By Sharon Winzeler, OFS • Communications Committee Chair

National Minister, Jane De-Rose-Bamman

Jane , National Minister, showing presentation at the Chapter 2025

Jane DeRose-Bamman, minister of the Secular Franciscan Order-USA, began her State of the Order at the National Chapter on Sept. 10, 2025, with words of inspiration taken from a 2018 letter by Tibor Kauser, minister general:

“Our goal is to become holy, to show God’s love to the world, to make the life of others better, to get closer to God and to bring others closer to God.”

These words, Jane said, remain the heart of the Secular Franciscan vocation.

The Secular Franciscan Order has experienced a steady decline in membership over the past 15 years. A polished database, along with deaths and departures of members, shows that national active, professed membership has dropped from 14,000 in 2010 to just under 10,000 today.

The nation’s oldest fraternity founded 166 years ago in Utica, NY, proudly counted Sister Marianne Cope among its members. Today, the Order includes 534 fraternities, with new ones still forming. “That means there is a spark there,” Jane said.

Twenty fraternities have deactivated in the past few months, reflecting the shifting vocations.

The age of active members highlights both vitality and challenge:

• 9% are 60 years old and younger
• 43% are between 61 and 79 years old
• 21% are 80 years old and over
• 7 members are 100 years old or older
• 27% remain unaccounted for due to incomplete age data in the database

Having complete data about our members helps the NEC to serve them better.

The bottom line, Jane summarized:

• Membership is declining.
• Members are aging;
• The number of fraternities has remained steady over the last 50 years.
• Strong, dynamic fraternities remain key to attracting new vocations.
• Outreach must be tailored to reach different generations effectively.

Despite these challenges, Jane emphasized the vibrant life of service that defines Secular Franciscans:

Who are we? We are servants who are building homes, caring for people in need, supplying food pantries, and otherwise ministering to the poor,” Jane said.

Most recently, regions contributed $23,000 to a leprosy center in Zimbabwe, responding to a request from General Minister Tibor Kauser, OFS. This reflects the Franciscan mission of compassion and global solidarity. Regions also responded with financial contributions to the floods in Texas.

The past three years have been a time of meaningful activity

• Fraternal Visitations: 7 since the last Chapter; 26 over three years.
• Regional Elections: 15 since the last Chapter; 32 over three years.
• Virtual connections with the National Fraternity Council, including online meet-and-greets.

These efforts have strengthened relationships and provided continuity despite the challenges of distance and changing demographics.

Jane outlined a forward-looking agenda for the National Executive Council over the next three years:

• Revision of the National Statutes
• Rollout of a Communications Manual
• New branding and vocational materials
• Updated guidelines and translations
• Continued publication of TAU-USA
• Preparations for the 2026 and 2031 Quinquennials
• An Action Plan for new priorities and leadership transitions
• Planning for the 50th Anniversary of the OFS Rule in 2028
• Focus on youth and young adult vocations
• Stewardship of a major bequest

While Jane acknowledged realities, she also pointed to signs of hope: the spark of new fraternities, the witness of faithful service, and the enduring Franciscan call to holiness and mission.

The State of the Order reminds Secular Franciscans that renewal is not only possible but already happening in communities across the country. In Jane’s words, the future depends on building strong, dynamic fraternities where God’s love is alive and visible in service to the world.

A PowerPoint illustrating Jane’s State of the Order Address can be found on the national website.

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St. Junipero Serra

Corrections:   

In the summer issue the caption for this picture on page 14 stated that it is St. Francis, which is not correct. It is a statue of St. Junipero Serra. Thank you to Pat and Judith Tyrrell of St. Margaret of Cortona Region for their eagle eyes.

Also in the summer issue, on page 18, the Regional Roundup information about Divine Mercy Region stated that there are two members who have received the National JPIC Award. However, there are actually four members from the region who have received it: Jim Flickinger (2000); Ona Harris (2002); Kathleen Carsten (2018); and Steve Wasko (2023). Thank you to Mary Bittner, OFS, for sharing the historical details.

NAFRA has issued a Call to Franciscan Accompaniment that urges Secular Franciscans to respond faithfully and courageously to the fear and distress faced by immigrants and marginalized communities.

You can read it online in English and Spanish.

By Sharon Winzeler, OFS • Communications Committee Chair

The National Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States met September 9 – 14, 2025, at the Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville, Maryland. Over the course of five days, the regional ministers, national leaders, and spiritual assistants, elected a new National Executive Council, adopted a budget, and prayerfully conducted the business of fraternity. There were 75 attendees in all, including those mentioned above, the international representatives, host region volunteers, election nominees, members of other Franciscan organizations, and other observers.

Budget Discussions and Approvals

Outgoing treasurer Claudia Kauzlarich, OFS, presented the proposed budget, which prompted thoughtful discussion both in the large assembly and within councilor groups. After deliberation, the chapter approved the 2026 budget, with a total projected income of $309,504 and expenses of $351,219. Although expenses exceed income by $41,715, this is not considered deficit spending, as previous years’ surpluses will cover the difference.

To strengthen governance, the National Fraternity Council (NAFRA) voted to add an additional in-person meeting of the new National Executive Council (NEC). This adjustment allows for two NEC gatherings annually, plus a third meeting prior to the 2026 Chapter. It was also decided that committee chairs may be invited to the 2026 Chapter, pending available space at the Spiritual Life Center.

