On Thursday, January 18th, the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants (CNSA) gave a workshop for 12 local and regional spiritual assistants and formation directors from St. Francis, St. Junipero Serra and St. Thomas More regions at Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

The day’s theme was “Intentional Choices:  The Life and Ministry of the Spiritual Assistant“.  Each of the CNSA Friars gave a talk, and invited the participants to share their own experiences. We had a lovely lunch together, and ended the day with a Mass, celebrated by Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv., and concelebrated by Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR, who was the homilist, Fr. Jerome Wolbert, OFM, and Fr. John DeLaRiva, OFM Cap. Br. Kip Kedger, OFM Cap., St. Francis Regional Spiritual Assistant, led us in song accompanied by his guitar. Br. Bob Brady, OFM, former National Spiritual Assistant, and current local spiritual assistant in St. Junipero Serra Region, was also in attendance.

The CNSA holds two or three in person multi-day meetings a year in different parts of the country, and offers a workshop to local Secular Fransciscans when possible.