We were drawn to this image because the piazza is alive with energy. It is a gathering place where travelers arrive by their own paths and participate in the rhythm of community life, joining in prayer or meditation, sharing an aperitivo, pausing for fellowship, or simply resting in presence. In the Federation piazza, no matter the activity, each person encounters the Franciscan spirit and departs carrying it forth in a unique way. The piazza represents opportunities for connection, learning, and growth. It opens a shared space where all can deepen their love for the Franciscan charism and live it together with mutuality, discovery, and joy.

Sensing this tension, Cameron offered another possibility by sharing a video of a murmuration, a breathtaking phenomenon where thousands of starlings fly in ever changing and coordinated patterns without a fixed center. The beauty of the flock lies in its responsiveness, its shifting shape, and its unity in motion.

Inspired by this vision, we began to see the Federation not as a hub or focal point under one roof, but as a murmuration itself, an organic and evolving network of relationships, belonging, and shared movement. It is not about fixed location but about the dynamic flow of life together, attuned to the Spirit and to one another.

The image of murmuration resonates with the heritage of our founders, the Third Order Regular communities, who from the beginning have embodied an adaptable Gospel way of life rooted in simplicity, humility, and service without reliance on a single center or structure. Their mission has always been carried in motion, responding to the Spirit’s call in diverse places, forming relationships of mutual support, and living the Gospel within changing circumstances. In the same way, the TOR tradition shows that authentic community emerges from a shared commitment to the Gospel, offering wisdom that enriches the Federation’s future and reminding us that flexibility, humility, and communal responsiveness are enduring marks of Franciscan identity.

Building the Future Together

Of course, these images of the piazza and murmuration risk remaining beautiful ideas without bold action. Vision requires commitment and resources. To ensure the Federation’s vitality for generations to come, we are creating a strategic plan that includes a new fundraising initiative to sustain the mission long term.

Some may wonder why additional fundraising is needed when membership dues already exist. We have worked to keep membership fees reasonable so that all who wish to participate can do so freely. Because of this, dues cover only a portion of our total expenses. The greater sustainability of the Federation relies on gifts and contributions beyond membership, making these efforts essential to our mission.

Key to this effort is the generous support of communities and individuals who have long carried the Franciscan spirit. We are especially grateful for the Third Order Regular congregations who, through daily support and companionship, have helped sustain the Federation across the years. As we look toward the future together, we invite them and others to consider making gifts that will build financial stability for decades ahead. Endowment gifts, expanded annual contributions, and individual membership giving will become the foundation that supports our shared murmuration into the future.

An Invitation

The future of the Franciscan Federation will be built by the gifts of time, talent, and treasure from people like you. We invite dedicated volunteers, especially those with fundraising skill and campaign experience, to join our Advancement Committee and help shape this future. We also invite all members and friends to support our mission through financial giving.

Together, we will keep the piazza lively, the murmuration in flight, and the Franciscan spirit alive and radiant well beyond 2070.