Enduring in Peace
The first time I heard about Father Louis Vitale, OFM, was when he joined the protests at Fort Benning’s infamous School of the Americas.
Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Retreat
Last May, JPIC animators from around the US gathered at Holy Cross Retreat Center near Las Cruces, NM, to pray, to learn, to build, and to renew connections and commitment. Fr. Ignatius Harding, OFM, (who prefers to be called Br. Iggy) served as our spiritual assistant.
Multicultural Relationships
Multicultural relationships involve partners from different cultural backgrounds and can present challenges and opportunities. Effective communication is very important, as language barriers and different cultural expressions can complicate relations. ... Multicultural relationships are justice issues that seek the good of the other person(s). As Franciscans, we are known for our dedication to justice. We strive to bring people together in a society that is fair (or just). Each person needs to feel welcomed to create a diverse OFS community.
Carolyn Townes, OFS, Honored with JPIC Award at National Chapter Gathering
"We try so hard to steer clear of anything that smacks of pain and suffering, although we are a nation in pain with tremendous suffering. We are brokenhearted. But the Psalmist tells us that God is close to the broken-hearted," Carolyn said in her JPIC award speech.
Family Apostolate – JPIC for Secular Franciscans
A JPIC apostolate for Secular Franciscans, essential and unique to our order, is our ministry to our families. ... Our families are not just biological or relational connections. In Lumen Gentium, Family is described as “the domestic church” (LG, 11) because we share common beliefs, purpose, and life, in a family. “…[It] has been a treasure for the Church….
Carolyn Townes, OFS, JPIC Award Recipient
Carolyn Townes, OFS, is the 2025 recipient of the Secular Franciscan Order’s Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation award.
JPIC: Sharing the Joy and the Hope
We can probably agree that “the Church’s best kept secret” is not the most desirable nickname for the Secular Franciscan Order. As a regional vice minister, I was asked to initiate a “vocations ministry” a few years ago. This resulted in a handbook which referenced the national Vocations Toolkit along with best practices from around St. Elizabeth of Hungary region.
Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Award, 2024
Our JPIC Award recipient for 2024 is Michele Dunne, OFS. Michele is minister of the Mount Saint Sepulchre Fraternity in the Margaret of Cortona Region. Since 2021, she has served as executive director of the Franciscan Action Network. What follows is a brief interview with Michele:
Apostolate: Love in Living Deeds
“If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?” (James 2: 15,16.) It could also be said, if we see a river of people wandering without protection, all their savings stolen, preyed upon by criminals and officials alike, huddled against our national border, and we say to them, “peace and all good,” and do nothing to help them obtain food, shelter, and safety, what good is that?
Taking Action for Renewal
Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation is meant to be more than a list of topics. It is a model to show how our life in the Rule brings about conversion, and how our actions are its fruit. We practice contemplative prayer, we reflect on our Gospel call, experience conversion, and apply it to this age and place. In our work, in our family life, in the parish and in our fraternities, we are a people of renewal.