The Herald. St. Francis by the Lake

Transcription

1 The Herald Newsletter of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Regional Fraternity Secular Franciscan Order Spring 2009 St. Francis by the Lake Not too far from Assisi is an oasis of a lake called Trasimeno. I had an opportunity to go there for several hours to see the place where St. Francis spent the Lent of 1211 or There, on a small island in the middle of the lake, among the swamp weeds, Francis practiced penance and ate very little. It is amazing to think that our brother, after spending many hours in prayer at the Carceri and other hermitages, still needed to go to a place like Lago di Trasimeno to find solitude with the Lord. We, as Franciscans, once again find ourselves celebrating yet another Lent. Resolutions have been made, and who knows, some may have already been broken since Ash Wednesday. The Catholic world traditionally associates the season of Lent with penance. Indeed, it is the quintessential penitential season. For that reason, the Brothers and Sisters of Penance that is, the members of the Secular Franciscan Order, find themselves rejoicing that the Church has put aside these 40 days to celebrate their lives. Those lives are committed to penance not just for 40 days but for the whole year. It is what a Secular Franciscan professes. Allow me to quote part of the Profession formula: I promise to live all the days of my life, the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ in the Secular Franciscan Order by observing its rule of life How is that done? In order to bring ourselves into the practice of the Gospel, we need to change some things about ourselves, our attitudes, the choices we make along the way, etc. Anyone intent in some behavioral change, whether it be to go on a diet, to quit smoking or drinking, etc. knows how difficult that is. Making life changes like that in order to live the Gospel also requires some tough work. In religion, we call it penance. The longer we live, we come to understand that we don t have to look for things to give up or extra things to do, because the opportunity to practice a penance is always with us. It is our life. That, my sisters and brothers, is the key to a Franciscan Lent. It is an intensive 40 day period of doing what we should be doing the whole year. As God graces us with another chance to get it right, let us use this special time to re-dedicate to our lives of joyful and fruitful penance the type of penance which gives life and is an undeniable sign of the indwelling of God within each and every one of us. Fr. Richard Trezza, OFM Regional SA St. Elizabeth of Hungary Region Lent St Francis by the Lake 1 Minister s Message 2 Justice, Peace and Integrity From My Corner 3 FYYA Council 4 Summer Seminar 5 Herb Hecker SFO 5 Regional Formation Team SFO Retreat 5 TAU-USA 6 Budget 6 Budget Spreadsheet 7 Prayers for Conversion 8 Prayers for Vacations 8 Characteristics of a Vibrant Fraternity Lent 9 Elective chapter 9 March Prayer Intentions 9 District 3 Visitation 10 Economic Crisis 10 Franciscan Center Wish List Regional council 11 Announcements 11 Mission Statement 12 Upcoming Events

2 Page 2 FROM THE MINISTER S DESK Brothers & Sisters I again want to thank you for your prayers and notes over this long winter. I now look forward to Lent to recharge and deepen my relationship with God. It feels good to get back to daily Mass and try to get my spiritual life back on focus. I would like to share a Morning Offering that has helped me: Dear God, Please enter my mind, my body and my soul and walk with me through this day. Rid me of the bondage of selfcenteredness, selfishness, resentments and self pity. Rid me of fear and strengthen my faith. Give me knowledge of Your will for me and the power to carry it out. Take my will and my life. Let me live this day the way you would want me to live. Let me think the way you would have me think. Let me act the way you would want me to act. Let me be an instrument of your love, your peace and your grace. (Holy Cross Retreat House) Lent calls us to fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Prayer is the core of who we are. It is what nurtures our relationship with God. Prayer connects us with God as adopted daughters and sons with the Spirit of Christ who dwells within us. Prayer also reveals to us who we really are, The Beloved of God. So what keeps us from prayer? Fasting is abstaining from something. It s a way of preparing for Easter, a work of conversion, passing from the old to the new. So from what should I be fasting? Is it as simple as giving up candy, ice cream, movies? Is that what Jesus meant by fasting? For me, it has become unproductive behaviors that keep me from spending time in prayer, such as the computer