Pater Noster Fraternity Queen of Peace Region Newsletter – October 2020 St. Stephen the Martyr

Gonderinger Parish Center 16701 S St., Omaha, NE 68135

Vision: Mission: “The Pater Noster Secular Franciscan “The mission of Pater Noster Fraternity is Fraternity exists to bring Christ’s love, to proclaim, and witness to the Gospel of mercy, compassion and forgiveness to a our Lord Jesus Christ. Inspired by the world in need of God.” example of St. Francis and St. Clare, we strive to humbly serve all people, especially the poor and forgotten. We Come and share with us our Vision and celebrate joyfully the gift of life in all Mission to Omaha and beyond! creation and recognize God’s living presence in the world.”

Previous newsletters may be found on the Queen of Peace Regional Fraternity

Left to right: SA: Sr. Mary Ann Schmieding, OSF Council Officers as of April 2018 – Please ​ ​ Councilor: Cecilia Padilla, OFS - resigned pray for us as we pray for you. ​ Richard Beal, OFS-(not in picture) appointed to complete term Minister: Luis Antonio Alvarez, OFS ​ Vice Minister: Joseph Norman, OFS ​ Treasurer: Linda Mertz, OFS ​ Councilor: Kent Riesberg, OFS ​ Formation Director: Andrea Walther, OFS ​ Secretary: William Whipple, OFS ​

Saint of the Month Blessed Contardo Ferrini

Third Order of Saint Francis

Feast Day: 20 October ​

Birth: April 5, 1859 in , ​ ​ ​

Death: October 17, 1902 Suna, , Italy ​ ​ ​

Venerated: 1931 by Pope Pius XI ​

All images from Wikipedia can be used freely provided the ​ ​ Beatified: 1947 by Pope Pius XII source is noted. ​

Description: Contardo Ferrini. Patron Saint: Universities and Professors ​ ​ Date: 22 January 2006 Author: Unknown ​

The city of Milan has abounded in men of In the capital of the German empire learning and virtue. Our present age has prejudices against Catholics did not keep revealed a new star there, which is destined Professor Ferrini from publicly professing his to show an amazed modern generation that faith. On returning to Italy, he taught in profound learning and humble faith can well various higher institutions of learning and go hand in hand. eventually at the . Blessed Contardo Ferrini was born of a It must be stressed here that Ferrini's life was distinguished family on April 4, 1859. When practically an unbroken elevation of his soul he was still a student in high school and to God. His keen intellectual ways penetrated college he encouraged his companions to to the Last Principle of all things. lead good lives and exercised a kind of lay apostolate among them. After winning his "Our life," he said, "must reach out towards doctorate in law, he obtained a government the Infinite, and from that source we must scholarship to study abroad. He went to draw whatever we can expect of merit and , where he studied Roman-Byzantine dignity." law, a field in which he achieved international fame.

Blessed Cortardo Ferrini (continued) ​ ​ Every day he approached the Holy Table. He The high esteem in which the deceased was made a short meditation daily, and also read held now became evident. Letters of from Thomas a Kempis. His favorite books condolence from the professors of the were those of the Bible. The better to savor university praised him as a saint. The people the spirit of their contents, he read them in of Suna promptly expressed a desire to see the original languages, of which he had a him numbered among the saints. The perfect command. demand for his grew more insistent with time, and there was universal Like another Joseph of Egypt, he preserved rejoicing when in 1909 Pope St. Pius X his purity unsullied amid the dangers of big appointed Cardinal Ferrari to begin the city life. He practiced many and varied process. mortifications to arm himself against harm. Pope Pius XI conferred on Blessed Contardo In 1886 Blessed Contardo Ferrini joined the Ferrini the title Venerable in 1931; and Pope Third Order of St Francis, and for the rest of Pius XII beatified him in 1947. his life he faithfully observed its rule. He also enrolled himself in the St, Vincent de Paul from: The Franciscan Book Of Saints, ed. by Society. In his speeches and writings as well Marion Habig, OFM as in his conduct, he made it a point to show that faith and science are not only not opposed to each other, but that faith is Blessed Contardo Ferrini quote: rather a shield to protect us from error and ​ guide us to true heights. "Our life must reach out towards the Infinite, In 1900 Contardo Ferrini was afflicted with a and from that source we must draw heart lesion in consequence of excessive whatever we can expect of merit and labor. In the autumn of 1902, feeling the dignity." need of rest, he repaired to his country house at Suna. There, however, he was Roman Catholic Saints stricken with typhus. Due to his weakened Secular Franciscans USA condition, he was unable to resist the Youtube Video malignant fever, and died on October 17, 1902, at the age of 43. Blessed Contardo Ferrini, pray for us! ​

