La Pobrecita - Lady Poverty Region

La Pobrecita
OF
N EWSLETTER OF L ADY P OVERTY R EGION #68
THE O RDO F RANCISCANUS S ECULARIS (OFS/SFO)
E STABLISHED O CTOBER 23, 1994
M INISTER ’ S R EFLECTION : “O N S ISTER D EATH
AND THE
T RANSITUS
V OLUME 18, ISSUE 4
O CTOBER 1, 2015
E ILEEN MANTZ , OFS
EDITOR
OF
S T . F RANCIS ”
As I pondered my choices of topics for this issue of La Pobrecita there were several that came to mind. I thought of writing about
the awesome program given by Scott Hahn that I attended a couple of weeks ago, but I realized that I could never do it justice.
And I had pretty much decided not to write again about Sister Death, as I have done the past couple of years at this time. But then,
she suddenly came again – this time for my Dad, coincidentally, on the 2nd anniversary of my husband’s passing. September 21
suddenly took on a new significance for me and my family.
However, I do not want to dwell so much on the aspect of the ending of a life, but more on the celebration of passing from a temporal life of passing joys and sorrows – to a seraphic life of eternal peace and perfect joy. All life is a cycle, as we pass from birth
through the spring of new growth, into summer’s ripening maturity, then a splash of brilliance as we, and all living things, come
into the colors of our peak autumn years – and finally we rest in the silence of winter, as the embrace of Sister Death carries us
home. So it is fitting that the Transitus of the life of St. Francis occurred in the autumn of the year – October 3, 1226. Francis,
knowing that he had accomplished his mission on earth, and, one might say, having already one foot into the next life, happily took
that final step into the light of eternity.
Soon we will celebrate our annual commemoration of this event. Thus, I wanted to share with you the text of a “suggested homily” on the Transitus offered by Sister Anne Amati, OSF of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. A suggested format for celebrating the Transitus and Sister Anne’s reflection can be found at the Sisters’ website: http://www.osfphila.org/prayers/
service_transitus .
As we gather this evening to “remember” the death of St. Francis, to whom might we address that same question? “What do
you miss the most?” Might Clare respond: “I miss the deep conversations we had because our hearts were so in tune,” and then
laugh at the remembrance of the time she and Francis shared a meal and were so wrapped in God that the townsfolk thought
the area was on fire and came rushing down with pails of water to put out the flames?
“What do you miss the most?” Perhaps Masseo would say: “I miss Francis’ humble gestures of love,” and then recall the story of
Francis waiting for him to bring back word from Clare and Sylvester as to how he should spend his days, in contemplation or
in activity. Masseo would remember that, rather than rushing at him for an answer, Francis greeted him, washed his feet tenderly, cooked him a meal, and only then knelt down before Masseo to hear God ’s will for him.
“What do you miss the most?” What would Francis’ father say? How would his mother respond? What about Lady Jacopa?
There is a line from the fairy tale The Tinker King which states: “Everything dies a little when something dies a lot.” Francis’
passing from this world constituted a particularly brilliant reflection of God’s beauty no longer physically present to us. What
a loss!
And in our loss … people like ourselves around the planet gather tonight … to ask the question one more time. “What
do we miss the most?” and “What does our world miss the most?”
As we sit here tonight, “memories” come back that find us “dying a little” all over again because Francis died “a lot.” We encounter our own fears and yearnings as we stand before the darkness and the shadow of death in Iraq and North Korea and
Iran.
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C ONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Filling our news and our very beings, we listen with heavy hearts to the death toll in Philadelphia city streets alone. We
mourn in solidarity with Iraqi and Afghan and Palestinian and Israeli mothers who have all “died a little” because their children have been terrorized and have “died a lot.”
But, in the face of this evil, we remember Francis who encountered the Sultan peacefully, who reconciled opposing factions in Assisi, who lifted hearts with his greeting of “Good Morning, Good People,” who envisioned a world of no enemies where everyone was sister and brother and who stripped himself of everything to make this happen more easily, who
allowed his suffering to transform him into a most faithful mirror of Christ, and who could even face death singing—and,
all of a sudden, WE HAVE HOPE.
