Franciscan Land Program is a community service-based volunteer program that involves work on the campus of the Franciscan Sisters. Sister Patricia Glass, FSE, coordinates the program’s projects. Since its inception in 1991, Franciscan Land Program has had sixty-five participants.

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Young Adults Enjoy Franciscan Land Program

MERIDEN, CT (09-15-2004) - Stan Lopez, 23, a recent graduate of the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, Texas, was one of the participants in this summer’s Franciscan Land Program. After almost three months of working in the program, Stan shared that the experience has reinforced family values. “Growing up, my parents always taught me the value of hard work and this has been a really good experience,” he said. He shared that, through this program, he has been able to put that work ethic into practice and more fully in alignment with his faith. When asked what he enjoyed the most, Stan shared, “Both the Sisters and the lay people have been great to work with.” For Stan, “it’s the people who make it.”

Participants come from all over the world and build lasting friendships. Despite regional, cultural, and language differences they discover a commonality that makes the world seem a little smaller. This summer, young adults Jenny from Ontario and Charlotta from Italy participated, along with Stan.

Each day’s agenda is full and varied and might include such projects as painting a barn, clearing a field, picking vegetables, and maintaining the gardens. Land program participants also study the spirituality of human work through the Holy Father's teachings with the guidance of one of the Sisters.