Franciscan Solidarity Tables Resources
Downloadable Resources
Informational Materials
As you begin to think about formation of a Franciscan Solidarity Table, we want to provide you all the materials you will need to begin to build interest in this special form of advocacy.
In the “Promotional Materials” section below, you will find simple explanatory documents available for downloading and printing.
In the “Essential Guiding Documents” section are the central guiding documents to use throughout all phases of the FST.
Promotional Materials
We have developed the following materials for you to download and print for handing out to interested people.
Foldable Brochure for printing (Print on 8.5 X 11, double sided for folding)
Essential Guiding Documents
The Facilitator’s Guide and Member’s Handbook listed here are meant to offer guidance and information to help you navigate the Phases as you build your FST. Further below you will find additional resources for each Phase of a Franciscan Solidarity Table.
Click on the links below to view and download each of these resource guides. We ask that you consider the environment before printing them and print on both sides of the paper when possible.
Facilitator’s Guide (PDF, 26 pages)
Member’s Handbook (PDF, 19 pages)
Franciscan Solidarity Table Group Guidelines (PDF, 1 page)
Framework for a Franciscan Solidarity Table Gathering (PDF, 2 pages)
Supporting Resources for each Phase
Phase I: Building Relationships and a Franciscan Foundation
Required Reading/Viewing to then Discuss
Recommended Materials to Read or Watch and Discuss
- Audio recording of a Talk on St. Clare by Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF (Audio)
- “Creation as the Body of God” article by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM (PDF)
- “Religious by nature: An interview with Keith Warner, OFM on the environment” (Video)
- Dating God: Intimacy, Prayer and Franciscan Spirituality Video by Fr. Dan Horan OFM (Video)
- Franciscan Nonviolence: Stories, Reflections, Principles, Practices and Resources, by Ken Butigan, Mary Litell, OSF and Louis Vitale, OFM. Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service. (PDF)
- There is a wealth of material from the Commission on the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition, where you can become a member for free and access writings and videos (Various)
- Introductory videos on consensus decision making by Seeds for Change (Video)
- Introduction to consensus decision making, A short guide to collaborative decision-making for activist groups, co-ops and communities by Seeds for Change, 2020 (PDF)
- A Consensus Handbook, Co-operative decision-making for activists, co-ops and communities by Seeds for Change, 2013 (PDF)
Books/Longer Readings
- “St. Francis and the Foolishness of God” by Marie Dennis, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Joseph Nangle, OFM, and Stuart Taylor, 1993/2015
- “Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi” by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, 2016
- “Care of Creation” by Ilia Delio, 2008
- “Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from St. Francis” by Murray Bodo, OFM, 2018
- “The Life of Saint Francis” by Thomas of Celano, 1228-1229
- “Laudato Si” Papal Encyclical by Pope Francis, 2015
- Handbook for Animators of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation by the National JPIC Commission, Secular Franciscan Order, USA, 2018
Phase II: Minority and Solidarity
Required Reading/Viewing to then Discuss
- Compassion and Kinship, TED Talk by Greg Boyle, SJ (Video)
- The Telling Takes Us Home: A Reflection on the People’s Pastoral Letter video (Video)
- “How Should We Think About the Poor?”, Article by Kenneth E. Untener (PDF)
- “The Telling Takes Us Home: Taking our place in the stories that shape us, A People’s Pastoral from the Catholic Committee of Appalachia.” 2015. (If possible, read the entire Pastoral, but if not, read all of Part I, and in Part II, the sections on “Integral Ecology and the Culture of Encounter” and “Practicing Resurrection in Crucified Places”.) (PDF)
- Catholic Social Teaching Handout from the USCCB (PDF)
Recommended Materials to Read or Watch and Discuss
- “Thoughts on Stewardship”, Article by Bishop Kenneth E. Untener, published by the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw (PDF)
- “When Fighting Poverty, Listen to the Impoverished” by James Abro, Nov. 7, 2019
- 101 Questions and Answers on Catholic Social Teaching by Kenneth Himes, O.F.M, New York: Paulist Press, 2013.
- Called to Be Catholic: Church in a Time of Peril, Inaugural Statement of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative, by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, August 12, 1996 (specific to the Catholic Church)
Phase III: How to Continue the Incarnation?
Required Reading/Viewing to then Discuss
- Two Feet of Love in Action Handout (USCCB) (PDF)
- Pastoral Circle (PDF)
- Introduction to the Pastoral Circle video (Link)
- What is Advocacy (PDF)
- Advocacy Planning Cycle (PDF)
- St. Francis’ Letter to the Rulers of the People
- Leonardo Boff’s modern day version of this letter (PDF)
- Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing (PDF)
- Article: On Civility in Political Communication by Fr. Albert Merz, OFM (PDF)
Recommended Materials to Read or Watch and Discuss
- “Faith, Charity, and Justice”, article by Ernesto Cortés, Jr. April 22, 2007
- Handbook: Making Human Rights Work for People in Extreme Poverty, A Handbook for Implementing the Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights (Franciscans International and ATD Fourth World) (PDF)
- “To Hell with Good Intentions” article by Ivan Illich (PDF)
- A Toolbox: Human Rights, Sustainable Development & Climate Policies: Connecting the Dots (Franciscans International) (PDF)
For more information about how begin a Franciscan Solidarity Table or connect to one in your area:
Contact the Director of Franciscan Solidarity Tables, Nora Pfeiffer
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