Newsletter: Divine Mercy Region Secular Franciscan Order

Transcription

1 Newsletter: Divine Mercy Region Secular Franciscan Order Lower Michigan and Toledo, Ohio April 2019 From Our Regional Minister Brothers and Sisters, Let s rebuild our church, our fraternities, and our lives! I hope you will join us on April 27 th in Saginaw at the Diocesan Center for our Spring Gathering. In response to our members, we will be providing training for council positions. There will be training sessions for Minister, Vice Minister, Treasurer, Secretary, Formation Director, Spiritual Assistant, and JPIC Animator. If you hold one of these positions, we want you there! If you are a new council member there will be training for you in your new position. This is a chance to ask questions and learn from others who share the same position. For those with extensive service and knowledge, we want you there too! Please share your talents and best practices you have learned along the way. There will be time in each session for a sharing of ideas. EVEN IF you are not in one of these positions, WE WANT YOU THERE! Perhaps in the past if you were in one of these positions, your experience is welcome and needed. If you have no experience, but perhaps want to learn more, we welcome you. Choose a group that interests you. Registration forms are available at our Divine Mercy Region website or see your local fraternity minister. There is a $25 cost that offsets costs of breakfast and lunch. The region does pay that fee for current fraternity ministers, but please register. Breakfast begins at 8:30 AM with our meeting beginning at 9:30 AM. We will conclude with a Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00pm. There is something special when we gather as a group. I have sensed that. The Holy Spirit is among us! Share your gifts and talents with us. Be the light of the world we are called to be as Secular Franciscans! In doing so, you are rebuilding our church, our fraternities, and our lives! Peace, Jim Graczyk OFS Divine Mercy Region, Minister

2 In This Issue From Our Minister Editor s Notes Taking Formation Out of Your Meeting Room From Br. Loren Regional Calendar Gentrification & JPIC I Ride the Bus Socks for Kalamazoo s Homeless Discovering Each Other Fraternity Elections Franciscan Seminars What s Happening at St. Bonaventure in Detroit? Fr. Joseph Maloney OFM Cap. Contact Us! Dear Sisters and Brothers, Please join us on April 27 th at the Spring Gathering. It s open to all Secular Franciscans, as well as anyone in formation for the Order. If you need an extra registration form, see the last page. Soon, sadly but with great gratitude, we will be saying goodbye to our spiritual assistant and a kind, humble and holy man, Br. Loren Connell OFM. We re sorry to see him leave us, but the entire council wishes him the best in the future. Please remember us and pray for us, Br. Loren, and we will remember and pray for you. At each of these meetings, we plan a special event or a task to perform. This spring, we ve prepared training for fraternity councils, so if you have been, are or may ever be on a fraternity council, this meeting is for you. In this issue of the newsletter, since we have a member who was awarded the National JPIC award last fall, the feature articles are about a few of the things happening with JPIC in our Region. We also have some election results which you ll find on page 9. Peace and All Good, Jan Kaeding OFS Regional Councilor, Newsletter & Webpage Editor Taking Formation Out of Your Meeting Room Our order is calling us to face the challenge of our vocation in the world in new and sometimes uncomfortable ways. We are being called out of the safety of our meeting rooms. Nowhere is this truer than as we form ourselves and those in our formation programs through Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. As I have been privileged to get to know Formation Ministers from across the US, I see the ways Franciscans are being stretched. I see new and innovative ways people are making formation life giving for those in formation and for those in our cities and towns. Our National Fraternity leadership is urging us to embrace the challenge, and to embrace change as needed. We are all praying for the life of our order. We need to be open to the needs of younger people who are called to the Franciscan way of life. I would like to challenge all of us in the Divine Mercy Region to step out in the pursuit of a deeper connection to JPIC in our regular formation programs. This in turn connects us all the more deeply to Catholic Social Teaching. I have seen the fruit of nurturing this connection in formation programs. Continued on page 4 2