NAFRA voted against rejoining the Franciscan Action Network as an institutional member. Local and regional fraternities and individuals may choose to support the organization.

2026 National Budget Snapshot

Income: $309,504

• Fair Share from Regions: $218,504
• Formation Book Sales: $73,000
• Interest & Miscellaneous: $18,000

Expenses: $351,219

• CIOFS Fair Share: $45,000
• 2026 Chapter: $61,520
• NEC + CNSA: $62,970
• Commissions, Committees & Task Forces:$56,729
• TAU-USA: $40,000
• Formation Book Printing & Sales: $64,000
• Insurance & Other: $21,000

Projected Shortfall: $41,715

(Covered by surplus funds from previous years— no deficit spending.)

Renewed Commitment to printing TAU-USA

Members across the country have expressed concern about not receiving printed issues of TAU-USA, the national newsletter. Two years ago, printing and mailing of the TAU was reduced from three or four to one issue a year because of increasing costs, with the remaining issues available only digitally.

Editor Caroline Yandell, OFS, presented research on ways to reduce publishing costs while maintaining quality. She is committed to producing more print issues within the approved budget of $40,000, ensuring that all members who would like a printed issue receive one.

She suggested the best way to reduce costs is to ask fraternity members if they would like to receive their issues digitally instead of by mail. That would reduce printing and postage costs and allow those who need the printed version to receive theirs in the mail.

Caroline said a request sent to members in her region resulted in the majority opting out of the print edition. She encouraged regional ministers to ask local ministers to poll their fraternities and adjust the TAU delivery preferences in the database.

Rite of Remembrance

One of the most moving moments of the Chapter was the Rite of Remembrance, a solemn prayer service honoring the 379 Secular Franciscans who met Sister Death in the past year. Paul Gonzalez, OFS, led the service.

Regional ministers read aloud the names of their departed brothers and sisters and placed roses in vases while everyone recited the Crown Rosary. These vases were later carried into the chapel where daily Mass was celebrated, recognizing our continued prayers for our beloved deceased within the Franciscan family.

Formation Highlights and Goals

Layna Maher, OFS, reported significant progress by the National Formation Commission and others in 2025, including:

• Piloting of the new Initial Formation Book #1: Let Us Begin
• Writing Book #2: For This You Were Called
• Offering workshops for regional and local fraternities
• Sharing weekly Formation Fridays
• Providing guidance and resources upon request
• Writing the “Sowing the Seeds” Guide for Formators (being drafted by Jan Parker, OFS, and Mary Bittner, OFS)
• Supporting ongoing formation for the NEC Looking ahead to 2026, the Commission aims to:
• Develop a companion guide for completed chapters of the Candidacy formation program
• Continue writing additional chapters of For This You Were Called
• Offer workshops and presentations at local and regional levels
• Host a Regional Formation Directors Zoom gathering (date TBD)

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Kathleen Molara, OFS, highlighted outreach to young people by the Franciscan Youth and Young Adult (FY/YA) Commission. She said that research shows there are five basic desires expressed by today’s young adults:

1. A deeper prayer life and connection with God and the Church
2. A sense of belonging in community
3. Opportunities for service
4. Discovering and strengthening vocations
5. Learning peaceful ways of resolving conflicts

The National FY/YA Commission continues to offer online training to support these efforts. Members were encouraged to help youth by calling them into both service and community, echoing the Franciscan call to live the Gospel. Training for fraternity members is offered through Canvas. Contact Kathleen for more details.

Franciscan Call to Love

Ana María Raffo Laos, OFS, of Peru, presider at the election, offered an inspiring talk on the “Urgency of Love” at Chapter. You can read it in English or Spanish on the website at

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/wp-content/uploads/THE-URGENCY-OF-LOVE-EN-and-SP.pdf

Guidelines Adopted

Two sets of guidelines were adopted. One is the Guidelines for Affiliates for those who want to participate in the life and activities of a local fraternity without becoming professed. The guidelines address the conditions and process of obtaining affiliate status.

The other guidelines address local and regional fraternities in need of Fraternal Accompaniment. “Occasionally the members of a fraternity struggle with attaining or maintaining [listed] goals. Situations occur when help, support or interventions are necessary and requested by members of the Order,” the guidelines state.

The guidelines outline examples of struggling fraternities. Some of those examples include:

• A fraternity has fewer than five members and is no longer growing.
• Fraternities struggle to meet due to age and illness of members.
• Fraternity council members do not get along, and their personality and internal issues are affecting their ability to function.
• Fraternity council members are not fulfilling their duties.
• The fraternity is unable to elect a new council due to unavailability of nominees or lack of quorum present.
• Members of the fraternity consistently quarrel and are divisive. An unwelcome atmosphere dominates gatherings, and the council has been unable to restore serenity.

Fraternal accompaniment is a process of supporting, encouraging, sharing, mentoring, and ‘walking with’ brothers and sisters in another fraternity for the purpose of:

• assisting them in becoming ‘whole’ again as a vibrant fraternity or
• if after an appropriate length of time, determining if deactivating the fraternity is appropriate.

Quinquennial Update

Cathy Roszhart, OFS, announced the availability of a scholarship for members attending the Quinquennial July 29 – Aug. 2 in Lexington, KY. Application deadline for the scholarship is May 30, 2026. You can access the application online. Members are encouraged to reach out to their local and regional fraternities for financial assistance before applying.