and TV. Bad habits are so easy to fall into. Almsgiving is now often referred to as works of charity. We are called to see Christ in and to be Christ for the poor and needy. This means to live the gospel message and to love one another as Christ loved us, without exception. Wishing you all the blessings of Lent! Peace and Love, Jackie The Herald Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation in Tau-USA Have you been keeping up with Pat Brandwein-Ball s articles in the Tau on JPIC? The first article (Winter 07) dealt with how the Apostolic Commissions came about and the transition to a JPIC model of living the Rule. The Spring 08 issue presents the beginning of formation on JPIC. We begin by observing Francis, his conversion took a long time years of time just like ours much of this spent alone, with the created world, and in prayer. Francis came to know God through the person of Jesus Christ. Francis had a particular way of being, a unique outlook on life that hinged on his relationship with God, nourished by prayer and contemplation. In the Summer 08 issue we read: If we do not take the time for study and prayer about our identity, direction, and the secular Franciscan vision we will be no better off than we were with our frustrations with the apostolic commission model The Church calls all orders to return to their founders intentions. Now is the opportunity to do just that as expressed in the Preparatory Document for the International General Chapter in Hungary. The Fall 08 issue recaps a comparison of the former Apostolic Commission model with the JPIC model. Reread the list of bullets under Beginnings We have appointed Charles Falla as JPIC Coordinator on the regional level. Now we need to develop a database of contact persons for each local fraternity for JPIC purposes. ensure that all members have read (and reread) the JPIC articles in the past issues of Tau and have reflected upon the Being and Doing sections In the Winter issue we have a Theological Reflection: A Process for On Going Formation.and in the new Spring 09 issue, a form of prayer Praying with Eyes Open. If you have not taken advantage of these teachings, you are missing a great opportunity. If you have misplaced your back issues of the Tau, they are on the Nafra website. I urge you to go back and download them and present them to your fraternity for discussion. If you have questions, Pat s is listed in her latest article. Jackie

3 Secular Franciscan Order Page 3 FROM MY CORNER OF THE WORLD Anne Mulqueen, SFO International Councilor, USA Have you ever had so much to say that you didn t know where to begin? Well, I have. And so the Holy Spirit had to step in and lead me to an article that will set the tone and content of this column. Michele Canone, OFS, a 30- year-old Italian man, wrote it. His reflection refers to the recent International Chapter in Hungary. He confesses to finding it difficult to imagine men and women aged 50 to 60 so full of light and charged with energy.* He admits that his experience at the Chapter changed his perception, and that light, if it is real, cannot fade. Michele s article speaks of Communication, one of the International Fraternity s priorities for the next 6 years. He says: "Communication in the past meant to the Order little more than issuing a circular [letter], which informed everyone about important events. Today, communication is action, communicating means living communion and making this known so that others can live it. This is the greatest challenge. Training will be necessary in communication, which is the soul of sharing!" And because the major part of my responsibilities in the SFO is to communicate, I will pay heed to Michele s insight and do my best not only to inform you about major events and the directives of the International Fraternity, but also share my impressions and perceptions my very self with you in fraternal communion. In addition to information and reports of activity, from time-to-time I will share with you how the International Fraternity functions. It will help you put the information into perspective. And so in the spirit of communication and communion, let us begin. In my opinion, the most dramatic and the important assertion came from Minister General Encarnación del Pozo during the State of the Order address. She told us to take charge of our identity as an Order and act on the conviction that we are equal partners in the Franciscan Family, not just passive members. Encarnita (as our Minister General is affectionately known) exhorts us as follows: I beg of you the SFO must not and cannot trail behind... the other components of our family. The SFO has to reclaim... its place in these family events...i do believe that the First Order, the Second Order