Central Valley IAF Meets with Pope Francis

Central Valley Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome on October 14th to discuss their work related to the “Synod on Synodality” initiative. The IAF is the oldest and largest national network of community-based organizations in the country. Central Valley IAF is the local affiliate of the IAF and works with parishes and other community-based institutions to develop an agenda to help the common good.  

Tim McManus, the Senior Organizer working with Central Valley IAF, was among the delegation from the IAF to meet Pope Francis. The delegation included 20 professional organizers and incredible leaders such as immigrant leaders who have fought to get clean drinking water into rural parts of Texas and pastors who have seen their parish come together. 

Tim McManus helped put together a training curriculum in the Diocese of Monterey with 20 Catholic lay leaders to organize small groups and one-on-one conversations to listen to the concerns and needs of the people. With one-on-one conversation with the people who are the most affected, they know better than anyone else on what needs to be different, how to change it and what would work in their neighborhood and in the community – making them leaders in the process. For example, an immigrant mother of eight who was once timid years ago is now meeting with her pastor to discuss affordable housing after meeting with 200 people in her parish about rental assistance. Tim plans on bringing this training to explore a new project in Fresno soon and eventually the whole Central Valley.  

Tim talked to Pope Francis, who was warm and attentive, about this training curriculum and what he believes is one of the values of the Synod process: Clergy cannot do it alone and it requires strong lay leadership. Pope Francis agreed and emphasized on the importance of strong lay leaders who are led by their faith and put action in the community.  

A pivotal moment in their conversation is when Pope Francis pointed out how they are not here to talk about ideas – but to share real experiences with people’s lives. He highlighted the importance of having direct contact with the people, especially the poor, and how it should stay at the center of the work (amor concreto or concrete love). 

Pope Francis has invited the IAF back to visit next year and brief him on how the work is going in different Dioceses as well as the Synod process.  

The Central Valley IAF training will be heading to Fresno next year. Make sure to mark your calendars for February 3-4, 2023. More details to be announced soon.