3 Dear Sisters and Brothers, If I had a trombone for every year of my last birthday, we could have a big parade. In June, I will mark six years as pastor/administrator of St. Aloysius Parish, and almost seven as a resident of southeast Michigan. During that time, I have been privileged to serve the regional fraternity as its spiritual assistant. They have been years of grace for me, but I am tired. The parish deserves a pastor and the regional fraternity, an assistant with more energy; and I deserve to retire from fulltime ministry. Sunday, June 30 th, will be my last scheduled day as pastor. As I write to you now, my tenure as regional assistant is less clear. I have applied to enter a sabbatical program in the fall but have not yet received notification of acceptance. Meanwhile, I am in dialogue with my provincial minister with regard to my next residence. It is unlikely that I will remain in Michigan beyond the summer, but right now there are too many uncertainties for me to be more specific than that. I am grateful for my years in Michigan and for the people whom I have come to know and love here. That includes many of you in the regional fraternity. I have not been as present among you as I would have liked, and for that I apologize. You have been very patient with my foibles, and for that I thank you. I shall carry with me some painful memories, but many more joyful ones. One certainty this summer is a chapter of mats in Denver, Colorado. From July 29 th to August 2 nd about four hundred friars will come together from the six American provinces that have chosen to become one. It will be an experience of brotherhood, with all of us meeting brothers from other provinces whom we have never met before. That's a good way for me to begin a new chapter in my own Franciscan life. Peace and Every Blessing, Br. Loren, OFM Regional Spiritual Assistant Mark Your Calendars! Spring Gathering 2019 April 27, 2019 Saginaw, Michigan Regional Fraternity Chapter 2019 August 2-4, 2019 DeWitt, Michigan Formation Day 2019 October 26, 2019 Saginaw, Michigan National Fraternity Chapter 2019 October 15-20, 2019 Corpus Christi, Texas 3

4 Continued from page 2 The materials in the FUN Manual, in Franciscan Journey and those available on the national and international websites are a worthwhile beginning. They truly are just a beginning. My challenge is for us to go further, to take learning a step further. I have three suggestions for you to consider. 1. Plan ahead and create an atmosphere to share deeply during Formation sessions about what justice activities each person is involved in now. 2. Discuss within your Formation group where God may be calling each of you to be more involved in JPIC; individually or in your fraternity s apostolate. 3. Do something to promote justice together: volunteer with a program that supports those released from jail or prison, volunteer at a soup kitchen, join in on a local conservation activity, visit your fraternity s home bound members together. Get out of your meeting room together. Don t forget to process what you all experienced either as a wrap up for the experience or at your next formation gathering. Formation is a time of challenge and change. For the person in initial formation, it is discernment and learning and spiritual stretching and personal growth. For professed seculars our ongoing formation should continue the growth; not always comfortable, but calling us consistently to ongoing conversion. For Formation Ministers it should be most challenging of all, as we are privileged to learn and grow and face ourselves with both groups of people. There are so many opportunities we can create to be a Franciscan presence in our communities. I ll be taking the challenge as I work with the candidates in my fraternity s formation group. We are going to leave our meeting room. Join us! Michelle Bryk OFS Regional Formation Minister Gentrification & JPIC Since 1999, I have served as a Faith Community Nurse at St. Aloysius Neighborhood Services located on Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit. I assess and address the whole health (mind, body, and spirit) needs of the seniors who live in Section 8 housing (H.U.D. housing) on Washington Boulevard and our homeless brothers and sisters who frequent our parish/office. As Detroit is being redeveloped, seniors are being pushed out, a.k.a. gentrification. In 2014 as gentrification issues heightened, it became evident to me as a nurse that downtown, the physical wellbeing of senior citizens, related to safety and air quality, was being jeopardized during in-residence renovation of their apartment building. What is worse, is that the owners had no concern for the seniors dignity or whole health. Having already been given an eviction notice, and as the seniors scrambled to find other subsidized housing, their apartments and hallways were consumed with construction workers with masks (none given to the seniors) and the fall out of renovation dust, debris, filth, and chaos. It was the last week in January when Johnny came to my office. He had some questions about his medications a routine office visit. But this routine office visit became a critical event when Johnny said, You know Kathy, it is getting hard to breathe in my apartment. They started doing major construction in our building and there is dust everywhere I can t take it, Kathy. Elderly residents residing in the Griswold Apartments had chronic illnesses, and exposure in this way exacerbated their illnesses. Two elevators were available (not dependable on a good day); one was dedicated to the construction workers. Those elderly with doctor appointments, dialysis treatments, and much more had great difficulty, no, almost impossible experiences, getting to their appointments. Continued on page 5 4

