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

Jane, Diane, Susan, Claudia, Cherryle, Joshua, Donna, Mary Frances, Fr. John

Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS

Office: Minister

Region: Our Lady of Guadalupe – Empress of the Americas

Residence: Roswell, NM

Local Fraternity: St. Francis

Year professed: 1995

Motivated to be a servant leader because. . . “I never dreamed that I would one day be National Minister. My journey as a member was strengthened with each position – whether elected or appointed. Local minister, regional ecology commission chair, national ecology commission, local secretary, newsletter editor, local treasurer, vocations committee, local minister, national secretary, and currently national minister. My vocation flourishes by witnessing how others live their vocations. So, selfishly, I am motivated to serve because I learn so much from my Franciscan brothers and sisters―they truly nourish my vocation.”

Additional info: “Brian Bamman is my best friend. We’ve been married for 32 years. We were not blessed with children but cared for the adults God brought into our lives. We moved to Roswell, NM,  in 2018. It’s small. I can go for months without driving over 40 miles per hour. Although small, this community is blessed with OFM Friars, Poor Clare nuns, and OFS. When I am not working or at a fraternity meeting (in-person or virtually), I would probably be playing tennis, thinking about playing tennis or planning a trip.”

Diane F. Menditto, OFS

Office: Vice Minister

Region: Our Lady of the Angels

Residence: Hackensack, NJ

Local Fraternity: St. Francis

Year professed: 1979

Motivated to be a servant leader because. . .“Servant leadership is the best way I know to share the gifts God has given me with my brothers and sisters. Serving  the National Fraternity allows me to collaborate with others in moving the Order forward. Sharing what I have learned from great leaders and formators during my 43 years as a Secular Franciscan gives me great joy,”

Additional info: “I love flowers, photography, traveling, teaching and speaking Spanish.”

Susan Ronan, OFS

Office: Secretary

Region: St. Elizabeth of Hungary

City: Sandown, NH

Local Fraternity: Greccio

Year professed: 2003

Motivated to be a servant leader because. . . “The Lord has blessed me with so many gifts―an amazing family, loyal and faithful friends, a love-filled life. It is an honor to offer any assistance I can to my Franciscan brothers and sisters.” Additional info: “Music has been a blessed thread throughout my life…just love to sing!”

Claudia Kauzlarich, OFS

Office: Treasurer

Region: Juan de Padilla

City: Harrisonville, MO

Local Fraternity: Secular Franciscans of the Holy Eucharist

Year professed: 2008

Motivated to be a servant leader because. . . “The Love of God, Christ requests it of us, as well as love of the Order and my brothers and sisters in Francis and Clare.”

Additional info: “The NEC is here to serve each of you. Contact me if you have any questions.”

Cherryle Fruge, OFS

Office: National Councilor

Region: St. Joan of Arc

Residence: Lake Charles, LA

Local Fraternity: San Damiano

Year professed: 2003

Motivated to be a servant leader because. . . “Holy God’s Love motivates me to be all I can as a servant leader. I’m very grateful that my Lord gave me sisters and brothers as companions along the way to mentor me into this role as a servant leader from local, regional and now at national level. I feel the Holy Spirit has been teaching me to live and work with you as if you are my spouse so that I can learn what servant leadership truly is. As Jesus has shown us, we must also do — “I have come to serve, not to be served.” Having never been married, I remember vividly while I was in adoration and before I was to facilitate the teaching on the sacrament of Holy Matrimony in RCIA, I was enlightened in a most profound way that Jesus is my Spouse. This spousal love is being revealed between you and me because as members of the Body of Christ, as His Church, we are His spouse and spousal to each other. This kind of unity is linking us in a very unique way. I look forward to building that deep abiding love with the wider fraternity as this new journey begins in my life. Come Holy Spirit! Show us the way of truth through God’s Love. Amen.”

Additional info: “My parents are deceased. I have two siblings. Carol is the oldest. She lives about an hour from me in Lafayette. My brother Phil was the middle child. I guess by now you know who the “baby” is. Phil and his wife, Sandra passed away a few years back. I was blessed with a 40-year career in a petroleum refinery in Lake Charles, LA. I retired in 2015 and have immensely enjoyed being of service to the church and to the Secular Franciscan Order. Even though the conversion journey has not been easy, I’m madly in love with the work of the Holy Spirit! After all that’s why I’m here because of God’s Amazing Grace.”

