newsletter: divine mercy region secular franciscan order · 2016. 10. 9. · order). november 8th...
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Newsletter: Divine Mercy Region Secular Franciscan Order
Lower Michigan and Toledo, Ohio October, 2016
In this edition:
Authenticity
Annual Gathering,
August 2016
From Br. Loren
JPIC Update
Pray for Our
Deceased Members
A Vocabulary of
Profession
Upcoming Events
Contact Us
Authenticity
For those who attended our annual gathering in August, the
word "authenticity" is a word that you heard me talk about on
Sunday morning. Why did I choose to talk about authenticity?
It is a simple concept that I think can help us with what we all
perceive to be a crisis in vocations to our order.
Let me start by taking us back to the NAFRA meeting in Kansas
City a few years ago. I attended as a guest and went with our
past minister, Jim Howard. At that meeting, Fr. Kevin Quealy,
TOR, talked about the necessity for the Secular Order to
become responsible for itself. The number of friars has
diminished which has translated into fewer being available to
serve as spiritual assistants. His message was clear. Take
responsibility for “your own Order.”
In response to that, actually even prior, our region put together
a spiritual assistant training program that has been held up as a
model program. The Divine Mercy Region is taking
responsibility for our Order. That training program is one
example.
Now, let’s talk about authenticity. Why were so many drawn to
follow St. Francis in his lifetime? After all, he did not set out to
found an order. In fact, he said he went off to find God and the
Lord sent him brothers. I would submit to you that the main
reason that so many flocked to the little poor man from Assisi
was the fact that he was authentic. He lived an authentic
Gospel life. There was no duplicity in Francis. What you saw is
what you got. Authentic.
Continued on page 6
“And when God gave me brothers, no one showed me what I should do, but the Most High revealed to me that I should live according to the form of the Holy Gospel. I had it written in few words and simply, and the Lord Pope confirmed it for me. " St. Francis of Assisi, The Testament
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Divine Mercy Region Annual Gathering, August 2016
In the hush of the room the words of scripture
invaded our minds and hearts. As one, we
embraced the silence and let our thoughts be
directed to what God was trying to show us.
The presence of the Holy Spirit could be felt
moving among us as we prayed individually
and as one. Br. Loren led us in prayer for our
brothers and sisters who wanted to receive
anointing. We closed with the Lord’s Prayer. It
all took 20-25 minutes, but many of us were
profoundly touched.
What was it? Morning Prayer, consisting of
Lectio Divina, at the Annual Regional Gathering.
Two things happened that morning. One was
that we all engaged, as we have been asked to
do by NAFRA, in a different form of communal
prayer than we normally do. The second was
that we all experienced a moment of
togetherness. This was the kind of moment
you can only experience among people with
whom you have a connection: a connection of
brothers and sisters in Christ.
It is important that we pray the Liturgy of the
Hours, but in our fraternities we should also
take the time to explore other forms of
community prayer. Lectio Divina is an ancient
and simple prayer that can open our eyes to the
ways that God can speak to us through
scripture. Our prayer at the Regional Gathering
shows that as a community we can go outside
of our comfort zone and have a powerful and
meaningful experience.
Then there is that connection. Our vocation as
Secular Franciscans has an effect on us if we
embrace it. I have felt it myself and I have
heard others describe it – that moment that
you walk into a room and realize you share
something very profound with everyone in the
room. All of you have made promises that bind
you together in our Franciscan vocation. I have
seen this connection at both Regional and
National Gatherings. People I have never met
are family.
If you have never been to a Regional Gathering,
I encourage you to consider attending our
Regional Formation Day on October 29th in
Saginaw. Details and registration materials
will be available soon on our Regional website.
Please consider making the trip to connect with
other Franciscans. It is a blessing to be able to
experience the larger community of
Franciscans within our Region. I hope to see
you there!
Michelle Bryk OFS
Formation Minister, Divine Mercy Region
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continuously be
in my mouth. Psalm 34:1
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
"Let Secular Franciscans individually and
collectively be in the forefront in promoting
justice by the testimony of their human lives
and their courageous initiatives. Especially in
the field of public life, they should make
definite choices in harmony with their faith”
(Article 15, The Rule of the Secular Franciscan
Order). November 8th is election day, and
Franciscans will join their fellow citizens across
the country at the polls. Secular Franciscans
will do so in the spirit of Article 15. Between
now and then, what will our dispositions be?
Political campaigns can become contentious
and bitter. How should Franciscans respond?
