Our Franciscan Commitment:
How are Climate Change, Racism, and Immigration Interrelated?
Join the School Sisters of St. Francis for an informative, timely forum
Presented by Bishop John Stowe, OFM, Conv.
Diocese of Lexington, Ky.
Bishop President, Pax Christi USA
Saturday, April 11, 2026
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
St. Joseph Center and virtual
1501 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee
Register by Friday, March 27
$15 registration fee
Join Us in Person or Online
Bishop Stowe’s presentation will be presented in St. Joseph Hall as well as virtually for those who unable to join us in person. In-person capacity in St. Joseph Hall is limited, so please register as soon as possible to reserve your place. Please indicate on your registration form how you plan to join us.
Online registrants will be able to watch presentations and large group discussions using our congregation’s streaming channel. They will also be able to take part in online breakout room discussion and reflections using Zoom video conferencing. Links for the stream channel and the Zoom conferencing will be emailed to online registrants no later than Friday, April 10.
Register Today for $15
Your registration fee of $15 helps to underwrite the cost of bringing Bishop Stowe to Milwaukee. In-person registrants will also receive lunch and beverage service at the event.
Please use the fillable registration form and submit the completed form along with your payment. You may pay by check or credit card. Registration and payment must be received no later than March 27, 2026, but in-person room capacity may be reached earlier, so we encourage you to register and pay as soon as possible.
About Bishop Stowe
On March 12, 2015, Pope Francis named Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., the third Bishop of Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky.
Bishop Stowe was born April 15, 1966, in Amherst, Ohio. He attended grade school at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, staffed by the Conventual Franciscans, and Lorain Catholic High School. After a year of community college, Bishop Stowe joined the formation program for the Conventual Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Consolation at St. Bonaventure Friary in St. Louis.
During the time of his candidacy, he began studies in philosophy and history at St. Louis University and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in each in 1990. He subsequently earned a Masters in Divinity and a Licentiate in Church History from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.
Bishop Stowe made his solemn vows on August 1, 1992, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 16, 1995. He served in Texas as a pastor, Moderator of the Curia, and eventually as Chancellor for the Diocese of El Paso. In 2010, he was elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, and became Pastor and Rector of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio.
Bishop Stowe serves on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ committee for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the bishops’ anti-poverty initiative. Since 2018, he has also served as the Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA, a Catholic peace and justice initiative.
Directions and Parking
St. Joseph Center is located at 1501 S. Layton Blvd. (27th Street) on Milwaukee’s south side. It is the international motherhouse of the School Sisters of St. Francis.
Free and secure parking is available in the Sacred Heart lot on our campus. Enter the lot at S. 28th St. and W. Lapham St. For your convenience, park on the north side of the lot, close to St. Joseph Center. Walk through the pedestrian gate on the northeast corner of the lot and proceed north along Layton Blvd. to the first entrance door labeled 1501-1515, next to the illuminated marquee sign.
Our Plan for the Day
8:30 a.m. Registration table open to check in
9:00 a.m. Opening: Welcome, Prayer and Introduction
9:20 a.m. Morning presentation by Bishop John Stowe, followed by discussion and sharing.
11:15 a.m. Break
11:30 a.m. Lunch break until 1:00 pm
12:00 p.m. Optional: St. Joseph Chapel tours highlighting Franciscan imagery available until 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. Afternoon presentation by Bishop Stowe, followed by discussion and sharing.
2:45 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. Mass in St. Joseph Chapel
Lunch Menu and Beverage Service
Self-serve beverages will be available throughout the event, including regular and decaffeinated coffee, fruit punch, and citrus-infused ice water.
If you are registering for in-person attendance, please indicate your lunch preference on your registration form:
- Oven-roasted turkey croissant with Wisconsin cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato
- Grilled vegetable and red pepper hummus croissant (vegetarian)
Both sandwich options will be complemented by a bag of baked potato chips, fresh fruit cup, and fresh based cookie.
Mass Following the Forum
Bishop Stowe will celebrate a Vigil Mass in St. Joseph Chapel immediately following the conclusion of the forum at 3:00 p.m. All participants are welcome to attend.
Your Hosts for the Forum
This forum is hosted by the School Sisters of St. Francis Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee as part of our community’s celebration of the Franciscan Jubilee Year.
Questions?
For registration and other questions, please contact Jean Love at 414-385-5218.