(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2025 Issue #114)

Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS

Minister’s Message

It’s the beginning of 2025, and we are in the Jubilee Year of Hope. “Pilgrims of hope” is the theme. We are people of hope – never despairing. That is great news, and it is worth sharing.

Brian (co-minister) and I recently focused on ways to increase the number of people we serve with our business. The effort resulted in setting goals for reaching out daily to various clients, business partners, and individuals to see who we could assist with attaining the dream of home ownership. Next, we planted seeds by sharing our ideas with the various partners. Over the years, we have come to learn that the seeds we plant do not sprout immediately. We may not see results until months down the road, however we must sow seeds now to reap a harvest later.

Can we apply this approach to the Order as well? This is a great time to set goals for promoting vocations. Reach out to potential vocations or those who can spread the word.

Think about the last thing you shared with someone: maybe a joke, exciting news, or a fun fact – information you thought was interesting or useful. It was easy. Are you passionate about your Franciscan vocation? In this TAU-USA issue you’ll find practical ideas for spreading the word about our vocation. My challenge to you is to consider one thing you could do within 30 days of reading it.

Be prepared because the opportunity can arise without much warning. Think about how you learned about the Order and follow that process. Do what is most comfortable to you depending on your gifts. Once you decide on your method, translating it to vocation seed planting should be easy.

My favorite is responding when someone asks, “What’s that ‘T’ around your neck?” I ask whether they have heard about the Secular Franciscan Order. If time permits, I have my elevator speech ready (one minute or less) and my business card.

The Jubilee Year of Hope may be a great starter for conversations. Our efforts to plant seeds now with periodic watering allow the Master Gardener to reap the harvest in due time.

We are pilgrims of hope. Go forth filled with hope to attract new vocations.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2025/03/24/are-you-filled-with-hope/

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2024 Issue #113)

Brother Bill Short, OFM

Bro. Bill Short, OFM

Director Collegium S. Bonaventurae-Frati Editori di Quaracchi Collegio S. Isidoro in Rome, Italy. Professor of Spirituality, Franciscan School of Theology.
Brother Bill was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from the University of San Francisco, he entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Friars of St. Barbara Province, making his solemn profession of vows in 1978. After graduate studies in Berkeley and Rome, he was appointed to a teaching position at the Franciscan School of Theology, where he has subsequently served as Academic Dean and President.
In addition to his academic work, he is also an amateur winemaker, a native-plant gardener, and an interpreter – translator for many international Franciscan meetings.

Darleen Pryds, PhD

Darleen Pryds, PhD

Associate Professor of Spirituality and History and Academic Director, MTS-Franciscan Theology online degree, at the Franciscan School of Theology. Acquisitions Editor, Franciscan Media.
Darleen Pryds is a laywoman who has been exploring the Franciscan spiritual tradition since she was a freshman in college. Since then, she has found her academic research on the lay Franciscan tradition buoys her faith. Her focus on lay Franciscans has analyzed the tradition of lay preaching as a form of “Somatic Theology,” or theology expressed through lived experience. You can find her research in her many books and articles. Currently, her work explores Franciscan Laity as Co-Creators of the Franciscan Tradition and Caregiving at the End of Life.

Father Wayne Hellmann, OFM Conv.

Darleen Pryds, PhD

Friar Wayne Hellmann is professor emeritus at Saint Louis University, where he had served for forty-five years. He had earned his Doctorate in Theology from Ludwig-Maximilians- Universität in Munich, Germany in 1974. He directed doctoral dissertations on themes within the Franciscan tradition and received many awards and other recognition during his distinguished academic career at Saint Louis University. He also served in leadership positions within his Conventual Province of Our Lady of Consolation, including that of Minister Provincial.
He served as co-editor of the three-volume series, Francis of Assisi: Early Documents (New City Press, 1999-2001) and also as co-editor for the first three volumes of Studies in Early Franciscan Sources (Franciscan Institute Press, St. Bonaventure University, 2011). These latter volumes offer scholarly essays on each of the writings of Francis and of Clare. In addition, he has written numerous articles and served as an editor for the Franciscan entries found in the new edition of the New Catholic Encyclopedia. For many summers over the last years, he taught early Franciscan sources at the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure, New York. More recently he served as adjunct visiting professor at the Franciscan School of Theology in San Diego, California. Additionally, he has often lectured or conducted retreats for Franciscans in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2025/03/17/21st-q-meet-the-keynote-speakers/