(en español abajo) Korean translation attached in a separate PDF.
Please share with your local fraternity
2025—Time to Examine our Love and Commitment
• CONVERSION: the letting go of one’s ego…”
• “One is dying to a false self that tries to BE God, that tries to always be in control.”
• This is a reversal, a “TURNING TOWARD” the Holy Spirit at work within us.
—Francis and Jesus by Murray Bodo, OFM
+What can I do to make some beneficial changes in my attitude about fraternity and fraternal life?
1-Prayerfully participate in electing and supporting my local Council.
· Pray for them every day.
· Use my God-given talents to collaborate on and assist with all projects.
+What are some ways I can support my Council?
+Do I have talents and abilities that call me to serve on the Council?2- Love my fraternity
· Be present at gatherings.
· Listen to my brothers and sisters.
· Offer to help out.
· Reach out to excused members or to anyone who has missed a meeting. (Phone, email, card).
· Pray for our deceased members and for all those listed on your fraternity prayer list or prayer line
· Take note that for Franciscans, fraternity is a way of life (not just another “thing to do”).
+What talents do I have to offer my fraternity?
+Do I participate willingly in fraternity activities?3- Love our Rule
· Be sure that I am aware of what I promised at profession.
· Read, pray and meditate on the Rule—perhaps one or two articles each day.
· Think about how the Rule leads me closer to Christ.
+When was the last time I read the Rule?
+Do I make the effort to relate the Rule to my everyday life?
4- Love Scripture
· Be aware that St. Francis based everything he said or wrote on Scripture.
· Resolve to read a little Scripture each day.
· Pray the Liturgy of the Hours because it helps us to pray in fraternity (with the entire Church) and is filled with Scripture.
+How can I make time to read Scripture every day, or most days?
+ How would I explain “Going from Gospel to life and life to the Gospel,” it to someone new or to a non-Secular Franciscan? (What examples can I give of how I do this?)
5- Strive for daily conversion
· Welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts to help us to change for the better each day.
· Make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
· Remember that we are the “Brothers and Sisters of Penance.”
+Do I review my actions and relationship with God each day? (What methods do you use?)
+How have I changed since I first became a Franciscan? How have I changed since last week?BEST FOR LAST
6- Love the Eucharist and be changed by it
· Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy days and every day if I can
· Take advantage of opportunities for Adoration—holy hours or just a visit to the tabernacle
+What is my relationship to Jesus in the Eucharist?
+Do I often visit with Jesus when there is an opportunity to attend Adoration?
As we enter 2025, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in everything you do!
The questions above are to answer in your journal and then to discuss in fraternity.
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2025 — Es hora de examinar nuestro amor y compromiso
• CONVERSIÓN: soltar el ego de uno … “
• “Uno se está muriendo a un falso yo que trata de SER Dios, que trata de tener siempre el control.”
• Esta es una inversión, un “GIRAR HACIA” el Espíritu Santo obrando dentro de nosotros.
– Francisco y Jesús de Murray Bodo, OFM
+¿Qué puedo hacer para realizar cambios beneficiosos en mi actitud sobre la fraternidad y la vida fraterna?
1- Participar con oración en la elección y apoyo de mi Consejo local.
• Orar por ellos todos los días.
• Usar mis talentos dados por Dios para colaborar y ayudar con todos los proyectos.
+ ¿De qué formas puedo apoyar a mi Consejo?
+ ¿Tengo talentos y habilidades que me llamen a servir en el Consejo?
2- Amar mi fraternidad
• Estar presente en las reuniones.
• Escuchar a mis hermanos y hermanas.
• Ofrecerme para ayudar.
• Comunicarme con los miembros excusados o con cualquier persona que se haya perdido una reunión. (Por teléfono, correo electrónico, tarjeta).
• Orar por nuestros miembros fallecidos y por todos los que figuran en la lista de oración o línea de oración.
• Tener en cuenta que para los franciscanos, la fraternidad es una forma de vida (no simplemente otra “cosa que hacer.”)
