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Up to Now Newsletter of the St. Margaret of Cortona Region of the Secular Franciscan Order Covering the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and portions of West Virginia and Pennsylvania Fr. Philippus Philippus, OFMCap Fr. Volume 15, Issue 4 Let us begin again, for up to now we have done nothing. August 2011 Reflection on the Chapter of Mats By Gil Donahue, SFO ward people, especially those needing healing. God invites us to share in his own life, which is what we do in Baptism very few years, the St. Margaret of Cortona Region and the Eucharist. Fr. Joe referred to the Vatican II docu- of the Secular Franciscans holds a Chapter of Mats, ment Gaudium et Spes, which summarizes Catholic Social a meeting open to all Franciscans following a cus- E Teaching: specifically, the connection between peace (char- tomE started by St. Francis. The theme this year was “What ity) and justice. Fr. Joe quoted St. John that if we love God, would Jesus do? What would Francis do? What will I do?” we must love others, our brothers and sisters in need. We This relates to Catholic Social Teaching and the connection must love tenderly and act justly. between charity and justice. The weekend retreat was led by Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM, who spent many years as a mis- Thus, the theme of the weekend was joined: It is not sionary in Bolivia and Peru. enough to do good works of charity. We must actively work for justice. There are many instances in which our society – He was assisted by Capuchin Brother Kip Ledger, Regional at the local, national and international levels – is commit- Spiritual Assistant. The Sunday presentation was given by ting corporate sin. The structures of society, social sys- Kim Smolik, Executive Director of the Franciscan Mission tems, economic forms, lifestyles, and in some cases Service. The presentations were thought provoking and cherished beliefs are often contrary to the will of God. hard hitting, revealing to us what more needs to be done, and inviting us to make a greater effort. (Continued on page 3) Fr. Joe took as his text Micah 6:8, indicating we are called to “walk humbly before God.” This requires us to come to In This Issue. know God, to recognize him, and to give of ourselves to Minister’s Message . 2 him. Fr. Joe reviewed Jesus’ ministry, his tenderness to- Mark Your Calendar . .2 Catholic Social Teaching and the SFO Rule . .4 Franciscan Mission Service and the SFO . .4 Catholic Social Teaching and the SFO Rule Table . .5 Regional Formation Director’s Message . .6 The National Formation Workshop . .7 Around the Region . .9 Franciscan Life in the 21st Century . .10 Mary, Protectress and Advocate of the SFO . .12 Franciscan Vocation Petitions . .13 Two-edged Sword . .14 Friday Abstinence . .15 What Are We Reading? . .16 Odds and Ends . .16 Franciscan Saints and Blesseds . .17 Speakers Fr. Joe Nangle, OFM and Br. Kip Ledger, OFMCap. Go back to “In This Issue” Minister’s Message encourage you to also see ways to be involved in the Franciscan Mission Services. Kim Smolik, di- Prayers and blessings to rector, is eager to work with us. Training for mis- all my brothers and sis- sioners requires funds. Kim will help you invite a ters of St. Margaret of missioner to speak to your fraternities to learn Cortona Region! more about what they do. You will be amazed. Of “Love tenderly, act course prayer is vital and the foundation for all justly and walk humbly our works and efforts. What would Francis do? with God.” These words Act justly. from Micah began Fr. “Walk humbly with God.” God has gifted each of Joe Nangle’s presenta- us. Endless love, graces at every turn of the road tion at our Chapter of and the blessings to be His people in today’s Mats. world are just a few. No one but the Holy Spirit “Love tenderly.” Those can direct and complete our efforts. God provides who do not think the way the paths, the roads and the journeys He needs we do, love tenderly the us to walk. Prayer and reflection make His will people whose political views are not ours, love ever clearer as to where and how to travel though tenderly the grouchy neighbor or co-worker, love this life. Be open and attentive to His word. What tenderly the child who does not meet our expec- will I do? Walk humbly with God. tations, love tenderly each other and love ten- Dear Ministers, this wonderful newsletter of our derly ourselves as we struggle to be the person region comes to you personally, but it is your re- God calls us to be. What would Jesus do? Love sponsibility and privilege to share it with all the tenderly. brothers and sisters in your