Category: Voices of Gospel Living

  • Fraternidad es mas que local

    Fraternidad es mas que local

    By Diane Menditto, OFS
    National Vice Minister

    Listen Audio: 4:22 min.


    Diane Menditto, OFS National Vice Minister

    Queridos hermanos y hermanas,

    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.

    ¿Has pensado últimamente en el hecho de que todos nosotros somos miembros, no solo de nuestras fraternidades locales, sino también de las fraternidades Regionales, Nacionales e Internacionales? El tiempo que pasé la semana pasada con el Secretariado de Formación de la CIOFS me hizo comprender esto de una manera hermosa.

    Los miembros del Secretariado provienen de todo el mundo. Somos de Argentina, Brasil, Chile, la República Checa, Rumania y los Estados Unidos, ¡una verdadera sopa de letras! Nuestros dos idiomas comunes son el español y el inglés. A veces me toca actuar como traductora, pero para esta reunión, uno de los consejeros de la Presidencia que habla español, inglés e italiano se unió a nosotros.

    Nos reunimos presencialmente por última vez hace dos años, pero la semana pasada comenzamos nuestra reunión como si nunca nos hubiéramos separado. El ritmo de nuestra conversación y nuestro trabajo fue fluido y agradable. Nuestras oraciones y nuestras comidas fueron sinceras y abundantes. Hablamos en el idioma que nos resultaba cómodo en ese momento.

    Puede que esto le suceda a usted cuando se reúne con amigos de toda la vida o con la familia. Pero, ¿no es cierto que a menudo sucede lo mismo cuando nos reunimos con nuestros hermanos y hermanas franciscanos?
    El Secretariado se preocupa profundamente por nuestra Orden y por todo el material formativo que estamos creando, que nos acercará a todos más a Dios. Aunque nuestras fraternidades locales estén a miles de kilómetros de distancia, caminamos juntos siguiendo los pasos de San Francisco y discutimos lo que puede beneficiar a cada miembro de cada fraternidad local en el mundo entero.

    Lo que realmente es especial y emocionante para mí, sin embargo, es ver cómo personas de diferentes orígenes, idiomas y culturas son tan similares en nuestro amor mutuo, por Dios y por nuestra vocación franciscana. El Espíritu Santo nos ha dado a cada uno de nosotros los precisos dones y talentos que necesitamos para llevarnos bien y ser productivos. Es un poco milagroso ver lo que incluso una pequeña Fraternidad “temporal” (6 de nosotros) puede lograr si estamos abiertos al Espíritu y a los demás.

    Demos gracias a Dios por este don de fraternidad que se nos ha dado. Es un don sin precio que nunca debemos dar por sentado. Es una perla de gran valor, un tesoro, que debemos esforzarnos por preservar y compartir con otros.

  • Placing ourselves at the common table of our Lord

    Placing ourselves at the common table of our Lord

    “That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in us.”  (John 17: 22-23)

    By Donna Hollis, OFS

    National Executive Committee Councilor

    Donna Hollis, OFS

    Our lives are not our own.  We are called to give over our lives in service to others.

    Pope Francis inspires us to find ways to reach across the boundaries of all Christian faiths.  “Our borders should be windows, not barriers of division,” he challenges.

    We need to create the conditions in which God can work through us by opening our hearts and minds to the awareness of the Holy Spirit living within us all.

    We need to be wise and recognize and respond to the moments and seasons in our lives.  It is important to value those defining moments.

    In the 13th century, Francis of Assisi traveled to Egypt during the Crusades. There he met and befriended the Sultan. Both Pope Francis and St. Francis embody peacemaking between Christians and Muslims.

    “The path towards Christian unity, the road that will eventually bring all sincere Christians together into one community, is a path of conversion, personal and ecclesial, of admitting our selectiveness, of recognizing and valuing what other Churches have incarnated. We will eventually find ourselves around one common table and see each other as part of the same community.” (Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI)

    We cannot just talk the talk but need to walk the walk. We walk with two feet of prayer and action.