5 Continued from page 4 I made numerous complaints about these conditions to the City of Detroit Building Department, as did the seniors, but nothing happened. Gratefully, a St. Aloysius parishioner who is an attorney volunteered his and his staff s time to seek a Verified Complaint for Injunctive Relief. On the same day of the court hearing, before going to court, the City of Detroit placed a cease and desist order on the contractor s window located next to the Griswold building. Yes, the renovation construction was stopped! This article is a highly condensed account of the gentrification issue for the seniors at the Griswold building. Not only were their physical health issues highlighted and addressed, but also their spiritual and mental health concerns. This experience gave way to strong partnerships, and advocates emerged who have worked and continue to work to effect positive outcomes regarding gentrification issues at the local level in Detroit. Successes of this work include: 1. A research study conducted by Wayne State University School of Social Work was begun. Principal Investigator Tam Perry, PhD, post graduate social work students, Wayne State University College of Nursing student nurses, and the St. Aloysius Faith Community Nurse picked this up as a research study. The study focused on older adults from Griswold who were involuntarily relocated. Research examined their experiences to understand how they are settling into life in their new homes and community. The findings of this research have been disseminated and are being used by city planners at the local, state, and national level. 2. This experience has provided a training ground for young adult students in nursing, social work, and urban planning. 3. Two Section 8 HUD apartments were sold two blocks away from the Griswold Apartments. The new owners of these apartments have promised to keep the HUD contract for another ten years! DO YOU EVEN REALIZE HOW THAT RELIEVES THE STRESS OF THE SENIORS? Currently in 2019 renovation of these apartments continues with seniors in residence! Careful attention has been made to make sure their health is not compromised by the construction. 4. The issue was raised to key policy makers. Detroit s Mayor, Mike Duggan has earnestly discussed senior housing in his last two State of the City addresses. 5. Organizational contributions, e.g. Senior Housing Preservation-Detroit (SHP-D), have been made to the City's Affordable Housing Strategy. Members of the SHP-D coalition and others have given public testimony in support of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund established in Sept 2017 and an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance which mandates that 20% of new housing developments be classified as affordable. In closing, Article 15 of our Rule directs us: Let them 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. It is an honor to have received the JPIC award. Our work continues. A society that doesn t care for its elderly has no future. Pope Francis; Homily on Vatican Radio, November 19, There is an article about this experience pending publication in St. Anthony Messenger. The following is a video of Kathleen receiving the JPIC award at the National Chapter last October: Kathleen Carsten award: Continued on page 6 5

