Vol 8 Issue 12 December 2017 The Cabrinian December 2017 Newsletter of the St. Frances Cabrini Fraternity of the OFS Our monthly gatherings begin at 1:30 PM on the 3rd Sunday at St. Nicholas Byzantine Church. 1051 Robinson Ave., Barberton, OH. We meet in St. George Hall (in back of church parking lot) Questions? Contact Bob Burtscher, OFS; home 330-628-2211; Cell 330-329-3515 Visitors are always welcome and are expected. December gathering will be on the 19th Our December gathering will be our Fraternity Christmas Party & Pot Luck Meal. Hope to see all of you there. There will be prayer, great fellowship and wonderful food. Returning As all of you are aware, Susan Kramer, OFS, applied for a transfer back into our fraternity; she was professed with our fraternity in 2015. The council is excited to welcome her home, and has accepted her transfer into the St. Frances Cabrini Fraternity on the 4th of November 2017. Welcome back, Susan. The editor thinks the picture at left is very unique, and wanted to share it with you. The Blessed Mother is holding the Infant Jesus, and Jesus is holding a staff. We see the Star in the East, the star the Wise Men followed to find the Infant Jesus. Note the three globes, one inside of another. Perhaps that represents the Trinity. There are lambs, and the infant holding the shepherd s staff. Jesus, the Light of the World, said, I know my sheep, and my sheep know me. His great love for us is endless. He came into the world as an innocent infant, a human being, to guide us, and willingly, because of his great love for us, to suffer an ignominious death on the cross for our sins, to help us on our way to our eternal reward. Jesus is truly our Eternal Shepherd, leading us on our way to our eternal home.
December 2017 Pg. 2 Eucharistic Adoration Saturday Mary Cate Roberts Sunday Betty DeMarco Mary Tag Paul Tag Monday Rose Akins Judith Hoyt Richard Russel Tuesday Maria Elena Meza Roberto Meza Larry McNutt Eileen Dunlap Chris Devore Lee Devore Wednesday Rick Dunlap Bill Marshall Dorothy Takacs Sandy Pollino Thursday Joanne Angeletti Carol Perrine Sandy Pollino Friday Bob Burtscher Lee Gaydos Dave Gaydos Pepe Ventosa For various reasons not all of us are able to commit to a specific day or time for a visit with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. Each of us, though, should try to find some time to visit, even if it is just 15 minutes. Jesus is always waiting for us. Fraternity Council The St. Frances X. Cabrini Fraternity Council wishes each of you and your families a Blessed Advent Season and a Merry Christmas. May your New Year s resolutions include loving our Lord and Our Lady with an ever growing affection. We count our blessings as we remember our members, those who have gone before us, and those of the present time. Fraternity Council Left-right Roberto Meza, OFS Larry McNutt, OFS Bob Burtscher, OFS Debbie Ventosa, OFS Pepe Ventosa, OFS Not in photo: Fr. Arambasick, OFM, Paul Tag, OFS Rick Dunlap, OFS
December 2017 Pg. 3 An Apostolate Quiz Submitted by Pepe Ventosa, OFS Our fraternity is blessed with many different apostolates. It is through our apostolates that we share our many gifs, and the Franciscan spirit, by serving others and the Church. How familiar are you with our apostolates? Take this fun quiz and find out. 1) How many apostolates do we have? 2) Can you name three of our apostolates?,, c3 What was our first apostolate? 4) Which apostolate is the rookie? 5) Which of our apostolates has the most participants? Our apostolates are dependent on the generosity of our members with their time and gifts. In fact, five of these wouldn t be able to function without the active presences of our members! Do you know which of one of our members most is active in our apostolates? Answers are on page 4! Here is another way you can be active in the St. Frances X. Cabrini Fraternity We need a Chairperson for Raising Funds! Our fraternity has been gifted, and greatly blessed over the past several years with the ability to have our own retreats. These retreats provided us with the opportunity to grow in our vocations as Secular Franciscans, and to increase our fellowship with Secular Franciscans in other fraternities. Significant expenses are involved to make these retreats possible, but we have been able to keep the cost for participation at a minimum, and also to assist those who need help with registration expenses. To continue to do this, we are in dire need of someone to volunteer as a fundraising chairperson. The responsibilities of this position would include: 1. Develop an idea for a fund raising event; 2. Present the idea to the fraternity council no later than the 31st of March for approval; 3. Organize and execute the event sometime between May-August 2018; 4. Provide a financial report to the fraternity council after the event, and give the funds raised to the fraternity treasurer. This is a one year commitment. Please, prayerfully consider serving in this capacity. If you feel inspired to serve, or have any questions, please contact Pepe.
