Secular Franciscan Order. Juan de Padilla. Regional Newsletter K A N S A S M I S S O U R I O K L A H O M A. M i n i s t e r s M e s s a g e

Transcription

1 Summer 2016 Secular Franciscan Order Juan de Padilla Regional Newsletter Minister s Message Oklahoma Retreat Fraternity News Calendar Honoring Spiritual Assistants I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e : Minister s Message Greg King New Vice Minister Formation Corner 3 K A N S A S M I S S O U R I O K L A H O M A 1 2 May the peace and joy of Jesus Christ be with each one of you! I write this with much hope for the happiness and peace of all of our Franciscan brothers and sisters scattered throughout the world! Moreover, praying for mercy for those brothers and sisters of ours who are suffering! This issue will be coming out after the retreat in Oklahoma City, so I hope I will have seen several of you there. If you recall, this was one of your suggestions at our visitation in Wichita in September 2014 to rotate our annual retreats to allow more of us to participate. Consequently, this is our first one in Oklahoma, just as in 2015 M i n i s t e r s M e s s a g e we had our first one in Missouri. I have heard many positive comments about this rotation that it gives more people and different people a chance to participate. This coming October marks the 20 th anniversary of the establishment of the Juan de Padilla Region! I believe that we can be proud of many accomplishments during those 20 years. We have had four regional ministers Carol Eker, Helen Patrick, Frank Carpinelli, and myself. Father Felix Petrovsky OFM Cap did so much work in helping us to get going and making sure that we could go on being Franciscans. May God bless him! In addition may God bless our current Regional Regional Executive Council Spiritual Assistant, Father Michael Scully OFM Cap! We are very fortunate to have the Capuchins in our region. When our region first spiritual assistant, Father started out, reports had to Michael Scully OFM Cap! be typed up, copied, and We are very fortunate to snail-mailed. Now we have the Capuchins in our have the Internet, , region. smart phones, and a database to help us stay in contact and well informed. We have a regional website thanks to our brother Steve Bradshaw! We have a regional newsletter thanks to our sister Dona Gibbons! We have a coat of arms, thanks to our sisters Dona Gibbons and Elizabeth Zeller! Each year we are finding (continued on page 2) Oklahoma Retreat Photos Fraternity News 5-8 Spiritual Assistants 9 5 JPIC 10 Spiritual Assistant Fr. Michael Scully OFM Cap frmikescully@yahoo.com Minister Alice Crews alicerose_sfo@att.net Vice Minister Greg King rgregking@gmail.com Secretary Dona Gibbons palau001@aol.com Treasurer Claudia Kauzlarich claudiakauz.sfo@gmail.com Formation Director Janice Keeley catholics2@hotmail.com Councilor Deacon Mark Keeley catholics2@hotmail.com

2 Page 2 (Continued from page 1) our retreats to be attended by more people who have never attended before, thanks to the current efforts of our sisters Claudia Kauzlarich, Dona Gibbons and Janice Keeley! Our formation program, in my opinion, is getting better and better and is a continual work in progress thanks to the efforts of our sister Janice Keeley with the help of the National Formation Commission! We have the opportunity to read daily meditations based on the Gospel of the day, thanks to our sister, Dee Hrankaj! We have many, many good things going on in our region. Most of our fraternities are committed to some type of apostolic work, whether it is bringing the Holy Eucharist to a nursing home each and every Sunday, or serving the poor and homeless in Kansas City streets, or working in food pantries, or serving breakfast or evening meals to the homeless at diocesan centers, or teaching parishioners how to use the Liturgy of the Hours. And many more good works! Additionally, most of us continue to support pro-life in one way or another; and some of us participate in prayer groups of some sort. Then there are those of us who are able to attend Mass each day and, I hope, pray for those who cannot attend and for the whole Franciscan Order! We have some good news about an increase in our numbers! Several of our fraternities have seen an increase in the number of inquirers and candidates. We had 15 people profess within the last year--6 from Holy Eucharist; 1 from Our Lady of Sorrows; 4 from St. Frances Cabrini in Liberal, KS (which means this is now a newly emerging fraternity); 2 from St. Joseph in Hays; and 2 from Brother Jacoba in Lawrence. We currently have 20 candidates, 23 inquirers, and 5 aspirants (give or take some, since not every fraternity database has been updated!!!) I do have to report, however, that one of our fraternities, St. Clare in Norman, Oklahoma, has been deactivated. With the deaths of Mary Iovan and Helen Patrick earlier this year, the members felt that they needed to transfer to St. Francis Fraternity in Oklahoma City. The members of St. Francis have welcomed the St. Clare members! Our region continues to grow, by the grace of God! Let us thank God for all the good things He has done for our region! May we continue in His grace, and may He allow us to grow even more! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Alice Crews OFS, Regional Minister Greg King OFS was appointed Regional Vice Minister at the April 16th regional executive council. Greg has previously served as the regional Missouri counselor. He is the current vice minister of St. Monica s fraternity in Kansas City, MO. FRANCISCAN JOURNEY Regional Spiritual Assistant, Fr. Mike Scully OFM Cap is holding a series of talks about what it means to be Franciscan at St. John the Evangelist Church in Lawrence, KS. His next talk will be July 5 at 7 pm in the church basement. All are welcome. Greg King OFS Appointed Vice Minister