and the Third Order Regular at all levels need the knowledge that we can offer, as people fully immersed in the ordinary circumstances and problems related to work, family, politics, education and science, including situations of extreme poverty and all kinds of misery. If we are to assume our place at the table, we need to know our heritage. What more auspicious time than the 8th centenary of the birth of the Franciscan charism to reflect on our history. In 1209, Francis and his brothers presented themselves before Pope Innocent III and asked for recognition and approval of their gospel way of life. Although the penitential movement predated 1209, and St. Francis was a penitent, 1209 marks the official birth of our charism. It is with joy and gratitude that we join the rest of the Franciscan family in celebrating this anniversary. If you have access to a computer, search for a document called Conference of the Franciscan Family, Living According to the Gospel. It is an excellent formation resource. Continuing with the State of the Order address, Encarnita reported that in the Western World, particularly Europe, vocations are declining while in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Slavic nations, there is an astonishing growth in vocations. We can only wonder why. The United States numbers have remained approximately the same over the last few years. In my last report to CIOFS, I reported 15,811 professed members, 1,208 candidates and 850 inquirers. It seems that during times of turmoil, people who gave little thought to spiritual matters in more secure times, turn to God for comfort. Perhaps, Saint Paul s assertion that, All things work together for good for those who know and love the Lord, will bear fruit in new vocations. When group work is required at International Chapters, the Councilors are separated into language groups. There are five official languages, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. There are six working groups, two of which are English. As you may remember, the theme of the General Chapter was Profession and a Sense of Belonging. Many of you helped me prepare for the Chapter by your responses to the circular letter that was distributed last year. During the Chapter there were major presentations on each of these topics. After each presentation, the language groups met to discuss them. Reflections questions were (Continued on page 4)

4 Page 4 (Form My Corner Continued from page 3) provided to stimulate discussion. At the bottom of this article I have included a few for your personal use. If you are interested in reading the presentations that were given, they are posted on the NAFRA website under Meetings and Resources. Of the five priorities 2 established by the International Fraternity, formation was voted number one. Great emphasis was placed on revitalizing the local fraternity where the life of the Order exists and vocations are developed. The anniversary of the birth of the Franciscan movement challenges us to consciously recommit to the ideals of St. Francis and our Baptismal and Profession promises. After all, the risen Christ is in the midst of our fraternities and in the heart of each brother and sister. All of us know that every member of the fraternity is responsible for formation. It follows then that the challenge of formation is to remind each other that both gifts and responsibilities come with profession as a Secular Franciscan. Witnessing to the good yet to come and obliged to acquire purity of heart because of the vocation they have embraced, they should set themselves free to love God and their brothers and sisters. (Article 12--The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order). I will leave you by restating the opening line of this article. I have so much to say that I will have to save some topics for future articles. With fraternal affection and in peace, Your sister Anne For Reflection: Profession: Secularity represents the special mission brought forth by Profession into the SFO. Do you believe (understand) that you have been called, precisely by virtue of your own vocation, to work in the world for its sanctification? In general, does any resistance to acceptance of this way of consecration into the world still exist? How can we handle this resistance in a positive manner? Sense of Belonging: Based on your experience, what are the symptoms of a fragile or missing sense of belonging to the SFO? In your opinion, what means can be implemented to improve or reinforce a sense of The Herald belonging for our brothers and sisters? Footnotes: * I think I saw some brothers and sisters with light and energy who were older than 50 to 60, but I suppose when you re 30, it s difficult to imagine life beyond