Joshua Molidor, OFS

Many of us, who may have spent years living with our spouse, have been reminded of our matrimonial promise….to love, honor, and cherish. In sickness and health, for better or for worse, till death do we part.

Usually, it is our spouse who reminds us. Sometimes it is our parish priest, our family members, or our friends, for they were probably present for our wedding, and now see just how well we have kept this vow to our beloved.

Some of us have been blest with children and should remember the priest’s words “You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him or her in the practice of the Faith. It will be your duty to bring them up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand this commitment that you are undertaking?” Again, another bold promise, with family, friends, and our parish witnessing.

How many of us contemplate the time when we placed our hands into our minister’s hands, in front of our fraternity members, our family members, and the Church, and “ask to be admitted to profession of the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order and to make a permanent commitment to the gospel life.”
I have heard some say they don’t even remember this milestone in their lives, which is so sad, as we told all our friends and family…three times…that “ This is what I want!”

Let us all go back and re-read our promise, beginning on page 20 in our Ritual. Read slowly, take it all in, and see if your heart speaks YES to you. Listen to your heart. Discern how you need to improve in your commitment to gospel living, and now go forth boldly into the world, giving witness to the Word! Let your renewed commitment stoke the fires of your fraternity, start taking on more responsibilities on your local/regional council, and participate more fully in the fraternity’s apostolate.

Spirit of God, be with us as we recommit to live more fully the gospel life that we promised so long ago.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/07/04/promises-made-promises-kept/

(These Puzzles and Important Information originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2024 Digital Issue #111 – GOSPEL TO LIFE BOOKSTORE INFORMATION IS UPDATED)

PUZZLES – Word Search Puzzle and Word Scramble Puzzle  & Solutions

PUZZLES-TAU-USA-111-pg15-16-18.pdf

From the National Treasurer:

Traditionally this issue of the TAU-USA, contains the financial statement of the National Fraternity for the previous calendar year. However, during the National Executive Council meeting March 7-11, 2024, it was decided that it would be prudent and in the interest of cyber security that we no longer print financial details in the TAU-USA. The financial statement for the year ending December 31, 2023, has been provided to Regional Ministers to share with members in their Regions. Please contact your regional minister for a copy. The financial statement is for members and is not to be shared with people outside of the OFS-USA. If there is a request from someone outside the National Fraternity, please ask them to contact National Treasurer, Claudia Kauzlarich, OFS,     claudiakauz.sfo@gmail.com.

Link for placing an order with Smoky Valley Printing:

Click to access Smoky-Valley-update-Dec2023.pdf

Opportunity to Serve-National Historian Position Opening_

The National Executive Council is seeking applicants for the position of National Historian. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, or if you would like to nominate someone for the position, please contact National Secretary Susan Ronan, OFS, at ofsusasecretary@gmail.com for an application form

prior to May 5, 2024.

 The qualities required for the position of National Historian include:

• An interest in the history of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States
• The ability to conduct research, and good writing and communication skills
• Familiarity with the structure of the Secular Franciscan Order
• A willingness to reach out to various Secular Franciscan Order groups, and the wider Franciscan family
• Ability to travel, as needed, to do research
• Willingness to gain knowledge of the OFS Archives at St. Bonaventure University
• The time and ability to begin writing the next volume of OFS History in the USA

GOSPEL TO LIFE  –  OFS-USA BOOKSTORE

OFS USA has a new gmail account for the Gospel To Life Bookstore featuring the new soft-bound brown Rule book, fraternity registers, and the National Fraternity Journal printed to celebrate the Quinquennial. 

Email:  GospelToLifeBookstore@gmail.com

Bookstore-Order-Form_June20_2024_fillable.pdf

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/07/01/puzzles-important-information-tau-usa-digital-111/

In his homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Christopher delves into today’s readings, revealing the nature of Jesus’ power over evil, sickness and death.

“The presence of Christ within you makes for peace and all good, and makes you more aware of the people around you, those with
whom you exchange life on so many levels, realizing it was not so much you, as Christ-within-you.”

Read the full text of Fr. Christoher’s homily here.

View and listen to Fr. Christopher’s homily here.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/06/29/the-gospel-through-a-franciscan-lens-13th-sunday-in-ordinary-time-fr-christopher/

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Spring 2024 Digital Issue #111)

We praise you, O God, Creator of all things,
whose mystery unfolds in a leaf, in a mountain
trail, in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s face.

Jesus, your Son, taught us to wonder
as he made his way throughout the land,
contemplating the beauty of creation.

We pray, O God, that you may stir in us
a reverent awareness of our invisible link with the
entire created world.

We pray for humility—
to remember that we, too, are created
and are not creation’s masters.

We pray for compassion—
for open eyes and hearts
to welcome those forced to flee from their homes
due to rising sea levels and drought.

We pray for repentance—
so that our thirst for power and domination
may be transformed into service.

We pray for simplicity—
and the will to turn from our greed
which impacts vulnerable people everywhere.

We pray for cultural conversion—
that we may simplify our lifestyles,
reduce pollution and waste,
and exercise prudence in our decision making.

We pray for policy changes—
that as a nation and world we may work together
to reverse the course of climate change.

Our hearts ache as we ponder:
“The world sings of an infinite Love:
how can we fail to care for it?”

We praise you, O God, confident that you work
in our hearts and through our actions.

Prayer inspired by Pope Francis’
Laudate Deum
This prayer is inspired by Laudate Deum, Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation
on care for creation in follow-up to Laudato Si’. Laudate Deum is available on
the Vatican website under “Apostolic Exhortations.”

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/06/24/prayer-inspired-by-pope-francis-laudate-deum/