6 Continued from page 5 For a video that explains the gentrification in more detail, enter this link into the address line on your computer: NOTE: Alice, the first senior interviewed in the preceding video just had a birthday January 3; she is 98 years old. Alice resides in downtown Detroit, is a parishioner of St. Aloysius, and a former resident of Griswold Apartments. Kathleen Carsten OFS Regional Councilor & JPIC Animator I Ride the Bus I ride the bus; I tell many people that. I forgot when I started, but it has been at least 12 years maybe more. I used to own a car. Rather, my car owned me. I lived in fear that it would break down and I would be stuck without transportation. I could drive a car off the lot brand new, and still fear it would break down my cars owned me. And so, one day it happened. My car broke down. I remember saying to the Lord at night, Lord, it is really easy to think about riding the bus when I am warm and safe in my house, but tomorrow morning I am going to need to go out in the cold, so I need your help. It began. The first bus driver I had and I, on the first day I started, talked about Religion who would have thought. I used to say that I would have a great ministry on the bus. Wrong. It has been a great ministry to me. The first thing I noticed is how much pride came pouring out of me. (Was there something wrong with riding the bus?) A friend of mine, when I told him of the pride, said, Yes, and I will tell you what else you will find, you will find your prejudice. Now I thought, right away, black and white that was not my prejudice. One day I thought, when will I find my prejudice? I am sure the Lord was just waiting to hear that line. Bam!! I found out that mine was people who have no boundaries not issues of black and white. You will find your own. I share many stories of what the Lord does, to me, through me and with me. There was the time that a young couple was making fun of a young woman who might have been categorized as not acceptable in polite society. I simply moved across the aisle, sitting between them and her and began talking with her as if she was my best friend. We had a great conversation. When she got off at her stop, I returned to my seat and simply looked at the couple who had been mocking her. They were embarrassed. There was a young man who was always angry and all the drivers were always angry at him. I said one morning, Lord, if I could just smile at him; no one ever smiles at him. He looked at me, and I gave him my biggest smile. He was at my side instantly. It took me a while to understand his name, because he was part Vietnamese and part Japanese. He asked me to marry him. I told him I belonged to the Lord. Oh, God, he said, with reverence. He asked me if I was going to work, which I was. I asked him if he was going to work. He said, Oh I can t work, I m mental. I said his name--because names are important--and that I did not believe that. Inside I thought, you are probably no more mental than I am; you just show yours more than I do. We continued to talk. You realize as you are talking to the one no one else will talk with, that others are watching and listening. At the end as I was preparing to leave, he said, Margo, you nice lady. I told him I try. Whenever we saw each other after that, we both smiled. I have a Kleenex ministry on the bus. A lot of people who cannot afford Kleenex ride the bus. Continued on page 7 6

7 Continued from page 6 There was the woman who clearly had a sinus infection, but no Kleenex. Or, the man who came in from the pouring rain, as wet as could be, no Kleenex. Or, the young woman who was clearly in pain, with tears flowing; my Kleenex became hers. It is a simple ministry. I simply watch for the need. One day a group of young women were very loud on the bus. It was the end of the day and I was tired and did not want to hear them, so I shut them out. I missed the lesson from God that day, and the very next day the same thing happened. Finally, I realized that God was trying to get my attention, so I paid attention the next time. You know when young people are loud on the bus, they are simply living the life they have been allowed to live. The Lord asks for patience and love, not judgment. There are so many others. There was the man I gave my candy bar to (I didn t need it) who told me he was going to the hospital that night (with foot pain), but really it would simply get him off the streets and he wouldn t have to go to a shelter. There was the young man who somehow felt safe enough with me to tell me his history of abuse. There is the young man with Asperger s Syndrome who is a delight to talk to and no matter how long it s been since he s seen me, he never forgets my name. There was the man I saw looking through the garbage container for food. You see Jesus a lot. The stories and there are many, and many more to come, I am sure. But they are all tied up in God s love for me and my love for God and neighbor. Clearly, the Almighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His name. Go, and take nothing for the Journey. I ride the bus. Margo Dean OFS Our Mother of Sorrows Fraternity Spiritual Assistant, St. Isidore Fraternity Socks for Kalamazoo s Homeless This winter, Divine Providence Fraternity in Kalamazoo decided to ask a few local parishes for socks, mittens and hats for the homeless. We were inundated! We received laundry baskets full of new socks and other warm items! People are so generous. They want to help, but don t know how. We packaged the items we received in gallon Ziploc bags, along with snacks and a note of prayer, and distributed them. Some items went downtown and were handed out on the street near the bus station in Kalamazoo, which is near the places the poor must walk to eat and get what they need every day. Some items went to Detroit to help out Franciscan Ministries, some went directly to the Walk-in Center in Kalamazoo. Below is a photo of batch #1--90 bags--which went to the homeless on the street in January. I cannot imagine driving to work now. I pay $30 a month (now that I am a senior) and that I can afford. Sometimes I have gotten off the bus laughing as hard as I could. I remember saying one time, Lord, I never laughed like this when I was driving. You never know what influence you have. A man sitting across from me one day said, You re the one. I said, I m the one, what? He said, You are the one who walks to church every morning. How do you know that, I said? We see you, he said. I was taken aback. Continued on page 8 7