Our Rule offers some guidelines. “As the Father
sees in every person the features of his Son, the
firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so
Secular Franciscans with a gentle and
courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the
Lord and an image of Christ” (Article 13).
“Secular Franciscans, together with all people
of good will, are called to build a more fraternal
and evangelical world so that the kingdom of
God may be brought about more effectively”
(Article 14). “Mindful that they are bearers of
peace which must be built up unceasingly,
Secular Franciscans should seek out ways of
unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue,
trusting in the presence of the divine seed in
everyone and in the transforming power of
love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in
every circumstance, they should strive to bring
joy and hope to others” (Article 19).
In a pluralistic society such as ours, making
definite choices in harmony with our faith
involves cooperation with people of different
opinions. We may not be able to implement
everything that the Gospel calls us to—indeed,
good people may sincerely disagree as to what
the Gospel specifically demands—but we can
begin by building relationships and finding
common cause with our fellow citizens. In the
present political climate, that in itself would be
an accomplishment!
Br. Loren Connell OFM
Spiritual Assistant, Divine Mercy Region
From Cami Mann OFS, Our Lady of Sorrows,
Grand Rapids:
I have always had a strong justice sensibility so
when asked to serve my fraternity as the JPIC
animator my response was ‘of course.’ Now,
my answer was not offered in a rash manner.
I prayed over it and discussed it with my
husband, but as it is with answering any of
God’s invitations, I never fully grasped the
magnitude of the ‘yes’ nor the sheer glory and
power of God’s vision relative to my limited
one. The fact that God’s dreams and visions
are so much greater than our wildest
imaginations began to manifest itself
communally on Wednesday Aug. 31, as my
fraternity responded to the call from NAFRA to
create an apostolate. I presented a broad
overview of JPIC as way of preparation.
Our Mother of Sorrows is working and praying
to understand discernment as we choose
apostolates. It is critical for our fraternity to
be about God’s work in the world. And while
we can come up with a myriad of possible
apostolates, if what we might choose is not
what God is calling us to as a community of
JPIC Update
From Br. Loren
4
Secular Franciscans in this time and place, then
we are creating busy-work, a service project so
to speak.
Discernment requires prayer, conversation,
education and formation. Discernment places
us at the disposition of God’s will, not our
personal desires. Discernment requires that we
be attentive to each other with compassion,
generosity, kindness and respect; for the Holy
Spirit moves through each individual member
of the fraternity. When they Holy Spirit moves
in us, we are melded together with a communal
identity, from which emerges in a collective
response -- an apostolate.
The goals of JPIC reflect this movement of
individual to communal and communal to
individual. Our Mother of Sorrows has
ventured into our discernment using the JPIC
goals from the National JPIC Animators'
Handbook. Those goals are:
1. To foster an atmosphere in fraternity, the
privileged place, where with openness and
trust, we may share with each other, the
manner in which our personal conversions
are shaping our Franciscan lives.
2. To reinforce the appreciation of the dignity
of the human person in the choices made in
our professed lives by responding in charity
and patience to all we meet and to respond
as Franciscans to anything which would
denigrate the dignity of the human person,
beginning with our own personal
communications with one another.
3. To assist in the living out of obedience to the
common good as intended by God so that the
professed Secular Franciscan builds up all
that is good for all of Creation and does
nothing which would damage the fabric of
communal interdependence.
4. To strengthen the professed Secular
Franciscans' commitment to solidarity with
all of Creation enabling them to make those
choices in life which would bring about a
more fraternal and evangelical world.
The conversation at our August meeting
carried a tone and tenor of authentic, open,
vulnerable and intimate dialogue. We have no
illusions that this discernment process will be
easy. We will be challenged by each other. But,
we will also find hope in each other. We will
exercise poverty of spirit, continue to grow in
perfect charity and celebrate great moments of
profound joy. Ss. Francis and Clare, pray for
us.
Cami Mann OFS is the JPIC animator for Our
Mother of Sorrows Fraternity in Grand Rapids,
Michigan, where she and her husband Mark are
both members. If you have questions, please
contact her at: [email protected]
You are Invited!
Annual Day of Formation
October 29th, 2016
Center for Ministry, Saginaw, Michigan
For all members of the Region
and all those in formation too!
Registration Forms will be posted on the
website and will also be available from
your local fraternity ministers.
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The Following Brothers and Sisters Entered Eternal Life in the Last Year
Please Pray for Them and Ask Them to Pray for Us!
