The ST. CLARE of ASSISI FRATERNITY West Stockbridge, MA SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER JANET CANTARELLA, OFS MINISTER Box 216 Lanesboro, MA 01237 fpcon@verizon.net Michael Guertin, OFS FRATERNITY SPIRITUAL ASSISTANT Springfield, MA Fr. Matthias Wesnofske, OFM Cap. Patchogue, NY REGIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSISTANT Fr. Cidouane Joseph, OFM Hartford, CT REGIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSISTANT The Fraternity meets for Teaching, Fellowship, Prayer and Formation on the VENERABLE FR. SOLANUS CASEY REGION Vol. 5, No. 2 February 2016 FEBRUARY SCHEDULE Meeting Day/Date: Wednesday 10 February Meeting times are changing for the winter season. Until further notice: The Council meets at 11:00 am The Fraternity meets at 12:00 pm SPECIAL PRESENTATION Life in the Spirit 2nd Wednesday every month at St. Patrick s Parish Center 30 Albany Road W. Stockbridge, MA The rule and life of the Secular Franciscans is this: To observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who made Christ the inspiration and center of his life with God and people. The Rule of the OFS, 4 We dedicate this publication and the Apostolate which brings it to you monthly to the memory of the beloved deceased of the St. Clare of Assisi Fraternity. Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey, Pray for Us! Michael Guertin, OFS Fraternity Spiritual Assistant Fellowship and Prayer to Follow ASSSIGNMENTS Refreshments: Bring your own lunch Prayer: Sally THE FEASTS OF SECULAR FRANCISCAN SAINTS AND BLESSEDS CELEBRATED DURING FEBRUARY 3. Martyrs of Japan, religious of the 1st Order, lay brothers and TOSF* Secular ( 1597) 6. Blessed Pius IX, Pope, TOSF Secular ( 1878) 10. Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, Bishop, TOSF Secular ( 1960) 12. Blessed Andre Ferrari, Bishop, TOSF Secular ( 1921) 16. Blessed Veridiana, Virgin, TOSF Secular ( 1242) 19. St. Conrad de Plaisance, Confessor, TOSF Secular ( 1351) 21. St. Margaret of Cortona, penitent, TOSF Secular ( 1297); Plenary Indulgence possible for renewal of engagements, Secular Franciscans 24. Blessed Innocent XI, Pope, TOSF Secular ( 1689) 26. Blessed Antonia of Florence, Virgin, TOSF Secular ( 1533) 27. Blessed Louise Albertoni, Virgin, TOSF Secular ( 1533) * TOSF denotes Third Order of St. Francis FEASTS OF THE GENERAL ROMAN CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 2. Presentation of the Lord 3. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr Ansgar, Bishop 5. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr 6. Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs 8. Jerome Emiliani 10. Scholastica, Virgin 11. Our Lady of Lourdes 14. Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop 17. Seven Founders of the Order of Servites 21. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor 22. Chair of Peter, Apostle 23. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr MY GOD AND MY ALL!
