The St. Anthony Fraternity Newsletter Fraternity #101 Volume 19 Issue 7 July 2016 Dear Family, Minister s Message July 2016 Peace be with you. I just returned from the Quinquennial Congress ( Q ) in St. Louis. The theme was Reviving Our Spirit. The Keynote Speaker was Fr. Dan Horan, OFM of the Holy Name Province. He gave three lectures on Mercy and Minority in the Franciscan Tradi on. We ll be sharing those talks (including talks by the other speakers) with you in the future. One of the subthemes was Violence and Peacemaking. He informed us that the hotel was a few miles away from Ferguson, Missouri, where the riots occurred in 2015. Fr. Dan stated how fear is o en the trigger for violence. Fear is the enemy of discipleship. At the Q, li le fraterni es met to chew on the substance of his talks by answering some challenging ques ons. A few were: What is the violence in my heart that is in need of transforma on? What prevents me from showing mercy to others? How can I work for reconcilia on and peace over violence and division in my local community? Since the Q there have been two other widely publicized shoo ngs against men of color and then the a acks on the police officers in Dallas. What was and is our reac on to this violence? Do we turn off the TV and go back to our normal lives. Do we think about and discuss what we can do to make a difference in our community? Fr. Dan reminded us that Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Our Franciscan voca on calls us to be peacemakers. How are you making a difference in your family or community? How do you react to people who are different from you (race, religion, sexual orienta on)? Since it is the Year of Mercy, I invite you to reflect on the ways in which you have shown mercy to others (especially those who are different from you)? Take the next step beyond your comfort zone and try to build some real rela onships. The speakers at the Q challenged us to so much more. Challenging, yet invi ng. Keep reflec ng on the Gospel and the OFS Rule as a means to Revive Our Spirit and respond to the words from Isaiah the Prophet: Make jus ce your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan s plea, defend the widow. Your servant leader, Jane DeRose Bamman, OFS, Minister BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS! JULY AUGUST 7 Joanne Romero 10 Consuelo Chavez 11 Barbara Heilman 15 Thomas J. McCord 23 Rex Schlicher 2 Cathy Pierce 7 Fred Bates 12 Barbara Gustafson 15 Carol Ellio 21 Winifred Klimka 27 Erma Lente FRANCISCANS CELEBRATE 800 YEARS OF THE PORTIUNCULA PARDON During the Jubilee Year of Mercy Franciscans will gather in celebration on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Franciscan Feast of the Portiuncula Pardon. What is the Portiuncula Pardon (Indulgence)? St. Francis of Assisi persuaded Pope Honorius III to grant [an] indulgence to all those who visited the Portiuncula on August 2 and confessed their sins. The indulgence is extended to any Franciscan church. The Portiuncula, or Little Portion, is the cradle of the Franciscan Order, established as its headquarters by St. Francis himself. (Excerpt from the St. Anthony Messenger web site.) This is such a special event that Pope Francis will visit the Portiuncula chapel at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Assisi on August 4, to mark this special anniversary which falls in the Extraordinary Year of Mercy. The Pope, the Franciscan Friars Minor have announced, will go on a simple and private pilgrimage to the papal Basicilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, where he will pray and offer the gift of his word.