We realize that our God is, indeed, not only a God of day but also a God who holds us during the darkness and that Francis’ imitation of the foot-washing Christ is just the antidote we and our world need in response to the oppression and brokenness that surround us.
As we ponder “What do we miss the most?” we are challenged by our own responsibility to “fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.” (1 Colossians 24) Through the intercession of St. Francis and through the legacy that he has passed down
to us, what we miss the most God’s Spirit has given us the power to supply!
“I have done what is mine to do,” Francis would remind us tonight, “may Christ teach
you what is yours to do.” (2C, 214)
Sister Anne asks in her reflection, “What do we miss the most?” It is a good question
to ponder as we recall the memories of our departed loved ones. Along with my
husband and other family members and friends who have left this life, I miss Dad
very much – but I have my memories to comfort me. All my life, he was my
rock. I could always depend on Dad, no matter what. And others could, too. His
life was an example of service. And of course, there were only two ways of doing
things – the “wrong” way or “his” way – which was always the “right” way. His 92
years on this earth were spent in doing things right – or not at all. But as happens
with many of us as we age, his health had declined over the last several years, and I am glad that he is now at peace and resting
comfortably as God holds him close in His arms. And I am proud to recall and to celebrate the life of this man – as we recall
and celebrate the life of our Seraphic Father, Francis of Assisi. – Pat, OFS
I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my
prayer for all of you. (Phil. 1: 3-4)
V OLUME 18,
ISSUE
4
P AGE 3
J USTICE P EACE AND I NTEGRITY OF C REATION
BY
C AROL D UBEANSKY , OFS
We have had this reading several times in the past few weeks. Mark 8:27-29 “Who do people say that I am? They said in reply, John
the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets. And he asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter said to him in
reply, you are the Christ.” Mark 8:34-35 “He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, 'Whoever wishes to come
after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his
life for my sake, and that of the gospel will save it.' “
Jesus asks each one of us, “Who do You say that I am?”
Here in America we have had “Religious Liberty” and have not had to make many big and bold choices. On his trip to
America for the World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis spoke about how imperative Religious Liberty is. It is something that we
have taken for granted. When we look at parts of the Middle East and Africa where people have been killed simply for being a Christian, we are shocked and may say how thankful we are that we live in America and believe that it could never happen here. Hopefully
that is true, but out Religious Liberties are being challenged. As Catholics and many other Christians, we believe what God has revealed to us in sacred scripture and through our Church. One of these teachings is that “marriage” is only between one man and one
woman. We have had Christian florists, photographers, bakers, and event center owners who have no problem serving anyone for
most activities. The problems arise when they are asked to participate in a “same sex marriage” ceremony and their Christian conscience says they cannot be part of something that is totally against their beliefs. These people have been fined, made to take classes
that tell them they must accept the idea to participate in these ceremonies or if not, some have actually lost their businesses.
A county clerk in Kentucky was elected in a state that had passed a law that marriage was only between one man and one
woman. She actually petitioned the Governor of Kentucky before the Supreme Court came down with their ruling to make an accommodation to remove her signature from the marriage licenses. The Governor did not make the change, so when the ruling came
down, she stopped issuing any marriage licenses, because of her Christian faith, she could not condone her signature on a “same sex
marriage” license. She actually went to jail rather than go against her faith. What would we do if we were challenged?
Rule #10 of the OFS says: “They United themselves to the redemptive obedience of Jesus, who placed his will into the
Father's hands, let them faithfully fulfill the duties proper to their various circumstances of life. Let them also follow the poor and
crucified Christ, witness to him even in difficulties and persecutions.
“Who do You say that I am?”
