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

Inclusive Multilingual Communication

by Caroline Yandell, OFS

Minister, St. Francis Region

A common statement that we have all probably heard is, “The United States is a melting pot.” But that doesn’t really seem right if you think of what a melting pot does and what its contents looks like. A melting pot melts down everything in it into one single entity. I picture a glutinous unicolored mass. Not an attractive site at all.

A salad bowl seems to be a more appropriate visual for the composition of our nation. A salad has a variety of colors, textures and flavors that come together to make something attractive and beneficial, which is much more like our combination of various cultures, backgrounds and skin tones.

People who reside in the United States come from all over the world, including many of the members of our National Fraternity who come from different cultures and speak many languages other than English. Some were born and raised in the U.S., and others immigrated as children or adults. Some have learned to speak and understand English, and some have not.

In the St. Francis Region in Southern California, almost 40% of the members speak Korean. There are two fraternities of Vietnamese speakers, and two Spanish-speaking fraternities. There is also a fraternity that has a majority of members who speak Tagalog.

This has a great impact on how the region communicates and functions. It impacts how plans are made for such events as regional gatherings, fraternal and pastoral visits, and Chapter.

The current Regional Executive Council (REC) includes members who speak Spanish and Korean. The previous REC also had a Vietnamese speaker. Three regional members act as translators for the region, translating important documents. These include part of the quarterly regional newsletter, documents that are distributed at Chapter, and other regional documents.

At Chapters, translated notes are provided so all attendees are aware of what is being covered in the presentations. All the liturgies include parts spoken, and sometimes sung, in all four languages.

It is evident at the regional picnics that language differences are no barrier to eating, playing and laughing together – especially with all the delicious international food that is shared. Members assist in translating prayers as well as activities when needed. One highlight is when each culture group shares their own version of grace before lunch.

At last year’s regional gathering, the topic was the Stigmata of St. Francis. There were two OFM presenters – one English speaker and one Korean. Everyone gathered for an international potluck lunch, followed by a PowerPoint presentation of various Stigmata pictures set to music. There were pre-translated questions for members to discuss after the PowerPoint.

Working in and with a multicultural, multilingual region takes special planning and translation work. It means getting some tasks done sooner so that the translators have time to get their work completed. These are all challenges that are worth addressing, for it states in our Rule, Art. 19:

Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon.

Messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others

Due to unforeseen challenges with the venue, fees, and Italian regulations, the Chapter of Mats event scheduled for 2026 in Rome, Italy, is cancelled.

Plan on attending another way for our Franciscan family to come together.  You are warmly invited to join us at the 21st Quinquennial Congress in Lexington, Kentucky:
Dates: July 29 – August 2, 2026
Location: Lexington, KY

Early registration begins this August—so mark your calendars and begin planning. Here is a link to all of the information about the Q.   

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

by Diane Menditto, OFS

National Vice Minister

Listen! ¡Escuchen!

If I have said that word once, I probably said it thousands of times during my thirty-five-year career as a Spanish teacher. The results varied each time the word was uttered in either language.

When I was asked to write an article on communication for this issue of the TAU-USA, I looked back at the many articles (most recently, a 2023 issue) and presentations I’ve given on the topic. An integral part of those sharings has been listening, which will be the main focus here. How we listen–not only with our ears, but with our eyes, our hearts, and our souls–affects who we are as Secular Franciscans, as family members, and as professionals in whatever field we find ourselves.

What kinds of listening require more than just ears? I’m glad you asked. I consulted Microsoft CoPilot to provide a list of the types of listening in both secular and religious settings. Interestingly, it came up with many of the same terms that I have spoken and written about over the years.

We have active listening, empathic listening, critical listening, and reflective listening. These show up in a classroom, business, medical office, repair shop, coffee shop, or supermarket. Active listening requires us to focus our eyes and ears on the speaker. We lean forward to look at and engage the other person. We need to concentrate on what is being said, and our body language (head nods, smiles) will tell the speaker that we hear and understand what is being said.

Empathic listening requires that our minds and hearts help us to feel what the speaker is saying whether we agree or not. Its cousin, reflective listening, often requires paraphrasing what the speaker is saying without injecting an opinion. These kinds of listening help us to build trust if our empathy and understanding are genuine. Critical listening puts the heart aside and keeps the brain well-engaged. We want to hear everything said, putting our emotions and opinions aside, to make the best decision for our family or our fraternity. This very often takes patience and humility.

Other types of listening that we find more often in fraternal and religious settings are contemplative, pastoral, communal, and discernment listening. Obviously, contemplative listening requires us to sit silently, listening for the Holy Spirit’s whisper. We listen to homilies, spiritual direction, and guidance given during reconciliation. In fraternity, we practice communal listening where the goal is the well-being of the fraternity and our spiritual growth. With discernment, we listen to what God is asking of us by asking the Holy Spirit to guide us, perhaps by listening to a trusted individual or spiritual director, reading our Rule, or reading the writings of our founder.

There are some other key things about listening that Artificial Intelligence forgot to list because it is not human! While listening to each other, we must listen to ourselves. Sometimes we stop paying attention to how we sound when we speak or write. We need to hear what our listeners’ body language tells us. The expression “read the room” is good advice. Knowing our audience, whether giving a talk, having a one-on-one conversation, or writing an email, is key to how our message will be received. Listening internally to how we say something is sometimes all that is necessary to avoid having a simple statement or comment become a contentious issue that can destroy the peace of the family or fraternity.

Listening well often means giving up control. It takes wisdom, patience, and humility to listen well. The Holy Spirit has given us these gifts, but it is up to us to use them.