+ ¿Qué talentos tengo para ofrecer a mi fraternidad?
+ ¿Participo de buena voluntad en las actividades de la fraternidad?
3- Amar nuestra regla
• Asegurarme de estar al tanto de lo que prometí en la profesión.
• Leer, orar y meditar en la Regla, tal vez uno o dos artículos cada día.
• Pensar en cómo la Regla me acerca a Cristo.
+ ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que leí la Regla?
+ ¿Me esfuerzo por relacionar la Regla con mi vida diaria?
4- Amar las Escrituras
• Tener en cuenta que San Francisco basó todo lo que dijo o escribió en las Escrituras.
• Tomar la determinación de leer un poco de las Escrituras todos los días.
• Rezar la Liturgia de las Horas porque me ayuda a rezar en fraternidad (con toda la Iglesia) y está llena de Escritura.
+ ¿Cómo puedo apartar tiempo para leer las Escrituras todos los días, o la mayoría de los días?
+ ¿Cómo explicaría “Pasar del Evangelio a la vida y de la vida al Evangelio” a alguien nuevo o a un franciscano no seglar? (¿Qué ejemplos puedo dar de cómo lo hago?)5- Esforzarse por la conversión diaria
• Dar la bienvenida al Espíritu Santo en nuestros corazones para que nos ayude a cambiar para mejor cada día.
• Hacer uso del Sacramento de la Reconciliación.• Recordar que somos los “Hermanos y Hermanas de la Penitencia.”
+ ¿Reviso mis acciones y mi relación con Dios todos los días? (Describe sus métodos de hacer esto.)
+ ¿Cómo he cambiado desde que me profesé como franciscano? ¿Cómo he cambiado desde la semana pasada?
LO MEJOR PARA EL FINAL
6- Amar la Eucaristía y ser cambiado por ella
• Asistir a misa los domingos y días santos y todos los días si puedo
• Aprovechar de las oportunidades de adoración: horas santas o simplemente una visita al tabernáculo.
+ ¿Cuál es mi relación con Jesús en la Eucaristía?
+ ¿Visito a menudo a Jesús cuando tengo la oportunidad de asistir a la Adoración?
Al entrar en 2025, ¡pídale al Espíritu Santo que lo guíe en todo lo que haga!
Las preguntas anteriores son para responder en su diario y luego para discutir en fraternidad.
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
The National Chapter OFS-USA 2024
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2024 Issue #113)
The National Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States assembled at the base of Camelback Mountain in the Sonoran Desert to pray, listen, learn and conduct fraternity business.
The Franciscan Renewal Center, informally known as “The Casa” in Scottsdale, AZ, was the site of the annual meeting where 58 participants gathered including the National Executive Council, Regional Ministers, National Spiritual Assistants and visitors.
Amidst the serenity of cactus, bougainvillea, hummingbirds and blue quail, Secular Franciscan leaders tuned into the voice of the Holy Spirit and embarked on the work of the Order.
Formation focused on servant leadership, including emotional intelligence skills for leaders and conflict resolution. Daily Mass was celebrated by the CNSA friars who attended as well as John Dolan, bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix.
Each day before meetings, Vickie Klick, OFS, chair of the Centenary Task Force, led members in prayer with meditations on the Stigmata that St. Francis received 800 years ago. All of those materials are available for members to access on the Centenary Web Page.
During the business meetings, members of the National Fraternity Council approved national guidelines for each of the following topics:
- Virtual Participation in Meetings/Gatherings
- Fraternal Records Retention
- Determining Stipends
- Franciscan Code of Conduct
- Councils in Conflict
- Suspension or Dismissal of a Member or Removal from Office
All of the guidelines can be accessed on the
The Conference of National Spiritual Assistants (CNSA) consists of four friars – one from each friar obedience: Fr. Jerome Wolbert – Order of Friars Minor (OFM), Fr. John DeLaRiva – Capuchin (OFM Cap.), Fr. Marek Stybor – Conventual (OFM Conv.), and Fr. Christopher Panagoplos – Third Order Regular (TOR). They assist the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States and are responsible for guiding all the spiritual assistants of the OFS in the U.S. At Chapter, Fr. Marek became the President-in-Turn of the CNSA on the National Executive Council and will serve a two-year term.