E LECTION M ARY , Q UEEN OF F RANCISCANS
Please congratulate the new
council of Mary, Queen of
Franciscans Fraternity in Herman, PA:
Minister: Jack Bowman,
OFS; Vice-Minister: Bill Malloy, OFS; Secretary: Phyllis
G. Svannah, OFS; Treasur-
er: R. James (Jim) Toogood,
OFS; Formation Director: Roseann Skal, OFS.
The election was conducted
on August 5 by Rob Bullman,
OFS, Regional Councilor and
witnessed by Fr. Gary
Stakem, OFS, Cap.
Patty Coyle served as the
Secretary of Election.
Many thanks to those who
participated in this event and blessings to all!
Peace and all good!
Pat
P ROFESSION S T . F RANCIS OF A SSISI , L AWRENCEVILLE , PA
Congratulations and Welcome to Karen
Kropf, who was professed into the Saint
Francis of Assisi fraternity in Lawrenceville,
PA on September 20, 2015.
Pictured here with her fraternity members:
Front row: Cathy Montileone, Formation
Director Alverna Lober, Addie Davis.
Back row: Spiritual Assistant Fr Bernie Tickerhof, Minister Frank Chirico, Karen Kropf,
Vice Minister Barb Zirngibl, Mike Santi.
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C ANTICLES OF THE S ON : T RANSITUS , E LECTION , AND M ORE
FRANCISCAN TRANSITUS: Sunday, October 4, 2015,
1:30 PM at All Saints Catholic
Church, 11264 Route 97, Waterford, PA. Transitus celebration, honoring the passing of St
Francis from earthly life to eternal life, will be conducted by
two local fraternities of the Secular Franciscan Order, St Peter's
fraternity, and Canticles of the
Son fraternity. Info:746-6783.
Please congratulate the newly
-elected Council of the Canticles of the Son Fraternity:
Minister - Mary Nelson, OFS;
Vice-Minister - Nancy
Mattson, OFS; Secretary -
Candy Henry, OFS; Treasurer - Pat Jaworski, OFS; Formation Director - Mary Lou
Kreider, OFS.
Rob Bullman, Regional
Councilor, conducted the
election on September
13. Fr. Leonard Cornelius,
OFM and Sr. Rose Kuzma,
OSF served as the ecclesial
witnesses. Mary Stewart
served as secretary, and was
also welcomed as a candidate
into the fraternity on that
date.
Thanks and congratulations to
all!
Pat
Mary Nelson, OFS and Mary
Lou Kreider, OFS with Fr.
Daniel Horan, OFM at Mercyhurst University on September 24, after the annual
Mass celebrating the Day of
Mercy. (top right)
Pat Trimble participates in
Justice for Immigrants vigil in
Erie August 7, 2015.
(bottom right)
The Benedictines for Peace
have been conducting a silent
vigil on the first Friday of
every month for the past year
on a street corner in down-
town Erie. They plan to continue their efforts until a fair
immigration law is passed.
Fr. Daniel Horan, OFM
Pat Trimble, OFS
C LUSTER OF G OODNESS P ICNIC
On July 19th members of
Holy Spirit Fraternity and
Holy Cross Fraternities came
together for fun and prayer at
Pymatuning State Park. Families and friends enjoyed the
day eating, playing and swimming.
Thank you Holy Spirit from
Holy Cross.
H OLY C ROSS H APPENINGS
Stronach, OFS in Mandy,
Transitus of St. Clare was
celebrated on August 18 at St. NY. Mary is an American
Mary of Grace in Meadville. National Councilor in the
Order. The total money received was $754.61, from all
9 churches in Crawford
County as well as the Regional Chapter and Cluster of
Goodness Picnic. Thank you
St. Clare of Assisi Flower
to all who purchased tickets.
