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.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2023/02/27/the-q-a-boost-for-the-franciscan-youth-and-young-adult-commission/

Note: Guest Writer contributor Fr. Robert Barbato, OFM Cap. (newly appointed Rector of the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi located in San Francisco Ca.), is writing for Fr. John DeLaRiva, OFM Cap. (newly appointed National Spiritual Assistant to the OFS).

A  scribe  asked  Jesus,  after  being  told  to  love  his neighbor, “And just who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, as we know, with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus turned the question around, “Who was neighbor to the man in trouble?” The answer, of course, was the Samaritan, who treated the man with true love and concern. Jesus said, “Go, and do likewise.” He challenged the scribe (and all of us) not to think of how other people are neighbors to us, but how we can become neighbors by the way we treat them, even our enemies.

When Francis of Assisi started calling himself “Brother Francis,” he wasn’t just picking a title. He was expressing the relationship he wanted to have with the world. In his youth, Francis would never have thought of lepers as “neighbors,” let alone brothers and sisters. He loathed them and avoided them. It was the Lord who led him among them, as he himself tells us, and turned what was bitter into sweetness of soul and body. In other words, Francis learned to see not “lepers,” but Christian brothers and sisters, not a repugnant disease, but a person created in the image of God.

Francis tried to live out what it meant to call himself “brother,” even when it was difficult. To consider those who ridiculed him, belittled him, and called him a fool as brother, was not easy. It took Francis much prayer and patience to learn how to be brother. This was true even when Francis found himself living with some of his friars who disagreed with him or who were simply difficult to live with. As he struggled to learn to be brother to other people, he also came to the insight that he was a brother to all creatures, since every being is made by the same Creator. This, of course, led Francis to compose the “Canticle of the Creatures,” praising God in, through, and for all God’s creatures, like Brother Sun and Sister Moon.

As followers of Francis, we emphasize the importance of fraternity, of being brothers and sisters to one another and to the world. It is true that God calls us into fraternity to support one another and find strength in our brothers and sisters. But frankly, God also calls us into fraternity to learn to put up with one another, to be patient with one another, to learn to thank God for that brother or sister who is the most annoying. Fraternity begins with our prayer for one another and our openness to the idea that each person is made in the image and likeness of God, no matter how hard that may be to imagine in real life! Like Francis, if we call ourselves “brother” or “sister” and try to live out what that title means, we will be led by the Spirit into deep solidarity with all creation and find true joy, for the Lord can turn what is bitter into sweetness of soul and body. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Definitely.

May the Lord bless and keep you always!

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2023/02/25/who-is-my-neighbor/