The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order Chapter Three, 23 Life in Fraternity 23. REQUESTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE LOCAL FRATERNITY, WHOSE COUNCIL DECIDES UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW BROTHERS AND SISTERS. ADMISSION INTO THE ORDER IS GRADUALLY ATTAINED THROUGH A TIME OF INITIATION, A PERIOD OF FORMATION OF AT LEAST ONE YEAR, AND PROFESSION OF THE RULE. THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS OF GROWTH BY ITS OWN MANNER OF LIVING. THE AGE FOR PROFESSION AND THE DISTINCTIVE FRANCISCAN SIGN ARE REGULATED BY THE STATUTES. PROFESSION IS BY ITS NATURE A PERMANENT COMMITMENT.* MEMBERS WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES SHOULD DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THE COUNCIL IN FRATERNAL DIALOGUE. ARTICLE 37 1 RULE 23 MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER IS ATTAINED THROUGH A TIME OF INITIATION, A TIME OF FORMATION, AND THE PROFESSION OF THE RULE. THE TIME OF INITIATION ARTICLE 38 1 RULE 23 THE TIME OF INITIATION IS A PHASE PREPARATORY TO THE TRUE AND PROPER TIME OF FORMATION AND IS INTENDED FOR THE DISCERNMENT OF THE VOCATION AND FOR THE RECIPROCAL ACQAINTANCE BETWEEN THE FRATERNITY AND THE ASPIRING MEMBER. IT SHOULD GUARANTEE THE FREEDOM AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF ENTRANCE INTO THE SFO. ADMISSION TO THE ORDER ARTICLE 39 1 RULE 23 THE REQUEST FOR ADMISSION TO THE ORDER IS PRESENTED BY THE ASPIRANT TO THE MINISTER OF A LOCAL OR PERSONAL FRATERNITY BY A FORMAL ACT, IN WRITING IF POSSIBLE. WITHDRAWAL OR PERMAMNENT DISMISSAL THE TIME OF FORMATION FROM THE ORDER,IF NECESSARY, IS AN ACT OF THE ARTICLE 40 1 FRATERNITY COUNCIL ACCORDING RULE 23 THE TIME OF FORMATION LASTS AT LEAST ONE YEAR. TO THE NORM OF THE CONSTITUTIONS. THE NATIONAL STATUTES CAN ESTABLISH A LONGER PERIOD. * Editor s emphasis. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PERIOD IS THE MATURATION OF THE VOCATION, THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EVANGELICAL LIFE IN FRATERNITY, AND A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORDER. THIS FORMATION SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITH FREQUENT MEETINGS FOR STUDY AND PRAYER WITH CONCRETE EXPERIENCES OF SERVICE AND APOSTOLATE. THESE MEETINGS SHOULD BE HELD, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND OPPORTUNE, IN COMMON WITH THE CANDIDATES OF OTHER FRATERNITIES. THE TIME OF FORMATION ARTICLE 41 1 RULE 23 HAVING COMPLETED THE TIME OF INITIAL FORMATION, THE CANDIDATE SUBMITS TO THE MINISTER OF THE LOCAL FRATERNITY A REQUEST TO MAKE HIS OR HER PROFESSION. HAVING HEARD THE MASTER OF FORMATION AND THE ASSISTANT, THE FRATERNITY COUNCIL DECIDES BY SECRET BALLOT ON THE ADMISSION TO PROFESSION, GIVES ITS REPLY TO THE CANDIDATE, AND INFORMS THE FRATERNITY. ARTICLE 42 2 RULE 23 PROFESSION INCORPORATES THE CANDIDATE INTO THE ORDER AND IS BY NATURE A PERPETUAL COMMITMENT. PERPETUAL PROFESSION, BECAUSE OF OBJECTIVE AND SPECIFIC PEDAGOGICAL REASONS, MAY BE PRECEDED BY A TEMPORARY PROFESSION, RENEWABLE ANNUALLY. THE TOTAL TIME OF TEMPORARY PROFESSION MAY NOT BE LONGER THAN THREE (3) YEARS. ARTICLE 43 THE NATIONAL STATUTUES ESTABLISH: RULE 23 THE MINIMUM AGE FOR PROFESSION WHICH, HOWEVER, MAY NOT BE LESS THAN EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS COMPLETED; THE DISTINCTIVE SIGN OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORDER (THE TAU OR OTHER FRANCISCAN SYMBOL). TEMPORARY PROVISIONS ARTICLE 56 1 The General Constitutions 2000 of the Secular Franciscan Order RULE 23 MEMBERS WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN DIFFICULTY MAY ASK, WITH A FORMAL ACT, TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL FROM THE FRATERNITY. THE COUNCIL WILL EVALUATE THE RE- QUEST WITH LOVE AND PRUDENCE, AFTER A FRATERNAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE MINISTER AND THE ASSISTANT WITH THE PERSON CONCERNED. IF THE REASONS APPEAR TO BE WELL FOUNDED, AFTER THE BROTHER OR SISTER IN DIFFICULTY HAS BEEN GIVEN TIME TO RECONSIDER, THE COUNCIL AGREES TO THE REQUEST. February Anniversaries PROFESSION Fr. James Joyce 2-15-1966 IN MEMORIAM Eugene Foldeaki 2-12-1993 Elizabeth Ryder 2-21-1993 Paul Martin 2-17-2011 SPECIAL INTENTIONS Please continue to remember in your prayers our sister Claire Leydet, OFS, who is making steady progress and will soon be home; Nancy Prezenik s daughter lost her mother-in-law recently (Maxine White); prayers for all, please; Please pray fervently for Rose Mazon (Fred Conforti s mother-in-law) who has the dwindles after two recent hospitalizations. Rose is an avid reader of our newsletter and a cherished source of spiritual support; In a special way we remember all of our benefactors and supporters, referring them all to the care of our Blessed Mother, our Seraphic Father Francis, St. Clare, all of the Franciscan saints, blesseds and servants of God (viz., Fr. Solanus Casey) and the entire college of saints. 2