Garden Quilt Raffle drawing
We went on a fraternal rewas held on September 15
and the lucky winner is Mary treat on Sept. 11-12 to St.
er Permanent Profession on
Oct 27 at St. Mary of Grace,
Meadville. Our two newest
members will be Jack Best of
St. Brigid Parish and Cheryl
Some of us participated in the Garnet of Our Lady Queen of
Meadville Area Catholic
the Americas. Please share
Community Office of Evange- our joy at 6:30 PM on Oct.
lization and Faith Formation
27.
table at the Annual Ignite
Festival on the same weekend
as our retreat.
Thomas More House of Prayer. Wayne Hepler, founder,
gave us a lesson on the Liturgy of the Hours.
We will be celebrating anoth-
V OLUME 18,
ISSUE
4
P AGE 5
HOW WE JOURNEY IS HOW WE ARRIVE --
F ATHER C HRISTOPHER , T.O.R
A Challenge and Our Task.
Gospel conversion, rooted in Christ, is a change of values and behavior. St Francis’ former life, a “life of
sin” as he described it, was replaced by a life of penance. Francis left the world and began to build a social system
different from the one he left behind. Thus began a penitential movement, rooted in the Gospel, and strongly affected by a concern for each person, especially the poor and the outcast. These “penitents from Assisi” left
behind established social values for the sake of a deeper relationship with God and to attend to the human needs
they encountered.
Francis appears as a lay penitent who valued penance, charity, humility, service, prayer and fasting. In his Letter to the Faithful, together with his Later Exhortation, Francis provides our Order a foundational document with a description of doing penance in
one’s life as a Secular Franciscan. It acknowledges the life of God in the soul that leads one to new ways of choosing and
acting that are the worthy fruits of penance.
Today, in the fifty year old spirit of the Second Vatican Council’s document, Lumen Gentium, Pope Francis makes two points
speaking about the mystery of the Church: a Church that is poor and a Church that is sent into the world, to care for
those grievously wounded. The theme of mercy is never far away. In a compelling insight, St Bonaventure wrote that he saw in
St Francis’ life an “excess of divine mercy.”
Pope Francis speaks of a missionary spirituality in his apostolic exhortation “Joy of the Gospel.” The primary reason for
evangelization is the love of Jesus Christ which we have received and encountered, and which has affected us, changing us at
a deeper level. We bring to others compassion, hospitality, generosity, in loving service that the body of Adam may become the
body of Christ.
In his homily at Mass in Cuba on the Feast of the Apostle Matthew, Pope Francis invited us “to gaze upon the Lord in prayer, in
the Eucharist, in Confession, in our brothers and sisters, especially those who feel excluded or abandoned. May we learn to see them as Jesus sees us.
Let us share His tenderness and mercy with the sick, prisoners, the elderly, and families in difficulty. Again and again, we are called to learn from
Jesus, who always sees what is most authentic in every person, which is the image of the Father.”
And in his homily at Mass in Havana’s Revolution Square, he said “all of us are called by virtue of our Christian vocation to that
service which truly serves, and to help one another not to be tempted by a “service” which is really “self-serving.” All of us are asked, indeed urged, by
Jesus to care for one another out of love. This caring for others…means putting our brothers and sisters at the center. Service looks to their faces, in
some cases, “suffers,” in trying to help. Service is never ideological, for we do not serve ideas, we serve people.”
There within lies our task. Let the living out of our Rule animate our witness to living out the Gospel’s spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Let the Church’s rich treasure of social teaching help us to build a just society and to live lives of holiness
amidst the challenges of modern society.
THE VALUE OF THE FAMILY
The family is the first human society, whose value for the life of every person, for society and for the Church is expressed in this vision of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “The family is the ‘sanctuary of life’ and vital cell of society and the
Church. It is in it that shapes the face of a people; it is here that its members acquire basic teachings. They learn to love inasmuch
as they are unconditionally loved, they learn respect for each other’s person as they are respected, they learn to know the face of
God inasmuch as they receive a first revelation of a father and a mother full of attention. Whenever these fundamental experiences
are lacking, it is society as a whole that suffers violence and becomes in turn the progenitor of more violence.” It is certain that
“the future of humanity passes through the family” (Pope St John Paul II).