Laudato Si, A Lively Discussion What with our Come and See gathering in June along with the celebra on of the Feast of our Patron, St. Anthony, our Laudato Si studies have taken a bit of a hiatus. Not to fear! We will complete discussion of Chapter 3 at our July gathering. Please reread the Chapter and review any notes taken to ensure you are up to date! Remember? Rex enlightened us on the scien fic method. PREPARATION FOR ONGOING FORMATION July 24, 2016. Continued Discussion LAUDATO SI Chapter 3 The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis. WEBINAR: Laudato Si : A Framework for Climate Jus ce Please join us on Monday, July 25th, 1 2 pm Mountain me to hear Dr. Sylvia Hood Washington speak about how climate change is an issue of jus ce and protec on of life. Dr. Hood Washington will be joined by Katelyn Roedner Su er and Edgar Garibay from the Environmental Jus ce Program at Catholic Chari es, Diocese of Stockton. They will talk about the impacts of poor air quality and climate change in the fields and towns along the vast San Joaquin Valley of central California. This webinar will help us understand: How climate change impacts dispropor onally people of color. How Laudato Si' can be a blueprint to help us understand and act on issues of climate jus ce. The impacts of climate change on African American and farmworker communi es. How we, as people of faith, can respond to environmental racism. Register at: h ps://www.anymee ng.com/ AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=EC56DB85804A38 No Treasurer s Report This Month As the Council will not meet in July, the August issue of the newsle er will contain a combined report for June and July! Prayer Inten ons Health Arturo, Frances. Eva, Helen Alcaria, John and Nancy Emiliano, Israela s grandson. We con nue to pray for an end to all the violence in the world. Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead itself through contemplation. St. Claire of Assisi FROM THE EDITOR The Come and See gathering in June was a truly faith filled experience. As I looked at our guests as they le each breakout session I wondered if they felt as I did the first me I a ended a gathering. Anxious, scared, wondering what I was doing there and finding out that when God calls it is best not to ques on why..just answer. I wondered how many of them are on His list. The fact that they even came to see must mean that our Heavenly Father is asking something special of them. The fondest desire of my own heart is that we never lose that feeling of excitement and joy that permeates ever fiber of our being when we gather in community to pray, to study and to share a meal. On a more light hearted topic. The newsle er is becoming near and dear to me and I want to make sure it contains what you need and want from our Fraternity communicator. Our Franciscan news is worthy of print and is a visual reflec on of our Fraternity, of who we are and what we are striving to become. I really welcome any and all sugges ons. As it is a work in progress! Consuelo St. Anthony Fraternity Newsle er July 2016 Page 2
Come and See As we celebrated the feast of the beloved patron Saint of our Fraternity, St. Anthony of Padua, we welcomed a large number of individuals interested in learning about Secular Franciscans and our way of living and walking in the footsteps of our Founder. We began with a prayer service in the San Jose Mission Church joined by our brothers and sisters of the Espiritu Santo Fraternity and led by the prayer team, Rena and Abraham, we became one strong voice as we prayed and sang together. It was truly upli ing and filled with grace. At the conclusion of the prayer service we moved to a well coordinated circuit of discussions (4) on different aspects of living the Franciscan Life in the world. Comments from professed brother and sisters, those in forma on and the visitors all expressed great pleasure in how well the process worked. Surely the Lord s Hand guided our efforts. We must pray that these efforts bear fruit in the hearts of our visitors that will lead them to listen carefully for God s call. A er the presenta ons all gathered for a wonderful meal. What an opportunity to meet with one another and to get to know our guests. Great thanks to Brian Bamman whose grilling skills resulted in great burgers, brats and hot dogs! Of course, the other courses offered were first rate as always. Thank you to all who prepared these dishes, helped with the setup and take down. We couldn t do it without such wonderful coopera on. Thank you to Rex for capturing the day with his camera. More pictures on Page 4 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY St. Anthony Fraternity! The Fraternity will celebrate 65 years since its canonical establishment on Friday, August 19 with a dinner celebra on at the Friary at 1350 Lakeview SW. A brief prayer service begins at 5:30PM then dinner and celebra on a erwards. We are planning for a lasagna dinner. The cost per person is $10. Family and friends are invited. Please RSVP and payment are due by the Fraternity Gathering on July 24. We need a final head count by August 1, 2016. A few other surprises are in store. Contact Rex or Tommie with ques ons. St. Anthony Fraternity Newsle er July 2016 Page 3
