Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis www.immaculatasfo.org

raternity F Reflections Minister: Deborah Pettie, OFS - 817-370-9768 Vice Minister: Deb. Ludwick-Bales, OFS - 817-281-0140 Master of Formation: Sharon Toups, OFS - 972-865-6826 Secretary: Mary Dang, OFS – 817-962-3040 Acting Treasurer: Chuck Lieser, OFS - 817-914- 0157 Web Administrator: Clark Jones, OFS – 817.917.2511 Newsletter Editor: Clark Jones OFS – 817.917.2511 Spiritual Assistant: Vacant

Fraternity gathering every third Friday of the Month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Most Blessed Sacrament in Arlington, Formation for Inquirers and Candidates meet every first FridayTX. from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Most Blessed Sacrament

Immaculata Fraternity is a local fraternity of the Three Companions Region – www.lostrescompaneros.org IMMACULATA FRATERNITY, OFS OCTOBER 2015 VOL XI ISSUE X

Queen of the Holy Rosary, you have deigned to come to Fatima to reveal to the three shepherd children the treasures of grace hidden in the Rosary. Inspire my heart with a sincere love of this devotion, in order that by meditating on the Mysteries of our Redemption which are recalled in it, I may be enriched with its fruits and obtain peace for the world, the conversion of sinners and of Russia, and the favor which I ask

of you in this Rosary. (Here mention your request.) I ask it for the greater glory of God, for your own honor, and for the good of souls, especially for my own. Amen.

Month of the Most Holy Rosary

2304 Prestonwood Ct Arlington, TX 76012

Very Rev. Richard L Davis, T.O.R. P.O. Box 137

Loretto, PA 15940

Saint Francis Embraces Sister Death Angelo Portion 2015

Saint Francis of Assisi died on October 3, Annual Franciscan Retreat 1226. Death was not something that simply ______

“happened” to Francis, but a human reality that the Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus, Francis saint of Assisi embraced as his sister. In the song and Clare: Peace and all Good! which he wrote praising God for creation, Francis added the line: Attached is the registration form for our Angelo Portion Annual Retreat to be held on 30th Oct thru 1st Nov 2015. As you can All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister see, meals and room prices have not Death, From whose embrace no mortal can changed from last year. escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your will! The Please let your Fraternity minister know if second death can do them no harm. Praise and you will be attending: However, each bless my Lord, and give him thanks. And serve participant must send a separate form to him with great humility. Delia.

Saint Francis saw Sister Death as a natural part of For those staying at the Retreat Center Overnight: We must give the Retreat life through which we transition to continue our Center's business manager a number of life with God. It was sad for him to say goodbye how many people will be staying but he was ready. He even had one of his closest overnight in their facility and how many friends, Lady Jacoba, come from and bring will be having what meals (breakfast, him some grey material for a habit in which to be lunch and dinner) on what day(s) (Friday buried, candles for his funeral…. And some of evening, all day Saturday and Sunday morning and/or lunch). those really good almond cookies that he liked so much! When the friars went to get Jacoba they As always, we are looking forward to an found her already on the road toward Assisi with enjoyable and informative retreat co- all those things her friend wanted before he died. sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi,

Immaculata and Senor Santo Nino Fraternities. The Retreat is a great opportunity to see all our brothers and sisters, and to meet new ones. Please let's plan to attend!

More information will be sent out soon. Questions? Please contact your fraternity minister.