8 Continued from page 7 Fraternity members went out in pairs and not only handed out the bags, but spent some time talking to people on the street. Homeless people feel invisible--and unwanted--and are very grateful to be treated with love and respect. We got more out of it than they did, I think. The sock drive turned out to be a very simple project to put together for a tiny fraternity like ours. We d like to give thanks to the parishioners at St. Mary s in Paw Paw and St. Bernard s in Benton Harbor, who generously donated so many items. Jan Kaeding OFS, Regional Councilor Minister of Divine Providence Fraternity Regional Newsletter & Website Editor From Vatican II in Plain English - The Collection, Book 2 The Constitutions, by Bill Huebsch with Paul Thurmes, the following is excerpted. We are reminded: Constitution on the Church Chapter 2, The People of God 16 And the many people who are not Christian are also connected to the People of God. The Jews remain dear to God for example, as do the people of Islam, as well as all those who seek God with a sincere heart. Likewise, those who seek no God whatsoever, if they are good and true, are also related to God s people To learn about each other opens the door to loving each other and banishes the untruths sowed by fear. Let us continue to discover each other and bring about justice, peace, and integrity of creation. Jerry Alderman, OFS Vice Minister, Troubadours of St. Clare Fraternity Discovering Each Other The Troubadours of St. Clare Fraternity, St. Clair Shores, has embarked on a new series of presentations entitled Discovering Each Other. Each presentation in the series will highlight a speaker from a different faith tradition. The first presentation in the series was held in January 2019, and it featured Imam Sayed Saleh Qazwini of The Islamic Institute of America, Dearborn. It was held at St. Lucy Catholic Church, St. Clair Shores (the Troubadours host parish) with 50 people in attendance. We are currently celebrating the 800-year anniversary of the encounter between St. Francis and the Sultan. A letter from the OFM Friars commemorating that event can be found on our website at: /03/mg_damietta_letter_en.pdf 8

9 Fraternity Elections Queen of Angels Fraternity [56-107] Minister Bob Brady OFS Secretary - Terry Marcoux OFS Formation - Sue Ellen DeWyse OFS Councilor - Barney Torzynski, OFS Vice Minister - Jim Wilinski, OFS Treasurer - Ann Torzynski OFS Councilor - Jim Graczyk, OFS Councilor - Joseph Diaz, OFS Our Mother of Sorrows Fraternity [56-113] Minister - Barb Scott OFS Secretary - Carol Dills OFS Councilor - Laura Bouchard OFS Councilor - Sue Southerton OFS Vice Minister - Keith Southerton OFS Treasurer - Jeff Dills OFS Councilor - Jason George OFS Councilor - Jennifer Bahm OFS 9

10 Franciscan Seminars Secular Franciscan Conference Clare of God: A Spirituality for Our Time Sr. Loretta Schaff, OSF and Fr. John Petrikovic, OFM Cap Secular Franciscan Conference Enduring Presence: Franciscan Laity, Their Relevance Today Darlene Pryds PhD July 11-14, 2019 St. Francis University July 12-14, 2019 St. Bonaventure University programs#master2 ICFL/ICFLseminar.asp Opportunity Date & Location More Information Making Sense of a Forgotten Past: Lay Franciscans as Co-Creators of the Franciscan Spiritual Tradition Darlene Pryds PhD July 8-12, 2019 St. Bonaventure University programs#secular If you d like to learn more about Divine Mercy Region s Spiritual Assistant Training Program, please contact Linda Solis OFS, our Regional Spiritual Assistant, at lsolisofs@gmail.com. What s Happening at St. Bonaventure Fraternity, Detroit? Event Date Location Bill O'Brien from Strangers No Longer will speak on the humanitarian crisis that faces a growing 4/28/2019 number of immigrants and those seeking asylum in our area. Jubilarian Mass and Reception Following 5/19/2019 Fraternity Picnic A Study Day on St. Clare: What s New? Fr. William Hugo OFM 7/21/2019 1:30 PM 8/10/2019 Fr. Joseph Maloney OFM Cap. Solanus Casey Center, Detroit, Michigan Solanus Casey Center, Detroit, Michigan Belle Isle Shelter #2 Solanus Casey Center, Detroit, Michigan It is with a sad heart that we report the death of Fr. Joe Maloney OFM Cap. Fr. Joe was a local Spiritual Assistant for Divine Mercy Region, as well as one of Divine Mercy s First Regional Spiritual Assistants. He played a big role in the region as we moved into and through the process of Regionalization. Please pray for Fr. Joe Maloney OFM Cap. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 10

