Action iNspiration

As our members take time to become engaged more actively in civic discourse, they sometimes share their stories or experiences with us.  Below are some excerpts of recent stories about actions people took because of their commitment to FAN and its mission.  They are reprinted in part so that others can view them and see the value and importance of civic engagement. (Where appropriate, full names and organizations have been withheld to protect privacy.) Have a story you'd like to share with us? Tell us about it using our contact form so that your story might inspire others to act to "transform the world in a spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare."

"In May, a group of 8 from the Casa [the Franciscan Renewal Center in Arizona] and 4 from the Methodist church met with a staffer from Senator Jon Kyl's (R-AZ) office to discuss immigration reform.  The group from the Methodist church were ones that we had met at  Ecumencial Advocacy Days and had gone together to the visit at Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) office. It was a very good meeting. The staffer gave us a lot of time to present our points.  At the end, he expressed his appreciation for our well thought- out points and our centrist position.  Disappointingly, he expressed the same sentiment  as back in March that nothing significant was going to be done before the November elections.  But he did believe that it was going to be a first priority of the new Congress and told us to hold Congress’ and the Administration’s  “feet to the fire” so that it gets done.  I asked him if we could expect Sen. Kyl to take a leadership role next year.  He hesitated and then said yes and invited us back when legislation is being crafted.  We plan to do that.  Rosemarie spoke to him about Franciscan Action Network as we were leaving and he expressed appreciation that the Franciscans were taking  an advocate role-- more than other orders.  We are getting noticed."

~ Patti, FAN activist from Arizona

Sr. Betty Kane, OSF, a Franciscan Sister of Philadelphia, posted a video about the importance of comprehensive climate change legislation and the work she and her community (an institutional member of FAN) are doing in this area:

"The three of us took a ride to Senator Lindsey Graham's office in Pendleton, SC, just outside of Anderson. Of course, he was carrying out his business in Washington, DC and could not be with us. However, we did have a nice visit with his staff and took a couple of pictures. We were there to present a letter to the Senator, thanking him and his staff for their untiring work on immigration which, we know, he has taken a great deal of criticism for. We were there on behalf of our JPIC Committee from St Mary of the Angels, our community in South Carolina and, of course, on behalf of the Franciscan Action Network."

~ Tony S., FAN Activist, South Carolina

Photo Info: From left to right in the photos are, Norene, a JPIC Committee member from St. Mary of the Angels, Father Aubrey, OFM, Pastor and Committee head, Denise, Senator Graham's Senior Advisor and Jennifer, in charge of Constituent Services.

"My 16-year-old daughter ... and I met with the district director with the assistance of the social concerns director from the Franciscan Renewal Center. Although I asked for the person who would know the congressman's position on this bill, the person we met with was unfamiliar with his position or the bill. I handed her a letter anyway and asked for his position in writing and she said she would do this. ... [A representative] from the Casa discussed St. Francis's interest in Creation and the Poor and related this to the bill. I talked about the drought in our area and the increased number of days in which air conditioning is required while our utility is raising rates and reducing solar power rebates. My daughter talked about the bill's assistance with education and green jobs."
- Candace, FAN activist from Arizona

"Because we were unable to get a meeting date with [our Member of Congress] during the Memorial Holiday break [to discuss the energy bill], I delivered 31 letters that the parishioners and staff of [our Franciscan parish] signed to [our Congressman's] local office this morning. The  letters were received with the promise that [our Congressman] would receive them. [The receptionist] thanked me for coming and encouraged me to come back any time ....."
- Jean, FAN activist from New Jersey

"I visited the Congresswoman at her office here in [North Carolina] along with 2 members of my church and a Methodist minister .... I am a tertiary in [an ecumenical Francican community].  Most of us have had contact with our Congresswoman's office before, always with rather disappointing results.  She is very personable and was very gracious with her time.  But, she does not "believe in" climate change and does not believe the government should intervene in people's (or corporation's)  private decisions concerning the environment.  She does not support ... other efforts to cap carbon emissions.  I have written a follow-up letter thanking her for her time and re-emphasizing our position, asking her to reconsider. ...  I am now considering a petition campaign."
- Linda, FAN Activist from North Carolina