From the Newsletter

Formation: The Heart of Secular Franciscan Life

Initial formation is the first step in a lifelong journey of learning, growing and discerning our vocations. ... Ongoing formation provides continuous opportunities for conversion and transformation as we strive to live our Rule. Good formation changes us and challenges us to question how we're doing on that journey. It gives us opportunities to reflect on our lives, the choices we make, the interactions that we have, and if we truly are living life to gospel and gospel to life. Formation supports us to continue growing in our vocation as we study the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare, the OFS Rule, and the gospels.

Carolyn Seal2025-09-06T12:36:53-04:00September 8th, 2025|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

A Dog Bite and Matthew 5:44

Recently, a dog bit me. At our initial encounter, he seemed friendly but as he was passing me, he turned around to bite my leg. Not a nip – a real bite! I did nothing to provoke it. But who really knows … the dog didn’t give me a reason for the action. That experience made me ponder our relationships, especially with our enemies. Although we don’t always recognize them at first, people who can harm us do exist.

Carolyn Seal2025-08-29T10:10:37-04:00September 1st, 2025|Categories: From the Newsletter, Minister’s Message|1 Comment

Regional Roundup – five of the 30 regions are highlighted.

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2025 Issue #115)

Regional Roundup

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

Los Tres Compañeros Region

The Los Tres Compañeros Region covers the central swath of Texas from the southern tip in the south to Dallas and […]

Carolyn Seal2025-08-20T17:27:48-04:00August 25th, 2025|Categories: From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Family Apostolate – JPIC for Secular Franciscans

A JPIC apostolate for Secular Franciscans, essential and unique to our order, is our ministry to our families. ... Our families are not just biological or relational connections. In Lumen Gentium, Family is described as “the domestic church” (LG, 11) because we share common beliefs, purpose, and life, in a family. “…[It] has been a treasure for the Church….

Carolyn Seal2025-08-13T18:18:42-04:00August 18th, 2025|Categories: Formation, From the Newsletter, JPIC|0 Comments

Ministry to My Family. What Does It Look Like?

Remember the King in scripture who invited many guests to a wedding banquet for his son, but they would not come? (Matt: 22) The guests were “too busy, had to take care of business, or were away on a trip.” Remember all the excuses? Sound familiar? This occurs in families even now.

Carolyn Seal2025-08-06T19:49:05-04:00August 11th, 2025|Categories: From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Sister Mother Earth – Canticle of Creatures Reflections Part 1

Francis never praises God’s works of creation; rather, he praises God the Creator per, or through, his works. When Francis looked at creation, he saw the Creator. Thomas of Celano emphasized this point: “In art he praises the Artist; whatever he discovers in creatures he guides to the Creator. He rejoices in all the works of the Lord's hands, and through their delightful display he gazes on their life-giving reason and cause.” (Second Life, Chapter 124, 165).

Carolyn Seal2025-08-01T11:09:40-04:00August 4th, 2025|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Brother Fire – Canticle of Creation Reflections Part 1

Francis used to say “At dawn, when the sun rises, everyone should praise God, who created it, because through it the eyes are lighted by day. And in the evening, when it becomes night, everyone should praise God for another creature, Brother Fire, because through it the eyes are lighted at night.” (Assisi Compilation #83)

Carolyn Seal2025-07-23T10:49:58-04:00July 28th, 2025|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Sister Water – Canticle of the Creatures Reflections Part 1

You may be familiar with and donate to the H2O Project, the international project that helps promote Christian solidarity, advocacy and financial support for poor communities who have no access to clean drinking water.

Carolyn Seal2025-07-18T15:14:11-04:00July 21st, 2025|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Brother Wind Canticle of the Creatures Reflections

We live in Hawaii, so the stanza on Brother Wind is particularly meaningful for us here. We are blessed to have the trade winds, which Hawaii is well-known for and which we experience very often in profound and beautiful ways.

Carolyn Seal2025-07-05T10:47:12-04:00July 7th, 2025|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026, From the Newsletter|0 Comments

Sister Moon & the Stars – Canticle of the Creatures Reflections

In my life up to that point, I had not really internalized what appeared so obvious to St. Francis. When we gaze at the night sky and marvel at the self-evident hand of an amazing God, we are more than spectators. As we work in the name of Jesus, His co-eternal Son, to bring peace and justice and human dignity to this temporal world, we take our place in the great dance.

Carolyn Seal2025-06-25T11:12:18-04:00June 30th, 2025|Categories: Centenaries 2023-2026, From the Newsletter|0 Comments