Solanus Casey Center – Bus Tour – Ford’s Garage

By Michael Gath, OFS

For the day away during the National Chapter event, the Divine Mercy Region hosts treated fraternity members to a bus tour of the City of Detroit. We experienced the Solanus Casey Center, including the celebration of Mass at the St. Bonaventure Chapel connected to the center.

On the way, we crossed Detroit’s Gateway Bridge. This bridge was built in preparation for the 2007 Super Bowl XL, which was evident by the designers incorporating football-like ovals in its structure.

Next, riding along Interstate 96, we passed the biggest tire on the planet―the Uniroyal Giant Tire. It was produced by the United States Rubber Company in 1964 for the New York World’s Fair as a Ferris wheel. Not long after the fair ended, the giant tire was disassembled and shipped to Detroit.

Moving along, we were able to see something unique to Detroit, known to be the third most visited tourist site for city, the Heidelberg Project. This art project was designed around two city blocks to inspire people to use artistic expression to enhance their lives and communities. It is in a neighborhood that suffered deterioration after the 1967 Detroit riots.

Once at the Solanus Casey Center, we entered through the Creation Garden. Intriguing pieces of art symbolized Sister Water, Moon, Earth, Brother Sun, Fire, Wind, and a four-thousand-year-old piece of dark wood depicting Sister Bodily Death.

Entering the Solanus Casey Center, we were greeted by many seculars from Divine Mercy Region. Sally McCuen, OFS, a co-author of a self-guided prayer booklet about the Center, gave the opening presentation.

Bernard Casey (a.k.a Blessed Solanus Casey) was born and grew up in Prescott, WI. He took on many jobs before considering religious life. AWer working as a logger, prison guard, and streetcar operator, his life changed when he witnessed a murder. In prayer, he heard the words “Go to Detroit,” which he did. He headed to St. Bonaventure Monastery.

In the seminary, he was given the name Solanus as a Capuchin simplex priest. God would grant many with blessings of healing and answered prayers through Blessed Solanus Casey’s intercession for them. The uniqueness of Solanus was that he was sought by everyone. All denominations of faith, and even atheists, would seek him out for help with their intentions. He was known to have a deep desire for the conversion and unity of the world.

During the guided tour, our first exhibit was the Beatitudes of Christ. Here we encountered life-sized bronze statues of those who exemplified the

beatitudes. They included Blessed Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and Archbishop Oscar Romero.

We entered the museum section dedicated to Blessed Solanus Casey’s personal artifacts. Immediately on entry, we were able to see what a big family Solanus came from through life size displays of photographs that must have been taken shortly after he entered the order.

On exhibit were items such as his habit, violin, sandals, prayer book, and rosary. Also within this section of the museum is a replica of his humble bedroom. Winding through toward the end of the exhibit, the center has Blessed Solanus Casey’s desk on display.

Moving on, we finally approached the tomb of Blessed Solanus Casey, located at the entrance to St. Bonaventure Chapel. The public can pray next to the exposed crypt containing his coffin, which is covered by glass.

We attended Mass in the St. Bonaventure Monastery Chapel. Beautifully designed, it includes a magnificent painting by Wilhelm Lamprecht of St. Francis receiving the stigmata. It was restored and shipped from St. Francis of Assisi Church in Milwaukee, where Blessed Solanus Casey was ordained. Directly in the rear of the Chapel is a relic of Blessed Solanus Casey.

Before Mass, we heard the testimony of a friar whose family was related to the Caseys. He explained how his brother was involved in a serious accident and was likely to lose his leg. After meeting with Blessed Solanus and asking for prayers, he told them everything would be all right. On the day of surgery, the doctors determined that the boy would not require the surgery. A healing had been granted.

Concluding our visit and celebration of Mass at the Solanus Casey Center and St. Bonaventure Chapel, we boarded the bus for the second part of the Detroit tour. We went to Belle Isle, and as our friendly bus driver, Earnest, kindly pointed out, it was at one time known as Hog Island. At one point the island was infested with snakes. To combat this, a herd of pigs was released on the island. It must have worked, because now the Belle Isle is a beautiful park that hosts a conservatory, nature center, and giant slide.