Formation, Communication, Franciscan Youth, Presence in the World, and Emerging National Fraternities NATIONAL FYYA COUNCIL ANNOUNCES THE LENTEN 2009 H2O PROJECT RECIPIENT. I was thirsty and you gave me drink Matthew 25:35 St. Aloysius Community & Outreach Center in downtown Detroit, is run by the OFMs of St. John the Baptist Province. Inside the center is the Canticle Café which is directed by our own Mike Carsten, SFO. The Café serves the homeless of Detroit with food, clothing and fellowship. Some of their clients are the senior citizens who live in the area and need assistance. Recently a commercial beverage cooler was donated but Mike had no idea who to fill it up with. He also explained that there are no public water fountains in Detroit, and after the homeless leave the Center, there is no place to get even a drink of H2O. Right here in the USA there is a need for clean drinking water. The FYYA could fill that cooler with water for an entire year! A poster would be placed on top of the cooler to let everyone know where the water came from. This may inspire other groups to donate water, and may also open up the idea of the Franciscan Youth, USA, for those youth volunteers looking for something more. You can go to to see the Center and the Café. We need your donations but also challenge you to participate by actively fasting from all beverages except water to get a truer idea of how important clean water is to our brothers and sisters. To send the money collected: Make all checks payable to NAFRA. You must note on the check memo FYYA H2O Project, the name of your fraternity and the name of your region. Mail all checks to: Kathy Taormina, SFO, 920 Whitney Dr., Apple Valley, MN 55124

5 Secular Franciscan Order Page 5 A SUMMER SEMINAR Endorsed by the National Council of SFO Franciscan Spirituality for Secular Franciscans St. Francis University, Loretto, PA Presenters: Vinal Van Bentham, SFO and Bob Fitz Fitzsimmons, SFO The seminar will begin on Thursday evening with introductions, an overview, and an opportunity for participants to spend some meditative time to reflect on their current images of God then reflect on their experience of God. Friday and Saturday will look at the primary spirituality of the Church (Dominican), and at Franciscan Spirituality/ theology as the alternate view. The foundations given us by Francis will be developed, Christocentric but more Trinitarian. Love as the source of our hopefulness and joyfulness will be expanded to include both Bonaventure s view of Trinity & Scotus Primacy of Christ and Thisness as our supreme inherent dignity. Then we will look at Franciscan spirituality as Eucharistic. Loretto is in a very rural area, beautiful but difficult to get to by plane. If you can get a group together and drive (8-9 hours) it might be best and there are fringe benefits. If you have 4 traveling together it would only cost about $50 per person for car expenses. If you want more info, please contact your district formation team member. Herb Hecker, SFO Minister St. Francis Fraternity, Lewiston, ME Herb died unexpectedly on January 3rd, just 4 days after he had a stroke. His funeral was on January 6th, attended by many friends, secular Franciscans, and family. I had the good fortune to experience Herb and Cecile's generous hospitality on my last visit to Lewiston. They made me feel most welcome and comfortable. I don't know a lot about Herb except that he was kind and generous, an energetic leader in his fraternity who quickly responded to any requests from the region or national fraternities. We will miss him. Peace and love to you, Cecile. Peace and love Jackie Jesus Washes the Feet of the Apostles (Used with Permission) Regional Formation Team Tom Giblin, SFO District 1 Alice Aubuchon, SFO District 2 Patricia Mountain, SFO District 3 Lisa Cyr, SFO District 4 Vacant District 5 Theresa Pratt, SFO Formation Chair & District 6 SECULAR FRANCISCAN WEEKEND RETREAT Profession and The Sense of Belonging The Franciscan Center, Andover - June Fr. Richard Trezza, OFM will be presenting this retreat on the theme of the recent General Chapter in Hungary. Please plan on attending. Bring your whole fraternity as their annual SFO Retreat. The talks will be inspiring. The weather will be warm and suitable for walking and meditating outside. The gathering of Franciscan families will be awesome. Registration forms will be sent to your Ministers or you call Jackie or Miriam directly for a copy. Hope to see you there. Jackie