3 P a g e 3 T H E F O R M A T I O N C O R N E R Janice Keeley Formation Director In the Sea of Galilee Hello Everyone! The retreat took quite a bit of effort. We in Oklahoma did, however, really enjoy hosting the 53 participants who came to the Pastoral Center in Oklahoma City to enjoy the presence of brother and sister seculars and be rejuvenated by words and prayer and silence. The presenter, Fr. Chuck Gunti, OFM, gave us food for thought regarding love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness, as Catholic Franciscans, especially in this year of mercy. The Name of God is Mercy is a book recently written by Pope Francis. God requires His people to be merciful. Mercy denotes compassion, love and forgiveness. Fr. Chuck stressed that we need to have compassion, an emotion that arises from our gut. St. Bonaventure wrote that St. Francis was by nature compassionate. St. Francis Testament states that originally the sight of lepers nauseated him. In kissing the leper, his response changed to one of compassion. In order to experience compassion, we need to overcome our ego, our pride. Fr. Chuck stated that St. Francis became a wanderer. In nature one feels so small; we bend our knees to the Creator. Nature can become the source of humility. To help conquer our pride and become compassionate, we face different crises, as did St. Paul and St. Francis. Franciscans should congregate around the marginalized. Practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. God raises up the poor. Seculars from St. Francis Fraternity gave a presentation on Franciscan Contemplation. St. Francis used everything to make a ladder to bring him closer to God. To him poverty and prayer are related. When practicing poverty, nothing could keep him from God. St. Francis would read the living word of God. From that word, he would hand himself over, get out of himself, in love for the other. St. Clare used a mirror in which to study her face. We need to see God s face looking back at us. How do we appear to others? Become as Christ. Embrace our own humanness. Do not lack self love, but love God, our neighbor and ourselves. The fruit of Franciscan contemplation is active movement out of ourselves to others. The whole of our life should be a moving outward toward others, healing wounds, bringing home those who have lost their way. Sanctify ourselves and the world will be sanctified. Go to for notes from the St. Francis Fraternity presentations and for a link to the video of Sr. Ilia Delio speaking about Franciscan contemplation. Also see more pictures on the web site. There were two ceremonies of recognition during the weekend: Fraternity members from the fraternities of deceased SFO members carried a white rose in the offertory procession of our closing mass for Renner Johnson, OFS; Esther Glover, OFS; Robert Watkins, OFS; Joyce Maurer, OFS; Mary Iovan, OFS; Janice Turner, OFS; Helen Patrick, OFS and Terry Jones. Alice Crews, as regional minister, presented certificates to seculars who professed 10 years and above. All peace and all good with prayers for you all, Janice OFS

4 OKLAHOMA RETREAT

5 Page 5 St. Stanislaus and St. Adalbert Visitation Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Fraternity News Crossing the Holy Mercy Doors at the National Shrine of the Infant of Prague in Prague, Oklahoma The fraternity of St. Stanislaus and St. Adalbert had a visitation on May 22. Pictured in the back row, L-R: David Alley (Mary Mead s son), Mary Mead, Tom Firme, Dominick Palmisano, Bucky Rodkin, Bill Monteith, Ferman Sabala. Front row L-R: Letah Lewis (inquirer), Ann Marie Neuok, Alice Crews, Judy Hart, Dee Hrankaj, Willa Sabala. Little Portion Elects New Council Tahlequah, Oklahoma Kathy Johnson Cathy Herndon, Donna Weathers, Sister Josephine and Claudia Kauzlarich stopped on the way to the Oklahoma Retreat at Prague, OK to pray before they enter the Holy Mercy Doors at the Shrine of the Infant of Prague. The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you. Kathy Johnson and Cathy Herndon peek through the Holy Doors under the beautiful stained glass widow of the holy Infant. Congratulations to the newly elected council of the Little Portion Fraternity! Pictured (l-r): John Witosky, and Gerald Allen Councilors; Steve Hamby-Vice Minister and Treasurer; Ann Marie Neuok Pastoral visitator; Mary Mead Minister; Alice Crews Fraternal visitator; Deacon Mark Keeley Formation Director; Paula Guinnip (inquirer); Janice Keeley Secretary; and Marty Barnett. Inside the Church of St. Wenceslaus that houses the Holy Infant.