CONGRATULATIONS Father Christopher!
We have received word that Father Christopher, one of Lady Poverty Regions three Spiritual Assistants, has
been appointed as a member of the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants (CNSA) to represent his Province at the national level. He assists Secular Franciscans on the local and regional levels. Be assured of our prayers and support!
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S UMMER SEMINAR ON S ERVANT L EADERSHIP
Excerpt of the TAU article by Denise McCarthy, OFS, Patricia Serotkin, OFS,
and Jan Parker, OFS
The 7th Summer Seminar for Secular Franciscans was held
July 9-12, 2015 at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA.
Founded in 1847 by the TOR Franciscans, Saint Francis
University is nestled in the scenic Allegheny Mountains of
central western Pennsylvania. More than sixty participants from thirteen regions, and friars representing the
OFM Cap, TOR and OFM Conventual congregations
were in attendance. The seminar comprised eight sessions
presented by Fr. Michael Higgins, TOR, and Mary Frances
Charsky, OFS. Although the schedule was packed with
learning sessions, there was plenty of time for Franciscan
socializing and exploring the beautiful campus, as well as
the nearby Franciscan Mission Store and Mt. Assisi Gardens. The University’s Franciscan hospitality was apparent
in the friendly and cheerful atmosphere created by the
wonderful cafeteria workers who made delicious meals,
the DiSepio conference center and technical support staff,
and the courteous residence life staff, who doubled as the
shuttle drivers who assisted the brothers and sisters who
could not walk the campus.
St. Francis did not write specifically about leadership, but
there are many references to his ideals on leadership as
reflected in the Rule, letters and Admonitions such as:
1) Be a servant (Admonitions IV, Late Rule II, IV)
2) Recognize and care of the needs of community members (Adm. XVIII, Early Rule VI, IX, LR II, VI)
3) Be present to members by visiting them ( ER IV)
4) Encourage, and when necessary, correct (ER IV, LR
VII, X)
5) Extend forgiveness to members who have behaved
badly (Adm. VIII, Ltr. to Minister)
6) Do not be attached to your office, it is not perpetual
7) Take proper care of new members (ER II, LR II)
8) Discern the right choice to make for special missions
(ER XVI, XVII, LR XII)
9) Persevere in serving others, even in great difficulty
(teaching on perfect joy, Ltr. to Minister)
St. Clare’s life in her community was that of a servant
leader. She literally washed the feet of the sisters, after
they came back to the convent from walking the streets
and begging for food. She lived to meet the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of her community. Clare
conveyed the Franciscan Spirit as a way of life to her
household, and we are encouraged by her example to do
the same for our fraternities.
Pope Francis is a Pope who is not only thinking, but doing
things outside the box! As taken from the book Pope Francis:
Why He Leads the Way He Leads.: Lowney, 2013, Loyola
Press. Fr. Higgins highlighted the leadership style of Pope
Francis:
1) Live fully - be who you are
2) Wash feet - authentic power is service
3) Dusty shoes -immerse yourself in the worlds joys and sufferings.
4) Kneeling alone - commit to a regimen of reflection in order
to survive
5) Build on stones - live in the present, reverence tradition
6) Create the future -take up the challenge of leading through
change
7) Don’t be afraid of the journey
Little flowers from the seminar:

You have two ears and one mouth. That is why you should
listen twice as much as you talk!

Be creative in formation-know the learning styles of members - listening, seeing or touching, not everyone learns the
same.

If you do a poor job of serving, you will do a poor job of
leading.

Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the
right thing.

When counseling another, put it in your own perspective:
“When you talk like this, it makes me feel ___________.”

The Chapter of 1221: 5,000 Franciscans attended. How
did the order grow so fast? There was no recruiter, no
vocation director, no internet… JOYFULNESS attracts!

If you are joyful, why don’t you tell your face about it?

Why do you come to Chapter? To share your vocation, be
strengthened, and be sent out as an apostle.

