Vol 6 Issue 12 December Cabrinian

Transcription

1 Vol 6 Issue 12 December 2015 The Cabrinian Newsletter of the St. Frances Cabrini Fraternity of the OFS Monthly gatherings are at 1:30 PM on 3rd Sunday of the month unless otherwise noted. St. Nicholas Byzantine Church, in St. George Hall (back building) 1051 Robinson Ave., Barberton, OH EVERYONE IS WELCOME ; GUESTS ARE EXPECTED The December Christmas gathering will be on Sunday 20 December The fraternity held a Day of Reflection on Saturday 14 November 2015 at the Shrine of Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted in Youngstown. Fr. Vit Fiala, OFM, drives quite a distance to be with us for our monthly gatherings. This time we did the travelling to be with him. Three fraternities in our regional cluster were represented at this Day of Reflection: Solanus Casey Fraternity and Sacred Heart of Jesus & Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity had members present, along with the members of St. Frances Cabrini Fraternity. That is wonderful. There should be even more interaction among the fraternities in the Region. This was a wonderful start. At the Shrine attendees were blessed with a Mass, the Sacrament of Reconcilation, praying the rosary and participating in Eucharistic Adoration. Left to right: Rick & Eileen Dunlap, OFS, Susan Kramer, OFS, Lucy & Larry McNutt, OFS, leading a Memorial Service for fraternity members who have been called by Sister Death. Fr. Vit instructed us on how we can utilize the psalms in the Liturgy of the Hours to sanctify our day. He shared with us that the psalms are a cry to God for mercy, and for thanksgiving. We are reminded of God s saving power, and His care for mankind. When we pray the psalms we place our confidence in God, recalling His faithfulness to His people. As Franciscans we can relate to the psalms as we pray the Liturgy of the Hours in our daily joys and struggles as we journey through this earthly life to eternal life in heaven with God. During our two wonderful meals, breakfast and lunch, we had a great opportunity to visit with one another. Fellowship is very important in our Franciscan lives. A special thank you to the Sacred Heart of Jesus & Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity members who very generously assisted with the work of set-up and take-down so we could take full advantage of this wonderful, spiritual day. Already the fraternity is planning to have another Day of Reflection and will invite members of all the fraternities in our Regional Cluster to attend.

2 December 2015 Pg. 2 Eucharistic Adoration Saturday Susan Kramer Mary Cate Roberts Sunday Pepe Ventosa Betty DeMarco Mary Tag Paul Tag Monday Rose Akin Judith Hoyt Richard Russelo Tuesday Maria Elena Meza Roberto Meza Larry McNutt Eileen Dunlap Debbie Ventosa Wednesday Elizabeth Francis Bill Marshall Ruth Older Dorothy Takacs Sandy Pollino Thursday Joanne Angeletti Dc. Fred Browne Joyce Browne Sandy Pollino Friday Bob Burtscher Rick Dunlap Lee Gaydos Dave Gaydos Franciscan Feast Days January Month of Holy Name of Jesus His Holy Childhood 1. Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord 2. Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus 5. Blsd. Pierre Bonilli, priest, Third Order Secular, Sts. Berard & Companions, Protomartyrs of Oder, Blsd. Marcel Spinola y Maestre, Bishop Third Order Secular, Blsd, Joseph Nascimbeni, priest Third Order Secular, Feast of the Marriage of the Blessed Virgin Mary (painting at right) 25. Blsed Emmanuel Dominguo y Sol, Priest, Franciscan Third Order, Blsed Georges Matulwicz, Bishop Third Order Secular, 1929 (at right:. painting of Marriage of the Blessed Virgin by Raphael)

3 Vol 5; Issue 12 Pg 3 Our Seminarian Father Matthew Munishi, a priest in the Moshi Diocese was visiting in our area recently. He had to return to Tanzania at the end of November. The St. Frances Cabrini is sponsoring a seminarian in the Moshi Diocese, Gastor Bhatai. Please, don t forget your St. John Vianney offerings! This is how we help Gastor to continue his studies. Our fraternity will send him a special Christmas gift containing a San Damiano Crucifix, along with a booklet giving an explanation of the meaning of this very special crucifix. A rosary will also be included. Note from Bob Burscher My Brothers & Sisters, Thank you to everyone for your prayers, cards & Masses that are being offered. and your coming to the calling hours, the Mass at St. St. Joseph Parish, and the cemetery for my Aunt Bernie. What a blessing it is to have a Franciscan family like you. Thank You Than you. Love & Prayers Brother Bob Carol Perrine has served as the JPIC [Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation] Chair for our fraternity. Her wonderful articles have appeared in The Cabrinian. Sadly, she has found it necessary to step down from this position due to her husband s health issues. We thank her for the work she has done, her wisdom and insight on important issues. We have been blessed: Susan Kramer has offered to step into this position. The JPIC article in this edition of The Cabrinian is her first article. It is excellent. Thank you for taking on this apostolate. We look forward to seeing more of your articles in the newsletter. Secretary Other volunteers for the year 2016:: Larry McNutt, OFS * He is also filling out the end of the term for the previous secretary who found it necessary to step down. St. Elizabeth of Hungary Apostolate Cabrinian Editor Website Website Reviewer Cards Birthday Cards Hospitality Maria Elena Meza, OFS Elizabeth Francis, OFS Pepe Ventosa, OFS Richard Russello, OFS Mary Tag, OFS Mary Cate Roberts, OFS Mary Tag, OFS & Lucy McNutt, OFS