6 Fraternity News Page 6 Sacred Heart Election Results Emporia, Ks St. Joseph s Hays, KS Celebrates Jubilee Year with Pilgrimage & Professions Congratulations to the newly elected council of the Sacred Heart Fraternity! Pictured (l-r): Dena Kaminski, Minister; Fran Hudson, Vice Minister; Dorothy Krueger, Secretary; Terri Sturm, Treasurer; Mary Lou Young, Formation Director. A Special Franciscan Divine Mercy Feast St. Joseph s fraternity made a pilgrimage from Hays to Victoria, KS to visit the Basilica of St. Fidelis a designated site with Holy Doors for this Jubilee Year of Mercy. Members entered the Holy Doors and proceed to the San Damiano Chapel where Father Felix Petrovsky OFM Cap. celebrated Mass. Jo Ann Wasinger and Melanie Valley made their professions there. The fraternity fulfilled the requirements for the Jubilee Year of Mercy by praying for Pope Francis and did a spiritual work of mercy by saying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for former NAFRA minister, Deacon Tom Bello. Together they then exited the Holy Doors of Mercy. Others present: Minister Brenda Lager, Vice Minister Troy Haas, Secretary Catherine Wahlmeier, Treasurer Bob Feauto and his wife Carol, Formation Director Geri Rupp, Councilor, Mass Server and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Jorge Vazquez. Other fraternity members in attendance were Ramona Herman, John Klaus, Michel Werth, and Rita Gabel. - Brenda Lager Congratulations to the Servants of Divine Mercy who celebrated the Rite of Admission on April 3, the feast of Divine Mercy. Pictured on the left; Dani Techentin, Sara Greenlee, and Kimberly Williams (new members). On the right are Fr. Stuart Crevecoure, Judith Cronk, Ann Marie Neuok, Alice Kowalewski, and Mireille Damicone. From left to right: Jorge Vazquez, Carol Feauto, Bob Feauto, Michel Werth, Geri Rupp, Ramona Herman, Troy Haas. Jo Ann Wasinger, and Melanie Valley are in the front row on the right.

7 Fraternity News Page 7 Little Portion Fraternity Admits Candidate at 2016 Oklahoma Retreat Brother Jacoba Lawrence, KS Mary Mead, minister of Little Portion Fraternity, performs rite of admission with Paula Guinnip. Judy Carpenter and Craig Bogley (wife and husband) were professed on January 16, 2016 at St John the Evangelist Church, Lawrence, KS. Fr. Scully OFM Cap., Bob Brill, Jean Finch, Susan Tabor, Craig Bogley and Judy Carpenter. Rebuild My Church Sister Death NAME FRATERNITY CITY, STATE DATE Mary Iovan OFS St. Clare Norman, OK January 15 Janice Turner OFS St. Stanislaus-St. Adalbert Broken Arrow, OK January 21 Helen Patrick OFS St. Clare Norman, OK April 16 (Please let Alice know of any deaths in your respective fraternities.)

8 Page 8 Supporting the Sisters of the Poor of Jesus Christ in Kansas City, KS by Linus Drouhard The members of St. Elizabeth Fraternity are supporting the Sisters of the Poor of Jesus Christ with some of their apostolates. The Sisters have a street ministry, providing food and clothing for the homeless in Kansas City, KS. We help them sort clothing and other donations for the poor. We also provide food and help prepare lunches for the homeless on select Saturdays. Last fall, we also participated in a day of ministry called Fisherman s Net, which was jointly hosted by the Cross Lines and the Poor of Jesus Christ. We donated towels which were used for the homeless that took showers. We also helped distribute clothing and towels. Following are a few pictures. C A L E N D A R E V E N T S DATE EVENT Location July 9 August 14 Queen Of the Angels Chapter of Elections Holy Eucharist Chapter of Elections Church of the Santa Fe, Buckner, MO Franciscan Prayer Center Independence, MO August 20 Regional Executive Council St.John the Evangelist Lawrence, KS September 10 September 18 September October 1 Our Lady of Sorrows Chapter of Elections St. Monica Chapter of Elections Juan de Padilla Regional Chapter of Elections Day of Retreat Fr. Scully OFM Cap., Regional Spiritual Assistant Movie St. Clare Prince of Peace Church Olathe, KS TBA Spiritual Life Center Wichita, KS St. Mary's Church Independence, MO Don t forget to provide a stipend to your regional visitators.

