The Joyful Messenger Summer 2020
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The Joyful Messenger Summer 2020 REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Marie Thomas, OFS Regional Minister Jeane Swaynos, OFS Regional Vice Minister Hans D. Huemmer, OFS Regional Formation Director Patricia Gagnon, OFS Regional Treasurer MISSION STATEMENT Rachel Ahern,OFS Assistant Regional Treasurer The mission of the Five Franciscan Martyrs Region of the Secular Franciscan Order is to walk in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi by bringing gospel to Patricia Wolfert, OFS life and life to the gospel and promoting a sanctified Regional Secretary family life. John Deaton, OFS Co-Regional Spiritual Assistant Brother Lombardo D’Auria, OFM Co-Regional Spiritual Assistant MESSAGE FROM OUR MINISTER REGIONAL FAMILY MARIE THOMAS, OFS COUNCILORS ARE YOU A LOVER OR A LIAR Ruth Huddle, OFS Marcia Stamboulian, OFS “The way you love other humans and the way you love God -St. Elizabeth of Hungary Family are almost certainly identical.” When I read this line in the book, “Eager to Love,” on page Sheila Solomon, OFS 245, I had to stop. It caused me to ponder a few things. The Mark Banschbach, OFS -St. Thomas More Family first thing that came to mind is that God commanded us to love one another. He didn’t just suggest or request us to love everyone; He commanded us to love one another. It is the Margaret Wendel, OFS second of the two Great Commandments when it says, “it is Andy Buchleitner, OFS just like the first” (Matthew 22:39). -St. Margaret of Cortona Family So to say we love God in precisely the same way we love others is a statement that causes us to pause. In other words, it means how we love and how we allow STANDING ourselves to be loved by God is really how we love in general. COMITTEES This means that as Franciscans, we must always act with Bonnie Barlow, OFS love and service because only then do we love God. Database Manager Francis must have known this instinctually because he is often quoted as saying, “You must preach the Gospel at Mark Banschbach, OFS all times and when necessary use words.” He knew that Webmaster happy, humble people could change other people much more effectively by loving them than preaching to them. Secular Andy Buchleitner, OFS Franciscans who are genuinely happy, are the most fruitful Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation in the world because they relate to God in a way that is profoundly personal and intimate. Still, they also identify Liaison (JPIC) and extend themselves beyond themselves and encompass the broader aspects of humankind. Theresa A. Zesiewicz, OFS No true Franciscan can say, “I can have a private relationship Electronic Newsletter Editor with my private God - by myself, and I do not need to love everyone with no exception.” Think about it. This is Janice Novello, PhD OFS genuinely anti-Gospel and anti-Franciscan. Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)? Young Adult Apostolate Jesus challenges our idea of who is a stranger and who is a neighbor. As Christians, we know that caring only for Hilda Aguilera, OFS people who like us or have the same views as we do, is not Spanish Liaison acceptable. Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” (Luke 6:32) We must look and love beyond all borders and see all people as our neighbors. Judith (Judy) Born, OFS Archivist Are we excluding someone? Are we being selective and avoiding the constant complainer, the nit- picking boss, or the Muslims, the terrorists, those with a different political view or those whose values or behaviors are foreign to us, etc.? All are our neighbors. So what does this really mean? To love our neighbor means we must look past outer appearances and circumstances. Praying for those we tend to exclude is a powerful way to love them. Keep in mind that loving someone does not make us blind to their sin, but it does require us to focus on our sins first. Therefore, just pray for them and love them! God loves them and lives in them, too! Francis loved and kept, not only people but everything in the world, in an intimate relationship. He looked at the world with much more full eyes and enjoyed every person and thing in itself for itself. We need to remember that if we need a reward or recognition for something we did or said, we have backed away from love and no longer love God or neighbor with pure love. Acting with genuine love is its reward and does not need anything in return. If we say we love God, but we do not love every neighbor, we are liars! Without love for others, we cannot even say we know God. THE JOY OF BEING CHILDREN OF GOD Let us show the joy of being children of God, the freedom that living in Christ gives us, which is