Mini-Conference Registration Open
The Joint Committee on Franciscan Unity is holding a series of online mini-conferences to invite ecumenically-minded Franciscans to talk and reflect on “Elements of Franciscan Unity.” These mini-conferences will center on one of the five elements around which the Joint Committee organizes its work.
Our next mini-conference, scheduled for Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 4pm-6pm EST (3pm-5pm CST / 2pm-4pm MST / 1-3pm PST), will discuss how our Franciscan identity and unity is deeply centered in the person of Jesus Christ. It will include a joint presentation by representatives of each of the Joint Committee’s constituent Orders – Donna Hollis (Order of Secular Franciscans), Masud Ibn Syedullah (Third Order Society of St. Francis), Mark Molter (Order of Lutheran Franciscans), and Debra Snider-Scott (Order of Ecumenical Franciscans) – as well as time for small group discussion and prayer.
REGISTRATION: To facilitate small-group discussion, you are invited to register early by July 15. There is no cost for the retreat, and you do not need to be formally affiliated with a member Order to register.
Questions? Contact Andrew Chavanak, n/OLF, at achavanak@gmail.com.
Mission Statement
The Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee seeks to bring an authentic ecumenical and interfaith spirit and understanding to the ongoing renewal of the Secular Franciscan Order. In the Spirit of our Lord and our beloved St. Francis, we seek to foster the ministry of reconciliation in every part of our fraternal life, and, thereby, witness to the world our unique Franciscan charism and our prophetic witness to the unity of all creation.
The Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee’s focus is to encourage and empower fraternal relationships through reflective, responsible, and respectful dialogue with our ecumenical and interfaith sisters and brothers. Our Rule and Constitutions and the documents of the Church provide us guidance in this endeavor.
Our task is thus to be an instrument of unity and understanding for the Franciscan family. Therefore, we challenge each other to bring a Franciscan focus to the ministry of unity through our intentional and continual building of ecumenical and interfaith relationships.
From Our Rule of Life
As the Father sees in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so the Secular Franciscans with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ. A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ. (Article 13)
Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone “who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself”, let them exercise their responsibilities competently in Christian spirit of service. (Article 14)
Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others. (Article 19)
Resources
- Joint Committee on Franciscan Unity
- Committee Members
- Order of Ecumenical Franciscans
- Order of Lutheran Franciscans
- Third Order Society of St. Francis
- Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute
- Pluralism Project of Harvard University
- Mission statement, Organizing Principles, and elements of Franciscan Unity
Current events:
- Theology of the Hammer--Habitat for Humanity
- Sainthood Status Advances for Priest Shot for Saving Jews
- Tim Keller, gentle bridge building giant in the Evangelical tradition, died on May 19, 2023
- Pope Francis gave a relic of the true cross to King Charles for his coronation
- Synod vigil to be expression of 'ecumenism of solidarity,' pastor says
- Pope Holds Ukrainian Interfaith Efforts As Concrete Testimony of Peace
- TSSF Ecumenical Report and Retreat 2023
Film Watch:
- Stranger Sister
- The Letter Pope Francis-Laudato Si film
- Christians Should Study the Qur'an Fr.Dan Horan, OFM
- A Franciscan Response to Racism and the fear of the "Other"
- The Chosen Film Series
- International Conference on Fratelli Tutti
Presentations
- JCFU Vocation Presentation
- Baptism Presentation
- Charism Mini-Retreat April 2023
- The People of God as a Sacred Prism
- The Franciscan Charism
Monthly Challenge
- The Jewish holiday of Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Law to Moses. This is the holiday - the Festival of Weeks, or Pentecost - that the crowds were in Jerusalem to celebrate when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. This June, spend some time with the Five Books of Moses and think of the beliefs shared by Jews and Christians.