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And after the Lord gave me some brothers

For St. Francis, living “according to the pattern of the Holy Gospel” was physical and sacramental. One of its signal characteristics would be its communal nature. Modeled on the example of Jesus and the apostles, it would be a community of brothers who would “give themselves to honest work,” living a life of poverty in the world “as pilgrims and strangers.” In this and the other ways in which the Franciscan movement would take shape—St. Clare’s cloistered Poor Ladies or the secular Brothers and Sisters of Penance—the paradigm of Franciscan life would be fraternity.

Carolyn Seal2024-05-15T13:49:49-04:00May 20th, 2024|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – Pentecost Sunday – Fr. Christopher

. Today, Pentecost Sunday, Easter’s 50th day, we pray for a fresh stirring of the gifts of the Spirit so that we can fulfill our mission to witness Jesus to others in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Miriam Kennedy2024-05-17T09:24:31-04:00May 18th, 2024|Categories: CNSA, Homilies|0 Comments

Taking Action for Renewal

Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation is meant to be more than a list of topics. It is a model to show how our life in the Rule brings about conversion, and how our actions are its fruit. We practice contemplative prayer, we reflect on our Gospel call, experience conversion, and apply it to this age and place. In our work, in our family life, in the parish and in our fraternities, we are a people of renewal.

Carolyn Seal2024-05-08T13:56:15-04:00May 13th, 2024|Categories: From the Newsletter, JPIC|0 Comments

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 7th Sunday of Easter – Fr. Christopher

Jesus consecrates us in truth, in God’s word, and His own word to us. We bring His Name and His Word to places where the great drama of life is played out. A new way of encounter, with the possibility of life-giving hope, for the sanctification of a wounded humanity.

Miriam Kennedy2024-05-12T09:32:27-04:00May 12th, 2024|Categories: CNSA, Homilies|0 Comments

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – Ascension Thursday – Fr. Christopher

Brothers and sisters, “what are you waiting for, there’s work to do.” There’s a world waiting to be made whole and holy.

Miriam Kennedy2024-05-09T09:30:18-04:00May 9th, 2024|Categories: CNSA, Homilies|0 Comments

Joy Comes With The Morning

We are often sad to lose the old, but we must never despair, for our Lord may prune, but he does so only to help his branch yield more fruit (Jn 15:2). In the area of ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, for example, we leave our old isolation, lose our false sense of security, and we enter a new path of discovery; we gain new friends and new wisdom. It doesn’t always happen in that order, but “joy comes with the morning!” (Ps 30:5).

Carolyn Seal2024-06-06T18:33:36-04:00May 6th, 2024|Categories: Ecumenical Interfaith Committee, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 6th Sunday in Easter – Fr. Christopher

Jesus stands before the Father for our sake where our new existence is rooted and grounded. The love by which we live should be the disposition and the strength in our relationships with all people, and with all creation.

Miriam Kennedy2024-04-27T10:01:48-04:00May 4th, 2024|Categories: CNSA, Homilies|0 Comments

Fraternity is more than local

As I write this, I am on my way home from Rome after attending a meeting of the CIOFS International Formation Secretariat. Working with my brothers and sisters has been such a positive and uplifting experience that I began to think about why this would be so.

Jim Thomas2024-05-02T10:50:22-04:00April 30th, 2024|Categories: Voices of Gospel Living|Tags: Diane Menditto|0 Comments

Fraternidad es mas que local

Mientras escribo esto, estoy de vuelta a los Estados Unidos desde Roma después de asistir a una reunión del Secretariado de Formación Internacional de la CIOFS. Trabajar con mis hermanos y hermanas ha sido una experiencia tan positiva y enriquecedora que comencé a reflexionar sobre por qué sería así.

Jim Thomas2024-05-02T20:41:30-04:00April 30th, 2024|Categories: Voices of Gospel Living|Tags: Diane Menditto|0 Comments

Spiritual Renewal for Young Catholics

In some cases, a young person discovers a renewed faith-life, but doesn’t know how to nourish this new reality. Finding time and energy to give thought, let alone action, to their spiritual lives is often not a “luxury” they feel they can afford. We, as more “seasoned” Catholics, can offer simple ways to revitalize this important area of their lives. Reflecting on the story of St. Francis and his experience of renewal and transformation, we know he was close to the same age as many of the young people we hope to serve. He too sought answers when he felt confused ...

Carolyn Seal2024-04-23T16:10:13-04:00April 29th, 2024|Categories: From the Newsletter, FYYA|0 Comments