JPIC – A Change in Leadership

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2023 Issue #110)

by Sharon Winzeler, OFS

Carolyn Townes, OFS & Joe Makley, OFS

Joe Makley, OFS, is the new national animator for Justice and Peace and the Integrity of Creation. He replaces Carolyn Townes, OFS, who was appointed to the position in 2013 by the late Tom Bello, OFS.  Bello asked Townes to work on educating Secular Franciscans on JPIC issues.

The National Executive Council paid tribute to Caroline (Carolyn) for her 10-year term with a retrospective slide show featuring her work on the JPIC commission.

Carolyn said goodbye with a talk on kindness. “When we show kindness to others, it inspires them to do the same, creating a chain reaction that spreads joy and positivity. As Franciscans, we are called to be instruments of peace, in our Order, in our Church, and in our world.”

Tribute to Carolyn Townes, OFS

Joe has worked with the JPIC commission since 2016 and became vice chair in 2019.  He and his wife, Patricia, belong to the Holy Family Fraternity, which meets at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Norway, ME.  Professed in 1996, Joe has worked in JPIC-related issues at the local, regional, and national levels.

Joe shared, “Since being appointed, I reviewed our history, especially the transition from the Apostolic Commissions to JPIC in 2007.  The hope then was to reflect on who we are as foundational to what we are doing. We are to support the sincere, daily conversion described in our Rule, and facilitate reflection on that, leading to action.  For example, while meditating on the Canticle of the Creatures, we may hear it in a new way, in our hearts, and rediscover our love for God in creation and a new awareness of the sins we have committed against nature.”

Joe also spoke of following the inspiration of initiatives led by his predecessor Carolyn. He explained, “Another example would be the Faith and Racial Equity course facilitated by Carolyn Townes during the summer of 2021.  We had books to read, but the main thing was listening. The time she invested in hearing and telling stories, sometimes tough stories was vital to our understanding of JPIC. In depth, we practiced Paragraph 19 of our Rule. We listened in love, open to conversion, just like Father Lester Bach emphasized so strongly in Franciscan Journey. That kind of listening is still central to who we are, a visible sign of our penitential walk.

Working in conjunction with the wishes of the National Executive Council, Joe has plans for the future of JPIC. On public issues, he will work in concert with the National Executive Council and the other commissions and committees to provide good Catholic information, a Christ-centered Franciscan response, connections to one another, and timely opportunities to pray, reflect, and act.

Joe emphasized that, in addition to the planned activities, he’d work to facilitate better understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, through hosting or connecting with one or more online seminars.  Much of the increase in JPIC activity over the last few years was organized remotely, including focus groups on Care for Creation, Immigration, and Spirituality of JPIC, all of which were led by members in the regions who did their planning remotely. So, there will be more chances to connect and share and serve.  Communications are a focus that should be a two-way conversation.

He invited members to contact him or other commission members directly. Their contact information is available on the Secular Franciscans USA website.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/01/15/jpic-a-change-in-leadership/

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Formation Friday – Stigmata – January 12. 2024

As we begin 2024, we turn from Greccio to Mt. Alverna, (LaVerna) from the Crib to the Cross. This year the Franciscan family will be commemorating St. Francis’s marking with the Stigmata. Although the actual day is September 17, 1224, there will be many opportunities during this year to allow these special marks to mark our lives as Secular Franciscans. We start with an excellent synopsis compiled from the Legenda Minor of St. Bonaventure and shared with us by Deacon David and Thérèse Ream, OFS. Also included below are other resources and some introductory discussion questions.

Stigmata: September 17 (Legenda Minor of St. Bonaventure)

Two years before Francis, the faithful servant of Christ, gave his soul back to God, he was alone on the top of Mt. Alverna. There he had begun a fast of forty days in honor of the archangel Michael and was immersed more deeply than usual in the delights of heavenly contemplation. His soul became aglow with the ardor of fervent longing for heaven as he experienced within himself the operations of grace.

As he was drawn aloft through ardent longing for God one morning near the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross [September 14], and was praying on the mountainside, he saw what appeared as a seraph with six bright wings gleaming like a fire descending from the heights of heaven. As this figure approached in swift flight and came near the man of God, it appeared not only winged but also crucified. The sight of it amazed Francis and his soul experienced joy mingled with pain. He was delighted with the sight of Christ appearing to him so graciously and intimately and yet the awe-inspiring vision of Christ nailed to the cross aroused in his soul a joy of compassionate love.