A Special Memorial Intention Elaine Marie Bertoli 1960-2015 Elaine Marie Bertoli, the daughter of our cherished sister Mary Boland, OFS, entered eternal life on Sunday 27 December (the feast of Secular Franciscan Blessed Louise Albertoni*) after a long illness. She departed on the strength of untiring prayer during the few years since the onset of her illness, and most especially during the last few months. Elaine lived a very active life. She was daughter, wife (she leaves her husband of 33 years, Don), sister, mother, grandmother, educator and lover of the outdoors. In spite of the limitations imposed by her illness she endured to see her first grandchild (Adalie Collingwood) and to attend her daughter Shannon s wedding. The written tribute to her summarizes it nicely: She never lost her compassion and sense of humor, her hearty appetite for food and life. We will miss her. Mary tells us that Don is a great cook; he and Elaine lived with Mary during the final months of Elaine s life. Elaine s medications had greatly increased her appetite, and Mary was more than happy to be at the table to share with her daughter the great meals that Don would whip up. How grateful we are to Don for his solicitousness for both Elaine and Mary. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday 2 January by Fr. Bill Murphy (son of our own Theresa Murphy, OFS), Pastor of Bl. Theresa of Calcutta Parish at Corpus Christi Church in Housatonic, MA, a few blocks from where Elaine grew up. As Elaine is welcomed into the company of Jesus, Mary, St. Francis, St. Clare and the exceptional Blessed Louise Albertoni, we pledge our continued prayers for her and her family. SECULAR FRANCISCAN PROFILES IS IT A BIRD?? IS IT A PLANE?? NO!! IT S SUPERMIKE!! Able to visit 21 Franciscan Missions in California in only 14 days!! Able to speak on the OFS Rule at a moment s notice!! Eats the powers of evil for breakfast!!... and who, disguised as Michael Guertin, mild-mannered Spiritual Assistant for the Fr. Solanus Casey Region of the OFS, fights a never-ending battle for justice, peace, and the integrity of creation The Franciscan Way!! Mike returns to us in February after a busy late December and January. After a speaking engagement in NY, he trekked the California coast from 7 January to the 20 th in the steps of our Franciscan forefathers (including Junipero Serra, OFM [at left], who our Holy Father Francis canonized at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, during his recent USA visit ). Fr. Serra s shrine is St. Charles Borromeo-by-the-Sea in Monterey County, CA; every hotel in the town allows dogs in deference to the solicitousness of St. Francis for God s creation. Stay tuned for the further adventures of SUPERMIKE!! * A bio of Bl. Louise Albertoni appeared in Vol. 4, No. 1, February 2015 of the St. Clare Newsletter. 3 ERRATUM OOPS!... Theresa Murphy s name was incorrectly entered as Theresa Martin in last month s Fraternity News on page 3 of the newsletter. FRATERNITY NEWS Council Update At our January meeting the Council committed the Fraternity to focusing on corporal acts of mercy during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. The decision was made to participate in OPERATION BLESSING BAG, a NAFRA initiative to express the theme of Quinquennial XIX, Reviving Our Spirit. Each Fraternity member is asked (as able) to fill a onegallon size Ziploc -type bag with items such as small toiletries, snacks, socks, etc. A prayer card or two could also be included. The bags will be collected and sent to Kate Kleinert, OFS, at the St. Louis Airport Hotel to arrive during the Quinquennial (30 June to 4 July in St. Louis, MO). A holy card will be placed into the bag in St. Louis which reads: Filling this bag for you has been a blessing for me! I will keep you in my prayers. After the Quinquennial the bags will be delivered to St. Anthony s Food Pantry in St. Louis. An information initiative is being mounted as a reminder of the spiritual benefits afforded by the designated Holy Mercy Doors in south Berkshire County at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge and St. Joseph s Church in Pittsfield (at the Shrine the designated doors are in the inner front doors; at St. Joseph s, the outer front doors are designated [they are clearly and beautifully