6 Page 6 The Herald TAU-USA - A WEALTH OF ONGOING FORMATION I just have to say that the current issue of the Tau is particularly beautiful, both in content and looks. I get so much out of the articles. I love Francine Gikow s articles on Franciscan Living in particular the most recent Conversion: But it s Hard. It sure is!!! Thanks Francine. Teresa Baker s final article in Fall 08, as chair of National Formation, really hit home for me. Sometimes I have difficulty reading a book that is too complex I forget what I read in the beginning to make sense out of something further on. I particularly liked her statement: However, I would caution you to take Bonaventure s words to heart before reading about our Franciscan spirituality: Do not think that reading is sufficient without unction, reflection without devotion, investigation without admiration, observation without exultation, industry without piety, knowledge without charity, intelligence without humility, study without grace, or the reflecting power of a mirror without the inspiration of divine wisdom. Itnerarium Prologue 4 If you wish to know how these things come about, ask grace not instruction, desire not understanding, the groaning of prayer not diligent reading, the Spouse not the teacher, God not man, darkness not clarity, not light but the fire that totally inflames and carries us to God by ecstatic unctions and burning affections. This fire is God, and His furnace is in Jerusalem; and Christ enkindles it in the heat of His burning passion. Itinerarium, 7. 6 There are so many other good articles but those in particular touched me. How about you? Did something reach out and touch you would you like to share in an upcoming issues of the Herald? Please send in your comments. Pax et Bonum Jackie Jesus carries the Cross Used with permission 2008 Financial Statement, and Proposed 2009 Regional Budget In the latest edition of the TAU (Spring 2009), you saw the excellent financial reports provided by our National Treasurer, Dennis Ross, SFO. Following his lead, we felt it would be good to publish the proposed budget for the Region, which will be voted on at the Chapter at the end of April. The budget shown on page 7 was prepared by the Regional Executive Council last fall. The report shown is a format that is familiar to your Fraternity Minister if they have attended a Chapter in the last few years. It shows the 2008 Actual, the 2008 Budget, the 2009 Budget, the variance in dollars and percentages, and the budget assumptions. The highlights of the budget are as follows: It is essentially break even (income = expenses), It reflects the new Fair Share rate of $35 per professed member It reflects the generosity of our Friars, who have held the cost of our Chapter and Fall Conference at last year s rates in spite of their increases in costs; in fact, the commuter rate is down by $5, We encourage Fraternity Ministers, along with the local Fraternity members, to review the budget carefully. You are also encouraged to address any questions or concerns to: Regional Treasurer, Miriam Kennedy, SFO, , meksfo@yahoo.com.

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8 Page 8 PRAYERS FOR CONVERSION - MORNING PRAYER Sunday: Lord, you have called us to live according to the form of the holy Gospel following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi: help us fully realize in our lives the ideals of contemplation and evangelization of our father Francis. Monday: Lord, in Saint Francis of Assisi, You have taught us to live in perfect joy: help those who strive to follow Your way of life to be messengers of joy to the Church and to the world. Tuesday: Lord, You taught Your disciples to pray and to join You in prayer: give to all Franciscans the gift of rediscovering the vitality of contemplation in order to renew ourselves in the spirit of holy prayer. Wednesday: Lord, You who were made poor and who proclaimed forcibly, Blessed are the poor : revive in all who follow the form of life of Saint Francis of Assisi the ideal of evangelical poverty. Thursday: Lord, every day you give us bread from heaven for our communion with You and with our brothers and sisters: make our fraternity, nourished by Your Body and Blood, a sign and encouragement of unity and peace. Friday: Lord, You call us to ongoing conversion and penance: help us, who strive to follow the example of our Father Saint Francis, to be converted more and more to You and to Your Sacred Heart. Saturday: All of creation, O Lord, announces Your glory and joyously proclaims Your praise: through the intercession of Saint Francis, help us to contemplate You, love You in all creatures. PRAYERS FOR VOCATION AWARENESS EVENING PRAYER Sunday: Lord, in every age You call men and women to follow Christ and challenge them to announce the Good News to the World: give faithful witnesses and courageous proclaimers of the Gospel to your Church. Monday: Lord, only You have the words of eternal life, guidance that does not delude: help the people of the world to find in the example of Saint Francis