11 Contact Us! Jim Graczyk OFS Minister Mike Carsten OFS Vice Minister Theresa Brown OFS Secretary Mike Okragleski OFS Treasurer Dawn Pulcer OFS Councilor Kevin Wahr OFS Councilor Kathleen Carsten OFS Councilor JPIC Animator Jan Kaeding OFS Councilor Webmaster/Editor Michelle Bryk OFS Regional Formation Minister Cami Mann OFS Ecumenical Interfaith Coordinator Linda Solis OFS SA Program Administrator Regional Spiritual Assistant Br. Loren Connell OFM Regional Spiritual Assistant To obtain the latest issue of the Divine Mercy Region Newsletter Newsletters are posted on the Divine Mercy Region website as soon as they are completed. In addition, they are ed directly to each Local Fraternity Minister by the Regional Secretary. To find the latest issue, please visit the Divine Mercy Region website to find the latest one posted there, or ask your Local Fraternity Minister. Here is the address for the page of the website that has the latest newsletters: To submit pictures, events or articles for the newsletter... Please attach them to an , place the words Newsletter Item in the subject line of the , and then send the to Jan at the following address: The submission deadline for the next issue is June 30, Items not received by that date will be considered for a later issue. 11

12 REGISTRATION FORM Spring Gathering, Sat., April, 27, 2019 for the Divine Mercy Regional Fraternity of the OFS Directions: Each attendee fills out Parts I, II & III below and mails with $25 fee* (includes continental breakfast & lunch) to: Registrar, Falcon Dr., Shelby Twp., MI (Check payable to: Secular Franciscan Order, Divine Mercy Regional Fraternity). *No fee is due for Minister/Minister s Delegate that Region covers, so note if this is your role in Part I and you may opt to your completed registration form to dpulcerofs@gmail.com Part I: Enter member information below: Name: Fraternity Name & City: Phone #: Check all role(s) that apply to you that you serve in, in your Fraternity: Minister/Delegate Vice Minister Secretary Treasurer Councilor Formation Director Formation Team Member Spiritual Assistant JPIC Animator Professed Member Candidate Inquirer Orienter Guest Part II: Do you have specific requests? Yes No (If yes, note/check below.) Special Needs (eg. Special Diet, gluten free host, etc.) Friday Overnight: Room (include $45 rm. fee); 6pm Dinner (include $13 meal fee) Part III: Below choose the Sat. afternoon workshop you d like to attend; you do not need to be currently serving in this role to attend the workshop. Please ASAP/ahead of time concerns or questions you d like addressed in the workshop you select, to session s leader/co-leaders address noted below. Check one workshop Minister/Vice Minister Treasurer Secretary Formation Director Spiritual Assistant JPIC Animator Designated Leader/Co- Leaders Jim Graczyk/Barb Scott Michael Okragleski Theresa Brown/Marge Lanzi Michelle Bryk Patti Reynolds/Marie Amore Doris Allen/Doug Gordon concerns/questions: bscott3315@gmail.com mokragleski@gmail.com mlanzi586@comcast.net michellebofs@gmail.com lsolisofs@gmail.com parish.nurse@ameritech.net Thank you for Registering! See you on April 27 th for a memorable Franciscan experience!