From Belle Isle, we headed to downtown Detroit. The bus ride through downtown gave us good views of some of Detroit’s well-known landmarks, including:

• The Spirit of Detroit – A downtown monument displaying a large figure holding a sphere with rays symbolizing God in one hand and family in the
• The Renaissance Center – A group of seven connected skyscrapers and headquarters of General
• The Kern’s Clock – A historic clock that once adorned the Ernst Kern Company department store
• Detroit Professional Sports Venues – Comerica Park, Ford Field, Little Caesar’s Arena

After leaving downtown Detroit, we headed to Ford’s Garage restaurant. We had great fellowship and a good meal to cap the day’s tour. Ford’s Garage gives the sense of being an old-time service station back in the 1920s. On display were vintage Ford automobiles and gas pumps from the early days.

Thanks to the Divine Mercy Region hosts for a fantastic pilgrimage/tour of the gems of the Motor City.

Blessed Solanus Casey

by Donna Hollis, OFS

Sometimes we look at Saints whose actions appear to be beyond our capabilities. Blessed Solanus Casey’s actions are very much within reach as he focused on the relationships with those he encountered.

At the Chapter, the life of Blessed Solanus Casey was portrayed in a most creative way with storytelling, video, music, and song, with audience participation in the play “More Love than Skill: A Saint and His Fiddle” by Br. Al Mascia, OFM.

The ambience of the play touched the heart strings of those of us who attended. The story of Blessed Solanus Casey came alive with the personal touches that the actor shared with enthusiasm. The songs were like chants that gave us time to reflect on who this blessed man was and how he lived by reaching out to the marginalized in our society.

Blessed Solanus embodied the prayer attributed to St. Teresa of Ávila, “Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet but yours. We are the compassion that looks out to the world…”

I left with a sense of what was in Blessed Solanus’s heart and with respect for his ministry to those in need. He was a man of God who changed people’s hearts and lives. We, in turn, can mirror his heart by reaching out with compassion to those most in need.

If you would like to learn more about Br. Al Mascia, OFM, and his ministry, visit: http://brotheral.org/

Day Away Pilgrimage – Solanus Casey Center

Fr. David B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap.

Fr. David B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., will present a free online study of “From Gospel to Life:  Jesus in the New Testament.”  This mini-course, offered over three Saturdays in June, will provide Secular Franciscans with a faithful and contemporary view of Jesus, as He is presented in the Letters of Paul and the Synoptic Gospels.

Fr. Couturier will discuss Jesus in His Jewish historical context, providing a fresh look at the stories we know so well. In understanding how Jesus spoke in Jewish terms, we can more deeply appreciate His words, thoughts, and commands. His parables will come alive.  The course will run from 12-1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on June 3, 10, and 17.

Click Here to Register  https://sbu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5otr1lQCVYP94eq

The Zoom link will be sent to registrants.

Fr. Couturier is the executive director of Franciscan Institute & Franciscan Institute Publications at St. Bonaventure University.  He gave a popular Quinquennial keynote address last August in Phoenix.

Fr. Couturier also edited the “Gospel of St. Francis” videos and handout for Secular Franciscans that are available on the St. Bonaventure Univerisity website.

For additional information and other summer course offerings, go to:

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2023/03/21/free-gospel-to-life-series-offers-faithful-contemporary-look-at-jesus/

(This article originally appeared in the Winter 2023 Issue of TAU-USA #108)

by Sharon Winzeler, OFS

Hosted by the Divine Mercy Region, the first face-to-face chapter meeting in three years included formation, fellowship, a tour of the Blessed Solanus Casey Center, and Detroit landmarks, as well as the election of a new National Executive Council to three-year terms.

A one-man play based on the life of Blessed Solanus was also featured. In addition, election procedures were updated, and the theme and priorities of the coming term were decided.

On the final day of chapter, Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS, was elected national minister.

