Vol. 17 Issue 4 June/July 2015 Up to Now... Newsletter of the St. Maximilan Kolbe Region of the OFS I have done what is mine to do; may Christ show what is yours to do. St. Francis of Assisi A Year of Mercy Presiding over a penance service in St. Peter s Basilica on 13 March 2015, on the fourth Sunday of Lent, Pope Francis announced a Jubilee of Mercy dedicated to Divine Mercy. This will begin on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and will conclude 2016 on the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Below is an excerpt of this announcement as found on Zenit. The call of Jesus pushes each of us never to stop at the surface of things, especially when we are dealing with a person. We are called to look beyond, to focus on the heart to see ho much generosity everyone is capable. No one can be excluded from the mercy of God; everyone knows the way to access it and the Church is the house that welcomes all and refuses no one. Its doors remain wide open, so that those who are touched by grace can find the certainty of forgiveness. The greater the sin, so much the greater must be the love that the Church expresses towards those who convert. Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about how the Church might make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is a journey that begins with a spiritual conversion. For this reason, I have decided to call an extraordinary Jubilee that is to have the mercy of God at its center. It shall be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live this Year in the light of the Lord s words: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Lk. 6:36) This Holy Year will begin on this coming Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and will end on November 20, 2016, the Sunday dedicated to Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe -and the living face of the Father s mercy. I entrust the organization of this Jubilee to the Pontifical Council for Promotion of the New Evangelization, that [the dicastery] might animate it as a new stage in the journey of the Church on its mission to bring to every person the Gospel of mercy. I am convinced that the whole Church will find in this Jubilee the joy needed to rediscover and make fruitful the mercy of God, with which all of us are called to give consolation to every man and woman of our time. From this moment, we entrust this Holy Year to the Mother of Mercy, that she might turn her gaze upon us and watch over our journey.
Pg 2. Page 2 Anniversaries Vol. 17 Issue 4 Fr. Walter Dolan, OFM, 54th Anniversary of Ordination on 13 June (Feast of St. Anthony of Padua) Grace Masico, OFS (56), Margred Stillwell, OFS (50,) Tom Fitzmaurice, OFS, (15), St. Anthony Fraternity, Elyria; Margaret O Neal, OFS (69), Ruthann Eston, OFS (39) Grace Bostwick, OFS (29) Mary Jo Jelar, OFS (26), Kathleen Collins, OFS (25), Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity; Mary Louise Schueller, OFS (28), Stigmata of St. Francis Fraternity; Steve Zaleski, OFS (66)! Eleanor Kenst, OFS, Rose Monnot, OFS (both 20), Jim Dittimore, (OFS), Karen Sigler, OFS (both 5), Eucharistic Fraternity Fr. Nicholas Mancini, OFS, SA to Eucharistic Fraternity, 40 years of ordination to the priesthood; Mildred Wuebbe, OFS (52), St. Anthony of Padua, Carey; Vicki Diehl, OFS, Kathleen Russ, OFS, Anita Clark, OFS (all 30), Jo Marie Chutsey, OFS (10), St. John Vianney Fraternity; Bernard Fabry, OFS, Robert DeMocko, OFS, (50) Dorothy Worrellia, OFS (30) Sacred Heart of Jesus & Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity; Barb Good, OFS, Mary Streibing, OFS, Judy Stasenko, OFS, (all 24 ), Our Lady of the Falls; Marie Furman, OFS (74!), Dorothy Lingg, OFS, Julia Holleran, OFS ( both 60), Doug Primus, OFS (35) Pam Shuman, OFS (20), St. Francis Fraternity; Marie McGee, OFS (46), Judy Schmidt, OFS (45), Elsie Fleckenstein, OFS, (31) Maryanne Rebic, OFS (31), OFS, Marge Zufan, OFS (25), St. Jude Fraternity; Joanne Angeletti,,OFS (29), Judith Hoyt, OFS (25), Mary Cate Roberts, OFS (24), Bill Marshall, OFS (23) Dorothy Takacs, OFS (15), Ruth Older, OFS (10), St. Frances X. Cabrini Fraternity; Alice Myles, OFS (45) Jeanne Carter, OFS (44), Deacon Dan Galla, OFS (32), Peggy Kerr, OFS (27), John Petcher, OFS and Jean Potter, OFS (20), Blessed Giles Fraternity. Called by Sister Death Catherine Greco, OFS, St. Joseph Fraternity, Dover Isabelle Brodman, OFS, Helen Kromer, OFS, Br. Bryan Hoban, OFM Conv., St. Anthony of Padua, Carey; Helen Hurley, OFS, Kathleen Rusin, OFS, St. John Vianney Fraternity; Mary Goodman, OFS, Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity; Inquirers & Candidates J. Marty Hammond, Becki Johnson, Michael Rago, Josephine Robertson, all with Eucharistic Fraternity; David Boardwine, Michelle Boardwine, Beverly Zigmund, Jean McHale, all with St. John Vianney Fraternity; Miully Tierny, John Dittoe, Jr., St. Jude Fraternity Transfer In Fran Znitzky, OFS, is transferring into St. Jude Fraternity