Fraternally, Delia E. Banchs OFS Formation Director Retreat & Liturgy Coordinator Oh… and about the friend, Lady Jacoba. Well, it St. Francis Fraternity, Dallas was not common for women to be allowed into the friaries. So Francis made an exception by calling September 3, 2015 . Jacoba his Brother Jacoba! Today, if you go to the tomb of St. Francis which is in the care of the Conventual Franciscan Friars in Assisi you will find Francis buried along with some of the earliest friars and dearest friends. Just before you leave that chapel there is one more tomb. You guessed it… Brother Jacoba. Franciscorp 2013

25th ANNUAL SECULAR FRANCISCAN RETREAT

“Following Jesus in the Footsteps of St. Francis” Retreat Master: Fr. John Anglin, OFM Diocese of Dallas Formation Center 901 Madison Dr., Dallas, Texas, (214) 943-6585

Friday, 10/30/15 6:00 pm through Sunday, 11/01/15 Noon Mail one registration form per person and $10.00 fee to: Delia Banchs, OFS, Retreat Coordinator, By Oct 23, 2015 402 Gina Drive, Harker Heights, TX 76548 (254) 338-9875 You may register on line at: [email protected]

For more information, you may call: Wil Banchs, ofs Gloria Sanchez, ofs 254 698-2086 214 337-6948 [email protected]

Registration and Payment in cash or check payable to St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity AT THE RETREAT CENTER or send with this form.

********** Deadline for Registration is October 23, 2015**********

Name: Phone# . Address: City/State: . Zip: Email address: . Fraternity: ______

Note: Registration Fee is $10.00 For Each Participant

Enter the # of Meals Friday Saturday Sunday Amount Due Breakfast $6.50 (per day) Lunch $7.50 (per day) Supper $9.25 (per day) Overnight $28.00 Shared (per night) Overnight $38.00 Single (per night)

Total Due

refuge. Like all of us at the beginning of the emergence 12 Weeks of Franciscan Peace of the true self, he fears his father’s anger, he draws inward and hides, and he prays for the wrong thing October 3 – December 25 because he does not as yet have the courage to become From: Carolyn D. Townes, OFS, Creator and Animator himself. He prays that the Lord will deliver him from Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation ______persecution and grant him the fulfillment of his desire. He does not know as yet that the fulfillment of his Week 1, October 3 - 9: The thought for this week is desire involves persecution. Prayer. Article 8 of the OFS Rule begins: “As Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and But because he perseveres, the Lord fills his soul with contemplation be the soul of all they are and do.” light, and he leaves the cave where he is hiding and faces the insults and blows of his persecutors. In Prayer is first and foremost in our lives as followers of overcoming his shame, he discovers his true self and is Jesus. Everything we do and say must be embodied in a unmoved by persecution. And he thanks God for spirit of prayer. Author Henri Nouwen wrote, “When everything, not just for what is pleasant, such as his we sit down to pray, we enter the presence of the God misguided desire to be delivered from persecution. In of peace who disarms our hearts, he said. We make our acting, in facing the consequences of his commitment peace with God, and God gives us the gift of peace.” to Christ, Francis learns to pray correctly. [From The Way of St. Francis by Murray Bodo, OFM] In the life of prayer, our wills and God’s grace act Psalm Fragment: together. When we pray, we must surrender to the will of God and not our own wills and wants. This can be “The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will difficult especially when we want our own way. Yet, receive my prayer.” ~ Psalm 6:9 we must remember that God wants what is best for us and His ways are greater than our ways. Only God can Reflection Question: see the big picture. Do you pray for your will alone or for your will to meet God’s grace? At the very beginning of Francis’ conversion, he is living with a poor at the chapel of San Damiano. This week: Pray that your will and God’s grace will His parents do not know where he is, so his father goes always meet – making you an instrument of the Lord’s around the city inquiring about his son. When he learns peace. where Francis is, he calls together his friends and neighbors and goes down to San Damiano. Prayer for the Week: The Peace Prayer

