Latest News and Featured Articles

What Way are You Going?

Abraham Lincoln had it right. We should not claim God’s blessing and endorsement for national policies and practices. We should not proclaim that God is on our side. Rather, said Lincoln, we should pray whether we are on God’s side. Martin Luther King Jr reminded us of God’s purposes for peace, for justice, for the building of the “beloved community,” where everyone is welcomed, everyone is included, and no one felt left out of the conversation. By the working of the Holy Spirit in human hearts, unity is forged in diversity. ...

Carolyn Seal2024-01-25T15:00:29-05:00January 29th, 2024|Categories: CNSA, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens

On May 3rd, 2020, Fr. Christopher Panagoplos recorded his first Sunday homily to be shared with the Secular Franciscan Order. Since then, faithfully, he has prepared and delivered a homily each week, reflecting on the scriptures from a Franciscan perspective. As we approach the beginning of a fourth year of these treasures, Fr. Christopher shares in his most recent homily for Sunday, January 28th, 2024, the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, some insights about how our following in the footsteps of our Seraphic Father, Francis, we are following in the footsteps of Christ himself.

Miriam Kennedy2024-01-27T15:06:46-05:00January 27th, 2024|Categories: CNSA, Homilies|0 Comments

CNSA Workshop – Intentional Choices: The Life and Ministry of a Spiritual Assistant

On Thursday, January 18th, the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants (CNSA) gave a workshop for 12 local and regional spiritual assistants and formation directors from St. Francis, St. Junipero Serra and St. Thomas More regions at Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Miriam Kennedy2024-01-24T17:19:48-05:00January 24th, 2024|Categories: CNSA, Spiritual Assistance|0 Comments

2023 Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Award

Our JPIC award recipient for 2023 is Steve Wasko, OFS. Steve is a member of St. Bonaventure Fraternity, in the Divine Mercy region. He is founder and executive director of the St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center, which is a faith based non-profit in Detroit. What follows is a brief interview with Steve: ...

Carolyn Seal2024-01-17T14:08:12-05:00January 22nd, 2024|Categories: From the Newsletter, JPIC|1 Comment

JPIC – A Change in Leadership

Joe Makley, OFS, is the new national animator for Justice and Peace and the Integrity of Creation. He replaces Carolyn Townes, OFS, who was appointed to the position in 2013 by the late Tom Bello, OFS. Bello asked Townes to work on educating Secular Franciscans on JPIC issues. The National Executive Council paid tribute to Caroline (Carolyn) for her 10-year term with a retrospective slide show featuring her work on the JPIC commission. ...

Carolyn Seal2024-01-12T14:10:40-05:00January 15th, 2024|Categories: From the Newsletter, JPIC|2 Comments

Epiphany of Jesus Among Us

“How will you respond to someone new that comes into your path? How will you present Jesus in your heart to them?”

Sharon Winzeler2024-01-12T08:52:33-05:00January 10th, 2024|Categories: Voices of Gospel Living|Tags: Cherryle Fruge|1 Comment

Franciscan Centenary Celebration Activity

Vickie Klick, OFS, chair of the Centenary Task Force, led an activity focusing on the four-year Franciscan Centenary Celebration. Chapter attendees had an opportunity to participate in an exercise focusing on the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order. The attendees worked in pairs to discuss questions focusing on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The goal of the activity was for the participants to better understand how living the Rule, builds relationships between sisters and brothers. ...

Carolyn Seal2024-01-03T20:13:59-05:00January 8th, 2024|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Opening ceremony for the anniversary of the Stigmata of St. Francis is Friday

The solemn opening ceremony of the 800th anniversary celebration of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi will be broadcast online Friday, Jan. 5.

Sharon Winzeler2024-01-02T20:35:46-05:00January 2nd, 2024|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026|1 Comment

Chapter Day Away

National Chapter attendees celebrated the feast of our patron, St. Louis IX, King of France, at a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis at its 2023 Chapter on the feast day of St. Louis, Aug. 25. Fr. Tom Nairn, OFM, provincial of Sacred Heart province, was the celebrant. ...

Carolyn Seal2023-12-28T15:31:05-05:00January 1st, 2024|Categories: Chapter News, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Christmas at Greccio (1223)

This year, the Franciscan Family continues to observe a series of eight-centenary commemorations. In 2023, we are reflecting on two important events that occurred 800 years ago: the Approval of the Later Rule and the reenactment of Christmas at Greccio. Not far from Rieti, in the northernmost part of the eponymous valley, is the hill town of Greccio. Home to just about 100 residents, the village is famed for an event that took place in 1223. Within a grotto nestled within a cliff, here, St. Francis of Assisi reenacted the first nativity scene. ...

Carolyn Seal2023-12-21T18:08:43-05:00December 25th, 2023|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026, From the Newsletter|1 Comment