carolynseal_jr65

As much as I enjoy being with brothers and sisters from our Franciscan family, serving as the National Minister is quite a bit of work. Sure, I “get to” travel to fulfill my responsibilities. Often that means time building relationships with brothers and sisters, learning the blessings and challenges encountered in each area and praying together as part of daily Mass and morning/evening prayer. Following the fun part comes meetings and then time developing a report to document the findings.

Bishop Ruggieri, who was previously a pastor in Providence, Rhode Island, was ordained a bishop on May 7, 2024, soon after being professed into our Order on April 13, 2024. He has been assigned to the Diocese of Portland which encompasses all of Maine.

In this issue, five of the 30 regions are highlighted. ... ALSO “The Tenth National Eucharistic Congress is an invitation to experience profound personal revival so that we can be sent out to share Christ’s Love with the world that so desperately needs it.” The OFS-USA has been diligently working over the past year to present our Secular Franciscan branch of the Family to the attendees at this monumental event. - Booth #312

A good friend shared this experience-and it’s one to be shared - not only because it’s a true story but because of its uplifting and reaffirming message. To protect identity, I’ll refer to my friend as a female although you need to understand “she” could be anyone. My good friend was going through a “dark” time. ...

There is basic information found in our national database. For example, if you look up June Carpenter, you’ll see that she is a member of Rosa Mystica Fraternity in South Woodbury, CT, which is within the Bl. Solanus Casey Region and was established in 1992. Her listing includes her contact information, and her profession date. But there is a lot more to know about June, for she has accomplished a lot in her almost 92 years. ...

... We love, because he first loved us (Jn :19). In fact, God wants to lavishly expend His love upon us. God wants to live within us as we live in love with Him: God is love and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him (1Jn4:16). The love between the persons of the blessed Trinity is to be our model in this love. As St. Francis said, Praise Him and bless Him, thank and adore Him, the Lord Almighty, in Trinity and Unity. (ER XXI: 2). ...