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon
each of them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
27 Fraternities reporting. No deaths reported in 14 Fraternities:
St. Anthony, Indian River; St. Louis the King, White Lake; St. Joseph, Monroe; Divine Providence,
Kalamazoo; St. Joseph, Ann Arbor; St. Joseph, Grand Blanc; St. Elizabeth, Southfield, St. Isidore,
Grand Rapids; San Damiano, Brighton; St. Francis, Jackson; St. Clare, St. Clair Shores; Solanus
Casey, Roseville; St. Thomas More, Rochester Hills; Lumen Christi Emerging, Wyandotte.
Angelica Yanez OFS Immaculate Conception, Detroit 04/19/2016
Sue Allen OFS Queen of Angels, Saginaw 09/01/2015
Javier Aguilar OFS St. Bonaventure, Detroit 02/07/2016
Theresa Coschino OFS St. Bonaventure, Detroit 12/17/2015
William Haas OFS St. Bonaventure, Detroit 12/18/2015
Charles Kelley OFS St. Bonaventure, Detroit 06/25/2015
Frank Liccardello OFS St. Bonaventure, Detroit 04/18/2016
Anthony Lienert OFS St. Bonaventure, Detroit 08/21/2015
Gina Rizzo OFS St. Bonaventure, Detroit 06/20/2015
Alice Vier OFS St. Bonaventure, Detroit 07/26/2015
Shari Boisvenue OFS Our Mother of Sorrows, Grand Rapids 11/14/2015
Isabelle Chappus OFS St. Clare, Grand Rapids 01/20/2016
Patricia Livo OFS St. Anthony, Dearborn 02/26/2016
Lillian Faryniarz OFS Queen of Angels, Detroit 12/23/2015
Dorothy Belongea OFS St. Paschal, Toledo 04/20/2016
Shirley Varoskovic OFS Mt. Carmel, Allen Park 07/23/2015
Donna Tobias OFS Mt. Carmel, Gaylord 04/21/2016
Kathleen Cassidy OFS St. Francis, Sterling Heights 12/17/2015
Paul Hryshko OFS St. Francis, Sterling Heights 10/05/2015
Verna Olsowy OFS St. Francis, Sterling Heights 06/11/2015
Aida Landicho OFS St. Francis, Sterling Heights 09/16/2015
Germaine Levasseur OFS St. Francis, Sterling Heights 11/11/2015
Joan VanBuren OFS St. Francis, Sterling Heights 11/25/2015
Betty VanVorst OFS St. Bonaventure, Lansing 10/01/2015
Rose Karn OFS St. Bonaventure, Lansing 07/22/2016
Brian McCleer OFS St. Bonaventure, Lansing 12/15/2015
Helen Kozlowski OFS St. David, Washington 01/11/2016
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Continued from page 1
I believe in my heart of hearts that if we were all living authentic Secular Franciscan vocations,
people would be drawn to our Order. We all, including myself especially, need to examine
ourselves in light of our vocation. Take out your ritual book and reflect on the Rite of Profession.
Meditate on the words that you professed. Are you living up to what you promised in front of God,
the Church and the Order? In fact, are you living up to what you promised in front of St. Francis
himself? If we do not live authentically, why would anyone want to join us? Are we just a pious
society of individuals who come together once a month and study St. Francis, talk about Franciscan
stuff and feel all warm and cuddly in the romance of the saint? How does that translate into living
authentically each and every moment of your life outside of your fraternity gathering?
The Order was founded as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. The prologue of the Rule calls us to
be penitential. Do we practice any sort of penance in our lives? Does the joy of the Gospel show
forth on your face? Do you love the unlovable? Do you show mercy in all of your interactions with
all those “created in God’s image”? Do you live a simplified life, sharing your surplus with those in
need, and do so joyfully as if you are serving Christ himself? Would a stranger, upon meeting you,
wonder to themselves what it is about you that is different, countercultural, peaceful in the middle
of the chaos of the world? If a stranger came to your fraternity gathering would they feel warmth,
love, joy, companionship, holiness and hospitality? Would they sense that the Holy Spirit is the true
Minister General of the Order?
Included in this newsletter is a Vocabulary of Profession. (See page 7.) I encourage you all to study
each word and look for it in context in the Rite of Profession. Study the Rite. Study the words. The
words we use are important, they are not just symbols on a page. Internalize the Rite and the
Words that you promised. Pray that the Lord will help you live an authentic Secular Franciscan
vocation, and by doing so, make you shine forth like a beacon in a storm, attracting those who are
looking for an authentic way to live the Gospel.
The Order may have shrunk, but it is not on its death bed as some have proposed. Be authentic.
Live authentic. Who knows? The Lord just may send us some brothers and sisters!