of Assisi a valid way of life for their own lives. The Herald Tuesday: Lord, You constantly reveal Your mysterious presence, the way that leads to truth and life: through the example of Saint Francis help people to encounter You and to experience Your deep and profound love for them. Wednesday: You, Christ, Lord of creation and history, have manifested a preference for the helpless and the poor: help the people of the world to move beyond easy answers and illusions and to open their hearts to the beauty of poverty and penance according to the holy Gospel. Thursday: Lord, you form the Church around the mystery of Your Body and Blood offered for our redemption: as you did with Saint Francis, inspire people to love You and to give themselves unconditionally to Your Mystical Body. Friday: Father of mercy and font of reconciliation, You wish to establish a covenant of peace with all men and women: as you did with Saint Francis, give to your people the gift of experiencing Your love and make them instruments of Your peace in the world. Saturday: Lord, You inspired Saint Francis of Assisi to announce Your Word of life to all men and women: we pray that many young people may be open to become workers of the Gospel and willing to live the mission of Christ and of the Church. (Intercessions used by the TOR Sacred Heart Province with modifications) Characteristics of a Vibrant Fraternity Spiritual aspects and prayer as its basis Community of love Gospel living at its core Visible sign of the Church Privileged place for developing sense of Church and our Franciscan vocation Growth through formation, study, and dialogue Place of support and encouragement Sense of belonging by promoting relationship and acceptance of members Sense of commitment by enlivening apostolate, service, witness of the brothers and sisters Family that is joyful and forgiving Openness to each other s gifts and needs Service to each other and the world in a spirit of humility Support system for vibrant Franciscan living

9 Secular Franciscan Order Page 9 LENT, A TIME FOR MORE INTENSE PRAYER AND PENANCE VATICAN CITY, 26 FEB 2009 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon, Ash Wednesday, Benedict XVI led a penitential procession from the church of Sant'Anselmo on Rome's Aventine Hill to the nearby basilica of Santa Sabina where he presided at a Eucharistic celebration. During the ceremony the ashes were imposed upon him by Cardinal Jozef Tomko, titular of Santa Sabina, after which the Pope himself imposed the ashes upon cardinals, bishops and a number of faithful. In his homily the Pope highlighted how "the call to conversion emerges as the dominant theme" in today's liturgy. Having then recalled how the Church is currently celebrating the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of St. Paul, he explained that the Apostle was "aware of having been chosen as an example. This exemplarity status concerns conversion, the transformation of his life brought about thanks to the merciful love of God". "St. Paul recognized that everything in him was the work of divine grace, yet he did not forget the need to accept freely the gift of new life received at Baptism". "How can we fulfill our baptismal vocation?" the Holy Father asked. "How can we emerge victorious from the battle between the flesh and the spirit, between good and evil, the battle that characterises our lives? Today's Gospel reading shows us three useful means to this end: prayer, alms and fasting. "In this context", he added, "we also find useful references in the life and writings of St. Paul". The Apostle exhorts us to "persevere" in prayer, and to "pray without ceasing". On the subject of almsgiving, he speaks of "the great collection in favor of our poor brethren" and underlines how "charity is the apex of a believer's life.... He does not expressly mention fasting, but he often calls for sobriety as a characteristic of people called to live in vigilant expectation of the Lord". "May Lent", said Pope Benedict concluding his homily, "marked by more frequent contact with the Word of God, by more intense prayer, and by a severe and penitential lifestyle, be a stimulus to convert and to love our brothers and sisters, especially the poor and needy". HML/ASH WEDNESDAY/SANTA SABINA VIS (370) St. Elizabeth of Hungary Elective Chapter April 24-26, 2009 in Andover I am pleased and encouraged with the nominations coming in. Ministers, I hope you are planning ahead to attend this elective chapter. One thing I have seen at the national chapters is that there is always 100% attendance of the regional ministers/or delegate (unless someone is in the hospital) and I expect no less for our regional chapter. It is the responsibility of every local fraternity to send a representative