Francis is still new in the service of Christ; so when he Lord, make me a channel of your peace; hears about his pursuers and knows they are coming, he where there is hatred, I may bring love; hides from his father’s anger by creeping into a secret where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of cave which he has prepared as a hiding place. There he forgiveness; stays for a whole month. He eats food brought to him where there is discord, I may bring harmony; where there is error, I may bring truth; secretly and prays continually with tears that the Lord deliver him from persecution and grant him the where there is doubt, I may bring faith; where there is despair, I may bring hope; fulfillment of his desire to serve him alone. where there are shadows, I may bring light; where there is sadness, I may bring joy. He fasts and prays unceasingly, not trusting in his own strength but relying wholly on God; and God fills his Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be soul with unspeakable joy and a wonderful light until, glowing with an inner radiance, he leaves the cave, comforted; to understand, than to be understood; to ready to face his persecutors. Light of heart, he climbs love, than to be loved. the road to Assisi. When his friends and relatives spy him, they smother him with insults, calling him a fool For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by and a madman, and they hurl stones and mud at him. forgiving that But Francis, who has become God’s servant, pays them one is forgiven. no heed. Indifferent to their insults, he thanks God for It is by dying everything. that one awakens to eternal life. Initially, Francis hides from his father’s anger by Amen. creeping into a secret cave which he has prepared as a

Week 2, October 10 - 16: The thought for this week is Psalm Fragment: Empathy. It has been said, “People will forget “You will show me the path of life; what you said, people will forget what you did, but In Your presence is fullness of joy; people will never forget how you made them feel.” At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” ~ Psalm 16:11 Empathy is the ability to imagine oneself in anther's place and understand the other's feelings, desires, Reflection Question: When someone is in need, do you ideas, and actions; putting yourself in the shoes of the offer them your presence or your advice? other. Instead of empathy, we tend instead to have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain This week: Offer to be a minister of presence to our own position or feeling. Empathy, on the someone who is hurting or in need and seek first to other hand, requires focusing full attention on the other understand them. person’s message. We give to others the time and space they need to express themselves fully and to feel Prayer for the Week: “Lord, grant me the spirit of understood. patience to be present to someone who is hurting or in need. May I be Your presence to them. I pray in There was a time at the very beginning when Francis Jesus’ name. Amen.” and his brothers lived at a place near Assisi called Rivo Torto... Week 3, October 17 - 23: The thought for this week is At Rivo Torto they fasted and did penance with all the Active Listening. When we hear, we hear with just the enthusiasm and sometimes the imprudence of ears. When we listen, we listen with the whole body – novices in the life of the Spirit, as the following story ears, eyes, heart, posture, mind – open and shows. empty. One night, as they all lay sleeping soundly, a loud cry broke into their dreams: "I am dying! I am dying! Many people wrongly assume that listening is a passive Help me!" process of being silent while another person And the brothers, startled for their sleep, saw St. speaks. We may even believe that we are good Francis already at the side of the terrified brother. listeners, but what we are often doing is listening "What is it, brother? Tell me." selectively, making judgments about what is being said, And though he was now embarrassed, the brother and thinking of ways to end the conversation or overcame shame and said: "Forgive me, Father redirect the conversation in ways more pleasing to Francis; but I am dying of hunger." ourselves.

