Friar Michael speaks at “To Heal a Broken World” presented at Elon University (where Our Lady of the Angels Province Friar, Fr. Gerald Waterman, OFM Conv. serves as Chaplain of the Catholic Campus Ministry). The presentation expressed what Judaism, Islam & Christianity say about Social Justice. On hand were a Priest (Friar Michael), a Rabbi and a Muslim who talk about why they promote social justice & how their tradition motivated them. There were two sessions: January 7th and January 14th.

Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. was born in Baltimore, Professed his Solemn Vows in our Order in 1998, and was Ordained to the Priesthood in 2000. Prior to his ordination, began his ministry in the province as a teacher at St. Francis High School in 1997, taking a break from ministry to earn his M.Div. and get ordained, returning to the high school to teach from 2000-2005. He spent the next five years as Campus Minister, at Western Connecticut State University, in Danbury, CT. In 2010, he began a two year assignment as Regional Director for the Americas, of Franciscans International (FI), in NY, working at the United Nations (UN) to address human rights injustices that impact on the poor and most vulnerable. After spending time in Spanish Studies, Bogota, Columbia, he served as the Parish Administrator and Campus Minister of Newman Student Center Parish, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC). He is currently residing in our SS. Francis and Clare Friary, in Washington DC.
Friar Michael was one of the Religious Leaders to sign the Franciscan Action Network and Muslim Leaders’ Joint Statement on Anti-Muslim Rhetoric. As the Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of our Province, Friary Michael uses his gift for preaching, flair for presentation and generosity of spirit to reach out to everyone he meets; living our the loving charism of St. Francis of Assisi. His love for justice for all has no limitation; no matter what faith or cultural background ideals are held by those around him. As indicated in the picture here, he works with the rest of the friars of our Province, our Order and the world around us to help educate, encourage, mediate and be an example of PEACE in our time.