The Admonitions of St Francis of Assisi Admonition 2 – The evil of one’s own will. The Lord said to Adam: Eat from every tree,

but do not eat from the tree of good and evil.

So he could eat from every tree of paradise, and as long as he had not sinned by going against obedience. However he eats from the tree of knowledge of the good, who appropriates his own will to himself and prides himself with the good, which the Lord tells him and carries out in him. And so, through the suggestion of the devil and the transgression of the command he partook of the fruit of the knowledge of evil. Accordingly, it took place that he sustained the penalty.

Q1. Is poverty only about material things? ​

Q2. Was that a fair test for Adam (and with ​ its serious consequences)?

Q3. Adam was clearly given free choice, in ​ the surroundings of so many blessings in the garden – How did Adam handle it?

Q4. Have I ever looked upon my “free will” as ​ “property”, as Francis presents it here? Explain. Is Francis giving his friars a useful image for their lives?

Q5. Are there consequences for ​ disobedience?

Prayer Requests and Praise Reports

● Lord, send more vocations to the ● For Cecilia Padilla, OFS facing OFS and other Franciscan Orders “unforeseen circumstances” ● For the health of Patricia and ● For the children in our nation who William Whipple, OFS strayed from the practice of their ● Richard and Maria Kim-Beal, OFS Faith. ● Charlotte Jones, OFS ● For the return of lapsed Secular ● Joe and Wilma Kosch, OFS; Franciscans to full participation. ● Dave and MaryLou Garret ● For unity in our land and world ● Healing and cleansing of Holy during these turbulent times Mother Church ● For all those who lost their jobs or ● Healing for those suffering the seeking a job effects of Cancer especially ● For law enforcement officers Andrea’s mother Mary ● For the Youth Emergency Services ● For health care workers, especially (YES) apostolate during this time of pandemic

Calendar Of Events Annual/Special Meetings Monthly Meetings MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Monthly Gathering - 3rd Sunday ​ Exceptions: (Please confirm before attending.) ​ ​ ● *Jun - Gathering is on the 4th Sunday, due to ​ ​ ​ Father’s Day is on the 3rd Sunday ● Aug - First gathering back in person at Saint ​ ​ Stephen the Martyr ● Sep - Rite of Admission for Paul Reinhart ● Oct - Due to spike in COVID meeting via Zoom ​

Initial Formation TBD based on availability ​

Potluck Deferred until we meet in person ​

On-Going Formation at 1:30 PM ​

Council Meeting - 2nd Wednesday of the ​ month 7:00 via Zoom (Except in ​ April/December when the Lenten/Advent

Retreat will be held)

On-Going Formation - FRANCIS of ASSISI and the FUTURE of FAITH Chapter 13 - What does Rome Have to do with ASSISI? - First section pages 198 to 212

● The closing is from the Ritual for the following months: Feb., May, Aug, Nov. ● For Mar., June, Sep., and Dec. from the Liturgy of the Hours. ● For Jan, April, July, Oct. from the Liturgy of the Twelve Our Fathers - please bring your Secular Franciscan Companion ​

Initial Formation - The Franciscan Journey: ● October 2020 Chapter 10