    Pope Francis encourages us to form deep friendships and invite warm dialogue across every denominational and interreligious line.  As we extend respect, openness, and graciousness toward those who hold different religious views from our own, we show we are one family centered in the one God of us all.

    Raymond E. Brown in “Challenge to all the Churches” states: “….instead of reading the Bible to assure ourselves that we are right, we would do better to read it to discover where we have not been listening.   Then the Bible will be doing for us what Jesus did in his time, namely, convincing those who have ears to hear that all is not right, for God is asking of them more than they thought.”

    Some situations require you to slow down, see clearly, and respond wisely to the moments and seasons in your life. Look carefully for those moments and listen for God’s voice of wisdom. Do not get so caught up in the minutes that you miss the moments.

    The Lord is calling. We must look carefully, be wise, and know and understand God’s will.

    Father John Dear once wrote, “Peace begins within each of us. It is a process of repeatedly showing mercy to ourselves, forgiving ourselves, befriending ourselves, accepting ourselves, and loving ourselves.  As we learn to appreciate ourselves and accept God’s gift of peace, we begin to radiate peace and love to others.”

  • Voices of Gospel Living:  Privilege

    Voices of Gospel Living: Privilege

    NEC Councilor Cherryle Fruge sent this beautiful reflection to one of her fraternities.  It is shared here to remind us of the wonderful presence of God in our lives as we continue to listen for the voices of Gospel living.

    By Cherryle Fruge, OFS

    Cherryle Fruge
    NEC Councilor

    Dear Beloved People of God,

    I apologize for my absence. I am getting far behind on a writing project that I had promised to have completed by the end of January. Please pray for me.

    Since I could not be present, I wanted to leave a part of me with you… the musings within my heart. This morning something caught my attention on the second mystery of the Seven Joys of Mary.  It occurred at the visitation between Mary and Elizabeth.

    I thought of the word, “privilege.”  I am a slow learner trying to understand certain words, but I remember the first time the word “privilege” flowed out of my mouth.

    It was an honor to even express it, namely because I sensed without a doubt, what I was saying was influenced by God’s grace and in the presence of the Holy Spirit. That humbling moment helped me to understand what a privilege it was to speak in the presence of our Lord.

    With the thought of that profound experience, I came back to what Elizabeth must have felt when Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to visit … how powerful do you think this privilege was?

    The privilege was so powerful that it caused the baby in her womb to leap.

    This is Leap Year and as we approach that extra day on Feb. 29 I urge you to pay close attention to what might cause your soul to leap as you come to encounter the crucified Jesus, and the results of His resurrection.

    It might be very worthwhile to journal when you discover that privileged moment in His presence.

    Please know that when I am with all of you, my soul leaps with joy, because I see Jesus present in you!!

    His peace be with you,

    Cherryle

    His humbled little spiritual assistant

  • Reflections on gentle journey of peace, love

    Reflections on gentle journey of peace, love

    Susan Ronan, OFS

    By Susan Ronan

    National Executive Council Secretary

    Many blessings and greetings, my dear Brothers and Sisters!

    Last fall, the minister of my “home” fraternity (Greccio Fraternity, Derry, NH) asked me to write a short article about my initial years on the National Executive Council (NEC).

    I’m the first member of our fraternity to be elected to a national position, though our beloved sister, Teresa Baker, OFS, devoted many years to the National Formation Commission.

    As my Formation Director from the start (1999) through my profession in 2003, Teresa supported and encouraged me to share my administrative gifts when I was nominated to local and regional offices.

    The gentle journey to profession in the Secular Franciscan Order opened my heart’s pathway to listen to Jesus’ GPS and participate in the experiences He had prepared along the journey.

    After almost twenty years on and off the local and regional councils, a letter arrived letting me know I’d been nominated to the NEC. Well, that was certainly a surprise. The Holy Spirit and I had many long chats about this new development. The Lord has truly blessed me with this amazing Franciscan Family.