to the chapter preferable the minister or vice-minister. This is your region, you are part of the regional council. Please start praying for those nominated that they will be moved to serve their region and that the Holy Spirit will be in charge of our elections. Peace and love The Crucifixion Used with permission Jackie BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH VATICAN CITY, 27 FEB 2009 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for March is: "That the role of women may be more appreciated and used to good advantage in every country in the world". His mission intention is: "That, in the light of the Letter addressed to them by Pope Benedict XVI, the bishops, priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful of the Catholic Church in the Popular Republic of China may commit themselves to being the sign and instrument of unity, communion and peace". BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/MARCH/...VIS (100)

10 Page 10 The Herald District 3 Visitation A pastoral visitation was held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 for three Maine fraternities: St Francis of Lewiston, Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kennebunk, and Sowers of the Word of Windham. Father Richard Trezza conducted the combined event at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the home church of Sowers of the Word (whose minister, Larry Guertin, hosted graciously.) Councils and members from all three fraternities spent the day with Father Richard, who explained, listened, and exchanged ideas, all with the relentless aim of preserving the charism of our order. Topics included the prayer life of the fraternities, living the rule, and especially formation. There was inspiration, humor, and plenty of frank discussion. After lunch, Fr. Richard met with the combined councils in a smaller conference room, and stayed to speak with individuals on their concerns. I think all would agree that this was a special, truly reinvigorating day, and it demonstrated that bringing more than one fraternity together for a pastoral visitation is not only viable, but has the potential of adding to the gifts of the occasion! DENOUNCING THE ERRORS BEHIND THE ECONOMIC CRISIS VATICAN CITY, 27 FEB 2009 (VIS) - During a meeting with pastors and clergy of the diocese of Rome which took place yesterday in the Hall of Blessings in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, Benedict XVI answered eight questions put to him concerning such matters as the world economic crisis, the formation of priests, evangelization, the educational emergency and the value of the liturgy. Benedict XVI explained that the Church has the duty to present a reasonable and well-argued criticism of the errors that have led to the current economic crisis. This duty, he said, forms part of the Church's mission and must be exercised firmly and courageously, avoiding moralism but explaining matters using concrete reasons that may be understood by everyone. Referring to his forthcoming social Encyclical, the Pope then presented a synthetic overview of the crisis, analyzing it at two levels. First he considered the Fr Trezza conducts the District 3 Visitation macroeconomic aspects, highlighting the shortcomings of a system founded on selfishness and the idolatry of money, which cast a shadow over man's reason and will and lead him into the ways of error. Here the Church is called to make her voice heard - nationally and internationally - in order to help bring about a change of direction and show the path of true reason illuminated by faith, which is the path of self-sacrifice and concern for the needy. The second aspect of the Holy Father's analysis concerned the sphere of microeconomics. Large-scale projects for reform, he said, cannot come about unless individuals alter their ways. If there are no just people, then there can be no justice. Hence he invited people to intensify their humble, everyday efforts for the conversion of hearts, an undertaking that above all involves parishes whose activity is not just limited to the local community but opens up to all humanity. Turning his attention to the question of evangelizing work among people who have moved away from the faith, the Pope underlined the importance of personal witness from individuals who live not for themselves but for others. Such witness must be associated with the Word, he remarked, because it is the Word that gives credibility to witness by revealing that the faith is not a philosophy or a utopia, but a truth that becomes life. To this end, Pope Benedict continued, what we need are priests and catechists who have cultural training, but above all who are capable of speaking to modern man with the simplicity of truth, in order to show people that (Continued on page 11)

