Do you want to know how many canonically established Franciscan fraternities are in the United States? Or are you curious about the number of permanently professed members?  Or do you want to know how many local spiritual assistants are in the Order?

Check out the 2022 Annual National Report to CIOFS just posted on the website.  It contains the latest statistics on membership in the United States as well as updates on activities and questions and suggestions for CIOFS.  The report is based on information the National Executive Council received from the 30 regional organizations in the Order.

Also available is the 2021 General Chapter Conclusive Document.  It contains a full report of the November 2021 General Chapter, details of the audience with Pope Francis, information on the budget, and CIOFS’s priorities for the next three years.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2022/05/10/22021-2022-annual-reports-available-online/

(This article originally appeared in the Spring 2022 Issue of the TAU-USA #105)

By SHARON WINZELER, OFS

In true Franciscan fashion, Donna Hollis, OFS, began her JPIC award talk by recognizing others who were nominated for the award.

“This award represents and includes all of us who work tirelessly for Justice and Peace. It is not just me, but many members working together as Franciscans, and people with compassionate hearts showing the love of God through our actions for others in most need,” Hollis said.

The other nominees:

Thomas Michael Fame, MD, St. Margaret of Cortona Region, began a fundraising project for the poor in Haiti.

Stacey Antine, OFS, MS, RDN is the founder of HealthBarn USA. As a registered dietitian she feeds ill children and their families and seniors in need through the Healing Meals programs.

Kelly Lynch, OFS, St. Margaret of Cortona Region – her ministry is called

“Mychal’s Message”, which continues the work of Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM, chaplain for NYC Fire Dept. who died while serving victims of 9-11. Mychal’s Message meets the needs of the homeless and shares Fr. Judge’s message of unconditional love.

Alan Ouimet, OFS, Blessed Solanus Casey Region – Alan’s work is with the Franciscan Family Apostolate and the work they do in India. Through the Franciscan Family Apostolate, individuals, families, and fraternities in the U.S. are privileged with a unique level of connection to their sponsor families in India.

Fr. Emmet Murphy, OFM, Holy Name of Jesus Province – Fr. Murphy conducts outreaches to immigrants in US parishes and travels to developing countries on mission trips.

Valerie Baronkin, OFS, Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region. She is the Greenville Deanery Respect Life Coordinator. She attends the March for Life in Washington DC. Valerie’s work in the Pro-Life arena exemplifies her peace efforts.

Fr. Seraphim Wirth, FBP, Franciscan Brothers of Peace in St. Paul, MN. He has provided spiritually, emotionally and materially for the “Karen Refugees” in St. Paul, and in the Region of Myanmar. Fr. Is the chaplain for the Karen community of about 200 families who are the ethnic minority from Burma.

Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, St. John the Baptist Province – we know and acknowledge Fr. Bodo’s ministry of living the Franciscan life through his writings which have formed our own Franciscan way of life. Through his courageous initiatives, he works to animate compassion and nonviolence in the world.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2022/05/09/award-represents-all-working-for-justice-and-peace-highlights-of-national-chapter/