Come and See St. Anthony Fraternity Newsle er July 2016 Page 4
July Calendar of Meetings 9th Orientation 10:00 to Noon Candidacy 10:00 - Noon Inquiry 1:00-3:00 p.m. 24th Candidacy 12:30-2:00 p.m. Gathering 2:00 p.m. NEW VENUE! Hospitality Group 2 (see page 6) The Q August 2nd Portiuncula Indulgence, 800th Anniv. See related article on page 1. 13th Orientation 10:00 - Noon Candidacy 10:00 - Noon Inquiry 1:00 p.m. 19th 65th Anniversary Party, See Page 3 28th Candidacy 12:30-2:00 p.m. Gathering 2:00 p.m. Hospitality Group 3 (see page 6) September Q A endees! NOTE: 17th Day Retreat - Details to follow We ve switched locations! Info Below! Back row: Marie Allen, Chris ne Imislund, Gerry Rohrkemper, Br. Gordon Boykin Front row: Jane DeRose Bamman, Israela Garcia IT S OFFICIAL! NEW MEETING LOCATION All mee ngs for the St. Anthony Fraternity will take place at the San Juan Diego Friary complex of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Order of Friars Minor Province located at 1350 Lakeview SW in Albuquerque. Direc ons: I 25 S to Rio Bravo Rio Bravo exit West. Turn Le (South) on Isleta Blvd Le on Lakeview Rd. (heading East) Watch for signs. The Friary is on the le at then end of Lakeview. We will meet in the first building when you enter the complex. Parking is on the North side of the building or on the street. Please leave the parking spaces right in front for those who have difficulty walking. A Message from our Na onal Minister Dear Brothers and Sisters, May the Lord give us His peace in our hearts, our country and our world. The events of the past two days rock our country. The message of the Q is so loud in my heart. The Q was filled with God s joy, but it was not just a gi of partying. The Q was a call to us all. It holds meaning. We are called to revival, We must redouble our efforts. How will we, as Franciscans, live the Gospel today? Let us each do what is ours to do. Our prayers and ac ons are so needed. Thank you to all those who are sharing the news of the Gospel. Praise God as we journey onward together. Peace, love and joy as we trust in God to lead us, Jan Jan Parker OFS, Minister Secular Franciscan Order, U.S.A. St. Anthony Fraternity Newsle er July 2016 Page 5
Letters from Mother Mary Angela, PCC Peace and Blessings It is not possible to summarize the beau ful messages from Mother Angela dated April 16 and May 12, 2016 and so the following are excerpts from her missives, each addressed as follows: Our dear Brothers and Sisters in St. Francis. April 16, 2016 Pax et Bonum on this day when the Franciscan Order celebrates the vow anniversary of our seraphic Father, Saint Francis. His own dedica on to the to the Lord s service carried within it the seed for the consecra on of each one of us who are called to follow a er. May he give you his paternal blessing to keep you ever faithful to his singing ideal of lady Poverty and her paths of peace and may he send you a great spiritual reward for your generous charity to your Poor Clare sisters! In her le er of May 12, 2016 Mother writes of great news for the Roswell community and for the community of poor Clares. The faith filled people of Roswell are eagerly an cipa ng next month s priestly ordina on of one of our Franciscan brothers, to take place right here at the local parish of San Juan Bau sta on their fiesta feastday. This is a rare event for a small city, and will surely be an occasion of great grace. Just two days before the ordina on ceremony, the Franciscan family will welcome yet another member, as one of the postulants in our daughterhouses will be clothed in the holy habit and learn the secret of her much an cipated new name. We rejoice to see our ever expanding religious family and con nue to grow under the watchful care of Saints Francis and Clare. She closes with this blessing: May our seraphic founders help each of you to grow in holiness and fidelity to the Gospel path to which the Lord has called you! We are most grateful for your joyful witness to Christ and His power to transform the world! Pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy Israela has acquired addi onal informa on for the trip scheduled for October 2017. We don t have to plan our own. So those of you who would like to par cipate in that trip, we will share informa on at the next gathering. Newsle er Editor Contact Informa on Consuelo Chavez 6440 Concordia Rd NE Albuquerque, NM 87111 505 917 0154 ctchavez46@hotmail.com Hospitality Groups Info! The new mee ng loca on has a micro wave, residen al sized refrigeator/freezer, and small sink. There is no oven. Please plan accordingly with your menu. Bring cooler with ice and crock pots or roster ovens to keep things warm. We need some people to sign up for a hospitality group. If you haven t signed up for one, please check with Josie Mar nez and she ll get you on one in need of members. Thanks. July Hospitality Group #2: Jane DeRose Bamman, Elizabeth Chavez, Abraham Placencio, Margaret Mar nez, Ed and Carol Ann Dzienis August Hospitality Group #3: Rena and Victor Xuereb, Josie Mar nez, Mary Lou Narvaez, Consuelo Chavez St. Anthony Fraternity Newsle er July 2016 Page 6