11 Secular Franciscan Order Page 11 (Errors Continued from page 10) God is not, in fact, some distant being but a person Who talks and acts in the lives of all human beings. On the subject of the liturgy, the Pope commented that it is like a school in which to learn the art of being human and to experience familiarity with Christ. The Eucharist in particular must be lived as a sign and seed of charity, he said. Answering a question concerning the significance of the Bishop of Rome's mission, the Holy Father explained that it is a guarantee of the universality of the Church. The Church does not identify with any particular culture because it transcends nationalism and frontiers to welcome all peoples, respecting their own particular richness and characteristics. Finally, responding to a question on the educational emergency, Benedict XVI indicated that what is lacking today is a shared view of the world, an ethical orientation that keeps man from falling prey to arbitrariness. Thus, while faith remains open to all cultures, it is also their criterion for discernment and guidance. AC/.../PRIESTS DIOCESE ROME VIS (600) Franciscan Center Wish List: 459 River Road, Andover, MA Donations of the items are a great help to the Center in controlling costs.: Coffee, Dinner Napkins, Paper Towels, Laundry Detergent, Windex and Pledge. Regional Executive Council Jacquelyn Walsh SFO - Minister Miriam Kennedy, SFO - Vice Minister (appointed to serve out Vince's term Susan M. Ronan, SFO - Secretary Miriam Kennedy, SFO - Acting Treasurer Theresa Pratt, SFO - Formation Director Claire Reid, SFO - Councilor District 1 Steve Shields SFO - Councilor District 2 Joseph Makley, SFO - Councilor District 3 Roselle Neely, SFO - Councilor District 4 David Amara, SFO - Councilor District 5 John Sheridan, SFO - Councilor District 6 Fr. Richard Trezza, OFM - Spiritual Assistant Regional Announcements: St. Anthony Fraternity, Boston Anniversaries: Helen J. Dennis, SFO - 30 years on 01/13 Alice Caslin, SFO - 30 years on 01/13 Patrick J. Romano, SFO - 30 years on 01/13 Elizabeth Kelly, SFO - 25 years on 01/14 Mary B. Kelly, SFO - 25 years on 01/14 Deaths: Joseph P. Lentini, SFO, Professed 04/02/1961, Died 12/11/2008 Francis Flaherty, SFO, Professed 06/14/1997, Died 12/29/2008 Wallace Zawistowski, SFO, Professed 10/19/1961, Died 01/13/2009 John Nolan, SFO, Professed 01/11/1947, Died 3/1/2009 St. Ann s Fraternity, Marlborough, MA Deaths: Yvette Peltak SFO, died 02/07/2009 St. Bernard Fraternity, Fitchburg, MA Deaths: Josophine Carr SFO, Professed 12/5/1984, died 03/23/2009 St. Francis Fraternity, Lewiston, ME Deaths: Herbert Hecker SFO, Minister, Professed 06/09/2001, died 01/03/2009 District 3 Visitation by Joseph Makley, SFO, District 3 Councilor The Herald Franciscan Center, 459 River Road, Andover, MA submissions to: Steve_shields@comcast.net 2008 St. Elizabeth of Hungary Regional Fraternity All rights reserved. Duplication without permission is encouraged. Schedule of Newsletter Deadlines: Next Issue July 1

12 St. Elizabeth of Hungary Regional Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order Franciscan Center 459 River Road Andover, MA Address Service Requested Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid Boston, MA Permit # Mission Statement The Mission of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Region of the Secular Franciscan order is to proclaim and witness to the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, inspired by the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, by promoting and supporting the local fraternities in the Northern New England area. Together, through the lives of diverse Catholic men and women in local fraternities, we profess commitment to these ideals. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we strive to humbly serve all people, especially the poor and forgotten. We celebrate joyfully the gift of life in all creation and recognize God s living presence in the world. UPCOMING EVENTS Regional Chapter of Elections Franciscan Center Andover April 26-28, 2009 Full Council to be Present Day of Prayer for Secular Franciscans & Friends "Living Franciscan Life Everyday" Retreat Leader: John Finneran, SFO Franciscan Center, Andover Sunday, May 2, :00 am to 2:00 pm $25.00 includes Breakfast and Lunch Call the Center to register Secular Franciscan Weekend Retreat "Profession and The Sense of Belonging" Presented by Fr. Richard Trezza, OFM The Franciscan Center, Andover, MA June 19-21, 2009 A Summer Seminar for SFO's "Franciscan Spirituality" June 25-28, 2009 Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA Fall Conference (open to all) "Formation Issues" Franciscan Center, Andover, MA September 25-27, 2009