Vol 8 Issue 12 December Pg. 4 2017 Answers to questions on pg. 3 1. Ten Apostolates 2. Stand for Life; Portiuncula,; Eucharistic Adoration; Mission Apostolate; St. Maximilian Kolbe Apostolate for the Incarcerated; St. John Vianney for Religious Vocations; St. Francis Cabrini for food pantries; St. Elizabeth of Hungary for shut-ins & convalescents; St. Anthony of Padua for evangelization; Franciscan Wake Service for members when they are called by Sister Death. 3. The Portiuncula was our first established apostolate in February 2004. 4. The rookie is the St. Anthony Apostolate established in September 2016 with the purpose of sharing the Franciscan Way of Life with others. 5. Eucharistic Adoration has 28 fraternity members participating on a regular basis. Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament is visited by fraternity members daily; oftentimes more than one member a day is in adoration. Other fraternity members participate in Eucharistic Adoration as they are able. The Eucharist is the center of our life in fraternity. 6. Bob Burtscher participates in all five of these apostolates and is leading by example! Way to go, Bob! Would you like to participate in one of these apostolates? More members are always welcome! Do you have any questions about any of the apostolates? Please do not hesitate to ask one of the members of the fraternity council. Would you be willing to share your experiences with one or more of these apostolates? Please talk with, or send a note, or an e-mail to, the editor of this publication. Each of us need to continuously grow in our vocation as Secular Franciscans. Sharing thoughts and experiences would be wonderful. Left: St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Secular Franciscan. A queen, she devoted herself to caring for the poor, the sick and the dying. Patroness of the OFS. Right: St. Maximilian Kolbe, OFM Conv. Priest,. He is t he Martyr of Auschwitz dying in a starvation bunker during WWII.
December 2017 Thank You! The Fraternity Council would like to extend a thank you to all the fraternity members who volunteered for the following offices for the year 2018. These are each a one-year commitment. Pg. 5 St. Elizabeth of Hungary Ministry Maria Elena Meza, OFS Transitus Organizer Paul Tag, OFS Website Richard Russelo, OFS, Pepe Ventosa, OFS Editor of The Cabrinian Elizabeth Francis, OFS Birthday cards Mary Cate Roberts, OFS Other cards Mary Tag, OFS Hospitality Lucy McNutt, OFS, Betty DeMarco, OFS, Joanne Angeletti, OFS JPIC Rose Akins, OFS, Betty DeMarco, OFS St. Anthony Apostolate for Evangelization Scheduling Apostolates Mary Tag, OFS, Paul Tag, OFS, Roberto Meza, OFS Maria Elena Meza, OFS, Bob Burtscher, OFS, Rose Akins, OFS, Debbie Ventosa, OFS, Pepe Ventosa, OFS Pepe Ventosa, OFS St Maximilian Kolbe Apostolate to the Incarcerated This is apostolate of the St. Frances Cabrini Fraternity. With your monetary donations, 26 Catholic Bibles were purchased and delivered to a correctional institution in Ohio. The Spanish & English language Bibles will provide some incarcerated men encouragement though the Word of God. May their hearts be drawn to the joy and truth of the Good News. May the Word be planted, watered and grow deep in the souls of each man receiving this gift. As Fr. Solanus Casey would say, Let s thank God ahead of time. Also, a huge thank You for contributing your pocket change to touch their hearts with the Gospels.
Vol 8 Issue 12 December 2017 Birthdays & Profession Anniversaries Happy Birthday to Joanne Angeletti, OFS If your birthday or anniversary is missed, please contact the editor.; she doesn t have s complete list. November Cluster Gathering The Cluster gathering at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Shine in Youngstown was very well attended, with members from the three fraternities in our cluster present. There were two articles on this in the latest issue Up to Now.... If you did not receive a copy of the UTN via e-mail the editor will have multiple copies at the December gathering. Annual Baby Shower Looking ahead to next month! In January, 2018, as in past years, we will have our Annual Crisis Pregnancy Baby Shower. We are pro-life, from conception to natural death! All of us can help support those parents who choose life, and their children. Prayer and witnessing for life are important, and certainly make a difference. We can help the Pregnancy Center by donating items for infants and children, and money is always needed. Presently the Center is especially in need of : Socks for toddlers Clothing, and underwear in sizes 2T, 3T, 4T Money is always appreciated. Although it wasn t mentioned, diapers are a necessity. At the editor s parish there is a Young at Heart group for those 55 and better. Every December members contribute diapers for Catholic Charities, and they are greatly appreciated. During the month of December stores have clearance sales. This is an excellent time to purchase a few items needed for babies and young children and to stretch your dollars a bit further. Any contribution you can make would be greatly appreciated to help with the wonderful work being done at the Crisis Center. It is not enough for us to say we are pro-life. It is easy to say the words, but we must put our words into action, to stand for what is right, to speak out, and to assist those who choose life, but need some help. Thank you for your continued prayers, actions and material contributions. More information will be forthcoming regarding the Epiphany Gathering.