Others elected to the national council were: Vice Minister Diane F. Menditto, OFS; Secretary Susan Ronan, OFS; Treasurer Claudia Kauzlarich, OFS; International Councilor Mary Frances Charsky, OFS; and National Councilors Cherryle Fruge, OFS, Donna Hollis, OFS, and Joshua Molidor, OFS.

Fr. Christopher Shorrock, OFM Conv., became CNSA president-in-turn at Chapter. Because Fr. Chris was called back to his native Australia, Fr. John DeLa Riva,OFM Cap., became president-in-turn on Jan. 1.

Attending were eight NEC members, 30 regional ministers or vice ministers, four CNSA members, and 35 commission and committee members, nominees, and observers. CIOFS Presidency Councilor Silvia (Sissi) Diana, OFS, of Argentina, presided at the elections on behalf of Tibor Kauser, OFS, Minister General.

Bishop Gerard W. Battersby of Detroit opened the National Chapter with a Mass that included a homily reminding listeners of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The Christ who animated Peter and the other apostles is the same one who animates us.

“The first historical proof of the risen Lord was when the apostles encountered Him after the resurrection. Before they witnessed the resurrection, it was hard for the apostles to remember Jesus’ promise, especially after His savage death. Can you imagine how they must have savored the wonder and explosion of joy that changed everything for everyone? The disciples became transformed men and women,” Bishop Battersby said.

“The North Star guiding our lives is the fact that He is risen. That is the life-giving transformation, because we are risen with Him, and we come to know Him asthe Lord of all creation. This changes everything for us as it did for the apostles and Francis,” he said.

“The Father’s plan is for us to become like Jesus. Do not be afraid. You have eternity to work it out,“ he said. “We must always press into the Resurrection.”

New Regional Ministers

Ten of the regional ministers were newly elected and arrived early for an orientation session led by Bob Longo, OFS, of the St. Margaret of Cortona Region. Regions with newly elected ministers are: Blessed Solanus Casey, Patricia Wilkin, OFS; Brothers and Sisters of St Francis, Ellen Ferrone, OFS; Franciscans of the Prairie, Kathy Adams, OFS; Juan de Padilla, Brenda Haas, OFS; Lady Poverty, Kathy Barton, OFS; Los Tres Companeros, Paul Gonzalez, OFS; Mother Cabrini, Bob Burnham, OFS; Our Lady of Indiana, Cyndi Pilot, OFS; Our Lady of the Rockies, Pamela Boespflug, OFS; and St. Joan of Arc, Elizabeth Killeen, OFS. Kathy Barton, OFS was unable to attend. Ed Meegan, OFS, Vice-Minister, attended chapter for the Lady Poverty Region.

State of the Order

Outgoing National Minister Jan Parker, OFS, delivered her final State-of- the Order, which can be viewed or read on the Secular Franciscan website. She referenced a YouTube video by Dr. Thomas Nairn, OFM, called “A Franciscan Spirituality of Discernment,” which calls us to “Listen, Discern, and Go Forth.”

The call to “Listen, Discern, Go Forth” was adopted as the theme for the national fraternity for the next three years.

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Award Recipient

Louise Sandberg, OFS, received the 2022 Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Award presented by Joseph Makley, OFS, co-chair for the JPIC Commission. Louise recounted the inspiration she found in Africa. On her first mission there, she said, “I felt like I was visiting God’s favorite people in the whole world.” A video of Louise’s talk is posted on the website.

Guidelines for OFS Councils

Regional ministers were introduced to the CIOFS document Guidelines for OFS Councils which emphasizes the important role local fraternities play in the order. Local fraternities are responsible for accepting, forming and admitting to profession new members, as well as the continuing work of helping professed members, remain active in the order.

The document also explained how the role of minister in the fraternity differs from that of a leader in another club or organization. “The office of Minister cannot be compared to the office of President of any civil law association: it has the function of coordination and representation, it has specific tasks, but does not have “power” prevailing over the other members of the Council,” according to the document.

The document outlines the responsibilities of council members, citing the importance of service to the fraternity. “[A council member is] called in the first person to work for the good of the OFS and to be interested in every aspect of fraternal life, regardless of the service office covered. The style of service in the Council is that of the ‘washing of the feet’ (Jn. 13, 12-17), which is the biblical foundation of service, in the ‘minority’.”