Up to Now... The JPIC Corner Isabelita Tinio, OFS, St Maximilian Kolbe Regional Animator written by Andy Good, OFS. JPIC, Imm. Heart of Mary Frat. Justice ustice, Peace and Integrity Of Creation Pg 3 One Word, Used in One Form, 490 Times As yet another Earth Day has passed by seemingly unnoticed, and bearing in mind the love Francis had for all of creation, it begs the question; why? Francis viewed all of creation as a gift from God, a reflection of the love of the Creator for the created. We are reminded throughout the creation narrative, God looked at everything that he had made, and he found it very good. Earth day should be our first day to a renewed creation; a gift of love and gratitude from the created to their creator. Regressing a bit, if you were reading a book that used one word in the same form 490 times, you might bring into question, the author s command of the vocabulary. Yet, this book of books brings to life the sacramental, liturgical and secular elements of water, which makes up the biggest parts of who we are and the planet we inhabit. These books combine to make up the scriptures. Water is the principal element of survival in the world as we know it. Water, a gift from God, nourishes as it flows from the mouth of creation. Drought could be the next epidemic like catastrophe that we may face. Evidence of this can be seen throughout the world not only in supply, but in quality as well. In California, every ounce of water is spoken for. In the agricultural regions, farmers can make more profit selling water rights, as opposed to planting, fertilizing, watering and taking chances on weather conditions. Who can blame them! Yet should this continue, we will see and feel the results of lower yields each time we shop. Is this the result of climate change, the natural order of things, or just plain bad luck? It well could be! It seems that the science of today is not the same as what our previous understanding may have been. Today, the science we ascribe is based not only on political and economical factors, but greed seems to be it s proprietary factor. We have always heard talk of a balance between the gifts of creation, and the needs of human consumption. Do we believe the gifts of creation to be infinite or finite? Water is such a vital element in the continuation of life, and yet so skillfully taken for granted. Unfortunately, the evidence on this is clear, the water on the other hand is not. Recently, how many times have we heard of water intakes being closed as a chemical or industrial contamination floats down stream? What I find alarming, are the staggering numbers of repeat offenders. The fourteenth century philosopher and theologian John Duns Scotus viewed the goodness of creation in three ways: the primacy of Christ, the freedom of God and the contingency of the world. He looked at our world and realized that God is free, and nothing created is necessary. Since God did not have to create anything, all is gift and grace. God creates because God wishes to reveal and communicate himself to others as the fullness of God s own love. Scotus, like Francis and Bonaventure, saw a connection between creation and the Incarnation saying; every leaf, cloud, fruit, animal and person, is an outward expression of the Word of God in love. There are many approaches to a better future for those of us who count on clean air to breath, water that is free of mercury, PCB S and the contaminants from toxic spills that persist in finding ways into the water we drink and the fish we eat. Yet the polarization that politicians use to divide us into sharply contrasting groups, is certainly not the way of St. Francis. Next time or perhaps the first time you read the Canticle of the Creatures, let us join with Francis praising God, by treating creation as the gift it was intended to be.