true freedom, the freedom that saves us from the slavery of evil, of sin, and of death! Looking at the heavenly homeland, we shall receive new light and fresh strength, both in our commitment and daily efforts. General audience, April 10, 2013 SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER Five Franciscan Martyrs Region Florida, South Georgia, Lower Alabama www.francisan~sfo.org July 6, 2020 Dear Fellow Franciscans and Guests, According to God’s plan, our Annual Regional Fraternity Meeting this year will be shortened to 2 half days: so our next POSSIBLE DATES are Tuesday & Wednesday, September 22 & 23, 2020 at the San Pedro Retreat Center in Winter Park, Florida (Directions may be found at www.sanpedrocenter.org). We will be celebrating the Region’s ri-AnnualT Chapter of Elections with Donna Hollis, OFS, National Councilor, as the Presider of the election and Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR as the Ecclesial Witness. Of course we will also honor those celebrating their 25th and 50th Jubilees* as Secular Franciscans on Wednesday. Therefore, it is extremely important that the Minister, Vice-Minister or one of the elected Council Members attend… not just because it is mandated by our Rule and Constitutions and we must have a quorum, but because we are a spiritual family and we have much to celebrate. If the Minister must pass up this wonderful opportunity, then please send a delegate from the fraternity Council. Official delegate means: the elected vice minister or another member of the fraternity council for this purpose. This official delegate must bring a letter stating that they were officially delegated by the Fraternity Council, so he/she may vote. This belated 2 day Franciscan Chapter is FREE for the Ministers or official delegate and 50th Jubilarians but drivers and/or spouses are welcome to come and enjoy the Franciscan Charism of the gathering as observers. Because of “social distancing”, only one person will be permitted to a room (family member exempted) space is extremely limited. Therefore, priority will be given to Voting Members on a first-come, first served basis. Once we reach capacity, members will be placed on a waiting list. The registration form for the annual meeting follows. It may be duplicated, for others in your fraternity. Please register by August 31 because space is limited to single rooms only (married couples are exempt) and we must obtain a quorum to pass the budget & hold the election. Registration and check-in will begin 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday Sep 22, 2020 but the annual meeting formally begins at 3:00 pm with Service for the Deceased. Dinner will be served at 5:00 pm. We again ask that you bring your own snack which you may NOT share with others at our social. Then take “leftovers” back to your room and home. Drinks and paper goods will be provided. Also bring your own name tag and FACE MASK. See more precautions listed after the registration form. The meeting will conclude after the 11 a.m. Mass in the Chapel on Wednesday, Sep. 23 with lunch which will be served after Mass. Wishing all of you a safe and healthy summer! Marie Thomas Marie Thomas, OFS, Regional Minister *To ensure that Jubilarians receive their Certificates, Ministers must submit names ASAP to Karen Szczeniak at [email protected] SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER FIVE FRANCISCAN MARTYRS REGION Annual Regional Fraternity Meeting September 22-23, 2020 San Pedro Center, Winter Park, Florida Theme: “Come, Holy Spirit” Please Note that All Times, Except Meals, are Subject to Change Tuesday, Sep 22 Building 2:00 pm Registration Bldg 300 3:00 pm Annual Commemoration of Deceased Members since last year Bldg 300 1 st Call for Nominations by NAFRA Presider 3:30 pm Annual Regional Fraternity Business Meeting Bldg 300 Open with Prayer from the Ritual p.35 Roll Call to establish quorum – Pat Wolfert, OFS Approval of Minutes (They will NOT be read, only corrections, etc. taken) Welcome, Overview of Weekend – Marie Thomas, OFS Talk by Regional Spiritual Assistant – John Deaton, OFS (if available) Approval of Treasurers Report and Budget – Pat Gagnon, OFS Outreach Talk – Theresa Zesiewicz, OFS (if available) Report on Youth – Janice Novello, OFS 2 nd Call for Nominations by NAFRA Presider 5:00 pm Dinner Bldg 300 6:30 pm Evening Prayer followed by Bldg 300 Introduction of NAFRA Guests & 3rd Call for Nominations Bldg 300 8:00 – ? pm Social: Unwind with Wine! Bldg 300 9:00 pm Optional Night Prayer; Please use your own Breviary Chapel Wednesday, September 23 7:30 am Morning Prayer Bldg 300 8:00 am Breakfast Bldg 300 8:30 am Regional Triennial Chapter of Elections Bldg 300 Introduce Presider and Friar Witness Establish Quorum, etc.