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Formation Commission – The Light of the World: We Are Called to See It and Be It

The creation story begins with the goodness of light. Light was God’s first gift to each of us. The birth of Jesus was announced to us with the light of a star. We read of light in many stories in scripture, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. ... Light symbolizes the many wonderful characteristics of God. Light is also a symbol for awareness, knowledge, goodness, and understanding. We are each called by name (Isaiah 43:1) into the light and to shine the light from God into the world. We are called to be witnesses (Isaiah 43:10) to the world. ...

Carolyn Seal2022-09-20T13:36:44-04:00September 26th, 2022|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

JPIC – When Violence is the Way, We Must Choose and Show Another Way

In those days when a person’s word meant something, there was also more conversation, less debate, and more dialogue. Debate is more about winning and making the other person wrong than about having a healthy dialogue and sharing ideas. Where have those days gone? Why do I need to make you wrong rather than just understand your point of view? When we make others wrong, we do violence to them. We also do ourselves a disservice, because we lose out on the opportunity to learn from them, and thus to grow. ...

Carolyn Seal2022-09-13T14:14:15-04:00September 19th, 2022|Categories: From the Newsletter, JPIC|0 Comments

Inclusivity strengthens fraternal bonds, models Franciscan love

Maybe the celebration of "Hispanic Heritage Month" can help all of us think a bit more about inclusivity --- and ask ourselves are we doing enough in our fraternities to be inclusive? How can we bridge that language gap? How can we be more inclusive?

Sharon Winzeler2023-03-12T16:19:02-04:00September 15th, 2022|Categories: Minister’s Message|1 Comment

Our Freedom, our choice, is to live as Christ lived

Fourth of July is a civil celebration, but for us Franciscans—indeed for all Christians—any commemoration is infused with a sense of God’s presence. While many of the Founding Fathers of our nation did not believe in the kind of God we believe in as Catholic Christians, several were Christian, and others acknowledged some kind of godly presence worthy of giving direction to our lives and our common project of national government. But what kind of freedom do we celebrate? ...

Carolyn Seal2022-09-07T14:06:01-04:00September 12th, 2022|Categories: CNSA, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Fraternity Life – Fraternity: Our Secular Franciscan Witness

What could be the best contribution we, as Secular Franciscans, can make to the life of the Catholic Church? ... Here’s what Pope St. John Paul II had to say in 2002: “The Church expects from you, Secular Franciscans, a courageous and consistent testimony of Christian and Franciscan life, leaning towards the construction of a more fraternal and gospel world for the realization of the Kingdom of God. ….

Carolyn Seal2022-09-13T14:23:19-04:00September 5th, 2022|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter|2 Comments

Season of Creation Opens with Celebrations, Prayers, Activities

The Season of Creation is a period that brings together the entire Christian community worldwide to pray and take action for the care of the environment. It begins on September 1st with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and ends on October 4th with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Check out this resources to help you observe the season.

Sharon Winzeler2024-06-06T18:33:38-04:00August 29th, 2022|Categories: Ecumenical Interfaith Committee, JPIC, New Resource|0 Comments

Secular Franciscan Order – USA Website

Website News and Did You Know… - How to use the slides on www.secularfranciscansusa.com ... - Franciscan Saints, Blesseds, & Holy Days ...

Carolyn Seal2022-09-30T08:01:56-04:00August 29th, 2022|Categories: Did You Know, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Lay Leadership Webinar Scheduled

Franciscans are invited to join a dialogue featuring Synodaility and Lay Leadership sponsored by the USCCB on Thursday, Aug. 25. . . .

Sharon Winzeler2022-08-23T20:40:58-04:00August 23rd, 2022|Categories: Announcements, Synod|3 Comments

Sharing the Vision – News From REC

The appointments for National Commissions Chairs or Committees Chairs or individual positions typically are made until one year after a scheduled NEC election. The appointment terms are set in such a manner, so a new council won’t have to appoint new commission or committee chairs immediately after being elected. ...

Carolyn Seal2022-08-16T14:51:54-04:00August 22nd, 2022|Categories: From the Newsletter, News from the NEC|1 Comment

Franciscan Jubilee – Minister’s Message Summer 2022

I will never forget my 50th birthday. My daughter, aware of the significance of this 50-year mark, made a sign that she hung on my mailbox. It simply said, “It’s Jan’s Jubilee!” I still have that sign. It now hangs on a wall in my garage as an important reminder to always turn to God, where I find joy and peace beyond all I could ask or imagine. It was not my idea that the theme of the 2022 Quinquennial Congress would be “Jubilee,” but when Br. Bob Brady, OFM, suggested it, I was thrilled. ...

Carolyn Seal2022-08-15T08:48:57-04:00August 15th, 2022|Categories: From the Newsletter, Minister’s Message|2 Comments