When dealing with a difficult person, don’t wish they were
different, deal with reality, love the person you are dealing
with and treat them with mercy.

See the problem not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity.
As many new friendships were formed, and old friendships renewed, many a parting word was: “See you at the Q”.
V OLUME 18,
ISSUE
4
P AGE 7
P ICTURES FROM THE S UMMER S EMINAR
LPR Council: Denise, Mary, Michael, and Pat
Participants Group Photo
Real-life sisters Mary Lou
Brown, OFS and Vickie
Snyder, OFS, listen with
rapt attention to the
speakers.
Fr. Michael Higgins,
OFM, taught, enlightened, and challenged
us.
St. Francis in front of
Immaculate Conception Chapel
T HE 2016 “Q”
Save the dates!!
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
peace to your hearts! The
work on the "Q" is well underway and lots of exciting
plans are in the making. Our
XIX Quinquennial will be
held June 30 - July 4, 2016 at
the Renaissance Airport Hotel
in St. Louis., MO. Please
mark these dates on your calendar for what is sure to be
an exciting time for the family
of Secular Franciscans. Come
get reacquainted with old
friends and go home knowing
several new ones! Many interesting and informative
conferences are being
planned.
More information as well as
the registration form will be
available in the next few
weeks. Stay tuned!
Please share this e-mail with
all the folks in your Region so
they can 'save the dates', too.
Blessings,
Kate Kleinert, OFS
Make me a channel of your
peace.
St. Francis of Assisi
Mary Frances Charsky,
OFS, is the personification of the words
“Franciscan Joy!”
L A P OBRECITA
P AGE 8
Call for Nominations for Regional Elective Offices
“I have not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28)
“To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ….but it is the one and the same
Spirit who produces all these gifts, distributing them to each as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12: 7,11)
Regional Elections are scheduled for our next Annual Chapter on June 4, 2016! Is the Holy Spirit calling you, or calling
someone in your fraternity? Nominations are open for the nine elected positions of the Regional Executive Council:
minister, vice-minister, treasurer, secretary, formation director, and a councilor from each of our four clusters. The
term is for three years, from June 2016 to June 2019.
Our Rule, Chapter 3, Article 21 states: “…each fraternity is animated and guided by a council and minister who are elected by
the professed, according to the constitutions. Their service, which lasts for a definite period, is marked by a ready and willing spirit and
is a duty of responsibility to each member and to the community.”
Article 11 of our Constitution states “Mindful that the Holy Spirit is the source of their vocation and the animator of fraternal life
and mission, Secular Franciscans should seek to imitate the faithfulness of Francis to his inspiration. They should listen to the exhortation of the Saint to desire above all things ‘the Spirit of God at work within them.’”
The Regional Executive Council meets four times a year to serve and promote the life and health of the local fraternities, and to carry out decisions of the ministers from each Annual Chapter. Local fraternity visitations and elections are
assigned and reviewed to ensure that each of our 25 fraternities is up-to-date. There is also time for prayer, on-going
formation, and social time, just like your local fraternity!
The basic “job description” of each council position is listed below, and can also be found on our website, http://
www.ladypovertyregion.org under the link “Regional Guidelines.” For more information, read Chapter III of our General Constitutions, Articles 28–33 and Articles 61–64, outlining the duties and responsibilities of the regional council.
In addition, each of your current officers would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about their
position. Contact information is on our website under “staff” in the “About” link along the top bar.
Regional Executive Council has appointed Vickie Snyder, OFS (St. Clare Fraternity) as chair of the Nominating Committee. The members of the committee, representing the four clusters are: Mary Lou Krieder, OFS, Canticles of the
Son Fraternity (Cluster of Goodness); Terri Schumacher, OFS, St. Alphonsus Fraternity (Cluster of Compassion); Maryanne Sheofsky, St. Clare Fraternity (Cluster of Perfect Joy); and, Mary Ann Waag, OFS, Stigmata Fraternity (Cluster
of Love). They ask for your prayers and support for their work on behalf of the Region.
