(This article originally from TAU-USA Issue 102 Winter 2021)

By MARY STRONACH, OFS

National Minister Jan Parker, OFS provided historical perspective as she inspired and challenged the 47 regional ministers, delegates and guests during her State of the Order message.

Responding to Signs of Times

“You cannot quarantine the Holy Spirit” she said.

“In spite of the pandemic and all the upheaval, the work of prayer, peacemaking and building up of the Kingdom has continued in a thousand beautiful ways… We are moving forward in new ways, responding in faith to the signs of the times.”

She quoted the General Constitutions (26.1): “…Secular Franciscans affirm their hope and their joy in living. They make a contribution to counter widespread distress and pessimism, preparing a better future.” Then she added, “The pandemic is not squelching our desire for fraternity – it is strengthening it.”

A Course of Renewal

She then took the attendees on an historical perspective of the Order in the United States from the development of the Pauline Rule of 1978 to the recent “season of visioning” when youth, formation and JPIC leaders, and  spiritual assistants came together to help take the Order “on a course to renewal.”  She exhorted the brothers and sisters: “we must continue to look for the unexpected joy and open our hearts to this holy newness. We cannot stop now, and we won’t. The Holy Spirit impels us.”

“We are beginning to see the fruit from of our ‘season of visioning’.”

• In Formation, new initial formation texts are in the process of being written and “wonderful” resources such as “Formation Friday” have been assisting Regional Formation Directors.
• In the area of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, there has  been a “real awakening.” JPIC focus groups have formed, and there is more involvement by members at large. A “Franciscan-looking JPIC vision” is being developed, one that we need LIVE and SPEAK “justly, courteously, in peace and with charity.”

• In the area of Franciscan Youth and Young Adults, “there is new energy and momentum for outreach to youth and young adults.” An animator training on Zoom has provided new tools for outreach to support and establish YouFra fraternities.

She recognized the work of all committees, saying that “we have made great strides, but we have farther to go.”

Future Plans

She said there were projects that she and the council would like to “make a reality.” These included: a Communications Summit to “explore new ways for Public Relations, Website, Social Media, Database and TAU-USA folks to work together”; continued work on the database; “widening our embrace of culture”; updating the National Statutes, National Guidelines and the Spiritual Assistant Handbook; support of the newly formed “Franciscan Family Forum.”

At the international level, the working document for the next General Chapter, called the Instrumentum Laboris, shines a “bright light on the path ahead.” Announcing the theme: “Animate and Guide with Servant Leadership,” she emphasized that “servant leadership and co-responsibility truly is the way to move our Order forward.” She explained that the Instrumentum Laboris is organized “according to the challenges of leadership.”

She challenged the ministers to take the Instrumentum Laboris, review it and respond, considering what it means to animate and guide, to be co-responsible, to be a minister or council member, to lead collegially, to listen, to collaborate. She said that each region would be receiving the complete document with instructions on how to respond.

In closing, she urged, “live a life worthy of your call,” and quoted Francis’ Psalm 7 from the Office of the Passion: “Cast off the weight of sin, and take up the Lord’s holy cross, and follow the Lord’s most holy commands to the very end. So be it. Amen.”

https://secularfranciscansusa.org/2021/04/12/national-minister-addresses-state-of-the-order/

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2021 Issue 102)

By Sharon Winzeler, OFS

Monica Olivera, OFS, is the 2020 recipient of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Award.

Olivera founded First Nations Outreach that serves remote Native American communities (as far as a 24-hour drive from the home of her Brother Jacoba Fraternity in Lawrence, KS).

Carolyn Townes, OFS, National JPIC animator, presented the annual award at the National Chapter on Oct. 22. “It has been said, where there is a need, there is a Franciscan,” Townes said, calling Olivera’s service “love in action.”

Reaching the Isolated

“I always had a vision to serve the poorest of the poor… I always assumed it was going to be in my country of origin, Peru,” Olivera said. “I never imagined that my journey of faith would lead me to poor, remote communities in America.”

She said the reservations are so remote that many of them do not appear on maps. Yet the need for help is great.

“I was moved when I saw the lack of appropriate clothing in the middle of winter and the lack of accessibility to basic needs,” Olivera said.

After a visit to a Sioux community in South Dakota, she asked for donations from friends and filled a truck with toys and clothing. As First Nations continued its service, members found more isolated reservations in Arizona, Nebraska and Montana. “Our goal is to be led by the Holy Spirit to where we need to go.”

Many of the communities have no stores, restaurants or banks, no access to running water, little medical service and limited job opportunities, Olivera said. Depending on the location, 50-85 percent of adults are unemployed.

Life expectancy is low and there is a high rate of diabetes, addiction, suicide and crime.

Building Trust

“Yet they are people with undisputed strength and profound spirituality,” Olivera said. “They have survived and lived this way for centuries to protect their culture and do not welcome outsiders. It took years to earn their trust to be invited to their communities.”

She said access to the reservation was the first miracle she experienced.

“The second miracle is how, with so little money available, we have been able to bring Christmas to so many.”

What We Do, Not What We Say

“We do not talk about our faith. People understand the Gospel message through what we do rather than what we say,” Olivera said.

“We don’t just collect toys and deliver them. We ask each child what they want for Christmas. We gather them and wrap them with Christmas paper and ribbon,” she said.  “We know the gift we bring to them is the only gift they will receive for Christmas.”

Many miraculous interventions have graced the program, according to Olivera. One included fulfilling the expectations of a principal at St. Charles Mission School in Montana. “He made it clear that we could not bring gifts for just one classroom. If we were going to do it, we had to provide them for the entire school of 240 children.”

She returned to Kansas and visited the principal of a local school about sponsorship.

“I asked, ‘how many children would you be willing to sponsor?’ With a big smile on her face, she said, ‘all of them’.”

https://secularfranciscansusa.org/2021/04/04/where-there-is-a-need-there-is-a-franciscan/