Download and print the PDF version Greetings Fran Fed Community, Every year around this time, I find myself reminded by the changing season to slow down. Cooler temperatures. Trees letting go. Leaves changing color. The sun slipping away a little earlier each day. These are quiet reminders to pay attention,… Continue Reading September 2026 Newsletter
“More than words, it is this joy that evangelizes.” – Pope Leo XIV What if St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi walked onto a college campus today? They would recognize much of what young people are experiencing—the search for identity, loneliness hidden behind social media, anxiety about the future,… Continue Reading Young Hearts, Timeless Mission: Shaping Franciscan Month 2026
I am Deborah Lockwood, a Franciscan Sister from Redwood City, California, and began my term on the Franciscan Federation Board in August, 2026. What is this new beginning for me? There is a story in Chapter XI of the Fioretti that tells of Masseo, twirling like a child as instructed,… Continue Reading New Board Member Profile: Twirling Forward with Sr. Deborah Lockwood
Originally published by the Franciscan Network for Migrants St. Francis is attributed to having said, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” While he never probably said this, I think it’s a good approach to taking action in a situation that… Continue Reading The Power of the Network
by Ken Thomas I had the privilege last month of visiting Rimini for the 47th Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples, held each August on Italy’s Adriatic coast. Little known in this country, the Meeting has drawn crowds since 1980: a week-long encounter of faith and culture — talks, exhibits, performances,… Continue Reading Meeting Rimini: Encounter, Friendship, and Unity
by Julianne Wallace As many of you know, the Franciscan Federation is a fully remote organization. Most of our meetings, planning sessions, and daily encounters happen over Zoom. There is much to appreciate about this reality: it is convenient, cost-effective, and allows us to work closely with people across the… Continue Reading The Grace of Gathering
Download and print the PDF version Friends and Members, This past week, I had the privilege of accompanying 74 faculty from Catholic colleges and universities across North America in a program called Collegium. Collegium is a long-standing tradition in Catholic higher education where faculty from all disciplines come together for… Continue Reading June 2026 Newsletter
The Franciscan Resource Center (FRC), a sponsored ministry of the School Sisters of St. Francis United States Province is located in West View Shopping Plaza, West View Drive in Pittsburgh, PA. The mission of the FRC, which is rooted in Gospel living, is to journey with people in their daily… Continue Reading Where Hospitality Meets Mission: The FRC in Pittsburgh
Francis: An Oratorio is a new artistic work by composer Richard Danielpour with a libretto by Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, created to mark the 800th anniversary of the passing of St. Francis of Assisi. This 70‑minute staged oratorio highlights pivotal moments in Francis’s life—his love of creation, his commitment to… Continue Reading Francis: An Oratorio — Project Update
A few decades ago my General Leader asked me if I would be willing to serve on a new committee for the Franciscan Federation. It was called “Freeing the Fire”. The focus was on creative ways of sharing the Franciscan way of life. It was a very positive experience. To this day… Continue Reading Still on the Journey: Why I Said Yes to the Federation Again