Please use the Nominations Form found in this newsletter to send Vickie your nominations for each of
the nine Regional Executive Council positions.
V OLUME 18,
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All that is needed, is a Franciscan heart willing to serve!
From Lady Poverty Regional Guidelines
Section III: The Regional Executive Council
5. The role of the Regional Executive Council is:
a) To be of service to the Regional Secular Franciscan Membership.
b) To carry out the decisions of the Regional Fraternity Council;
c) To make fraternal and pastoral visits to local fraternities as required every three (3) years, and according to the provisions of general and particular law;
d) To review and strongly recommend initial and ongoing formation in local fraternities;
e) To foster contact with other branches of the Franciscan family within the Region;
f) To represent Secular Franciscans with other church or civil organizations, and to promote mutual relationships with
other such organizations when appropriate;
g) To be a voice in the public forum for Secular Franciscans;
h) To preside over and witness elections of local fraternities.
Section IV: The Regional Officers
1. The Regional Minister is the chief executive officer of the Regional Fraternity.
a) The Regional Minister shall carry out the duties of his/her office as determined by the provisions of general and particular law.
b) In addition to the duties prescribed by norms of the Secular Franciscan Order, the Regional Minister shall preside at
the meetings of the Regional Executive Council. The Regional Minister is the spokesperson for the Regional Fraternity in
all contacts with other church and civil organizations as well as with the general public.
2. In addition to the duties assigned by general and particular law, the Regional Vice Minister performs such duties as the Regional Council may designate.
3. The Regional Secretary distributes and keeps all records of the minutes of both the Regional Executive Council and Regional Council; preserves the important documents and correspondence of the Regional Fraternity; assists the Regional Minister in sending out announcements of forthcoming meetings of the Regional Executive Council and the Regional Council;
and performs such other duties as the Regional Executive Council requests.
4. The Regional Treasurer keeps accounts of all money and has the oversight of the property of the Regional Fraternity, unless otherwise determined by the Regional Executive Council.
a) The treasurer deposits all funds of the Regional Fraternity in such bank accounts as the Regional Council designates.
All accounts of the Regional Fraternity are to be in the name of the Regional Fraternity, and have three (3) members of
the Regional Executive Council as signers on the accounts.
b) The Regional Treasurer pays out money, by check only, as the business of the Regional Fraternity may require, on the
order of the Regional Executive Council. All expenditures over $250 require approval of the Regional Executive Council.
c) The Regional Treasurer will submit an annual budget to both the Regional Executive Council and the Regional Council for their review and approval at the annual meeting.
d) The Regional Treasurer shall make Financial Reports for acceptance at each regular meeting of the Regional Executive
Council and Regional Council.
e) An audit shall be conducted once a year by an independent professional accountant or two Professed Members selected by the Regional Executive Council who do not currently serve on the Executive Council.
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From Lady Poverty Regional Guidelines
Continued
5. The Formation Director (FD) provides assistance to local fraternities and their formators with respect to initial and on-going
formation programs, resources and policies of both the Regional Fraternity and NAFRA. The FD will also provide training
support as needed or requested by the ministers of the local fraternities within the region. Lastly, the FD will carry out the
specific duties prescribed by the Regional Minister and Council.
6. The Councilors provide information, assistance and support for the local fraternities in the specific areas designated by the
Regional Executive Council. In addition, they carry out their specific roles in support of the Regional Council and its activities. (for example, conducting visitations and elections for local fraternities in their cluster, as delegated by the Regional Minister.)
From General Constitutions
A RTICLE 62
1) The regional council is constituted according to the provisions of the national statutes and of its own regional statutes. At
the heart of the regional council there can be set up an executive council (or board) whose duties are determined by those
same statutes.
