond awareness, education and prevention of the crime of trafficking.
- That members promote respectful stewarding of Earth’s resources by taking the St. Francis Pledge To Care for Creation and the Poor; and for those who have already taken the pledge to renew their commitment to pray, learn, assess, act, and advocate together for climate change as it impacts the poor and the vulnerable.
- That the members invite and/or host meetings in collaboration with other organizations.
- That members, communities and region chairs keep records of their activities in order to make them known to the entire Federation at the subsequent Annual Federation Conference.
Origin of Proposal:
Region Chairs: Sr. Lorraine Campanelli OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities (Region 1); Sr. Betty Kane OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia (Region 2); Sr. Rose Marie Surwilo OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet (Region 3); Sr. Virginia Heldorfer OSF, Dubuque Franciscans (Region 4); Sr. Elizabeth Ruppert FSM, Franciscan Sisters of Mary (Region 5); Sr. Agnes Kaczmarek OSF, Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities (Region 6).
JPIC Coordinators: Sr. Jean Amore SMIC, JPIC Contact St. Bonaventure Parish Paterson, N.J., with Holy Name Province, Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception; Sr. Sharon Havelak OSF, JPIC Coordinator, Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH; Sr. Jeanine Heath CSSF, Chicago Felician Franciscan Justice and Peace Chair Person, Sr. Maureen Irvin OSF, Justice and Peace Coordinator, Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, Springfield, IL.; Sr. Mary Kuhlman OSF, JPIC Coordinator, Sisters of St. Francis Tiffin, OH; Sr. Christine Martin OSF, Peace and Justice Coordinator, Sisters of St. Francis of Savannah, MO; Sr. Marge Wissman OSF, JPIC Coordinator, Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg, IN, Irene Senn, JPIC Coordinator, Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, Katie Varatta, JPIC Coordinator, Sisters of St. Joseph Third Order of St. Francis.
Offices: Franciscan Federation, Washington, D.C., Franciscan Action Network, Washington, D.C., and Franciscans International in New York.
Contact: Sr. Sheila Kinsey, OSF, JPIC Leader Wheaton Franciscans 26W171 Roosevelt Rd Box 667 Wheaton, Illinois 60187-0667. Phone: 630.909.6635 Fax: 630.462.7148 and E-mail skinsey@wheatonfranciscan.org
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