Pater Noster Fraternity Queen of Peace Region Newsletter – February 2021 St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church

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 Emeritus: Sr. Mary Ann Schmieding, ​ OSF

SA: Sr. Kathleen Kluthe, OSF (not in Council Officers as of April 2018 – Please ​ ​ pray for us as we pray for you. picture) Councilor: Cecilia Padilla, OFS - resigned ​ Minister: Luis Antonio Alvarez, OFS ​ Vice Minister: Joseph Norman, OFS ​ Treasurer: Linda Mertz, OFS ​ Councilor: Kent Riesberg, OFS ​ Formation Director: Andrea Walther, OFS ​ David Garrett, OFS (not in picture) Secretary: William Whipple, OFS ​

Saint of the Month Blessed Louise Albertoni

Franciscan Third Order Secular ​

Feast Day: 27 February ​

Birth: 1473, Rome, Italy ​ ​ ​ ​

Death: 31 January 1533 (aged 60), Rome, ​ ​ Italy All images from WikiCommons can be used freely provided the ​ ​ source is noted. Description:The Blessed Ludovica Albertoni Beatified: 28 January 1671 from Pope ​ ​ ​ Date: 1671 - 1674 Clement X Gian Lorenzo (or Gianlorenzo) Bernini Author: ​ ​ ​ ​ Marble statue​ ​

Louise first saw the light of the world at But even in the married state, in which she Rome in 1474. Her parents belonged to the remained attached to her husband with distinguished families of this city because of genuine love, she sought above all things to their wealth, but still more because of their please God. Her attire was very plain, and piety. They bestowed great care upon the even away from home she avoided frivolous training of their daughter, and she responded pomp and luxury. God blessed their union fully to their efforts, so that she developed with three daughters, whom she was careful into a model for all young women. She had to rear above all in the love and fear of God. resolved to remain unmarried; but when her parents urged her to be betrothed to an When Blessed Louise Albertoni was but illustrious young man, she believed she thirty-three years old, she lost her husband in recognized the will of God in their desire and death. After her daughters were provided agreed to the marriage. for, Louise thought of nothing but to dedicate herself to the service of God.

Blessed Louise Albertoni (continued) ​ ​ Publicly she took the habit of the Third Her body rests in the church of St Francis on Order, practiced the severest penances, and the Tiber, and her feast is celebrated in Rome was so irresistibly drawn to the with great solemnity. Pope Clement X contemplation of the sufferings of Our Lord beatified Blessed Louise Albertoni in 1671. and they were so constantly before her mind, that she continually wept, and it was feared that she would lose her sight. from: The Franciscan Book Of Saints, ed. by She bore a special love toward the poor as Marion Habig, OFM special members of Christ. She used the abundant income of her fortune entirely for their support. But she strove to conceal her Additional Reading liberality. With this intention she often hid Roman Catholic Saints pieces of money in the bread that was given Wikipedia to the poor at her door, and then begged Patron of: Religious Ecstasy & Miracle Almighty God that He would let it fall to the ​ lot of such as needed it most. Her Workers benevolence knew no bounds. Sometimes she lacked even the necessaries for herself. But then she rejoiced to be like Christ, who, being rich, became poor out of love for men. God repaid her with extraordinary graces. He granted her the gift of miracles and frequent ecstasy. He also told her beforehand of the day of her death. When her end drew nigh, she received the last sacraments with great devotion. Then looking at the crucifix with the tenderest pity, she kissed it and said: “Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” Thereupon she breathed forth her soul on the day that had been announced to her, which was January 31, 1533.

The Admonitions of St Francis of Assisi Admonition 6: Face trials as Christ did – Call The first sentence sets the basis for the rest of ​ to True Imitation, not Just Talk. the reflection. Francis in the last sentence reminds us how easy it is to want praise for Observe, all my brothers, the good shepherd, talking glowingly about the Saints instead of who in order to save his sheep has undergone trying to duplicate their accomplishments. the passion of the cross. Q1. Instead of wanting praise by talking ​ ​ The sheep of the Lord have followed him in glowingly about the Saints, what are we tribulation, and in persecution, disgrace and supposed to be doing? hunger, in weakness and in temptation and in Q2. How does Francis see it that we may only similar things. ​ ​ talk about our faith, but not live it. So the great disgrace for us servants of God is Q3. What trials did Christ accept to save us? that by retelling the activities of the holy ones ​ ​

we ourselves want to receive glory and Q4. Is there a necessary price to pay for honor. ​ discipleship?

Prayer Requests and Praise Reports

● Lord, send more vocations to ● Healing and cleansing of Holy Mother the OFS and other Franciscan Church Orders ● May the Lord Jesus Christ extend his ● For our lapsed members to sacred and healing arm and vanquish return to full participation in our this dreadful decease, and all other Gatherings maladies from our loved ones, friends ● For healing to all who are and world suffering with effects of cancer in its many forms

Calendar Of Events Annual/Special Meetings Monthly Meetings: will be via Zoom until ​ MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! further notice - times remain the same.

Monthly Gathering - 3rd Sunday ​ New 2021 calendar is available. Exceptions: (Please, confirm BEFORE attending.) ​ ​ ● *Jun - Gathering is on the 4th Sunday, due to ​ ​ ​ Father’s Day is on the 3rd Sunday

Potluck Deferred until we meet in person ​

On-Going Formation at 1:00 PM ​ ​ ​

Council Meeting - 2nd Wednesday of the ​ month 7:00 PM via Zoom (Except in ​ ​ ​ March/December when the Lenten/Advent Retreats are held) Council Meeting will be moved to the 1st Wednesday of the month starting in April 2021

Franciscan Crown Rosary - Wednesdays at ​ 7:00 via Zoom except the 2nd Wednesday. Contact Dave Garrett for Zoom links.

On-Going Formation ● “Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from Saint Francis” by Murray Bodo OFM - Chapter 2: “The Paradox of ​ ​ Evangelical Poverty”

● The closing is from the Liturgy of the Hours.

Initial Formation - The Franciscan Journey: ● January 2021 - “A Rebuilding Task” ​ Chapter 14 of Franciscan Journey - via Zoom