In addition, Corinne Lorenzet, OFS, from Blessed Solanus Casey Region, became the new administrative assistant to the CNSA, succeeding Miriam Kennedy, OFS.
The following reports were made:
Chapter of Elections – In preparation for the National Executive Council elections to be held on September 13, 2025, National Minister Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS, requested submission of names for the nominating committee by November 1, 2024. A slate of nominees should be prepared by July 13, 2025. Servant leadership workshops will be planned in anticipation of the election.
Ecumenical Committee – Members will meet in Colorado March 21-22, 2025, to participate in a retreat with the Joint Committee on Franciscan Unity. Videos from the last retreat are on our national website, on the Ecumenical / Interfaith Committee webpage under “Resources.”
Formation Commission – Chairperson Layna Maher, OFS, reported that nine chapters of the Aspirants’ (formerly Inquirers) handbook called Let Us Begin is being piloted. The second formation book is underway and titled For This You Were Called. Reflections and action items are included in the chapters.
Franciscan Youth/Young Adults – Chairperson Kathleen Molaro, OFS, said fraternities are encouraged to identify “Who and where are our youth?” “What age would you prefer to work with?” and “How much time do you have to devote to this area of fraternity life?” Answers to these questions will direct the FY/YA programs in local fraternities. She emphasized that the youth have a desire to be a part of the Church in the same way as adults by growing spiritually, serving the community, enjoying fellowship, discovering their vocation and learning peaceful, Franciscan ways to relate to others.
Treasurer’s Report at Chapter
A 2025 General Fund budget and the budget for the upcoming 2026 Quinquennial were passed at Chapter. In addition, the financial statements for the eight months ending August 31, 2024, were reviewed and accepted.
2025 General Fund Budget
The budget for the 2025 General Fund was presented and discussed in detail. After some thoughtful dialogue, three small additions were made, and the revised budget was approved. It represents $352,664 in total expenditures. The projected net loss of $57,164 will be taken from savings if needed.
The budgeted fair share of $215,000 is based on the reported membership in the 2024 Region annual reports, calculated at $22 per member. A fair share increase of $5 was approved at the 2023 Chapter.
Budgeted Income:
- Fair Share: $215,000
- Formation Book Sales: $59,500
- Interest and Miscellaneous income: $21,000
- Total Budgeted Income: $295,500
Budgeted Expenditures:
- CIOFS Fair Share: $45,000
- 2025 Chapter: $63,210
- TAU-USA: $40,000
- NEC, 3 Commissions, 14 Committees, CNSA: $132,454
- Formation Book Printing: $52,000
- JPIC Award, Liability Insurance, Other: $20,000
- Total Budgeted Expenditures: $352,664
Budgeted Net Loss:
- Net Loss: $(57,164)
If you have any questions or need clarification, please reach out to Claudia via email at: ofsusatreasurer@gmail.com
The opportunity to meet Franciscans from throughout the country and learn about the efforts of the National Executive Council were among the advantages first-time attendees at Chapter were able to experience.
Wayne Armstrong, OFS : “I’m impressed by the leadership and all of the work that national has to do,” said Wayne Armstrong, OFS, vice minister of Our Lady of the Rockies Region. Wayne appreciated the emphasis on servant leadership as well as the spirituality of the week. “It makes me want to be more involved,” he said.
Charlie Neumann, OFS : “Chapter has been very fraternal. Wherever you go, people greet you, and everyone is very welcoming,” said Charlie Neuman, OFS, councilor of the La Verna Region. He was pleased with the location as well as the balance between work, spirituality and fellowship at Chapter. “We think first from our heart, and then we cross our T’s,” Charlie said.