When the vision vanished after a mysterious and intimate conversation, it left Francis aglow with seraphic love in his soul. Externally, however, it left marks on his body like those of the Crucified as if the impression of a seal had been left on heated wax. The figures of the nails appeared immediately on his hands and feet. The heads of the nails were inside his hands but on top of his feet with their points extending through to the opposite side. His right side too showed a blood-red wound as if it had been pierced by a lance, and blood flowed frequently from it.

Because of this new and astounding miracle unheard of in times past, Francis came down from the mountain a new man adorned with the sacred stigmata, bearing in his body the image of the Crucified not made by a craftsman in wood or stone, but fashioned in his members by the hand of the living God. [Francis was the first person in the history of Christianity to receive the sacred stigmata. The Franciscan Family celebrates the Feast of the Stigmata on September 17.]

 

Resources:

The Life of St. Francis by Thomas of Celano FA:ED Vol. 1 p. 263 (Chapter III)

https://digitalcollections.franciscantradition.org/document/bx4700-f6f722-1999/francis_of_assisi_early_documents_-_the_saint/1999-00-00?pageNo=258

Centenary Resources: Stigmata

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/centenary-resources-the-gift-of-the-stigmata/

YouTube video The Stigmata Celebration of the 800th Anniversary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO9pziU4i7Y

 

Questions for discussion or to answer in your journal:

+What struck you about the description given above?

+How does meditating on this great gift given to St. Francis help you to come closer to Christ?

+What puzzles or surprises you about Francis’s receiving the stigmata?

+List some incidents in Francis’s life or passages in his writings that help you to understand why God might have given Francis this gift

 

Formación 12 de enero, 2024 (compartir con su fraternidad local)

 

Al comenzar el año 2024, pasamos de Greccio al Monte Alverna, (LaVerna) del Pesebre a la Cruz. Este año la familia franciscana conmemorará la marca de San Francisco con los estigmas. Aunque el día real es el 17 de septiembre de 1224, habrá muchas oportunidades durante este año para permitir que estas marcas especiales marquen nuestras vidas como Franciscanos Seglares. Comenzamos con una excelente sinopsis compilada de la Leyenda Menor de San Buenaventura y compartida con nosotros por el Diácono David y Thérèse Ream, OFS. También se incluyen a continuación otros recursos y algunas preguntas de discusión introductorias.

 

Estigmas: 17 de septiembre (Legenda Menor de San Buenaventura)

 

Dos años antes de que Francisco, el fiel servidor de Cristo, devolviera su alma a Dios, estaba solo en la cima del monte Alverna. Allí había iniciado un ayuno de cuarenta días en honor del arcángel Miguel y se sumergió más profundamente que de costumbre en los deleites de la contemplación celestial. Su alma ardió con el ardor del ferviente anhelo del cielo al experimentar dentro de sí las operaciones de la gracia.

Mientras era arrastrado hacia lo alto por un ardiente anhelo por Dios una mañana cerca de la fiesta de la Exaltación de la Cruz [14 de septiembre], y estaba orando en la ladera de la montaña, vio lo que parecía un serafín con seis alas brillantes que brillaban como un fuego que descendía de las alturas del cielo. Cuando esta figura se acercó en rápido vuelo y se acercó al hombre de Dios, apareció no sólo alada sino también crucificada. Al verlo, Francisco quedó asombrado y su alma experimentó alegría mezclada con dolor. Estaba encantado con la visión de Cristo apareciéndose a él con tanta gracia e intimidad y, sin embargo, la visión sobrecogedora de Cristo clavado en la cruz despertó en su alma un gozo de amor compasivo.

 

Cuando la visión desapareció después de una conversación misteriosa e íntima, dejó a Francisco brillando con un amor seráfico en su alma. Externamente, sin embargo, dejó en su cuerpo marcas similares a las del Crucificado, como si la impresión de un sello hubiera sido dejada sobre cera caliente. Las figuras de los clavos aparecieron inmediatamente en sus manos y pies. Las cabezas de los clavos estaban dentro de sus manos pero encima de sus pies con sus puntas extendiéndose hacia el lado opuesto. Su costado derecho también mostraba una herida de color rojo sangre, como si hubiera sido atravesada por una lanza, y de ella manaba sangre con frecuencia.