Then St. Francis immediately ordered the brothers to So when [Joseph and Mary] did not find Jesus, they light a torch and go out and gather some herbs returned to Jerusalem looking for him. Now so it and vegetables and whatever else they could find for all was that after three days they found him in the temple, of them to have a good, nourishing meal. He said sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to this so that the poor brother would not have to be them and asking them questions. And all who heard him humiliated by eating alone. were astonished at his understanding and And so all the brothers set themselves eagerly to the answers. [Luke 2:45-47] task of preparing a meal and then they all sat down with the hungry brother and ate a midnight supper. The work of active listening takes place up in your [From Tales of St. Francis by Murray Bodo, OFM] head; requiring a disciplined effort to silence all the internal conversation while attempting to listen to The key ingredient of empathy is presence: we are another human being. It requires a sacrifice, an wholly present with the other party and what they are extension of oneself, to block out the noise and truly experiencing. This quality of presence distinguishes enter another person’s world – even for a few empathy from either mental understanding or minutes. Active listening is attempting to see things as sympathy. the speaker sees them and attempting to feel things as the speaker feels them. This identification with the Francis was not just sympathetic, but he empathized speaker is referred to as empathy and requires a with the brother and gathered all the brothers so as great deal of effort. not to let this hungry brother be humiliated by eating alone. Our Lord Jesus was an active listener, just as his mother. It took great discipline to listen to the words of the angel Gabriel. Mary did not hear what she wanted to hear; she listened Compassion moves us from something to something to the words, asked a clarifying else: from empathy to action. Jesus was moved with question, then gave her fiat – her yes to God. You must compassion and he did something about it. Being a truly listen in order to properly respond. bearer of peace, it is not enough to be your brother’s or sister’s keeper; you are your brother and your sister. Psalm Fragment: They belong to you and you belong to them in the “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, Kingdom of God. That Israel would walk in My ways! ~ Psalm 81:13 Mother Teresa said, “If we have no peace, it is because Reflection Question: When was the last time you sat we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” down in quiet and listened to God speak to your heart? Psalm Fragment: “He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; This week: Be mindful about listening to the The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” conversations you are engaged in – without interrupting ~ Psalm 111:4 or distractions. Then, spend some quiet time actively listening to God in the Scriptures. Reflection Question: When was the last time you were moved with compassion? What did you do about Prayer for the Week: it? The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me This Week: Keep in mind that we belong to each other To preach the gospel to the poor; and let compassion guide your day. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives Prayer for the Week: “Most High and glorious God, And recovery of sight to the blind, lighten the darkness of my heart and give me sound To set at liberty those who are oppressed; faith, firm hope, and perfect love. Let me, Lord, have To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. the right feelings and knowledge, so that I can carry [Luke 4:18-19] out the task that you have given me in truth. Amen.” ~

Week 4, October 24 – 30: The thought for this week is St. Francis, after the Crucified Lord told him to Compassion. Author Robert Wright said, “In the repair the Church. beginning there was compassion.” Many thanks to Carolyn D. Townes, OFS (National JPIC Coordinator) for this beautiful 12 week devotion and certainly to our sister, Carol Leiser, OFS Compassion is the recognition of another person’s & Regional Formator for Los Tres Companeros for summiting it to our local suffering accompanied by the disposition to alleviate fraternity. Please follow future additions of Fraternity Reflections as we that suffering. Compassion is a type of feeling where continue______“12 Weeks of Peace”. you tend to feel for the person concerned. You strongly feel sorry for the state of a person without Join Us for the Transitus attempting to know what is there in his or her mind. Without even understanding the intensity of his or her The Transitus will be held at St Andrews in Fort Worth problem or predicament you simply feel sorry for a on Saturday October 3 at 7:00 PM. We will process in person; which is different from empathy. But with the Friars and participate in the service. They will compassion has a second component: to alleviate that contact us for volunteers as needed. Everyone is suffering. You witness the suffering of another, and welcome. Also, please call the church if you have your heart is moved to do something about it. You someone to include in the list of names of deceased move from empathy to compassion; from the feeling to from October, 2014 through the action. October, 2015. (817) 927-5383. “But when Jesus saw the multitudes, he was moved with Mass will be at 5:30 compassion for them, because they were weary PM. A special Franciscan and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” [Matt Liturgy will be used. You 9:36] may come for Mass and stay for Transitus. In “So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And addition, if you wish to immediately their eyes received sight, and they volunteer for Transitus, followed him.” [Matt 20:34] please be at the church at 6:30 PM.