4 December 2015 Pg 4 Christmas Gathering Our December gathering will be our Christmas Gathering. In the writings of St. Bonaventure we read of St. Francis of Assisi, a Deacon in the Church, developing the first Nativity Scene. Francis asked permission of Pope Honorius III to carry out this idea. I want to do something that will recall the memory of the child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with bodily eyes the incarnation of his infancy, how he lay in a manger, and how the ox and ass stood by. The first nativity scene is also associated with a most amazing happening: St. Francis of Assisi was gifted with holding the Infant Jesus in his arms. When a friar asked if people should eat meat if Christmas fell on a Friday (day of abstinence from meat) Francis replied, I would like that on Christmas even the walls could eat meat. Further, he said the animals, both domestic and wild should be fed, and seed be thrown on the walks for the birds. And so we will have a fraternity celebration of Christmas at our December gathering with a covered dish dinner. Suggestions on what to bring are below, according to the first letter of your last name: A to G Salads; H to N Side Dishes; O to U Breads; V-Z Desserts Chicken wings will be brought by Bill Marshall, Debbie Ventosa will bring sausages. Helping Others at Christmas Hunger, and other needs do not take a vacation. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, help care for those in need. Please bring your offerings for a food pantry. Keep in mind items needed other than food: soap to bathe with, detergents to clean clothes and dishes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, paper products, all things we take for granted, would be greatly appreciated. Hats, gloves and scarves would also be welcomed during this cold weather. Imagine being cold, and having no covering for your hands, no gloves. Or the wind is strong, tossing things to and fro -and you are out in the cold with no hat to help protect you head and ears. It is not a pleasant thought. In Matthew 25, in v. 4o, Jesus says Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are my family, you did it to me. When we read these words, how could we possibly turn away from those who need assistance. The members of St. Frances X. Cabrini Fraternity are very generous in sharing what they have with those needing some assistance. Thank you for your great kindness in caring for our brothers and sisters who need a helping hand up, and a kind word. When we give to others we are giving it to the one who gave His life for us.

5 Vol 5; Issue 12 Pg 5 J P I C Justice and the Peace Integrity of Creation Susan Kramer, OFS JPIC Chair for St. Frances X. Cabrini Fraternity The U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops approved a statement on pornography on November 17 at their annual Fall General Assembly in Baltimore. Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography gives some direction to our pastors and priests on how to fight the unwholesome and dangerous invasion of pornography into the lives of the faithful. In contrast to the popular view of society at large, this is not a victimless crime. In the confessional and in our daily ministry and work with families, we have seen the corrosive damage caused by pornography children whose innocence is stolen; men and women who feel great guilt and shame for viewing pornography occasionally or habitually; spouses who feel betrayed and traumatized; and men, women and children exploited by the pornography industry. No one who has been touched by pornography comes away better for it. All are damaged spiritually, physically, and mentally, in the eyes of God. The USCCB statement offers the message that we are all called to chastity in whatever station in life that God has placed us, whether we are called to Holy Orders, married life, or single life. But, as imperfect humans, there is always the hope of restoring ourselves to our loving God. To quote the statement, In Jesus, redemption and healing are offered to every person. Healing the wounds of sin, the Holy Spirit renews us interiorly through a spiritual transformation. He enlightens and strengthens us The Gospel is indeed very good news. Further, the Bishops have made it clear that involvement in pornography is classified as a mortal sin, which may come as a surprise to some who see it as harmless entertainment. The moral status of pornography is clear from this passage: producing or using pornography is gravely wrong. It is a grave matter by its object. It is a mortal sin if it is committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. Unintentional ignorance and factors that compromise the voluntary and free character of the act can diminish a person s moral culpability. This sin needs the Lord s forgiveness and should be confessed within the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. The damage it causes to oneself, one s relationships, society, and the Body of Christ needs healing. Pornography can never be justified and is always wrong. It is clear that our Bishops rightly take the subject of pornography seriously as an attack on family life, the innocence of children, and on the lives the children of God everywhere. There is no misunderstanding the grave nature of this sin, and the damage it does to everyone it touches. But there is also no mistaking the merciful arms of God, Who is waiting to forgive us when we fail Him.

6 Vol 5; Issue 12 Pg 6 December Birthday December Profession Anniversary Fr. Vit Fiala, OFM 12 Joanne Angeletti, OFS 29 years An Important Reminder The Fair Share for 2016 is coming due. It is $38.00 for every professed member, including those who are excused, and for candidates. These funds help support the regional, national and international fraternities. If you have a conscientious objection to the $1.00 of this amount going to support FAN [Franciscan Action Network], you may withhold the money for that and pay just $ Regarding conscientious objection, when he was in the United States, Pope Francis, said: I cannot have in mind all the cases that exist about conscientious objection. But, yes, I can say that conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right. It is a right. And if a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right. In theory the Fair Share for all the fraternity members should be taken from the Common Fund. In reality, this is not how it works in most fraternities; members who are able pay their Fair Share to the fraternity treasurer who in turn sends in a single check for all the members. Some individuals may have difficulty in affording the Fair Share due to their financial situations. If this applies to you, please talk with one of the fraternity council members and it will be paid. This information will not be shared. We are brothers and sisters in St. Francis, and we assist each other as needed. Submitting Article for The Cabrinian Your input for The Cabrinian is invited, and wanted. If you would like to submit an article for this publication there are just a few guidelines to follow. 1. They must be of general interest to members of the fraternity. 2. No article can take more than one page of space (but it can be shorter). 3. The editor reserves the right to edit all articles. 4. All submissions must be in the editor s hands by the last Friday of the month, no exceptions. 5. Articles will be included as space allows.