fraternity. Please “Act justly,” which really follows if we love ten- take this responsibly seriously. This newsletter derly. Learn and understand the true issues of comes to you four times a year. Do your best to justice and peace. The immigrant, the poor, the get the word to all. abused and abandoned children, the unemployed, Lastly, we missed many of you at the Chapter. the old and forgotten are real people in our world Talk with those who were there; they will tell you who need our help. Further down in this newslet- what a great time is was to pray, learn, enjoy de- ter you will see how our Franciscan rule and the licious food and meet and greet each other face words written by our Holy Fathers on peace and to face. justice coincide perfectly. We share with you the messages from JPIC, The Justice, Peace and In- Have a blessed rest of summer and see you at the tegrity of Creation Commission, which provide annual meeting in December (date and location many opportunities for responding to the issues TBD)! of our world. As a national Franciscan family, we It is my joy to serve as your regional minister. work closely with the Catholic Relief Services as many of our fraternities do. Many of you know the Mary Thuman, sfo issues of your community and are responding. We Regional Minister Mark Your Calendar October 3 — Transitus of Our location TBA. Seraphic Father Francis. Celebration April 21, 2012 — Third Annual Day of Reflection for Candi- at the Franciscan Monastery of the dates and Newly Professed. Ellicott City, Md. Holy Land. Seculars are asked to bring finger food for reception follow- July 3-8, 2012 — National ing. Notification of local celebrations Quinquennial. Chicago, Ill. will be sent as they become known. (See TAU, the newsletter of the national fraternity for December 3 — Annual Meeting. Location TBA. more details.) March 21 or 28, 2012 — Regional Election. Final date and Volume 15, Issue 1 Up to Now August 2011 Page 2 Go back to “In This Issue” (From page 1) Fr. Joe said that recent popes have stressed the church is hereto bring about the reign of God. We are not true to that calling unless we work for social justice. Fr. Joe asked the pointed question: Is love enough? His re- sponse: No, unless accompanied by justice. It is the lack of justice that causes the pain that many suffer. In providing charity, we address the symptoms but not the cause of pain. That requires “surgery,” including a hard look at the systems and social structures at fault. Since Pope Leo XIII about 120 years ago, the Catholic Church has called for social justice. This is a new grace in Miguel Aguilon of Del Camino Fraternity, Washington, D.C., with Gil the church. Fr. Joe called Catholic Social Teaching our best- Donahue, Tau Fraternity, Herndon, Va. kept secret. Brother Kip said that as Franciscans, we are called to a life of penance. This involves humility and gested that fraternities might organize short trips, 10 days meeting people in need in their environment and context to two weeks, to visit some of the mission sites, combining — that is, solidarity with the poor. action with a spiritual retreat. Both Fr. Joe and Brother Kip cautioned that in moving for- As Franciscans, we are called to be bridge-builders. Engag- ward on social justice issues, we will run into adversity, ing in missions is one way to do that. It is a “ministry of sometimes even within the church. Not acting is a threat to presence.” There is a transforming power in crossing bor- holiness. Fr. Joe pointed out parallels between the SFO rule ders. Kim challenged each fraternity to pledge $1 a day for and Catholic Social Teaching. Both teach the holiness of the cause of Franciscan missions. Just from our group, that humanity, and stress that people are more important than level of support would underwrite three additional mis- things. sioners overseas. Brother Kip noted that Franciscan spirituality is incarna- My takeaway from the weekend was a new understanding tional, and the key to it is relationship. Without relation- that works of charity, by themselves, are not enough. The ship there is no love. Relationship involves the poor with major social justice issues need to be addressed. While whom we work in charity. However, it also includes our re- they seem larger and more complex than we can deal with lationship with the rest of society through our government as individuals, we can partner with others — inside and — as citizens, it is our right, responsibility, and obligation outside the Church — to work for justice as we understand to work toward laws, systems and practices in line with our Christ calls us to do.

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