9 Page 9 Honoring the Important Role of Our Spiritual Assistants Yes, that is Sister Josephine peeking behind the bust of Pope Francis in the Pope Room. Elizabeth Dietrich and Carl Inzerillo and other members of the fraternity and region joined the celebration for Sister who is a spiritual assistant for three fraternities in the MO KAN area. Regional Spiritual Assistant, Fr. Mike Scully OFM Cap. Spiritual Assistants are vital members of our fraternity council. They offer valuable wisdom and knowledge and guidance to fraternities. Our Constitution describes their roles clearly. Art. 24 of the Constitution states that the Spiritual Assistant together with the council of the fraternity, is responsible for the formation of the candidates (SFO Const. 37.2) and expresses his or her assessment of each o the candidates before profession. (SFO Const.41.1) Together with the Minister, the Spiritual Assistant discusses with his brothers and sisters in difficulty, who want to retire from the fraternity or who act in serious opposition to the Rule. (SFO Const ; 58,1-2) Others in our region who serve us as spiritual assistants are: Fr. Felix Petrovsky OFM Cap., Dee Hrankaj OFS, Ann Marie Neuok OFS, Mary Mead OFS, Fr. Jeff Ernst OFM, Cap, and Sister Doris Engeman OSF. Queen of the Angels fraternity honored their spiritual assistant, Monsignor Ralph Kaiser OFS (left middle with priest collar) at a dinner in on of his favorite Italian restaurants in beautiful downtown Buckner, MO. The next Monsignor event will be his 88th birthday at Bob Evans in Blue Springs on July 1. Fr. Felix Petrovsky OFM Cap Ann Marie Neuok OFS Dee Hrankaj OFS Fr. Jeffery Ernst OFM Cap Mary Mead OFS Sr. Doris Engeman OSF

10 Page 10 Why Should I Be Concerned About Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC)? Hello, dear regional Franciscan family! May each of you feel the loving embrace of our Lord each day, and may our Lord grant you the peace that passes all understanding! I pray that you are well and that your summer is off to a great start! In the last issue of this newsletter, I tried to pass along a short form of a working understanding of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation and how there are many ways to live it, great and small. This time I thought I d address the Why question: Why should I be concerned about this anyway? In the Gospels, Jesus has a lot to say about living out justice, peace and care for our creation in his parables, e.g., the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10, 25-37) and the parable of the workers in the fields (Matthew 20, 1-16). The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapters 5, 6 and 7 is peppered with references concerning mercy, peace and love for all of humankind. And Jesus himself modeled how he wants us to live. We know that he dined and spent time with persons on the margins of society, modeling for us his expectation that we love and show mercy to all of our brothers and sisters, no matter what their circumstances are. As we care for our brothers and sisters who need our love and mercy and who need to know peace, we logically would want to care for the home that we all share. Laudato Si, our Pope s encyclical, is full of Scripture references concerning the spirituality of the integrity of creation. We are all celebrating the Jubilee of Mercy this year as designated by Pope Francis. What a wonderful opportunity for us to grow in our understanding of mercy as it relates to Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation! Though if we think about it I m sure we could all find ways in our community to be obedient to this call to mercy. Here are a couple of ideas that you may want to consider: June is the first anniversary of the Laudato Si encyclical. Go to https: catholicclimatemovement.global/ready-to-celebrate-the-laudato-si-anniversary/#sthash.m9qtcrqm.dpuf for resources. You ll find resources there that are relevant not only to the anniversary celebration, but that could be useful any time. On September 18-25, Pace E Bene, a Franciscan peace apostolate, is commemorating its annual Campaign Nonviolence. This week includes the International Day of Peace which the United Nations has designated as an annual day to pray and teach about peace. Go to: It could be something as simple as asking your library to set out a display of books on peace, peacemaking and nonviolence during that week. They may ask you for title suggestions. If you need any further assistance as you plan your JPIC actions, please feel free to contact me by at souljourner@sbcglobal.net or by phone at (cell) or (landline). Thanks, and may all of us be open to God s speaking to us as God s spirit works in and through us! Susan Tabor OFS Regional JPIC Animator Member of the NAFRA JPIC Council