Regional Roundup – In this issue, five of the 30 regions are highlighted.

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2025  Issue #114)

St. Thomas More Region

The Region of St. Thomas More covers all of Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada, and includes 11 active fraternities. The region’s name was chosen after proposals were requested from OFS members. A short list was created and sent to the fraternities for their vote. Thomas More was the favorite and became the name of the region in 1994.

A few years after Arizona became a state in 1912, Secular Provinces banded together to form the North American Federation, which sponsored its first Quinquennial in 1921. When invitations went out to disband the Provincial Councils and form new Regional Councils, St. Thomas More Region, which had begun groundwork ten years earlier, was ready with skilled leaders and an inspiring patron. While it took nine months for the Document of Establishment to travel from Rome and across the U.S. gathering the necessary signatures along the way, the transformation from Provincial to Regional Fraternity was completed in a single year.

St. Thomas More Region has the honor of sending the first woman to serve on the National Directive Board (the precursor of NAFRA). Clyda Markham, OFS, lived all her life in Phoenix and served for almost two years on the National Board before being dismissed for being “the wrong gender.” She returned to Arizona to serve on both fraternity and provincial councils. She had many friends from the days when Arizona was a new state and was asked to write an article about the role of Franciscan friars in the exploration and development of Arizona Territory. Many historical sites have names given by friars, and Secular Franciscan values are woven into Arizona lifestyles. Clyda’s story, published around 1939, was entered into the Congressional Record and can be obtained online from the Library of Congress.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Region

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Region covers Eastern, Central and Western New York State, and Erie, Pennsylvania, and includes 18 fraternities. The name was chosen because New York State is known for the Native American tribes that were living there. There is still one active reservation – The Seneca Nation of Indians reservation – in   Cattaraugus County.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha was a Mohawk Indian born near Auriesville, NY. She developed smallpox at the age of four, which left her with a scarred face and very low vision. The translation of the Native American word “Tekakwitha” is “she who bumps into things.” Kateri is a form of Catherine, and she was given this name when she converted to Christianity. She was educated by the Jesuit missionaries and is the patron saint of traditional ecology, Indigenous Peoples, and care for creation. She was not a Secular Franciscan. . . but members like to think she would have been if she had the chance.

There are several other saints that lived in the state of New York including St. Marianne Cope, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and St. John Neumann. Blessed Solanus Casey also resided and served in New York State for 20 years.

Troubadours of Peace

The states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska are all part of the Troubadours of Peace Region. It includes 13 fraternities, two newly forming groups, and one satellite group.

In 2024 they had a regional retreat which was both live-streamed and recorded. One of our National Spiritual Assistants, Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR, gave the presentations. The topic is “The Stigmata of St. Francis.” There are five sessions of varying lengths which are available on the region’s website. To view the presentations, go to secularfranciscanspacificnorthwest.com; “Stigmata Retreat.”

St. Joan of Arc Region

Mississippi, Louisiana, the southern part of Arkansas and the eastern part of Texas make up the St. Joan of Arc Region, which includes 15 fraternities.

The region’s name was chosen because St. Joan of Arc fought for Orleans, France, and the United States purchased the Louisiana Purchase from France with New Orleans having the first fraternity in the region.

They are a hospitable group that meets as a region four times a year with two on Zoom and two in person. They represent the diversity of five continents. They also have an annual regional retreat where they bond more with one another.

St. Junipero Serra Region

St. Junipero Serra – Apostle of California

St. Junipero Serra Region consists of Northern California from the Oregon border at the north to Bakersfield in the south, and one fraternity in Reno, Nevada. They have 25 established fraternities and two emerging groups.

The name for the region was chosen because St. Junipero Serra is the patron saint of California. He founded many of the California missions for the Franciscans.

Within the region there are seven National Parks, a large number of State Parks, and many County Parks in various counties. California spans four climate zones including coastal, inland valley, mountain and dessert.

The region is culturally diverse with four Hispanic fraternities, two Korean fraternities, and one Chinese fraternity, which is the only one in the nation.