This past weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference “Preserving God’s Planet Together” led by the Franciscan Action Network.
When we began the trip, I knew a few faces from our school, but that was it. By the end, I was so sad to leave the new family I had made. From less serious moments such as swing dance lessons or a Bill’s game viewing, to more serious times such as deep, reflective prayer, I learned so much from the youth and mentors around me.
We started the weekend looking internally through panels, small group discussion, individual reflection, even art! How do I connect with nature? What is Laudato Si’ calling me, and the Franciscan family, to? What points along my spiritual journey have I heard God calling me to protect His creation?
“If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs.”
Laudato Si’ (11).
After this reflection, we turned to action. We had all gathered because we felt the call to protect our common home. What do we do with that call? Lobby.
One specific portion that spoke to me was a reflection on “holy rage”. For most of my life, I have tended to be a bit more of a pessimistic person. I feel angry about the injustice constantly swallowing our world. Listening to this panel on leadership and where we channel our ‘holy rage’ affirmed some of these emotions. Of course we are mad about the state of our world, we should be! But the real question is, what do we do with that emotion? We use it to make positive change.
So, the next few days were spent planning for our trips to Capitol Hill to meet with members of the House of Representatives, specifically asking for co-sponsorship of two pieces of legislation, the Environmental Justice for All Act and the Justice for Black Farmers Act. After hours of prepwork, role-playing and research, we headed out for the Hill on Monday morning.
I had the opportunity to meet with two different offices, the office for Rep. Tonko of NY and the office for Rep. Pascrell of NJ (my home state!). While we met with their staffers rather than themselves, I learned so much about articulate speech, body language, policy and the power just one person can have. We were not made to act alone; God made us in community! When we feel alone, use that drive to find others like you to make a difference. I felt the power of the entire Franciscan family through me in the meetings on the Hill.
For much of my life, I never thought social justice could turn into something I could spend my life working on professionally. I was an avid member of our social justice club in high school and wanted advocacy to be a career of mine in the future, but I had never seen this in practice.
This started to fade when I changed my major to Communication, Social Justice & Advocacy, but this was further reinforced through this conference. Social justice is something that I now know I am being called to work on more seriously. Professionally. Now, I can see how I can use my academic talents of communications for the common good.
While we wait to see if co-sponsorships increase, most likely after we have a new Speaker of the House, I pray they heard us with the ears of Christ. I am forever changed and so thankful to have learned from all those around me at this conference.