marked at both locations]). The initiative will take the form of a bulletin announcement in our local parishes to describe the graces that may be received by embracing the plenary indulgence available by passing through the doors. The process is described on page 4. All are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity as often as possible during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. After the Treasurer s report all agreed that a large percentage of the balance of funds needs to be divested in keeping with the spirit of material poverty. The Fraternity contributes annually to the Franciscan missions and to Priests for Life, but after fulfilling this year s Fair Share commitment, the Council will decide on a dollar amount to be donated in addition to the Holy Family Vocational Orphanage in Africa, spearheaded by Franciscan Sister Caritas Barajingitwa (see page 8 for the recent feature that appeared in the Winter 2015 issue of TAU magazine [for those of you who receive TAU, the article is on page 6]). On Deck: Life in the Spirit Our Fraternity Spiritual Assistant Mike Guertin, OFS, is stepping up to the plate this month to speak about Life in the Spirit, an adjunct to our 2016 journey into The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis. This Reading/Reflection formation endeavor will continue through the spring months. June June is Community Outreach month. The Council, with the blessing of Fraternity Spiritual Assistant Mike Guertin, has graciously consented to allow Fred Conforti, MD, OFS, our Fraternity Formation Director, to address those in attendance on Franciscan Spirituality: The Secular Franciscan Life in Christ. Through the bulletins of our local communities of worship, the public will be invited to share the afternoon with the Fraternity, learning about what makes a Secular Franciscan distinct in a Catholic world where several religious institutes offer approved paths of spiritual endeavor in quest of Christian perfection. ETC... Each Fraternity member is being encouraged to write a brief, general bio, primarily for the archive, but also as an informational resource for both old and new members. This would resurrect a process that was common many years ago but had fallen into disuse. The practice of assigning individual Fraternity members to provide refreshments at intervals throughout the year is being abandoned. Bring your own lunch is now the order of the day (sharing is encouraged). Pot luck will still be enjoyed on special occasions.
The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy The Plenary Indulgence attached to Transit of the Holy Doors of Mercy During this Jubilee Year of Mercy (8 December 2015-20 November 2016 [the Feast of Christ the King]) south Berkshire County MA is privileged to have two locations where canonically designated Holy Doors of Mercy afford the faithful the privilege of obtaining one of Our Lord s most exceptional expressions of His Divine Mercy the plenary indulgence. 1 The churches with designated Holy Doors are the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA, and St. Joseph s Church in Pittsfield, MA. The doors are clearly marked as such in both locations (at the Shrine, the inner main front doors are designated; at St. Joseph s, the outer main front doors). As one crosses the threshold of these doors the privilege of achieving the indulgence is granted on the condition of fulfilling the general prescription for plenary indulgences: Sacramental Confession, several days before or after 2 (e.g., within the octave [8 days] before or after) the transit (or crossing the threshold of the Holy Doors); Eucharistic Communion 3 on the day of the transit; Prayers for the Holy Father (reciting once the Our Father or the Hail Mary, or any other prayer suited to one s own devotion and reverence for the Pope) 4 on the day of the transit in the church with the designated doors; Freedom from attachment to all sin (even venial sin); where this detachment is wanting, the indulgence is partial; 5 The indulgence may be applied to oneself or in suffrage for one deceased individual. 6 The indulgence is available once daily during the entire Holy Year of Mercy as long as the conditions above are fulfilled. 1 The first plenary indulgence was granted to St. Francis in a vision in which Our Lord and His Blessed Mother consented to Francis unusual request for a means available to all for the complete remission of temporal punishment. Called the Portiuncula Indulgence, or the Great Pardon of Assisi, it is a distinct type of plenary indulgence; the conditions differ in some respects from the one described here (see the St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity Newsletter, Vol. 3, No.7, August 2014 for the conditions specific to the Portiuncula Indulgence). 