December 2017 Pg 7 St. Angela Merci The founder of the Ursuline Order, Angela Merici, was born on March 21, 1474. in Desenzao, on the shore of Lake Garda in Lombardy. At the age of 10 she was orphaned; she and her sister then lived with an uncle in Salo. There they led a devout Catholic life. Sadly, Angela s sister was suddenly called home by Sister Death. This was very devastating for a young lady. Still, Angela was concerned about her sister s soul, as she did not have the opportunity to receive the last sacraments. Angela prayed to learn of her sister s condition after leaving her earthly body. She was blessed with a beautiful and consoling vision of her sister with the saints in heaven with God. When Angela was just 20 her uncle was also called by Sister Death. This experience led Angela to a holy life as a tertiary [now known as a Third Order or Secular] of St. Francis of Assisi. During period of her life she also pledged to be a Consecrated Virgin. Through her prayers and mortifications as a Franciscan Tertiary, and her great concern about the lack of education for young girls at that time, Angela dedicated herself to teaching young girls. Guided by the Holy Spirit, she turned her home in Desengano, Lombardy, into a school for girls. Shortly after beginning this first school she was invited to the neighboring city of Brescia to start a similar school for girls. Thus she, along with twelve Consecrated Virgins, laid the foundation for the Ursulines, in a small house near Brescia. During a pilgrimage to Holy Land, in Crete, in the year 1524 Angela suddenly became blind while praying before a cross of the Crucified Christ. At the end of her journey, before returning home, her sight was restored as she prayed before the same cross of the Crucified Christ. While she was in Rome she declined a meeting with Pope Clement VII, as she did not seek publicity. Angela was called home by Sister Death on Saturday the 27th of January 1540. She was beatified on the 30th of April 1768 by Pope Clement XIII; she was canonized by Pope Pius VII on 24th of May 1807. Angela is the patron saint of those who are sick, disabled, or otherwise challenged and those who are grieving the loss of their parents. St. Angela has been very influential in my life during the short time I have come to know her. I have had the privilege of opening my house to her relic, with tremendous results. Through her intercessions my oldest daughter had a conversion experience in the Catholic Church. Additionally, I attribute the prayers of St. Angela with the same daughter landing a teaching position in which she could truly shine. St. Angela was also instrumental in my youngest daughter obtaining the teaching job I believe she was meant to have. I am sure there are other great and incredible things in this life and the next that St. Angela will influence. God is Good! St. Angela, pray for us. Presented by LeeAnn Devore Thank you for a beautiful article, Lee. Your work is greatly appreciated. editor
Vol 8 Issue 12 December 2017 Notes from the Editor Some guidelines are needed for this publication. Putting out this newsletter takes quite a bit of time, (hours and hours). Therefore the editor has decided to set down the following limitations, and has added important information for articles. The editor always reserves the right to edit any and all articles for the newsletter for such reasons a grammatical errors, space limitations, appropriateness. All articles must be in the editors hands before the first of the month for them to be considered for that month s issue of the newsletter The average reading comprehension level in the United States is about 8th grade (yes!). Please, always take that in consideration when submitting materials. Group photos are always welcomed. Please get close to the subject(s) when taking a photo. Unnecessary and distracting background needs to be cropped. When taking a photo of more than one person, group the people together; have them looking towards the camera..always include names of people, events and fraternities, etc. with the photos. To sum it all up. Articles are always welcomed. Keep it short! We like good photos of people. One more item. It is easier for the editor to e-mail newsletters rather than printing, stapling and folding quite a number of newsletters Plus address envelopes, and trips to the post office.. Secular Franciscan Saints & Blessed for January 3nd. Bl. Chriatiane Menburi, 4th. Bl. Angela of Foligno 5th. Bl. Pierre Bonilli, priest 10th Bl. Pope Gregory X 15. Bl. James of Pieve, priest, martyr 18. Bl. Jeanne of St. Mary 19. Bl. Marcel Spinola y Mastre, Bishop 21. Bl. Joseph Nascimbeni, priest 22. St. Vincent Pallotti, priesst 24. Bl. Paula Gambara-Costa 25. Bl. Emmanuel Dominguo y Sol, priest 26. Bl. Georges Matulwicz, Bishop All of the individuals listed at left were members of the Secular Franciscan Order (or 3rd Order as it was once named). This list does not include two who were Secular Franciscans before founding another order, or any First and Second Order Franciscans. Bl. Pierre Bonilli was called home by Sister Death in 1935! Bl. Joseph Nascimbeni was called home in 1922 Bl. Georges Matulwics, Bishop was called home in 1927 Bl. Marcel Spinola y Maestre called home in 1906 This list is just for January!