Diane F. Menditto, OFS, Francine Gikow, OFS, and Anne Mulqueen, OFS, from the National Formation Commission delivered a presentation on the guidelines that can be found on the website.

Theme and Priorities

“Listen, Discern, Go Forth” was adopted as the three-year theme for the national fraternity. Reflection questions based on the theme were developed by the National Formation Commission and are available for ongoing formation. Each session connects the theme to the Rule and provides instruction and reflection questions.

The theme will also help direct actions on the priorities of vocations, communications and relationships.

Outgoing Minister Jan Parker noted that listening is a holy encounter in the lives of Franciscans.

“This initial step of listening does not mean a passive hearing (which implies that the action is one-sided), rather it’s very active. In essence, listening becomes an encounter, an encounter with God and with others, an encounter that is critical in directing our discernment. He then challenges us to go forth,” Jan said.

Conference of National Spiritual Assistants (CNSA) Presentations

Keeping with the theme of listening, four friars from the CNSA presented formation on how to converse with and listen to members of the order. Their talks can be viewed on the Chapter 2022 page of the Secular Franciscan website.

Fr. Jerome Wolbert, OFM, outgoing president-in-turn, discussed “Why Is There A Visitation?” Fr. Jerome explained that visitations “help others to experience what it is to be heard, so they also know how to listen.” He said visitations give local councils the ability to experience discernment and the “prayer, caution, and courage that go into it.” In turn, he said, they learn better how to discern and lead.

Fr. John DeLa Riva, OFM Cap. Echoed the “Listen, Discern, Go Forth” message by advising regional ministers to “practice very keen listening. You go on a visitation so you can hear. Listen well.” The title of his presentation is “Animate and Inspire.”

Fr. Christopher Shorrock, OFM Conv., who lived in Milwaukee until recently returning to Australia, discussed the need for Spiritual Assistants. He reminded the professed who are considering the spiritual assistant training program. First, going through the program doesn’t guarantee being a spiritual assistant, but it has its rewards. “If you are called and not chosen, you will be a better Franciscan for it,” he said. He also reminded the audience that serving as a spiritual assistant is not a lifelong commitment. There are term limits, giving the fraternity and spiritual assistant a good opportunity “to refresh and move on.”

Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR spoke on “Discernment.” He talked about how we have gone through dark times with the pandemic and injustices. He compared our situation to the time the Israelites spent in the desert. “They called out for change. God sent Moses.”

We are traveling in the wilderness like the Israelites. “God has found us, is traveling with us. We should never, ever forget,” Fr. Christopher said.

The wilderness gives us a new appreciation of our dependency on God and calls us to be Christo-centric as we see, judge, and act. He encouraged the audience to share this in community with our brothers and sisters.

“Be the visible presence of the invisible ones as agents of God,” he said.

Servant Leadership

The morning of the election, Fr. Cidoune Joseph, OFM presented a talk on Franciscan servant leadership.

Calling upon Franciscan servant leaders to follow the example of John the Baptist, Fr. Cid said, “A Franciscan servant leader loses him/herself in their ministry. Like John the Baptist – they decrease so that others may increase. Jesus and Francis, of course, are our models for this.”

“Franciscan servant leaders are always in second place to the people they serve. The ministry is not about them – but about others and their needs,” he said.

Servant leaders are extensions of Jesus and model His virtues, such as compassion, service, love, forgiveness, commitment, prayerfulness, gentleness, patience, and humility, Fr. Cid said.

The full text of Fr. Cid’s talk can be found on the website.

Election Procedures

A set of procedures for elections was adopted. First, the National Fraternity Council adopted National Fraternity Election Procedures. This document addresses all aspects of the national election, including requirements for the election of persons running for a third term. Second, Guidelines for Nominations from the Floor were approved at chapter. The guidelines outline the procedure for nominating officers at the election. Regional and local fraternities may also use them but are not bound by them.

The 2023 National Chapter will be August 23-27 at Pallottine Renewal Center St. Louis, MO.

Chapter meeting renews call to leadership and service