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PEACE & JUSTICE
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 action steps on issues of immediate concern and of more lasting impact. They meet four to six times a year to discern what most needs attention out of the vast array of emerging and ongoing issues.
• Living out Gospel values and Catholic social teachings
SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS SHOW SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM
A group of close to 250 gathered outside St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo on July 16 for a public prayer witness for comprehensive immigration reform.
Included were the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Secular Franciscans and members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
Michael E. Marszalkowski, an immigration attorney, Brian Brown-Cashdollar, the executive director of VIVE, Inc., as well as a refugee from the Republic of
the Ivory Coast, West Africa, who has received assistance from the agency, were presenters at the event providing valuable information about the need for comprehensive immigration reform in our country.
"Our commitment to Catholic social teaching impels us to stand with the poor and vulnerable, to welcome the stranger among us including immigrants seeking work, a safe home, education for their children, and a decent life for their families," said Sister Patricia Burkard, OSF, general minister of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities.
The Sisters concern for refugees, those fleeing homelands due to tremendous unrest, led them in the early 1980s to work with other congregations of women religious in the LCWR and with other faith congregations in the Buffalo area to create VIVE, Inc.
Located at 50 Wyoming Ave. in Buffalo, VIVE operates LaCasa, a shelter with 108 beds. This nonprofit interfaith organization assists world refugees seeking asylum both in the United States and in Canada. Vive provides food, shelter, clothing, health care and legal services to refugees as they await their appointment to enter Canada or the U.S. asylum hearing. In 2007, VIVE provided services to more than 3500 individuals, 70 percent of whom were women and children. Since its founding in 1984, VIVE has assisted over 63,000 refugees from over 106 countries.
"The entire immigration system with its quotas and now the added security clearances is just not equipped to handle the volume and the reality of war refugees," said Sister Suzanne Susany, an immigration law student at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. "Most are waiting for years to have their
documents processed. Many have greatly helped our government in the recent war, at great risk to their own life and family, and have not been compensated. Lawmakers need to revise the system in a way that is just and equitable, so that refugee immigration can be expedited, and others who have contributed to our country's growth and vitality receive a just and equitable response."
"May this public prayer be a stepping stone to true reform of immigration policies," said Sister Bea Leising of Buffalo.
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:
- Peacebuilding/Peacemaking/Conflict Resolution
- Care for persons who are poor and marginalized
- 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
GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON SUPPORTS EXTREME ABORTION PROPOSAL.
On April 25, 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer put forth a radical abortion proposal that would go far beyond Roe vs. Wade. The Governor’s bill could, among other things, force Catholic hospitals to allow abortions and make abortion virtually immune from any reasonable state regulation such as parental notification or informed consent. His bill would enshrine abortion in our law as a ‘fundamental right’ and legalize it through all nine months of pregnancy, for virtually any reason. Recently Governor David Paterson has shown support for this bill.
Take action now to tell your lawmakers to oppose this extreme bill!
Click here to take action.
FOOD AND WATER WATCH 
Food and Water Watch is a Nonprofit Comsumer Organization that works to ensure clean water and safe food. Click here to read more...
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 and action
Local areas where our sisters live
Amnesty International
Franciscans InternationalCenter of Concern – Jesuit publications
Pace e Bene – Franciscan Friars of California
African Faith and Justice Network –
Our success stories:
Peace SiteCorporate Stands
Socially Responsible Investments
A portion of our resources are placed in Alernative Investments which are investments at work for the poor.
- Self Help
- Leviticus 25:23 Alternative Fund
- New Community
Your concerns – email us and we will respond to you
Other Links of Interest
Bridges TV