(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118)

By Janice Benton, OFS and Susan Tabor, OFS • National Accessibility Committee Co-chairs

Remembering Beloved Team Member,

Michael Freeman, OFS

On November 3, 2025, Sister Bodily Death came unexpectedly for our brother, Michael Freeman. Michael served on the OFS Accessibility Committee since its inception. He faithfully served his fraternity in the Joan of Arc region, and was active in serving his region, including as the JPIC animator for several years. Michael was a devoted husband and father and worked as a special education teacher.

We will miss him so much! Though he was often quiet, when he did speak, we listened because we knew he had been thinking and that what he had to say would be important. He was always reminding us to let the Holy Spirit do its work. He was passionate about peace and justice issues, and about his Franciscan call.

Mike’s absence creates a hole in our committee. We will miss his thoughtfulness, his passion and compassion, and his quick wit. Please pray for us, Michael, as we continue our work. Rest now in the arms of God.

Michael Freeman. OFS

October 2025 Accessibility Webinar

On October 8, 2025, the Accessibility Committee hosted its first national webinar focusing on why creating access for individuals who are deaf or who live with a range of disabilities is so important for every Secular Franciscan fraternity and region. We repeated the webinar on October 26 for those unable to attend the first session. We were pleased to welcome nearly 100 participants from 21 regions. Three members of the committee presented their experiences and guidance. Connie Wild shared insights from the Deaf Community: “Truth is, deaf people aren’t looking for a cure, but respect and acceptance for who they are both culturally and socially. We choose to answer God’s call to the Franciscan vocation. We can evangelize. We can grow as a spiritual family, following the way of St. Francis.”

Michael Freeman offered insights on people living with autism or intellectual disabilities (ID), sharing from an article written by Fr. Mark Nolette, spiritual director of Autism Consecrated entitled “Lessons from Horton Hears a Who.” Fr. Nolette notes: “As an autistic person, as well as a Catholic priest, the story resonates with me on several levels. I see myself in that small object that others dismiss as a speck of dust. They never ask themselves if there might be more here than meets their first impression.” In reflecting on people with autism or ID who may explore a Franciscan vocation within our fraternities, Michael noted: “When you see us, what do you see? Do you see a mere dust speck and then dismiss us as having no value? We need you to see us for who we are. Listen to us, do your best to understand this. We need you to discover what we bring to the Church, our gifts, and our values.”

Co-Chair Susan Tabor noted: “Sometimes things happen, and some people have felt unwelcome. We thank those here with us today. This indicates your care for this issue and that you would like to be a part of making things better. Our hope and prayer is that as we work and dialogue together within our fraternities and regions, we can pour forth a contagious understanding. We work to learn to view everyone in our fraternities, those who have been around for a while and those who are new and aspiring, with new eyes, seeking and encountering growth and understanding. Moving forward from a positive stance such as this one will increase love, trust, and productivity in our fraternities.”

If you would like to view the recording of this webinar, or to share any questions or ideas, please email us at OFS.USA.accessibility@gmail.com.

Watch for future webinars coming in 2026!

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Winter 2026  Issue #118)

By Kathleen Molaro, OFS • Youth and Young Adult Commission Chair

Diversity

“Today’s young adults represent the most culturally diverse generation ever seen in the United States,” according to the Bishops in Connecting Young Adults to Catholic Parishes. Young adults may be new parents learning how to pass on faith to their little ones, or newlyweds discovering how to live a sacramental married life. They might be attending school and/or working, still seeking a vocation. Some are contemplating life as a consecrated single, priest, brother, or sister. Add this to the many cultural, economic and geographical differences present in our country and we find a beautiful but challenging diversity. One commonality, though, is that young people who have chosen a life of faith have a deep desire to connect that faith with everyday life.

Faith and Action

Young people struggle often with time. It’s difficult to balance their many responsibilities along with developing a faith life. Recently, a young woman told me, as we stood outside of Mass, “I can’t wait until next Wednesday – I get to have a nap at 2:00!” Her friend shared a similar sentiment. “Every minute is accounted for. It’s tempting to stay home on Sunday mornings. I just spent the hour trying to contain my two toddlers. Why do I bother? I felt like I wasn’t even at Mass.” A  young man standing with them commented, “The last words of the Mass tell us we’re to go out and be ‘Eucharist’ in the world. But how do we do that? What does that mean?” A lively discussion ensued. They encouraged one another, enjoyed the joy and laughter of community, and listened as a few of us older folks shared our stories after listening to theirs.

I’m sure we’ve all asked these same questions, and maybe still do. That’s the key, I believe. To keep asking the questions. Where does God want me? How can I serve others? What is He asking of me in this moment? Hopefully, we’ve learned as Secular Franciscans that living our faith isn’t just about attending Church. We are called to be present in the world, sharing our spirituality through our words, actions, attitudes and choices. Are the younger generations witnessing this? Do they see us as vibrant and loving communities of love?

Connecting our beliefs with action is powerful. Offering opportunities for younger Catholics to get involved in service, both within the Church and in the community; providing evenings of special prayer; inviting them on local pilgrimages are all ways to set an example of bringing the Gospel out into the world, as our mission calls us to do. We may be an aging Order, and perhaps we can’t physically work as hard as we used to, but we can still inspire young people with an energetic faith to the best of our ability. We can share stories of trust and joy, and offer encouragement.

Gospel to Life; Life to Gospel

In the new 2022 edition of The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, Tibor Kauser shares a reflection stating that we don’t wear a brown robe habit. “Our habit,” he says, “shall be our kindness, our visible love to God and to one another, our readiness to serve, our simple manner of life. Our habit is our prayer, our sacramental life …”

These are all ways to live our faith. So wear your habit with authenticity and dedication, and especially joy. Be out in the world as an inspiring example to the younger generations. Perhaps you’ll find ways to support them and at the same time enrich your own faith life.

This photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC