CNSA Friars and Staff Meet with 1st Order Novices
Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv., Fr. Jerome Wolbert, OFM , Fr. John DeLaRiva, OFM Cap. and (virtually) Mary Frances Charsky, OFS, Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR and Corinne Lorenzet, OFS with Friar novices and formaters at San Lorenzo Novitiate, Santa Ynez, California.
During the week of January 25-30, the CNSA Friars gathered at San Lorenzo, the novitiate house of the Capuchin friars in Santa Ynez, California, for a time of prayer, reflection on their ministry to the OFS, fraternity and CNSA business. Father Christopher Panagoplos was unable to attend, and the snowstorm on the east coast cancelled Mary Frances Charsky, OFS and Corinne Lorenzet, OFS’s travel plans. Thankfully, all three were able to attend virtually.
The highlight of the week was a presentation by the Friars as well as Mary Frances and Corinne to the novices from all three of the First Order obediences. The OFM and OFM Conventual novitiates are close to San Lorenzo, making this gathering possible. Nineteen novices and seven members of the novitiate formation teams were present.
Corinne Lorenzet and Mary Frances Charsky share the Secular Franciscan Rule and charism with the novices.
The presentation included an overview of the structure of the OFS by Mary Frances Charsky, OFS, a reflection on the OFS Rule by CorinneLorenzet, OFS, a discussion of the altius moderamen and the friars’ responsibilities to the OFS by Father Jerome Wolbert, OFM and a presentation on the development of the Third Order religious and secular by Fr. Christopher Panagoplos, TOR. Father Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. began with an introduction, and led the group in the prayer written by Pope Leo for this year devoted to St. Francis. Father John DeLaRiva, OFM Cap. concluded the presentation by reminding the novices and all present that we are one Franciscan family. We were impressed by the novices’ interest in learning more about the OFS, and how they may be called to serve in the future. They asked great questions! Fathers Marek, John and Jerome were able to spend time with the novices during prayer, Mass and meals which resulted in many rich conversations.
Fr. Jerome, Fr. John and Fr. Marek enjoying the California sunshine.
Prior to the CNSA presentation, the novices spent a day with Regis Armstrong, OFM Cap., Wayne Hellman, OFM Conv. and Bill Short, OFM. What an awesome experience for these young friars.
The time spent on CNSA business revolved heavily around spiritual assistance to the OFS. Br. Kip Ledger, OFM Cap., who has been very involved in spiritual assistance formation programs, joined the CNSA discussion. The friars developed an action plan for 2026 to begin to address the concerns that exist concerning spiritual assistants, and will be discussing these plans with the NEC at its next meeting.
We are grateful to Br. Kip for all his help to make this gathering possible, as well as the hospitality of the OFM Capuchin friars and novices at San Lorenzo.
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2026/01/cnsa-and-staff-meet-with-1st-order-novices/
Carolyn Townes, OFS: Peacemaker and Circle Keeper JPIC 2025 Award
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2025 Issue #117)
By Joe Makley, OFS • JPIC Animator
Our JPIC Award recipient for 2025 is Carolyn Townes, OFS. Carolyn has had a long and impactful history as the National JPIC Animator for over ten years, and currently serves on the boards of several Franciscan organizations. What follows is a brief interview with Carolyn:
Carolyn, how did you become aware of your Franciscan vocation?
Carolyn Townes, OFS JPIC Award 2025
“The Franciscan Holy Spirit met me at a time in my life when I was unknowingly searching. My Baptist preacher mother would buy these candles to bring good luck to our home. She would always get St. Michael the Archangel, St. Jude, St. Clare, and St. Anthony. I knew who Michael and Jude were, but who were these two in the brown robes? I Googled, even before there was Google, and found out they followed this guy named Francis. So, I went down a rabbit hole to discover who this Francis was. I joined the Catholic Church in 1997, began formation in 1998, and was professed in 2000. So, Francis found me at a time when I needed to be found but had no idea I was lost.”
You’ve described yourself as a circle keeper. Can you explain?
“A circle keeper is one who keeps what goes on in the circle – the stories, the tears, the anger, the uncertainty, the long-held family secrets. As well as making sure those within the circle feels safe, heard, and held. Being a circle keeper embraces the spirituality of “with-ness” – not fixing or having the answers, just being with and listening. Two very difficult things to do sometimes. Circle keeping is in my Cherokee roots and I have had many opportunities to fully embrace it.”
You have worked with Franciscans International, Franciscan Action Network, and other Franciscan organizations. How do we build the bridges with a wider Franciscan Family?
“As Franciscans, we are all one family – friars, sisters, and laity. We all profess the same Gospel written specifically into our own rules of life. We all take the same aspect of Jesus our Brother – as the poor Christ, the Incarnational Christ – and weave that charism into our lives. We are all woven from that same cloth. How can we not stand on the same foundation with one another? When you are standing shoulder to shoulder next to someone, how can you not turn to them and ask, “So, what’s your story? Tell me what breaks your heart!” We have learned to live and move in our own individual silos and that has not been good for building bridges. To build bridges we need to step outside of those silos, turn to one another and get over the fears that separate us. Several of the organizations I work with have never had a Secular Franciscan on their board, team, or committee; let alone a Secular who is a woman of color.”
Can you share any future plans?
“Broken hearts usually dictate my future. As long as there are hearts that are broken, I will always have something to do. I also work to train the trainers for circle processes. Circles are our past, our present, and our future. Circles are what will shift us from fear to love, if we only get out of the way.”
What keeps you going?
“What keeps me going is knowing there are still hearts that are broken and people that are suffering. Those people and hearts need to be tenderly held and allowed the space and the grace to heal. Today’s society is hurting. We live in a world of uncertainty and that uncertainty causes fear. People are living out of their fears and hurts with very few who will listen and hold space for them. I hold space by creating circles. Those circles are spaces for being heard and for the Holy Spirit to begin the healing process.”
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2026/01/carolyn-townes-ofs-peacemaker-and-circle-keeper-jpic-2025-award/