Joshua Molidor, OFS

Office: National Councilor

Region: Los Tres Companeros

Residence: Frisco, TX

Local Fraternity: Immaculata

Year professed: 1994

Motivated to be a servant leader because. . . “Our Rule, which asks us to be ready and willing to serve, and is a duty of responsibility to each member (Art. 21)”

Donna Hollis, OFS

Office: National Councilor

Region: Our Lady of Guadalupe

City: Las Cruces, NM

Local Fraternity: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Year professed: 1983

Motivated to be a servant leader because. . . “What motivates me is getting to know my brothers and sisters and being a support to them. My calling is to lift up people’s hearts and give them reasons for spiritual joy. Being Franciscan is to take on the charism of St. Francis, who himself worked with the marginalized emulating the Gospel life. I can do no less. My heart is in love with our Order and those who live out this life. We are the heart, eyes, hands, and feet to others, showing compassion to all people. My true joy of being a councilor is the opportunity to go and visit with my brothers and sisters, encouraging them and showing God’s love and grace in every situation that we grow through together.”

Mary Frances Charsky, OFS

 Office: International Councilor

Region: St. Kateri Tekakwitha Region

Residence: Binghamton, NY

Local Fraternity: St. Francis

Year professed: 1981

Motivated to be a servant leader because. . . “The joy of being with brothers and sisters encouraging each other on our journey to the Lord our God motivates me to be a Franciscan servant leader.  I cherish these times. The Holy Spirit helps me to keep in mind what Jesus would do and to see Jesus in all others. It is as easy as breathing. I see the talents and the gifts of my brothers and sisters. Those who have come before us are role models that we honor and remember. We are grateful for our ability to follow Jesus in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare. My true joy in being a Councilor is the opportunity to go and visit with my Brothers and Sisters, encouraging them and showing God’s love and grace in every situation that we grow through together.”

Fr. John DeLaRiva, OFM Cap.

President-in-Turn of Conference of National Spiritual Assistants

Born (in February of 1961) and raised in Orange County, California. At the age of 29, I joined the Capuchin Franciscans in 1989.

Professed Final Vows in 1996, and was ordained a Priest in 1999.

My ministries have focused on Parish work, Chaplaincy for Hospitals, High Schools, and Jails.

My last assignment was as Rector of the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi located in San Francisco, CA.

Meet the Newly Elected OFS-USA Executive Council

by Kathleen Molaro, OFS

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2022 Issue #107)

Reflecting recently on our years as a FY/YA commission, I wondered whether we had succeeded in addressing the initial theme we had chosen to help us move in an appropriate direction —to “Unite, Ignite, and Invite.” (TAU USA, Spring, 2018, Issue #94)

We talked and listened to attendees at the Quinquennial, both during our presentations and at our booth. The enthusiasm proved encouraging and affirmed that our commitment since the beginning has led us to a stronger YouFra awareness and presence.

Have we united?

We discovered that we have, in fact, united people, especially through our virtual gatherings. Although for half our years together, we had met only with boxes around our faces, we have obviously made connections and built relationships. What excitement to finally be face to face. When folks asked if our zoom meetings would resume, they validated for us the advantage of being united in purpose, in prayer, and in understanding the goals when working with younger Catholics. The commission could tell from our conversations with ministers, animators, and interested people that there is a clearer understanding of what young people need, how we can build relationships with them, and what methods work for today’s youth. Even though each situation is unique, those of us who have spent time together are united in our basic mission. Our struggles, concerns, and roadblocks are similar across the United States, but we are united in our desire and willingness to move forward in reaching out to young people.

Have we ignited?

There is an enthusiasm now that we didn’t notice several years ago. At the beginning of our term, and even after a few years, we still sensed the discouragement, fear, apathy, and powerlessness in our quest. Our work, again especially through the virtual gatherings, has gradually helped us “ignite” enthusiasm and courage. We didn’t talk to a single person who said, “Why bother,” or “It’s impossible.” As we’ve said all along, this is God’s work. We are simply His hands and feet, His voice, His messengers. We won’t get discouraged or give up if we remember who is in charge and in the center of all we do. How could we not be on fire with the Holy Spirit? If you attended the evening of Taizé prayer or the concert with Jesse Manibusan, or participated in making blankets during the service project, you would have witnessed how joyful our young people were to serve in this way. Their enthusiasm was infectious and, at least for the commission team, affirmed that we are on the right track as far as igniting passion for stepping into the world of young people.

Have we invited?

Now for the third part of our goal—to invite. We have invited regions, individuals, and fraternities to get involved, to attend our on-line trainings, prayer services, and networking opportunities. But we find this is our weakest area of growth. It is time to be courageous and invite young people into a gospel life. They are hungry for a deeper relationship with God, and we can walk with them in that journey.  YouFra is not only possible, but also a beautiful way to nourish that hunger.

Through our presentations in this coming year, we intend to invite a larger and more varied audience. When we discuss how to plan Catholic social justice activities for young people, we will invite Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation animators. When we bring to your attention topics important to younger Catholics, the invitation will extend to Formation Directors. If how to plan meaningful prayer experiences is the evening’s presentation, Spiritual Assistants will be welcome. We’re hoping with this plan Ministers and FY/YA Animators will be more supported in their efforts.

We appreciate your help in fulfilling our dream to unite, ignite and invite.

The Q – A Boost for the Franciscan Youth and Young Adult Commission