Pg. 4 Vol. 17 Issue 4 Page 4 Up to Now... Banner On Tuesday 31 March (yes, it was a Tuesday) the editor attended the Chrism Mass at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown. The cathedral was filled when the liturgy began. The Knights of Columbus, priests and deacons walked down the aisle. Following them were the banners from various parishes and Catholic schools in the diocese. There were at least 50 coming down the aisle. They were beautiful, and very impressive. One banner was different: it was not a parish or a school! It was the beautiful banner of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary Secular Franciscan Fraternity. Eucharistic Adoration St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity members in Elyria are making it a special mission to offer hours of adoration for the needs of their fraternity, for homebound members, and for Franciscans throughout the world. Seven days a week at least one, often more, members of the St. Frances Cabrini X. Fraternity are in Eucharistic Adoration in various parishes. Various Prison Ministries The Gospel According to Matthew Jean and Joan Gallagher have a very special ministry to men and women who are incarcerated. They received permission to show a DVD of The Gospel According to Matthew to the inmates. Female inmates had an Easter Celebration Party developed by Jean and Joan. These ladies have a very special gift in reaching out to those shut away from society. They let the men and women who are incarcerated know that somebody who truly cares for them, that they are not forgotten, and that may certainly help them when they are released. Cookies for Inmates Stigmata of St. Francis Fraternity members again made cookies for prisoners, about 80 dozen, that were distributed to various facilities in Ohio. They have been doing this for a number of years. This is a wonderful way of letting the men and women in these facilities know people do care about them, and perhaps give them a ray of hope. And the cookies are a great treat. Spare Change to help make A Change Most people have spare change laying around. Members of the St. Frances Cabrini Fraternity will put the change to good to use with their new St. Maximilian Kobe Apostolate. The coins will be used to purchase Bibles for men and women who are incarcerated. Gently used Bibles and good Catholic books will also be accepted for distribution. People who are in prisons need encouragement to find the right path to follow in life. The coin change from members may help others make a positive spiritual change in their lives. Caring for Others in Need Stigmata of St. Francis Fraternity made a donation to Access House in Akron, a shelter for women and children, and to a Franciscan orphanage in Romania One member helps shelter and serve homeless women and children though a Catholic Workers home. Another member has an active relationship with a Moslem family. They are reaching out to others who are in their own prison. These people, too, need to know that someone cares for them, especially in difficult times.
Up to Now... Pg 5 Getting to Know You... Here is a wonderful idea from the Solanus Casey Fraternity: Getting to Know You. (Isn t there a song with that title?) We attend gatherings, but the time there is filled with prayer (very important), apostolates, on-going formation and a brief business meeting. Usually there is also a social time, but we need a bit more than that to really get to know our brothers and sisters. In this fraternity individuals share their lives with their fraternity. When we get to know each other better we begin to work together better, and have more cohesion in the group. Website St. Francis Cabrini Fraternity has a new website franciscansakron.com It is well done and has a lot of information, plus a number of back issues of The Cabrinian, the fraternity newsletter. Thank you to Larry Vavro for working on a new regional website. The address is: http://www.engergizinglove.org/st-maximilian-kolbe-region-of-the-secular-franciscan-order.html. Reading Program Hoping to help break the poverty cycle through education, St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity, Carey, is a sponsor for the Culture of Reading Program through the Co-operative for Education in Guatemala. This will truly give the young people a helping hand up. Helping Hands for Immigrants and Refugees I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me. The righteous will then answer, Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you? The King will reply, I tell you, whenever you did this for the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me! : Matt: 25:35-40 Members of Our Lady of the Falls and St. Francis Fraternities are donating needed items to the Catholic Charities Migrant & Refugee Services. Kitchen items, that we take for granted, are especially needed, such as cooking utensils, can openers, dish cloths, soap, etc. Spreading the Word How m any times have you heard, I never knew there were Secular Franciscans or What are Secular Franciscans? St. Jude Fraternity members are taking steps to share information. The St. Francis of Assisi Parish (where they gather) is having a festival and members of the Fraternity will have a booth! Members will also be active with the FEST at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe on Sunday 9 August beginning at 9 AM and closing with an 8 PM Mass. If YOU would like to help please contact Linda Monticello at 216-401-4960. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Vol. 17 Issue 4 Pg 6 Page 5 Do you have photos to share? Please e-mail to the editor with necessary information. (right) l-r Jo Ann Knapp, Mary Louise Schueller Joanne Angeletti below (l-r) Marcella Bina Fr. Walter Dolan, OFS Jean Gaetano (group photo below) Attendees at the St. Frances Cabrini Fraternity Annual Retreat in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park in the White Pines Campus. Fr. Joe Tuscan, OFM Cap. was the retreat master. The 2016 retreat is already being planned for 11-13 March. Information will be available on the St. Frances X. Cabrini website: www.franciscansakron.org
Sixth Annual Peace & Justice Dinner March 28, 1995 Catholic Action Commission of Lorain County Up to Now... Page 7 Pg 7 The pages above and to the left were in the program book for the Sixth Annual Peace & Justice Dinner of the Catholic Commission of Lorain County, in the Diocese of Cleveland, held in 1995. Today we list works like this under JPIC. Secular Franciscans have always been in the forefront in caring for others. A look at some of the articles in this newsletter will give you an idea of the wide range of great activities members of the Secular Franciscan Order undertake to assist those in need of assistance.
Vol. 17 Issue 4 Pg 8 Fraternity Clusters During the Regional Council Meeting in May attendees met with others in their cluster. The original idea of clusters was that fraternities located near each other would interact and work together on some projects. Every fraternity has been assigned to a specific group. We become occupied with activities in our fraternities and don t think about meeting with members from other fraternities. We are professed with a specific fraternity, but we belong to a International Order. We need to get to know each other, and we will get to know them when interact with our brothers and sisters in St. Francis and St. Clare. Some clusters are already planning activities and inviting others in the cluster. Good Start! St. Jude Fraternity will have a Renewal of Profession for professed members of the fraternity. What a wonderful idea; sometimes we need a bit of reminder of our profession to the OFS. Other fraternities may consider something this. We need to bring to the forefront our profession, our permanent commitment to living the Gospel Life, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. We faithfully attend fraternity gatherings, are active in various apostolates, and know the Rule. We lead lives as good, Catholics, but we need to truly realize that we made a permanent commitment to our vocation in Secular Franciscan Order; that means to be active Secular Franciscans, going out into the market place, not being just a pious prayer group. Renew of Profession for Professed Members Taking Action on Public Issues When you pick the newspaper, or her news on the television, or find it on the internet, you realize there are some very important issues in our country today that could have very negative consequences for our society. Our society is under assault, and our Catholic faith is being tested. We need to stand for what is right -let our voices be heard. Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity is asking members to gather contact information on offices, and office holders, at the local, state and federal levels. The contact information will be published in the fraternity newsletter. An excellent idea! Oftentimes people want to make their voices heard but don t know who to contact the appropriate people. Having this information handy will encourage people to be pro-active on issues. Missing in Action! Most fraternities in the Region are very good about sending information about apostolates, activities, anniversaries, et cetera, to the editor of this newsletter. Thank you. Without you this newsletter wouldn t exist. There are a few the editor never hears from, no newsletter, a note or phone call, including fraternities that have a member on the Regional Executive Council. WHY? This newsletter is sent to every fraternity minister, who is to make copies for fraternity member. If your fraternity doesn t share information, please let the editor know why this is occurring. This publication is incomplete without input from every fraternity, including YOURS. My email is lizfrancis@neo.rr.com Ph: 330-297-5647, surface mail 628 Hill St., Ravenna, OH 44266