2 Paul VI, Apostolic Constitution Indulgentiarum Doctrina, 1 January 1967, norm 8. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid, norm 10. 5 Ibid, norm 7. 6 Ibid, norm 3. Pope Francis Prayer for the JUBILEE of MERCY Lord Jesus Christ, You have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees You sees Him. Show us Your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that You spoke to the Samaritan woman: If you knew the gift of God. You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests His power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be Your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that Your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send Your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with Its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and Your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. 4
The Missionaries of Mercy The relics of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, the exceptional Padre Pio, will be present at a special Mass in St. Peter s Basilica on Ash Wednesday, 10 February, when Pope Francis will launch his initiative to send the Missionaries of Mercy into the world. On 11 April 2015 The Holy Father made known his intentions in the Apostolic Bull Misericordae Vultus (excerpted below). Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, explained that this year s Ash Wednesday is the day on which the Pope will send the Missionaries of Mercy throughout the world, conferring on them the special mandate of preaching and hearing confessions, as a living sign of how the Father welcomes all those who seek his forgiveness. Archbishop Fisichella said that Pope Francis has expressed his keen desire for the relics of the Capuchin saint to be exposed during the Mass. The presence of St. Pio s remains, the Archbishop said, will be a precious sign for all missionaries and priests, who will find strength for their own mission in the wondrous example of this untiring, welcoming and patient confessor, an authentic witness of the Father s mercy. These Missionaries of Mercy are a special group of priests who, during the Jubilee of Mercy, will be given the faculties to pardon sins in cases otherwise reserved to the Holy See. Italian media reports that Padre Pio s relics, which reside in the shrine at San Giovanni Rotondo, will arrive 3 February at Rome s Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, where it will remain through 4 February under the care of the Capuchins. On 5 February, the relics will be carried in procession from St. Lawrence to St. Peter s Basilica, where they will remain until 11 February. Various events will be held during this period, including a papal audience on 6 February with members of Padre Pio prayer groups, workers at the Home to Relieve Suffering founded by St. Pio in 1956 and faithful from the Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo archdiocese. On 9 February Pope Francis will preside over Mass with Capuchin brothers, Padre Pio s own order, from around the world. After Mass on 11 February for the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, presided over by Archbishop Fisichella, St. Pio s relics will be taken for three days to Pietrelcina before they are returned to their home in San Giovanni Rotondo. The incorrupt body of Padre Pio as it rests in the church of San Giovanni Rotondo Excerpts from the Apostolic Bull Misericordae Vultus: 18. During Lent of this Holy Year, I intend to send out Missionaries of Mercy. They will be a sign of the Church s maternal solicitude for the People of God, enabling them to enter the profound richness of this mystery so fundamental to the faith. There will be priests to whom I will grant the authority to pardon even those sins reserved to the Holy See, so that the breadth of their mandate as confessors will be even clearer. They will be, above all, living signs of the Father s readiness to welcome those in search of his pardon. They will be missionaries of mercy because they will be facilitators of a truly human encounter, a source of liberation, rich with responsibility for overcoming obstacles and taking up the new life of Baptism again. They will be led in their mission by the words of the Apostle: For God has consigned all men to disobedience, that he may have mercy upon all (Rom 11:32). Everyone, in fact, without exception, is called to embrace the call to mercy. May these Missionaries live this call with the assurance that they