N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e : Saint Alphonsa Fraternity July 2017 Volum e 12, Issue 8 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 Minister s Message Saint Alphonsa Dear Brothers and Sisters, On July 28, we celebrate the feast of our Patroness St. Alphonsa. She is the first woman Saint of India. She was born on August 19, 1910 to Joseph and Mary Muttathupadath in Kerala, India. Her mother passed away when she was 3 months old and she was raised by her maternal aunt. While away at school she had a vision of St. Theresa of Lisieux and decided to practice her little way. It was then that she decided to become a nun. Her Aunt did not approve of this and wanted her to marry. This brave girl burned her feet in a fire pit to disfigure herself so she could follow her dream of becoming a professed nun. She joyfully took her vows on August 12, 1936. Can you imagine the pain and suffering she endured to follow Christ? Her life was to be spent in bed enduring sickness and pain yet she did not complain. She longed to suffer for Our Lord and would remind her novices to accept it cheerfully. She said; suffering accepted with the crucified Lord is saving and redemptive. She considered it a gift from God. She often reminded others to see only the good in others and speak only well, ignore their INSIDE THIS ISSUE Minister s Message 1 Spiritual Director Reflections 2 June Meeting Minutes 3 Formation Notes - July 4 Prayer Requests 5 Upcoming Events 5 Fraternity Council 6 Newsletter Notes 6 Next Meetings 6 frailties, and weigh words with the love of Jesus before speaking. Jesus was everything to her and she vowed complete obedience to him. She was called home by her bridegroom on July 28, 1936 and declared a saint by Pope Benedict XVI on October 12, 2008. May we accept our sufferings and trust more in God s perfect will for our lives as she did. St. Alphonsa, pray for us. Peace and all good,
Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 2 SPIRITUAL ASSISTANT REFLECTIONS Fr. John J. Bauer, ofs Dear Fraternity, I mentioned at our meeting that I had visited Mount La Verna where our Seraphic Father had received the stigmata. I would like to share with you some of the pictures. The first is a picture of the side of the chapel which sits on the place where he received the stigmata. The second is a stone marking the place where he received it. And the third is a place nearby where he used to pray. Side of the chapel at La Verna Peace! Stone marking where St Francis received the stigmata Where St Francis used to pray
Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 3 JUNE MEETING MINUTES: The St. Alphonsa Fraternity meeting was held Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids, MN. Members Present were: Fr. John Bauer, Irene Brandenburg, Ellen Drasin, Cathy M-Hills, Teresa Isenor, Jean McGinty, Jeanette Schelonka, Ray Schelonka, Carol Schiebold, Janet Uhlir, Mark Urick, Patti Urick, Gordon Walker and Teresa Walker. Excused Members: Shirlann Biser, Donna Green, Laurie Lacina, Kathy Weissman and Jerry Swanson Transferee Present: Jeanne Page Associate Present: Elizabeth Dohogne Inquirers Present: Jon Hickman Visitors: Linda Loes, Renee Hickman The meeting was opened by Minister, Teresa Walker, ofs at 2:00 pm. Father John Bauer, ofs led us in singing Let All Things Now Living. Jeanne Page, ofs, read The Sienna Testament from page 77 of the Ritual and a Prayer for Priests. We said a Hail Mary for vocations. Liturgy of the hours was led by Fr. Bauer with participation by all. Introductions: Visitors, Linda Loes and Renee Hickman introduced themselves followed by each fraternity member stating their name and parish. Father Bauer was welcomed back after being in Rome for 9 months. He shared several interesting experiences: He and another Priest walked from Assisi to Rome just as St. Francis did when the Franciscan order was canonically established in the 1200 s. Father showed a plaque he purchased in Subiaco showing an iconic portrait of St. Francis. Since there are no stigmata on his hands, it is felt that it was painted during Francis lifetime. Father then talked about Mount La Verna and showed some pictures from his phone. Francis often went there to pray. Father was asked if he could send the pictures to Carol to be published in a newsletter for all to see. Toward the end of his time in Rome, Father met Pope Francis and shook his hand. Father will start his new assignment at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Minnetonka on July 1, 2017. Mass times are Saturday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30 am. He stated he is excited to be assigned to IMH due to his