David Seitz OFS
Minister, Divine Mercy Region
For more news and information, be sure to visit the Divine Mercy Region website at:
https://divinemercyregion.com/
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The members of the St. Bonaventure Fraternity (Detroit) invite you to join us for the following events which will be held at the Solanus Casey Center, 1780 Mt. Elliot, Detroit, MI 48207. Transitus Service, Monday, October 3,
7:00 p.m. Vesper Service and reception, Tuesday,
October 4, 7:00 p.m. Fraternity Gathering, David Seitz will
speak on the topic of Profession, Sunday, October 16, 1:30 p.m.
Profession Mass followed by dinner, Sunday, November 20, 1:30 p.m.
If you are coming to any of these events, please call 313-579-2100, ext. 136 and leave a message with your name, phone number and the number of individuals planning to attend. We also invite you to volunteer with us at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen on: Friday, October 14 from 9:30am to
1:30pm Friday, November 11 from 9:30am to
1:30pm Or the Capuchin Service Center on: Saturday, November 12 from 9am to
Noon
A Vocabulary of Profession
Church Covenant Consecration Promise
Living Sacrifice Profession Fraternal Vocation
Faithful Ecclesial Community Pledge Liturgy
Bind Yourself AMEN Sacramental Grace
Divine Mercy Regional Executive Council - Contact Us!
David Seitz OFS, Regional Minister -- [email protected]
Jim Graczyk OFS, Regional Vice Minister -- [email protected]
Theresa Brown OFS, Secretary -- [email protected]
Fran Walker OFS, Treasurer -- [email protected]
Michelle Bryk OFS, Formation Minister -- [email protected]
Linda Solis OFS, Spiritual Assistant Program Coordinator -- [email protected]
Paul DeWeese OFS, Councilor -- [email protected]
Annette Dolan OFS, Councilor -- [email protected]
Amy Oatley OFS, Councilor, JPIC Coordinator -- [email protected]
Jan Kaeding OFS, Councilor, Newsletter Editor -- [email protected]
Br. Loren Connell OFM, Spiritual Assistant -- [email protected]
Upcoming Events
Your Fraternity's upcoming events could be here too! Send them to Jan at [email protected]
St. Joseph Fraternity (Grand Blanc) will be hosting a Transitus Ceremony on October 3rd at 6:30PM
in the Church of the Holy Family, 11804 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, MI 48439. Mass at 5:30 will
precede the Transitus Service.
2016
Very soon the Michigan winter winds and frigid temperatures will be upon all of us, every day and night.
For us, it might be a matter of staying warm until we get from our car to work, or maybe home. For many of
our homeless brothers and sisters, staying the night at a shelter is good, but 6 a.m. is departure time, and there is
no place to go other than the streets. Others live in abandoned homes, with no heat available. And then there
are those who sleep their nights on the streets. This is where Franciscan Ministries is able to help. With our van
and cars, we meet those in need where they are.
Currently in the Detroit area, there are approximately sixteen thousand people (Homeless Action
Network of Detroit, 2015 State of Homelessness Annual Report. December 2015). Contributing factors to
homelessness are numerous. Those most vulnerable are our brothers and sisters who suffer from mental illness,
our Veterans, older adults—even mothers with children.
Franciscan Ministries responds to the various needs (see “what we need below) not only in the seven
square miles of the downtown area that is currently going though revitalization but in the remaining 132 square
miles that make up the rest of the City of Detroit. Foreclosures and unemployment contribute to displacement,
and we witness on the streets their effects on our homeless brothers and sisters.
I know firsthand how many requests you are getting right now for donations.
I ask that you consider Franciscan Ministries as a part of your Parish response to the needs of the poor—
next door, down the street, and in the City of Detroit. I can be reached either by phone or e-mail (see below).
Wishing you Peace,
Michael Carsten, OFS
P: 313.309.1277
Visit us at www.franciscanministry.org
What do We Need?
Clean, new/gently used warm clothing, men and women: For children, all sizes: Shirts: L, XL, XXL, XXXL Pants/Blue Jeans: L, XL, XXL, XXXL Winter coats, hats, mittens, boots
Hoodies: L, XL, XXL, XXXL Thermal tops and bottoms: L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Heavy Winter Coats: L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Winter boots: Sizes 9 to 14 Sturdy back packs
Sleeping Bags: for cold weather
Hand Warmers: As many as you can! We go through thousands of these each year
Franciscan Ministries, Inc. is a 501.c.3 nonprofit created & led by members of the Secular Franciscan Order
FRANCISCAN MINISTRIES
Annual Christmas Appeal