Linda Monitello, OFS: “All the work that national does behind the scenes is unbelievable,” Linda Monitello, OFS, secretary of the St. Maximillan Kolbe Region, said. “Everyone needs to come to a Chapter at least once. It is so comfortable here,” she said. She intends to return to her region and encourage others to become involved in the national work of the Secular Franciscans. “Committees would be a good place to start,” she said.
Chapter attendees prayed and remembered 300 Secular Franciscans, friars, brothers and sisters who met Sister Death in the past year. Each one was called by name by regional ministers during the Rite of Remembrance led by council member Donna Hollis, OFS.
The TAU-USA Fall 2024 Issue 113 is on the way by snail mail to Professed active members. It has many wonderful photos of the Chapter. You can also down load the entire magazine from our website.
A few SNAP SHOTS at the Chapter
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 4th Sunday in Advent – Fr. Christopher
In both the narrative and Elizabeth’s witness, the connection is made between the greeting and the infant leaping for joy. Mary’s salutation activates what is growing in Elizabeth, what is coming to birth in her. What is growing in her is God-directed. Humility and lowliness are the proper responses. These interior attitudes form our Franciscan vocations, and open the door between human impossibility and divine possibility.
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 4th Sunday in Advent – Fr. Christopher
FORMATION FRIDAY – Christmas Time – December 20, 2024
Please share with your local fraternity
Thank you to Anne Mulqueen, OFS
It is said that Christmas is a time for children, but I say Christmas is a time for all who have not lost the wonder, joy and delight in celebrating the gift of the birth of a baby, human and divine, who came to earth to be one of us. On Christmas eve, 1223, our Father Francis made his ardent love for the Incarnation of God tangible through the reenactment of Bethlehem in a cave in Greccio.
In the First Life of St. Francis, Thomas of Celano writes that Francis wanted the birth of Christ to come alive, presenting anew the birth of the baby Jesus in a cave in Greccio. Francis wanted this event to be, noted and recalled with reverent memory. It is almost eight hundred years later, and we continue to display the Christmas creche in our homes and in our churches. And so during this Christmastide, let us set aside time to recall with reverent memory the wonder of the Incarnation as we gaze on the crib that holds Mary’s baby.
What prompted St. Francis to create this scene? St. Bonaventure would say he wanted to rouse the hearts of those weak in the faith. Thomas of Celano would say the child had been forgotten in the hearts of many; but by grace he was brought to life again through St. Francis.
St. Francis was a man of action. So what did he do? He invited his brothers and the people in the village to a cave, filled with animals, straw and a feeding trough, that served as a crib for the infant savior. Francis wanted everyone to experience the humility and poverty of a tender God who was born into the world as a poor and helpless baby. He wanted everyone to experience the love of God poured out in the Incarnation. At the appointed time the people arrived, carrying torches and candles. And their hearts were no longer cold, but filled with love. Everyone gathered in joy around this divine baby, lying in a manger.
While gazing at the crib of the infant Jesus, ponder this quote from Pope Francis. “When, at Christmas, we place the statue of the Infant Jesus in the manger, the nativity scene suddenly comes alive. God appears as a child, for us to take into our arms. Beneath weakness and frailty, he conceals his power that creates and transforms all things. It seems impossible, yet it is true: in Jesus, God was a child, and in this way he wished to reveal the greatness of his love: by smiling and opening his arms to all.” [Admirabile Signum 8]
It is always best to read the original sources on a subject in addition to a reflection or commentary. Therefore, please go to https://www.franciscantradition.org., pray first, then read and meditate on the following accounts of Francis’ reenactment of the nativity at Greccio. For those without access to the Internet, please read the account of the first Nativity in any biography of St. Francis you have or in the printed resource Volume 1 The Saint.