can fix their eyes on Jesus, the merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God (Heb 2: 17). I ask my brother Bishops to invite and welcome these Missionaries so that they can be, above all, persuasive preachers of mercy. May individual dioceses organize missions to the people in such a way that these Missionaries may be heralds of joy and forgiveness. Bishops are asked to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with their people so that the time of grace made possible by the Jubilee year makes it possible for many of God s sons and daughters to take up once again the journey to the Father s house. May pastors, especially during the liturgical season of Lent, be diligent in calling back the faithful to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace (Heb 4: 16). 5
With Joy and Thanksgiving We Honor... FR. JIM JOYCE, OFS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS as a SECULAR FRANCISCAN AW, SHUCKS! * * Franciscan Humility YOU ARE A VERY FAITHFUL SERVANT, FR. JIM! The oldest known image of St. Paul is this 4th century AD fresco found in the catacombs of St. Thekla (Rome) in 2009. Fr. Jim chose St. Paul as his namesake in Secular Franciscan life. On 15 February Fr. Jim Joyce, OFS, celebrates his 50th anniversary as a Secular Franciscan. At profession he chose St. Paul as his intercessor and namesake. Fr. Jim has shared his priestly ministry with our Fraternity for many years as shepherd and true friend. He has presided over a half-dozen Perpetual Profession Masses since 2003 (the last in 2015 for two candidates), events that have entered into our Fraternity history as milestones in both our fraternal and spiritual lives. Also, Fr. Jim will be retiring on 1 April. A fete is planned in March at Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsfield, MA, where he has served as pastor for some 30 years. His new address, effective immediately, is on page 8. More details in next month s news. (Do priests ever really retire?) According to our records,* the OFS landmark for Fr. Jim places him in the company of: Name Name Date Years in Profession Professed in OFS Joan Martin, OFS Rose of Lima 01-02-1958 58 Paul Martin, OFS Martin 11-03-1954 62 06-15-2005 Marian Finke, OFS Mary Elizabeth 10-18-1954 62 06-06-1980 Margaret Petroccione, OFS Mary 11-19-1963 53 04-08-1988 Elizabeth Ryder, OFS Mary Joseph 10-18-1954 62 02-18-1993 Br. Gilbert Mary Hunter, OFS** David Mary 09-11-1963 53 03-18-2010 * The paper records are in the process of being sorted and digitalized. Please forgive any errors and notify us of any corrections needed. ** Br. Hunter entered the Redemptorist Order in 07-1997.... and also in the 50-Year OFS company of our next Honoree: 6
DEACON JIM HAGER, OFS RETIRING FROM MINISTRY A Secular Franciscan for 56 years Permanent Deacon Jim Hager, OFS, who worked alongside Fr. Jim Joyce as Pastoral Minister at Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsfield, MA, celebrated his retirement on Sunday 17 January beginning with Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 10:30 AM. The principal celebrant was Bishop Timothy McDonnell and Deacon Jim was joined by several colleagues. A reception was held after Mass in the school hall and our minister Janet Cantarella, OFS, secretary Sally Kusek, OFS, and her daughter Gail attended. Deacon Jim was ordained with the first class of Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Springfield in 1983. Perpetually Professed as a Secular Franciscan on 12-04-1960 (56 years), Deacon Jim took the profession name of John and is a member of our St. Clare of Assisi Fraternity (W. Stockbridge, MA). All a cake like this needs is a jolly send-off song to go with it. And here it is... (courtesy of Deacon Jim s admirers at Sacred Heart) GOOD-BYE, DEACON JIM (TO ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY ) The pink church on Elm Street is crying today. They re losing their deacon who helped them to pray. He may be the old one without any hair, so they re stuck with the young one and filled with despair. Cause Jim was the deacon who went everywhere. He brought Communion with sweet loving care. The sick and the homebound would smile when he came. They always felt better when they heard his name So take out your hankies and wipe way your tears. Let s give our dear Jim a goodbye with three cheers. (LOOK OUT, FR. JIM! YOU RE NEXT.) 7
Pray the Franciscan Family Chaplet (need a copy? fpcon@verizon.net) ADDRESS CHANGE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, FR. JIM JOYCE HAS A NEW ADDRESS: Rev. James K. Joyce, OFS Devonshire Estates, Apt. 228 329 Pittsfield Road Lenox, MA 01240 8