Minister s Message: Come Lord Jesus, Come

N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e : Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Q u e e n o f P e a c e R e g i o n S e c u l a r F r a n c i s c a n O r d e r December 2018 Volum e 13, Issue 12 Minister s Message: Come Lord Jesus, Come Who can forget that first Nativity scene at Greccio? The people gather around and at once are transported to Bethlehem. A baby is quietly lying in a manger. Joseph and Mary ponder the miracle God has divinely wrought through them. The promise of God is fulfilled through this wondrous babe. It would not remain peaceful for long as Herod would be looking for him and, in the process, kill many innocent children. Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with him to avoid this tragedy. They spend 3 years there before returning to Nazareth. Joseph would return to his work as a carpenter in order to provide for them. I invite you into the workshop to see this godly man at work. Perhaps Jesus stood at his feet watching him. We do not know much about Joseph. The bible tells us that he was of the lineage of David and a just man. In fact, that does say a lot about him. (Mt. 1:19-20) I was curious about Saint Joseph so I did a little research about him and found some useful information about Joseph the man. He is a direct descendant of David. He was obedient and entrusted with the lives of Jesus and Mary. He would have been responsible for the spiritual training of Jesus as he faithfully kept the laws of Judaism. The angel addressed him as Joseph, Son of David indicating the role he is to play in God s plan. The words that follow that salutation are: Do not be afraid, which is used many times in the bible. This is an affirmation used to show that this was of God and divinely inspired. Joseph needed to know that he was chosen by God for this mission. He would need courage and grace to carry it out. Some scholars believe he was a young man about the same age of Mary. There is much speculation about the time of his death. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Minister s Message 1 Spiritual Assistant Reflections 2 Formation Director Notes 2 Meeting Minutes 3-4 Donna Green 4 Prayer Requests 5 2019 Calendar 5 Treasurer Report 6 Fraternity Council 6 Newsletter Notes 6 Next Meetings 6 Lourdes Holy Water 6 Birthdays 6 January Retreat 7 I could go on, but the point is; he was obedient and faithful to what God asked him to do. I looked inward and thought about my life and invite you to do the same. I recall a time when I was in second grade. We had a classroom play about the birth of Jesus. I so wanted to be chosen to be Mary or the angel. But no, I was told to be the Inn keeper who would tell them that There is no room for you here. I was so sad. After all, who wants to tell them that? I have thought about that many times and have made sure that now I always have room for Jesus, Mary and Joseph in my heart. I invite each of you to do the same. Come Lord Jesus, Come. Wishing all of you a Blessed Advent and Christmas, Teresa

Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 2 Spiritual Assistant Reflections: May we all experience a new Bethlehem in our lives this Christmas! Peace and every good Fr. John Formation Director Note: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Merry Christmas ~! I hope you each receive a great gift of joy this Christmas. What would it be like to spend Advent in Mary s womb with Christ? Completely protected, nurtured, and every need taken care of? No worries, no fears, just being. Peace, joy, and surrounded by love... Lord, help us to keep our focus on You this Advent and Christmas. In Jesus Name we pray. Ongoing Formation will be: to be faithful to our set time of Contemplative prayer. To pray with a surrendered spirit and receptive heart. Candidate Formation: Chapter 13 Encounters with Christ from the Franciscan Journey book. United in Prayer, + jean