· The Life of Saint Francis by Thomas of Celano, Chapter XXX, [FA:ED, vol. 1, 254-257]
· The Life of Blessed Francis, Legenda Maior, by St. Bonaventure, Chapter 10, [FA:ED, vol. 2, 610-611]
Just one question to discuss or to comment on in your journal:
Has anything you read or meditated upon reawakened your imagination about the WORD made flesh—the invisible God made visible in a baby and has it changed your understanding of the nature of God?Por favor comparta con su fraternidad local
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Formación 20 de diciembre, 2024
Gracias a Anne Mulqueen, OFS
Se dice que la Navidad es una época de niños, pero yo digo que la Navidad es una época de todos los que no han perdido el asombro, la alegría y el deleite de celebrar el don del nacimiento de un bebé, humano y divino, que vino a la tierra para ser uno de nosotros. En la víspera de Navidad de 1223, nuestro Padre Francisco hizo tangible su ardiente amor por la Encarnación de Dios a través de la recreación de Belén en una cueva en Greccio.
En la Primera Vida de San Francisco, Tomás de Celano escribe que Francisco quiso que el nacimiento de Cristo cobrara vida, presentando de nuevo el nacimiento del niño Jesús en una cueva de Greccio. Francisco quiso que se tomara nota de este evento y que fuera recordado con memoria reverente. Han pasado casi ochocientos años y seguimos exhibiendo el pesebre navideño en nuestros hogares y en nuestras iglesias. Así que durante esta Navidad, dediquemos tiempo para recordar con reverencia la maravilla de la Encarnación mientras contemplamos el pesebre que sostiene al bebé de María.
¿Qué impulsó a San Francisco a crear esta escena? San Buenaventura dijo que quiso despertar los corazones de los débiles en la fe. Tomás de Celano dijo que el niño había quedado olvidado en el corazón de muchos; pero por gracia fue devuelto a la vida a través de San Francisco.
San Francisco fue un hombre de acción. Entonces, ¿qué hizo? Invitó a sus hermanos y a la gente del pueblo a una cueva llena de animales, paja y un comedero, que serviría de cuna al niño salvador. Francisco quería que todos experimentaran la humildad y la pobreza de un Dios tierno que nació en el mundo como un bebé pobre e indefenso. Quería que todos experimentaran el amor de Dios derramado en la Encarnación. A la hora señalada llegó el pueblo portando antorchas y velas. Y sus corazones ya no estaban fríos, sino llenos de amor. Todos se reunieron en alegría alrededor de este divino bebé, acostado en un pesebre.
Mientras contempla el pesebre del niño Jesús, reflexione sobre esta cita del Papa Francisco. “Cuando, en Navidad, colocamos la estatua del Niño Jesús en el pesebre, el pesebre de repente cobra vida. Dios se nos aparece como un niño, para que lo tomemos en nuestros brazos. Debajo de la debilidad y la fragilidad, esconde su poder que crea y transforma todas las cosas. Parece imposible, pero es verdad: en Jesús, Dios era niño, y así quiso revelar la grandeza de su amor: sonriendo y abriendo sus brazos a todos.” [Admirable Signum 8]
Siempre es mejor leer las fuentes originales sobre un tema además de una reflexión o comentario. Por lo tanto, visite http://franciscanos.org/frandp/menup.html , ore primero, luego lea y medite en los siguientes relatos de la recreación de la natividad de Francisco en Greccio.
- La Vida de San Francisco de Tomás de Celano , Capítulo XXX
http://franciscanos.org/fuentes/1Cel03.html
- La vida del Beato Francisco, Legenda Maior, de San Buenaventura, Capítulo 10
http://franciscanos.org/fuentes/lma04.html
Solo una pregunta para discutir o comentar en su diario :
¿Algo que leyó o meditó ha vuelto a despertar su imaginación acerca de la PALABRA hecha carne, el Dios invisible hecho visible en un bebé y ha cambiado su comprensión de la naturaleza de Dios?
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 3rd Sunday in Advent – Fr. Christopher
This is a day of jubilant song and tragedy, and it’s up to us to decide what to be part of. Advent’s waiting and hastening makes us choose, and to see our choices in the perspective of God’s long-standing plan for us—wanting only to love us, to never leave us, and to have a covenant of peace established with us last forever, until all the world knows the mercy of God.
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – 3rd Sunday in Advent – Fr. Christopher