    Sometimes it’s hard to remember that we all belong to four levels of Secular Franciscan fraternities and have brothers and sisters throughout the United States (and Guam) and 137 countries worldwide. We are their familial responsibility, and they are ours. The NEC assists the Holy Spirit in supplying our family’s “lifeblood” to the First and Second Orders, the TOR, and the four levels of Secular Franciscan fraternities.

    Over the past year as national secretary, I’ve learned so much. But the most important thing I’ve learned is that we’re all family, and everyone on the national and international levels is dedicated to our Order’s Franciscan charism of love.

    I’m here to help you with any questions or concerns you have …so call me anytime!

    Peace and so much love,

    Susan

  • Epiphany of Jesus Among Us

    Epiphany of Jesus Among Us

    By Cherryle Fruge, OFS
    NEC Councilor

    Cherryle Fruge
    NEC Councilor

    While sitting in Church at midnight Mass, I started gazing upon the Nativity scene, pondering what I saw. I began to think about 800 years ago and what it must have been like to experience the first crèche. What a profound moment in salvation history to experience such an event.

    I started thinking the world was much smaller back then in terms of population size. I remember thinking America hadn’t even been discovered yet, and probably many other countries were not.

    Anyway, I was wondering how it made an impact in the 1200s with no immediate media resources to reach out to the public. How fast did the news travel, especially by word of mouth?

    When Mass was starting, my Pastor Fr. Guilbeau was processing in carrying a little baby toy.  When he reached the altar, he lifted the baby up like a presentation to the Church, then laid Him in the manger.

    His action was so intimate that my eyes began to water as my heart grew tender, imagining the reality of Jesus being among us.

    I leave you with these points to consider: “How will you respond to someone new that comes into your path? How will you present Jesus in your heart to them?”

    Remember we meet Him every time we attend Mass. How long do you feel his presence lingering in you when you leave the Church?

    I love you with all my heart on this feast of the Epiphany 2024.

    en español

    Mientras estaba sentado en la Iglesia en la misa de medianoche, comencé a mirar el nacimiento, reflexionando sobre lo que estaba viendo. Comencé a pensar en cómo hace 800 años cómo debe haber sido experimentar la primera guardería. Qué momento profundo en la historia de la salvación para experimentar tal acontecimiento.

    Empecé a pensar que el mundo era mucho más pequeño en ese entonces en tamaño de población. Recuerdo haber pensado que Estados Unidos ni siquiera había sido descubierto todavía, y probablemente un gran número de otros países no lo estaban.

    De todos modos, me preguntaba cómo tuvo un impacto en los años 1200 sin
    recursos mediáticos inmediatos para llegar al público. ¿Qué tan rápido viajaron las noticias, especialmente de boca en boca?

    Cuando comenzó la misa, mi Pastor, el P. Guilbeau, estaba procesando para llevar un bebé juguete de pequeño. Cuando llegó al altar, levantó al bebé como una presentación a la Iglesia, luego lo colocó en el pesebre.

    Su acción fue tan íntima que mis ojos comenzaron a lagrimear, mientras mi corazón se enternecía, imaginando la realidad de Jesús entre nosotros.

    Te dejo con estos puntos para que pienses: “¿Cómo responderás a alguien nuevo que se cruce en tu camino? ¿Cómo les presentarás a Jesús en tu corazón?”

    Recuerde que nos encontramos con Él cada vez que asistimos a Misa. ¿Cuánto tiempo sientes que Su presencia permanece en ti cuando dejas la Iglesia?

    Os amo con todo mi corazón en esta fiesta de la Epifanía 2024.

  • MARANATHA:  We long for your coming, O God!

    MARANATHA: We long for your coming, O God!

    By Mary Frances Charsky, OFS
    International Councilor, OFS-USA

    Listen Audio: 4:56 min.