 

A causa de este nuevo y sorprendente milagro, nunca visto en tiempos pasados, Francisco descendió de la montaña como un hombre nuevo adornado con los estigmas sagrados, llevando en su cuerpo la imagen del Crucificado, no hecha por un artesano en madera o piedra, sino modelada en sus miembros por la mano del Dios vivo. [Francisco fue la primera persona en la historia del cristianismo en recibir los estigmas sagrados. La Familia Franciscana celebra la Fiesta de los Estigmas el 17 de septiembre.]

 

Recursos en español:

Celano: Vida primera de San Francisco Parte segunda Capítulo 3

https://franciscanos.org/fuentes/1Cel04.html

YouTube video Los estigmas celebración del 800 Aniversario

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO9pziU4i7Y

Centenario de los Estigmas de San Francisco

https://capuchinos.cl/centenario-de-los-estigmas-de-san-francisco/

 

Preguntas para platicar o para responder en su diario:

 

+¿Qué le llamó la atención de la descripción anterior?

+¿Cómo le ayuda a acercarse a Cristo meditar en este gran regalo dado a San Francisco?

+¿Qué le desconcierta o le sorprende acerca de que Francisco haya recibido los estigmas?

+Enumere algunos incidentes en la vida de Francisco o pasajes de sus escritos que le ayuden a comprender por qué Dios podría haberle dado a Francisco este don.

 

Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Vice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USA

Epiphany of Jesus Among Us

By Cherryle Frugge, OFS
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.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/01/10/epiphany-of-jesus-among-us/

Franciscan Centenary Celebration Activity

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2023 Issue #110)

By Sharon Winzeler, OFS

Vickie Klick, OFS and Terri Leone, OFS

Vickie Klick, OFS, chair of the Centenary Task Force, led an activity focusing on the four-year Franciscan Centenary Celebration. The focus of the year 2023 is the Rule and Christmas at Greccio, 2024 will be the Gift of the Stigmata, 2025 the Canticle of the Creatures, and 2026 the Easter of Francis of Assisi.

Chapter attendees had an opportunity to participate in an exercise focusing on the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order. The attendees worked in pairs to discuss questions focusing on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The goal of the activity was for the participants to better understand how living the Rule, builds relationships between sisters and brothers.

Centenaries Presentation

“The questions provide opportunities for us to be transformed.  We apply the questions to our lives, share with others and grow deeper and closer as Franciscans,” Vickie said.

“These are questions that recognize that we come to the Order by different paths, but the reason we are here is part of the lens that shows how we understand and focus on our way of life. With Francis, we learn about his conversion experiences.  Something happened in your life that made you think you needed something more.  What was that?” she asked.

Vickie talked about her admission to the Catholic Church on Christmas Eve in 1982 and her profession in 1985. She explained, “I was looking for fraternity. I needed to be with other people who shared my beliefs.”

Animated conversations could be heard throughout the exercise as fraternity members were eager to share their experiences. The questions in this module relate to fraternity, the Rule, and living the Gospel life. Prayers for Fraternal Life are also included in the formation series.

This activity and others that relate to the Franciscan Centenary Celebration can be found in the Centenary section of the Secular Franciscan website under “Activities and Prayer Resources” near the bottom left of the page.

“And whoever observes these things let him be blessed in Heaven with the blessing of the Most High Father, and on earth with the blessing of His Beloved Son with the Most Holy Spirit the Paraclete”

(Blessing of St Francis found in The Testament of Francis)

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/01/08/franciscan-centenary-celebration-activity/

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Formation Friday – Taking Stock 2024, Our Lives of Prayer as Secular Franciscans – January 5, 2024

Taking Stock 2024 Our Lives of Prayer as Secular Franciscans

“As Minister General of a large Order, St. Bonaventure provided, among other things, spiritual direction for those seeking God. In a letter to Poor Clare nuns, he offered directives as to how we might enter into prayer by way of ‘descent.’

“The steps are summarized as follows:

· Return to yourself; Enter into your heart;

· Ponder what you were, are, should have been, called to be;

· What you are by nature;

· What you are through sin;

· What you should have been through effort;

· What you can still be through grace;

· Meditate in your heart;

· Let your spirit brood. (Are you resentful, angry, jealous?);

· Plow this field, work on yourself;

· Strive for freedom within, the freedom that leads to relationship with God, realizing that God will never force us to love him;

· Lack of self-knowledge and failure to appreciate one’s own worth make for faulty judgment in all other matters;

· If you are not able to understand (and accept) your own self, you will not be able to understand (or accept) what is beyond you.”

