• The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities have had an active Peace and Justice Committee since the early 1980s. The committee focuses on increasing awareness through education and on promoting individual and communal advocacy on issues of immediate concern and of more lasting impact.  

• Living out Gospel values and Catholic social teachings

CHERISHING THE LAND: GOD'S GIFT TO ALL

Franciscan Celebration of the gift of creation
October 10, 2011 at 3:30 pm in Amherst State Park, Amherst, NY
Come and join the Sisters of St. Francis for Prayer and Celebration of all God's good gifts.  For more information click here.

Contact: Sister Bea Leising
716.632.2155 X 591

 
PEACE THROUGH JUSTICE - JUNE, 2011

Sister Bea Leising

We must make haste: too many are suffering, and the distance is growing that separates the progress of some and the stagnation, not to say the regression, of others…

There can be no progress towards the complete development of man without the simultaneous development of all humanity in the spirit of solidarity...

                           (ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLES, 1967, Pope Paul VI)

The Growing Distance

More than 40 years have passed since Pope Paul VI’s memorable plea in his encyclical ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLES.  He called for more developed nations to work to close the gap between them and those nations less developed.  He emphasized that development was more than “mere economic growth,” and that it had to address the whole person. That is, it needs to address the human condition in its entirety.

Since 1967, the gap between the developed and under-developed nations has significantly increased.  Our sisters who have been working for years in Peru, Kenya, New Mexico, and other areas with the poor could tell us much about this sad reality.  While progress is made in some areas, over-all there is still such disparity.  Bread for the World, “a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad,” has been working for years to eradicate hunger in our country and in less developed countries.

For a number of years, our sisters have joined with Bread for the World in their annual letter-writing campaign addressing various issues related to hunger.  This year’s effort will “urge Congress to reform U.S. foreign assistance so that it is more effective in reducing hunger in the world’s poorest countries.”  As is mentioned in their newsletter, there are 4 basic areas in foreign aid that are being addressed.  They are seeking:

• A stronger focus on reducing poverty
• Clearer accountability for how U.S. aid dollars are spent and their results
• A transformed U.S. development agency
• U.S. aid that meets the need and wants of local people in developing countries

The U.S. has been moving forward in the last couple of years in overhauling our foreign aid program with a 2009 Feed the Future initiative that invests in the agricultural productivity of poor farmers and with the 2010 Global Development Policy which now guides agencies in carrying out development programs.  Our collective effort can help to keep this momentum going forward.   

• This campaign will continue to push Congress and the administration toward U.S. foreign assistance that is more effective in reducing global poverty.
• What is an Offering of Letters? Each year, Bread members write to their members of Congress, advocating for policies that help end hunger in the U.S. and around the world.

Please join us in our annual letter writing campaign by going to the Bread For Life World Wide Web site  http://www.bread.org/ol/2011/

Thank You!

 ST. FRANCIS PLEDGE

We pledge to:

PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and  protect the poor and vulnerable.

LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.

ASSESS how we as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.

ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.

ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.                                                                                  

 PEACE SITES

Pittsburgh	Williamsville

FRANCISCAN ACTION NETWORK

NOTE: All materials on the Franciscan Action Network are taken from a leaflet published by the organization.

Transforming the World in the Spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare

What is the Franciscan Action Network?
Inspired by the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and the long heritage of men and women who follow in their footsteps as present day disciples of Jesus Christ, the Franciscan Action Network is designed to bring a coordinated and effective voice to matters of Justice, Peace and Care for Creation in our world.  The particular focus of the Franciscan Action Network's advocacy is the U.S. Government and related Washington, DC based insitiutions (e.g., World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States...).  The advocacy topics will be both international and domestic in scope.  In these arenas, the Franciscan Action Network hopes to bring a spirit of healing and reconciliation as they advocate for the transformation of the world, as inspired by the Spirit of God.

FRANCISCAN ACTION NETWORK VISION STATEMENT:

The Franciscan movement was born at a time of reform and change in its society.  This same spirit of reform and transformation inspires the creation of the Franciscan Action Network.

The Franciscan Action Network seeks a world that reflects the balanced and just society that the founders of the Franciscan movement, St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, believed that God invites all of creation to accept.  Such a society understands that the transformation of relationships occurs in the multiple realities of created experience: local, national and global settings.  Through the proper ordering of relations, using the Christian Social Teaching principles of solidarity and the common good, we envision a world where all have what they need to reach the fullest of their individuated humanity.  In such a world as this, creation, and humanity as part of it, would live in balance and peace with social justice.  Our vision is encapsulated in the phrase - Transforming the World in the Spirit of St. Francis & St. Clare of Assisi.

What issues and Topics are the foci of FAN's effort at Inclusive Social Transformation?

Numerous issues call for a response in our world.  As Franciscans, we believe our charism calls us to act in a particular way on three issue:

1. Peacebuilding/Peacemaking/Conflict Resolution
2. Care for persons who are poor and marginalized 
3. Care for Creation

Each of these broad issue areas will have both U.S. domestic and international dimensions.

How do I get more information about the Franciscan Action Network?
Visit their website at: www.franciscanaction.org

CONTACT FAN:
Russell Testa, Executive Director
PO Box 29053
Washington, DC  20017-9053
(202) 527-7575
testa@franciscanaction.org

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS – Major themes

Dignity of the human person
Community and the common good
Rights and responsibilities
Option for the poor
Dignity of work
Solidarity
Role of government and subsidiarity
Economic justice
Stewardship of God’s creation
Promotion of peace and disarmament
For a more complete explanation, go to:
www.networklobby.org
www.osjspm.org

ONGOING EDUCATION

LOCAL WNY AREA:

VIVE in Buffalo                                                           

In need of support through monetary donations, clothing, food, bedding, paper products, cleaning supplies, Vive also welcomes volunteers to play with children, teach English, register refugees, serve meals, paint and clean, and enter data into computers.

New York Peace Center
The WNY Peace Center, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization dedicated to the promotion of peace through justice at home and abroad.  www.wnypeace.org

NEW YORK STATE:

New York State Catholic Conference

NATIONAL:

Leviticus Alternative Fund   
Leviticus fund channels investments into low-income communities by creating flexible financing to develop affordable housing, community facilities and childcare centers. www.leviticusfund.org

Network
Based in Washington, D.C., this group, founded in 1972 by 47 Catholic sisters, now has more than 100,000 members. Network uses lobbying and legislative action as avenues to greater justice and peace. Their site provides educational resources as well as ways to take action on priority issues and current legislation under consideration.
www.networklobby.org                                                                      

WORLD:

Bread for the World

Fonkoze
Haiti's alternative bank for the Organized Poor, building a lasting institution on which the poor can rely.  www.fonkoze.org

• Bible as source of fundamental moral principles
• Ecological conscience
• Collective good of the whole planet
• Primacy of rights of humans over technology
• Divine reality of the natural world
• Universal destiny of all goods
• Collaborative development in poor areas
• International collaboration
• More sober lifestyles
• Spiritual response to Creator

Amnesty International

PEACE AND JUSTICE TOPICS

• The 2011 Offering of Letters