Renewal of Commitment to Franciscan Life All praise be yours Lord for all creation gives you glory. All praise be yours, O Lord, for all good comes from you. All praise be yours, O Lord, for you call us to the life of your Risen Son. Today, we your sons and daughters re-dedicate ourselves to the call you have given us. We renew and profess our commitment to a Gospel vision of life. handed on to us by our Father, Francis,and our Mother, Clare. And we ask your help to continue to live the life of the Gospel, with obedience to your Spirit and your Church, with poverty that imitates the life of your Son and his most holy Mother, and with chastity that frees us to love you and all your people with unmeasured love. All praise be yours, O Lord. This prayer was recited at the Q Calendar of Franciscan Saints and Blesseds Secular Franciscan Order July 1 Bl. Junipero Serra, priest, I Ord. 4 St. Elizabeth of Portugal, queen, III Ord. 13 Bl. Angeline of Marisciano, religious, III Ord. 14 St. Kateri Tekakwitha 15 St. Bonaventure, bishop, doctor, I Ord. 16 Canoniza on of St. Francis Canonized 16 July 1228 by Pope Gregory IX St. Francis Solano, priest, I Ord. * Outside of the U.S., he is celebrated on July 14 21 St. Lawrence of Brindisi, priest, doctor, I Ord. 23 St. Bridget of Sweden, widow, III Ord. 28 Bl. Mary Teresa Kowalska, virgin, martyr of Poland, II Ord. August 2 Our Lady of the Angels at the Por uncula 4 St. John Vianney, priest, III Ord. 8 Holy Father Dominic, priest, founder, Order of Preachers 11 St. Clare of Assisi, virgin, II Ord. 14 St. Maximilian Kolbe, priest, I Ord. 17 St. Roch, III Ord. 21 St. Pius X, pope, III Ord. 25 St. Louis IX, king, Patron of the Third Order 27 The Seven Joys of Our Lady (OFM Conv. on 8/26) A message from Brother Gordon Dearest Sisters and Brothers in St. Francis - What a world in which we live! Sometimes it seems as though civilization is going backwards. There is so much ( too much) humancaused suffering...everywhere: familial, social, physical, political, spiritual, and more. It is thrust upon men, women and children. Even as Christians and Franciscans-many of us find it scary to speak up too loudly, or too often, when something unjust/unchristian tugs at our gut-feelings. Yet, this is what we are vocationed (called by the Lord) to do. For from life to Gospel, and Gospel to life: does not mean life as it was in the Gospel, per se. Rather, it refers to living (enlivening) the Christmessage inked on every divinely inspired page from each of the four writers of the Good News. Reading or hearing it should be taken in through our eyes/ears, listened to with our hearts; talked about at our Fraternal Gatherings/Council Meetings; and challengingly brought about with those whom Jesus commands us to call neighbor. Pope Paul VI ( reformer of the OFS for the 20th century, and beyond) reflected: One gets a different call [challenge] from reading the Gospel when done so while sitting in a [lounge/ easy] chair, than when done so sitting on a stoop [porch in a poor neighborhood]. As Franciscans, may we continue to recognize the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives as (through the example of the fearful Apostles and Disciples in the upper room) we serve our neighbor in thought, word and deed. Through Him, with Him, and in Him who is Love, Br. Gordon St. Anthony Fraternity Newsle er July 2016 Page 7
Fraternity Servants MINISTER: Jane DeRose-Bamman FORMATION DIRECTOR: Marilyn Migliarini 505-228-6851 janedbsfo@msn.com 505-261-1555 mmigliarini@gmail.com VICE MINISTER: Israela Garcia COUNCILOR #1: Tommie Page 505-450-5267 bailabaila@qwest.net 505-452-0915 SECRETARY: Gerry Rohrkemper COUNCILOR #2: Rex Schlicher 505-873-2657 gmrsfo@aol.com 505-839-9397 rlschlicher@msn.com TREASURER: Elizabeth Chavez SPIRITUAL ASSISTANT: Br. Gordon Boykin, OFM 505-401-4007 smileysr67@gmail.com 505-249-5774 gordyboy45@aol.com INFIRMARIANS: Tommie Page, Margaret Martinez, and Marge Armijo St. Anthony Fraternity Post Office Box 6881 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87197 6881 WEBSITE: http:// franciscansalbuquerque.sfousa.org We are the Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis The Secular Franciscan Order in the United States of America. We live our vocation in Our Lady of Guadalupe Empress of the Americas Region. Our Franciscan Community is the St. Anthony Fraternity located in Albuquerque, New Mexico Our Mission Statement We, the fraternity of St. Anthony, inspired by the vision of St. Francis, Commit ourselves to the Gospel as our Way of Life: Going from Gospel to Life and Life to the Gospel. We believe that we are called to Fraternity to Share a life of joy and peace as well as to draw our inspiration from the cross of Jesus as Francis did. We believe we are called to be renewed continually through the celebration of the Eucharist and to go forth to rebuild the Church through our witness.