Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference

The ongoing networking among various Franciscan organizations engaging with young adults recently bore fruit in the first Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference, a new collaborative venture organized by the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) around the theme “Preserving God’s Planet Together.” From Friday, October 13 through Monday, October 16, 2023, almost 100 participants from Franciscan colleges, Franciscan Service Network volunteer programs, and FAN Franciscan Justice Circles gathered at the Washington Retreat House of the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement in Washington, D.C., for four days of building relationships while learning about the connections between Franciscan spirituality, Catholic Social Teaching, and advocacy for ecological justice.

Sr. Diane Tomkinson was privileged to attend this initial Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference with eight undergraduate students from Neumann University, graduate student Dariana Troilo, and Guilherme Lopez—Neumann’s Director of Campus Ministry. Our Neumann students enjoyed interacting with students from other Franciscan schools (including St. Bonaventure University, Siena College, Marian University, and Holy Name College) as well as with young adults participating in various volunteer programs. Members of the FAN staff, including Srs. Marie Lucey and Maria Orlandini, were hospitable hosts and gracious guides throughout the weekend. Learn more about the program here: https://franciscanaction.org/franciscan-justice-leadership-conference/.

The young adults who attended this first FAN Franciscan Justice Leadership training returned to their universities with new relationships, knowledge, and skills to become advocates for justice in their local communities and beyond.