Bonaventure, Perfectione vitae ad sorores (Perf. Vit.) 1.5 (VIII, 109). Engl. trans. Jose de Vinck, “On the Perfection of Life, Addressed to Sisters,” in The Works of Bonaventure, vol. 1, Mystical Opscula (Paterson, N.J.: Saint Anthony Guild Press, 1960), 214.

Quoted in: Delio, Ilia. Franciscan Prayer (Kindle Locations 613-616). Kindle Edition.

For our Prayer Journey as Secular Franciscans

• We take as our “book” the poor and crucified Christ

• Our “inspiration” the writings of Francis, Clare, Bonaventure

• Our “guide” the Holy Spirit

• Our “model” Mary

• Our “core” the gospel

• Our “focus” the life of penance we profess to live

• Our “sustenance” the Eucharist, Sacraments and prayer.

FUN Manual The rule of the SFO page 27 of 46

Questions for discussion or to comment on in your journal

+How has your prayer life changed over the years?

+If you are a Secular Franciscan, how does your prayer reflect who you are as member (or candidate) of the Order?

+Does prayer influence how you live your life?

+Based on St. Bonaventure’s directives above, how can you strengthen your prayer life?

+++++++++++++++++++

 

2024 Momento de examinar nuestras vidas de oración como franciscanos seglares

 

“Como Ministro General de una Orden grande, San Buenaventura proporcionó, entre otras cosas, dirección espiritual para quienes buscaban a Dios. En una carta a las monjas Clarisas, ofreció directivas sobre cómo podríamos entrar en oración a través de la ‘descendencia.’ “

 

“Los pasos se resumen a continuación:

• Regrese a usted mismo; Entre en su corazón;

• Reflexione sobre lo que usted fue, es, debería haber sido llamado a ser;

• Lo que usted es por naturaleza;

• Qué es usted por el pecado;

• Lo que debería haber sido a través del esfuerzo;

• Lo que aún puede ser gracias a la gracia;

• Medite en su corazón;

• Deje que su espíritu se dé vueltas. (¿Está resentido, enojado, celoso?);

• Are este campo, trabaje en si mismo;

• Luche por la libertad interior, la libertad que conduce a la relación con Dios, reconociendo que Dios nunca nos obligará a amarlo;

• La falta de autoconocimiento y la incapacidad de apreciar el valor propio dan lugar a un juicio erróneo en todos los demás asuntos;

• Si no puede entenderse (y aceptarse) a sí mismo, no podrá comprender (o aceptar) lo que está más allá de usted.”

 

Buenaventura, Perfectione vitae ad sorores (Perf. Vit.) 1.5 (VIII, 109). Engl. trans. José de Vinck, “Sobre la perfección de la vida, dirigida a las hermanas”, en Las obras de Buenaventura, vol. 1, Mystical Opscula (Paterson, Nueva Jersey: Saint Anthony Guild Press, 1960), 214.

Citado en: Delio, Ilia. Oración franciscana (ubicaciones de Kindle 613-616). Versión Kindle.

 

Por nuestro viaje de oración como franciscanos seglares

• Tomamos como nuestro “libro” al Cristo pobre y crucificado

• Nuestra “inspiración” los escritos de Francisco, Clara, Buenaventura

• Nuestro “guía” el Espíritu Santo

• Nuestra “modelo” María

• Nuestro “núcleo” el evangelio

• Nuestro “enfoque” la vida de penitencia que profesamos vivir

• Nuestro “sustento” la Eucaristía, los Sacramentos y la oración.

FUN Manual La regla de la OFS página 27 de 46

Preguntas para platicar o comentar en su diario

+ ¿Cómo ha cambiado su vida de oración a lo largo de los años?

+ Si es un franciscano seglar, ¿cómo refleja su oración quién es como miembro (o candidato) de la Orden?

+ ¿Influye la oración en cómo vive su vida?

+ Según las directivas de San Buenaventura ya mencionadas, ¿cómo puede fortalecer su vida de oración?

 

 
Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Vice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USA
Listen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
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Juan de Padilla