2) The regional council has the following duties:
a) to prepare the celebration of the elective chapter;
b) to promote, animate, and co-ordinate the life and activities of the SFO and its insertion into the local Church within the
regional area;
c) to detail the action plan of the SFO within the region according to the directives of the national council and in collaboration with it and to publicize that program to the local fraternities;
d) to communicate the directives of the national council and of the local Church to the local fraternities;
e) to provide for the formation of those responsible for animation;
f) to offer to local fraternities activities which support their formative and operative needs;
g) to discuss and approve the annual report to the national council;
h) to schedule, when circumstances recommend so, the fraternal visit to the local fraternities, even if it is not requested;
i) to make decisions regarding the use of available funds and, in general, to deliberate on matters regarding the financial management and the economic affairs of the regional fraternity;
j) to have, before its term of office is finished, the regional fraternity’s financial and real estate situation audited either by an
expert who is not a member of the council or by the fraternity’s board of examiners;
k) to perform such other duties as are indicated by the Constitutions or necessary to achieve its own aims.
A RTICLE 63
1) While firmly preserving the co-responsibility of the council for the animation and guidance of the regional fraternity, it is the
duty of the minister, who has the primary responsibility, to see that the directions and decisions of the council are put into
practice. He or she will keep the council informed concerning his or her activities.
2) In addition, the regional minister has the duty:
a) to convoke and preside at the meetings of the regional council; to convoke every three years the elective chapter of the
fraternity after having listened to the council on the formalities of the convocation;
b) to preside at and to confirm the elections of the local fraternities either in person or through a delegated member of the
regional council, with the exception of the spiritual assistant;
c) to make fraternal visits to the local fraternities, personally or through a delegate who is a member of the council;
d) to participate in the meetings called by the national council;
e) to represent the fraternity whenever it has acquired a juridical personality in the civil order;
f) to prepare the annual report to the national council;
g) to request the pastoral and fraternal visits with the consent of the council, at least once every three years.
V OLUME 18,
ISSUE
4
P AGE 11
Visit us on the Web at
HTTP :// WWW . LADYPOVERTYREGION . ORG
Regional Executive Council
Minister: Patricia Serotkin
Vice Minister: Mary Nelson
Secretary: Denise McCarthy
Treasurer: Michael Cresanta
Formation Director: Dawn Roper
Lady Poverty Region #68
Secular Franciscan Order
Mission Statement
The Lady Poverty Region of the Secular Franciscan Order,
Inspired by the Holy Spirit and our Rule,
Is called, as our Seraphic Father Francis was, to rebuild the Church.
We seek to encounter the living and active person of Christ
Through apostolic activity in fraternity and in the world,
Going from Gospel to Life and Life to the Gospel.
Vision Statement
Our Little Portion: Rebuilding the World, One Person at a Time
Servant Leadership:
We demonstrate vibrant leadership through humble service at the regional and local fraternity levels.
Apostolic Service:
Our fraternities are engaged in evangelical and apostolic efforts for justice,
peacemaking and care of creation.
Lots of Good Information Here
EWTN
Www.nunsgiftshop.com
Www.ewtn.com
H AIL S T . F RANCIS
Hail St. Francis, our father and patron,
Seraph Saint of love divine.
Bless thy children in prayer assembled, true
and trusting at thy Shrine.
Teach us, O Francis, like thee to surrender.
All to our savior with hearts pure
and tender.
Father dear, thy love to share, Seraph of
love, O hear our prayer.
Hail St. Francis, our father and patron,
saint of calv’ry glorified
Lead thy children in tearful repentance,
unto Christ who for us died.
Teach us, O Francis, in life’s bitter trial.
Like thee to glory in pain and denial.
Father dear, our cross to bear, knight of the
cross, O hear our prayer.
Fraternal Life:
United by our profession, we are called to build a more Christ-centered world
through prayer, ongoing formation, and commitment to the Gospel life.
Franciscan Identity:
We live a life of simplicity, charity, and reconciliation, conforming our thoughts and actions
to those of Christ by means of daily conversion.
Approved 6/20/2015