By National Executive Committee Members

At the last National Executive Council meeting, minister Jane De-Rose Bamman asked members to share either their favorite article of the Rule, scripture quote or story about St. Francis.  This is a compilation of their sacred thoughts.

President-in-turn Conference of National Spiritual Assistants Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv.

 -“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Minister Jane De-Rose Bamman

– “Go into the whole world and tell the Good News.”  Mark 16:15

Vice minister Diane Menditto

– But how happy and blessed are those who love God and do as the Lord Himself says in the Gospel: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. (Mt 22:37; Mt 22:39) (St. Francis of Assisi FA:ED, vol. 1, 46 Later Admonition and Exhortation) and The story of St. Francis kissing the leper with the emphasis not only on how it changed Francis, but on how the leper felt and was changed.

Secretary Susan Ronan

–“Praise the Lord for His loving kindness will never fail.” Psalm 136:1

Treasurer Claudia Kauzlarich

– “Be still and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

YouFra Commission Chair Kathleen Molaro

– We are called to be “messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance,” and to “strive to bring joy and hope to others.” OFS Rule: Article 19

Councilor Cherryle Fruge

– “Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they shall seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others. Since they are immersed in the resurrection of Christ, which gives true meaning to Sister Death, let them serenely tend toward the ultimate encounter with the Father.” OFS Rule: Article 19

International Councilor Mary Frances Charsky

– “The Greatest Commandment: Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22: 37-29 from Matthew 22: 34 to 40

Formation Director Layna Maher

 -“Let them, individually and collectively, be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and their courageous initiatives.”  OFS Rule: Article 14 and “He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’” Matthew 25:45

Councilor Donna Hollis

– Parable of the Good Samaritan

JPIC Commission Chair Joe Makley

– “Come now, let’s put things right.”  Isaiah 1:16-17

Councilor Josh Molidor

–”Ready and willing Spirit for the community.” OFS Rule: Article 21

May God bless us all on our journeys to apply the Gospel each day of our lives.