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State of the Order Spring 2022, National Minister, Jan Parker, OFS

A little over a year ago, my daughter and I stopped at the “Little Church”, one of my favorite places of prayer. We prayed together before heading to the hospital for my surgery that day. It’s been quite a year since then, with many months of chemo. ... I reflect on all this because I am far from alone in having had to face trials this past year. As I prepared for this talk, it occurred to me that the State of our Order depends to a great deal on the state of each of us. We have all been through a lot. Health issues, isolation, job losses, and drastic changes in our lives, not to mention natural disasters, political divides, and social unrest. ... This pandemic has affected each of us, and it has affected our Order as well. ... So, what do we do when fears and worries surround us? We continue to pray. And we listen for God’s voice. [...]

Carolyn Seal2024-06-06T18:45:05-04:00June 27th, 2022|Categories: From the Newsletter, Minister’s Message|0 Comments

From Roswell to Rome for a Fraternity Gathering

In November 2021, I had the opportunity to travel from Roswell, N.M., to Rome, Italy, for a fraternity gathering. Well, it wasn’t just any fraternity meeting, it was the gathering of the International Fraternity Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS). All Secular Franciscans (OFS) are members of the International Fraternity. [...]

Carolyn Seal2022-06-17T11:18:32-04:00June 20th, 2022|Categories: From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Eucharistic Revival Starts on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 19

A National Eucharistic Revival intended to nurture devotion to the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist begins on June 19, 2022, the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi.

Sharon Winzeler2022-06-19T14:50:10-04:00June 19th, 2022|Categories: Announcements, Formation, Prayer and Spirituality, The OFS Rule|2 Comments

A Message From Pope Francis

On November 11, 2021, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the participants in the General Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order, to whom he addressed the following words: [...]

Carolyn Seal2022-06-08T12:03:10-04:00June 13th, 2022|Categories: From the Newsletter|2 Comments

Did You Know – Franciscan Saints, Blesseds & Holy Days

Sources for Franciscan Saints, Blesseds & Holy Days can be found under "PRAY WITH US" [...]

Carolyn Seal2022-06-08T17:25:25-04:00June 11th, 2022|Categories: Did You Know|0 Comments

Minister General Requests OFS Participation in Synod

In a recent letter, Minister General Tibor Kauser, requests both individual Secular Franciscans and fraternities to participate in the Synod on Synodality, asking for our “precious contributions.” The National Fraternity agrees that this historic event needs our active participation.

Sharon Winzeler2022-06-11T08:57:38-04:00June 8th, 2022|Categories: Announcements, Synod|0 Comments

New Vice Minister General Is From USA – Highlights of General Chapter

Tibor Kauser, OFS, of Hungary has been re-elected minister general of the Secular Franciscan Order. This is his second six-year term. Mary T. Stronach, OFS, of the United States of America is the new vice minister general. Tibor and Mary lead the “little fraternity” of the Presidency of the International Council of the OFS (CIOFS). They were elected during the Order’s General Chapter in Rome, Italy, held Nov. 13-20, 2021.

Carolyn Seal2022-06-03T12:01:14-04:00June 6th, 2022|Categories: From the Newsletter|1 Comment

Minister General Tibor Kauser Calls on Franciscans to Honor the Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and Always

"Let us ask for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit focusing now on fraternal life, on our vocation, and on our identity." Tibor Kauser, CIOFS Minister General

Sharon Winzeler2022-06-11T09:01:40-04:00June 4th, 2022|Categories: CIOFS, Prayer and Spirituality|1 Comment

Friars Challenge, Help Bring Prayer Alive at Chapter – Highlights of National Chapter

The Conference of National Spiritual Assistants enlivened the National Chapter by focusing on being part of an order, on prayer and contemplation, and on the Liturgy of the Hours. As an Order, Respect Different Opinions “It’s important that we recognize that we are committed to an order, and we should try to be in harmony with the church... and with each other,” Fr. Jerome Wolbert, OFM, said. But, sometimes, he said, it’s difficult. Sometimes, even across the church, there may be disagreement. [...]

Carolyn Seal2022-09-30T08:06:39-04:00May 30th, 2022|Categories: From the Newsletter, National Chapter|0 Comments

A Visioning for Formation: As in St. Francis’ Time, Spirit of Age Ultimately Doesn’t Satisfy

Setting the stage for a weekend of formation visioning, Fr. David Pivonka, TOR, provided a dose of reality. “The world has profoundly changed in the last 25 years,” said the host of EWTN’s Wild Goose series. “Young people have no safe place. There is a sense of danger infiltrating every part of us.” He said that there are things that want to corrupt, to manipulate the spirit of faith.

Jim Thomas2022-09-30T08:07:16-04:00May 23rd, 2022|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter|0 Comments