devotion to Mary. Secretary: Carol explained that she would propose that we go back to a newsletter format like what was done years ago. She showed a new heading and a new letterhead for stationary whenever a letter needs to be written. Members were invited to submit articles for the newsletter. They are due on or before the end of the previous month or if publishing date does not matter may be submitted at any time. Please use Carol s new email address: schieboldmn@gmail.com. Formation: We separated into small groups for this month s discussion questions from pages 513 to 543 of the Omnibus and then returned to the large group for further discussion. January Retreat: We were asked to pray for ideas for our January 2018 retreat Closing prayers were said from the Ritual and the meeting was adjourned at 4pm by Minister, Teresa Walker. Respectfully Submitted, Carol Schiebold, ofs Secretary
Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 4 Formation Notes: Ongoing Formation July Meeting By Jean McGinty, OFS, Formation Director Dear Brothers and Sisters, Our Formation Assignment for July is to read from the Omnibus of Sources Pages 546-612: Treatise on the Miracles of Blessed Francis by Thomas of Celano. (It is just 7 pages of reading and the rest is footnotes). I would like us to reflect and share with each other miracles that God has performed for us, within us, or by using us to heal others or bless others. Please reflect and come with your list to share for our July meeting. May the Lord Bless your summer with all the gifts He has in store for you to receive... in Jesus Name. Peace, Jean
Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 5 Upcoming Events -2017 Calendar - Bold Print: Meeting attendance is required attendance by our Rule July 28 th Feast of St. Alphonsa July 30 th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting August 2 nd The Portiuncula Indulgence August 11 th Feast of St. Clare August 14 th Feast of St. Maximillian Kolbe August 15 th Feast of the Assumption August 27 th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting September 8 th Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 12 th Feast of the Holy Name of Mary September 14 th Exaltation of the Cross September 15 th Our Lady of Sorrows September 17 th Sacred Stigmata of our Holy Father Francis September 23 rd Regional Fall Gathering September 24 th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting Sept. 29th Feast of St. Michael the Archangel October 4 th Feast of St. Francis October 10 th Canonical Establishment Anniversary October 29 th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting November Retreat (TBD) November 19 th St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Patron of the Third Order November 26 th Sunday 1:30 Adoration & Meeting December 8 th Feast of the Immaculate Conception December Christmas Party TBD For my sons to know peace of the Lord Healing for Shirley Healing for Jennifer and Michelle Job for Thomas in his field For the Willy Hinz family as they mourn his untimely passing. That the Lord give them strength For our daughter and her fiancé as they prepare for their marriage in September For Mike to get the job God desires for him Prayers that my annulment will be expedited and granted In thanksgiving for Fr. Bauer s safe return For all Priests to be renewed in their vows and love of Christ daily Prayers for the persecuted Christians in the world Healing and conversion for children For Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Healing for Jacob, Larry and Karen
Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Page 6 Saint Alphonsa Fraternity Council Spiritual Assistant: Fr John Bauer, OFS 651-962-6825 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 Co-Infirmarian: Janet Uhlir, OFS 952-835-4406 Newsletter Articles The Newsletter of the Saint Alphonsa Fraternity is published monthly. You are invited to submit articles for the Newsletter. Please note author name and/or source. Deadline for the next month s Newsletter is the last day of the previous month. If date to be published is not important please indicate when submitting. Send articles to Carol Schiebold, Secretary: schieboldmn@gmail.com. Next Meeting 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. Initial Formation is at 4:00PM in the Charity room. Call Teresa Walker if you are interested in attending. date is July 30, 2017. Next meeting NEW COUNCIL: Jean McGinty, OFS; Carol Schiebold, OFS; Teresa Walker, OFS; Teresa Isenor, OFS; Mark Urick, OFS 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. Visit our Website: www. http://queenofpeaceregion.org/coonrapids-st-alphonsa Webmaster needed!!!!