September Franciscan Martyrs & Saints Formation October

We had an intimate 1. Bl. Nicolas de Forca, Priest, religious of the Third-Order September meeting as we Regular [living in community, under a Rule], d. 1449 discussed plans for a new apostolate, since our CFR 2. Bl. Antoine Chevrier, Priest, religious of the Third-Order brothers left the Ft. Worth Regular [living in community, under a Rule], d. 1879 area. We were given much 3. St. Therese of the Infant Jesus, Patron of ; St. Marie- food for thought and much Joseph Tossello, Virgin, Franciscan Third Order Secular, d. 1880 to pray over. May we be 4. Solemnity of our Seraphic Father St. Francis, d. 1226, Plenary guided by your Spirit, Lord, Indulgence for tertiaries and cordbearers ______to know your Holy Will. 5. Commemoration of the establishment of the 3 Orders 6. St. Marie-Francoise des Cinq Plaies, Virgin, Franciscan OFS 7. Feast of the Holy Rosary 8. St. Brigitte de Suede, Virgin, Franciscan OFS, d. 1373 God’sGod’s SpecialSpecial PeoplPeoplee 9. Bl. Marie-Angele Truszkowska, Virgin, religious of the TOR [living in community, under a Rule], d. 1899 For the month of September 10. St. Francois Borgia, Priest, had been a tertiary before founding or joining another religious Institute, d. 1572; and St. Daniel and A Very Companions, Religious of the Franciscan 1st Order, Martyrs, d. 1227 11. Feast of the Divine Maternity of Our Lady Warren Falgout 10/08 12. St. Seraphine de Montegranaro, lay brother, Capuchin Carol Lieser 10/15 religious, d. 1604 Kartika Refi 10/16 13. Bl. Pacifique de Valence, lay brother, Capuchin religious, martyr 1936 For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my 14. St. Jean de Dukla, Priest, religious of the Franciscan 1st Order, mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. martyr 1936 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret 15. Bl. Sebastien de Jesus, lay brother, religious of the Franciscan place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your 1st Order, d. 1734 eye saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were 16. Bl. Anicet de Dbrzno, Priest, Capuchin religious, martyr, 1941 written in your book before one of them came to be. 17. Bl. Balthazar de Chiavari, Priest, religious of the Franciscan ______Psalm 139: 13-16 1st Order, d. 1490

18. Bl. Jacques de Strepa, Bishop, religious of the Franciscan 1st Profession Anniversaries Order, d. 1409 19. St. Pierre de Alcantara, Priest, religious of the Franciscan 1st Order, d. 1512 20. Bl. Contardo Ferrini, Confessor, Franciscan OFS, d. 1902 21. Bl. Martyrs of Polonais, d. 1941-42 22. Bl. Jean-Baptiste Bullaker, Priest, religious of the Franciscan Diane Klein 10/22/82 1st Order, martyr 1642 ______23. St. Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop, had been a tertiary before founding or joining another religious Institute, d. 1870 For those of you reading this addition of Fraternity Reflections on our webpage or through Facebook, and feel called to the Franciscan way, 24. Bl. Josephine Leroux, Virgin, the Franciscan 2nd-Order; a please contact us and we’ll be glad to direct you in the best possible way "Poor Clare" sister, martyr 1794 we can, rather it be in the Order of Secular Franciscans or in a Franciscan 25. Bl. Maria Veronica Masia Ferragut, Bl. Maria Felicidad Masia Religious Vocation. We’d also like to invite each one reading, that live in Ferragut, and Bl. Jesus Masia Ferragut, Virgins, Capuchin and around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan area to come visit us on religious, Martyrs 1936 rd the 3 Friday of each month between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, at Most 26. Bl. Martyrs of the War of Spain, 1936-37 Blessed Sacrament , 2100 North Davis, in Arlington, TX. 27. Bl. Bonaventure de Potenza, Priest, Conventual religious, d. You’ll find us in the Adult Education Room. Please Note: In discerning a 1711 life with us, you must be a member of the Catholic Church in good 28. Bl. Anne-Eugenie Picco, Virgin, had been a tertiary before standing and in a spirit of unity. We look forward to meeting you! founding or joining another religious Institute, d. 1921 29. Bl. Thomas de Florence, lay brother, religious of the Franciscan 1st Order, d. 1447 30. Bl. Ange d’Acre, Priest, Capuchin religious, d. 1739 31. Bl. Christophe de Cahors, Priest, religious of the Franciscan 1st Order, d. 1272 .