    Mary Francis Charsky, International Councilor

    During December we ardently await and long for God’s presence.  We yearn for God’s son Jesus to come among us in peace and joy.  In Advent we are hoping and wishing that we are ready for the coming of the Christ Child.  We humbly seek and pray for forgiveness and mercy.  These themes are remembered in the hymn, “Maranatha” by Gerald Chiusano.

    As Franciscans we realize that Jesus is a precious gift from God the Father.  Jesus is coming for all of us, all of our brothers and sisters throughout the world.  Let us consider, imagine and reflect upon OFS Rule Article 13.  “As the Father sees in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so Secular Franciscans with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ.  A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for who they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.”

    Do you believe that we have such wonderful gifts given to us?  All people are gifts from God.  Our very life is a gift from God.  We have an obligation to protect and care for ourselves as well as our brothers and sisters.  This includes fraternal harmony, thoughtful dialogue and trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone.  It includes the transforming power of love, pardon and mercy, both given and received.  Is this what we long for?  During Advent we are praying and searching for understanding of these precious gifts, the awesome gift of Jesus and the gifts of all of our sisters and brothers throughout the world.

    During Advent we can refer to the Infancy Narrative in Luke 1:5 – 2:52.  Like the Blessed Mother we open our hearts with great anticipation of being in the presence of the Divine Infant, our Messiah!  In December, we observe two feast days honoring the Mother of God, which offer us deeper reflection during Advent.  December 8th, the Immaculate Conception of Mary, prepares Our Lady to be the Mother of Our Savior; integral to the Christmas miracle and salvation history.  Dec. 12th, Our Lady of Guadalupe, depicts Mary as the expectant Mother of Jesus.  Let us, like Mary, prepare for the birth of Jesus and, as St. Francis gave witness, be “heralds of the Great King” as we share the good news by the way we live our lives!

  • You Can’t Take It With You

    You Can’t Take It With You

    By Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS
    National Minister

    Listen Audio: 3:00 min.


    Jane DeRose-Bamman Minister 2022
    Jane DeRose-Bamman National Minister

    The idiom, “You can’t take it with you” encourages all to enjoy life now because we can’t take money or possessions with us when we die.  It appears that Jesus in Luke 12:13-21 may be advocating for us to spend our money and use up our possessions.  As we see at the end of the parable, stored up possessions and money are meaningless in the grand scheme of things.  However, Jesus concludes with the bottom line – we should be focusing on storing up “what matters to God.”

    So what do we want to take with us – or what can we take with us?   This month of November, there are numerous feast days highlighting those who have figured out what to take with them on their journeys.  We remember All Saints (Nov 1), All Souls (Nov 2), Commemoration of All the Deceased of the Seraphic Order (Nov 5), Blessed John Duns Scotus (Nov 8), St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Patroness of the OFS (Nov 17) and all Saints of the Seraphic Order (Nov 29).

    Each is a billboard for not hoarding the God-given gifts we have. After all, the songwriter, Marty Haugen reminds us: “the gifts we have, we are given to share.” (We are Many Parts by Marty Haugen).  The gifts also should not be obstacles to seeing the needs of others or how we are impacting people or the environment.

    Instead of focusing on the accumulation of material goods, we shift our focus to taking with us: a collection of good deeds, opportunities we took to share our possessions, the times when we cared for creation (including moving earthworms from the sidewalk) and the knowledge of God through spending time in prayer. What will you take when you encounter Sister Death?

    This is a perfect month to reflect on OFS Rule Article 19. “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.”
    May our eyes, minds and hearts be open to share our many gifts and to grow in our understanding of the ways of God.


    Note:  We have a “treasure” on our website – a calendar of Franciscan Saints by day compiled by Mary Lou Coffman OFS:  https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/wp-content/uploads/Franciscan-Saints-01-2023.pdf. This information could be used in fraternity newsletters or formation sessions.  But give credit to the original sources of information in any publication!