Saint Alphonsa Fraternity FRATERNITY MEETING/CHRISTMAS PARTY MINUTES DECEMBER 9, 2018 The St. Alphonsa Fraternity meeting was held Sunday, December 9, 2018 at Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids, MN from 2 4 pm. The meeting was preceded by adoration from 1:30 to 2 pm. Members Present were: Fr. John Bauer, Shirlann Biser, Ellen Drasin, Teresa Isenor, Cathy Maloney- Hills, Jean McGinty, Jeanette Schelonka, Ray Schelonka, Teresa Walker, Gordon Walker, Laurie Lacina, Jeanne Page, Janet Uhlir, Patti Urick, Mark Urick, Kathy Weismann. and Carol Schiebold. Excused Members were: Irene Brandenburg, Jerry Swanson, Affiliate Present: Elizabeth Dohogne Inquirers Present: Linda Loes Inquirer Excused: Ken Yarke, Chiara Dowell Orientees Present: Joyce Weiskopf Orientees Absent: Susan Myers Minister, Teresa Walker, ofs opened the meeting at 2:15 pm by leading the prayer from page 35 of The Ritual book. Ellen Drasin did the reading from page 77 of The Ritual Book. We paused to reflect on the reading then prayed a Hail Mary for Jim Malisheski, Rick Isenor, Donna Green and Trisha Swanson and for comfort for their families. We prayed the Memorare for our Priests and vocations. Father John led us in singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel and led The Liturgy of the Hours, Evening Prayer for The Second Sunday of Advent. Gordon W. read an article from the Life of St. Francis, by Nesta De Robeck entitled, St. Francis at Greccio. Page 3 Minister s Report/Business: Teresa W. reminded us about the January 2019 retreat on our usual meeting day, January 27 th at IHM. We will bring items for a light breakfast and something to share for a potluck meal after the retreat. The theme is Following in the Footsteps of Francis and Clare. Elizabeth Dohogne will speak about St. Clare and Patti Urick will speak about St. Francis. There will be a flyer in the December and January newsletters with details. Our next Come and See event will be at the February 2019 meeting. Laurie Lacina is organizing this event. Spiritual Assistant s Report - Nothing to report. Treasurer s Report: Balance at the beginning of the month was $2990.90. Common fund income was $152.91. Charitable contributions in the amount of $800.00 were made. The month-end balance is $2343.81. The Beggar Bag prayer was recited, and the bag was passed around for donations. Secretary: The deadline for the December newsletter is on or before December 12 th with a proposed publication date of December 15th. There will be another newsletter in mid-january. The flyer for the January Retreat will be in both newsletters. Members were encouraged to contribute articles, prayers or short quips to Carol. The Prayer Request notebook was passed around. Formation Report: Father John was asked to lead us in saying the Marion Consecration Prayer. We were talked about how we might get youth involved in our Fraternity. The next formation class will begin on March 24, 2019. The Fraternity will return to The Omnibus after the retreat and Come and See meetings. The business portion of the meeting was concluded with prayer from p. 37 of The Ritual and a blessing from Fr. John.

Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 4 Christmas Party: Upon completion of the business part of the meeting we turned to our Christmas Party, first by singing Carol s from a booklet distributed by Teresa Walker. We then listened to an audio tape of The 12 Stations of Christmas provided by Ray Schelonka. This was followed by socializing while enjoying all the delicious pot luck items provided by members of the Fraternity. Respectfully Submitted, Carol Schiebold, ofs Secretary Donna Green, ofs Donna s Mass of Resurrection was December 10, 2018 at The Church of St. Paul in Ham Lake, MN with Rev. James Livingston, Fr. John Bauer, ofs, and Fr. Matthew Quail concelebrating. Donna Green, ofs was a member of the Saint Alphonsa Fraternity for over 5 years. She made her Rite of Profession as a Secular Franciscan with Pacem in Terris Fraternity in Isanti, MN on August 5, 2005. She transferred to St Alphonsa in April 2013. Donna served both fraternities in many ways with her joyful attitude and infectious enthusiasm. The following is from her obituary: Donna Green (April 18, 1934 - November 29, 2018) Age 84, of Andover, passed away on Thursday, November 29, 2018. Let us pray: Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the angels lead her into paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome her and take her to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem. Heavenly Father surround her family with those who will bring them your love and consolation. May they have great faith and trust in your loving presence. The Church of Saint Paul Eternal Life Ministry "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1

Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 5 2019 Calendar All dates in bold type indicate required attendance by our Rule. Red = special event. January 27th Retreat at IHM, Mass 10:30 followed by retreat (see flyer) February 24th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Come and See Meeting March 31st Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting April 28th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting May 26th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting* June 30th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting July 28th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting August 25th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting September 29th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting October 27th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting November 24th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting December TBD Please Pray for: Healing of Alex Mason Healing for granddaughter Ali Healing for sister, Patty Healing for Kelly, mother has cancer Healing for Richard who had heart surgery; speedy recovery Healing for Emily to have good Catholic friends A change of heart for our sons to accept the Lord Unity of the church at Christ s request That Mark and Nick may have conversion through the intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary. Thank you For Jeanne and Ken during this difficult time of dealing with cancer For Sheree to stop smoking in order to heal her arteries That my son, Ron, would understand more fully my answers to his Catholic questions That the division between people of the country are soon to be healed Kirk, for a new job Jared, for a good heart surgeon Mike, for discernment of the Deaconate Repose of the soul of Dee bouy and comfort for her family in their loss. God s Peace in our hearts, our families, our Church our country, our world For a blessed and holy Christmas remembering why we celebrate this day. For Our Priests and all Clergy

Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 6 Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Council Minister: Teresa Walker, OFS 763-553-1343 Vice Minister & Co Infirmarian: Mark Urick, OFS 763-754-3062 Formation Director: Jean McGinty, OFS 763-494-8693 Secretary: Carol Schiebold, OFS 763-323-4930 Treasurer: Teresa Isenor, OFS 763-757-4037 Spiritual Assistant: Fr John Bauer, OFS 612-208-5713 Co-Infirmarian: Janet Uhlir, OFS 953-8325-4406 Newsletter Notes: The Newsletter of the Saint Alphonsa Fraternity is published monthly. We seek to follow traditional conventions of journalism. For example; articles are ended with the symbol, author name and/or source. Deadline for articles is the 5-7th of the month. Articles should be sent to: Carol Schiebold, Secretary schieboldmn@gmail.com Meetings: All are welcome to our monthly meetings which are held in the Charity room at Epiphany Catholic Church, 2:00 PM the last Sunday of each month. Meetings are preceded by Adoration beginning at 1:30 PM in the chapel. Call Jean McGinty for information regarding Initial Formation meeting dates and times. Call Teresa Walker if you are interested in attending. Next meeting day our Winter Retreat on January 27 th at IMH. Lourdes Holy Water: Linda Loes has Lourdes' Holy Water available for anyone who would like some to enhance their prayer life. Please contact Linda to plan for filling your own small bottle. Visit our Website: www. http://queenofpeaceregion.org/coon -rapids-st-alphonsa Webmaster needed!!!! FRANCISCAN Holy Hour Franciscan Brothers of Peace Queen of Peace Friary 1289 Lafond Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55104-2035 Every First Friday at 7:00 PM Adoration & Franciscan Crown Rosary Chanted Compline & Benediction Refreshments and Fellowship follow. Treasurer s Report: The beginning balance was $2992.90. We wrote two checks. We received $152.91 in common fund donations. Expenditures were $800.00 in charitable donations. The month end balance is $2,343.81. Birthdays Susan Myers January 15 Irene Brandenburg January 18

Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 7 ST. ALPHONSA FRANCISCAN FRATERNITY WINTER RETREAT SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019 IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. FRANCIS AND ST. CLARE 10:00 am Council arrives to set up for Retreat. 10:30 am Mass in the main church 11:30 am Holy Spirit breakfast and Fellowship in Fellowship Hall (Bring a dish/treat to share.) 12:30 pm Clean up and rest room break 12:40 pm Welcome and opening remarks, questions 12:45 pm Liturgy of the Hours led by Fr. John Bauer Evening Prayer 1:00 pm Memorare for our Priests, Seminarians and vocations, Hail Mary for Rick, Jim, Donna, Trish 1:05pm Elizabeth Dohogne speaks about the life of St. Clare (with special interest on St. Clare s life of detachment and desire for holiness) 1:25pm Small group discussions 1:45pm Break 1:55pm Patti Urick speaks about the life of St. Francis (with special interest on his life of detachment and desire for holiness holiness) 2:15 pm Small group discussions 2:35 pm Break 2:45 pm Crown Rosary 3:05 pm Holy Spirit Pot Luck Supper (Bring a dish to share. Drinks, utensils, plates, glasses and napkins will be furnished.) 4:00pm 4:15pm Clean Up/put room back in order Short Council Meeting