Listen, Like St. Francis, for God’s voice
Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv.
“When we come to Chapter, we try to be attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit,” Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv., told the regional ministers assembled in Scottsdale, AZ, for the annual Chapter of Secular Franciscans.
“Practice tuning your ear to hear the sound of God’s voice,” he said.
Fr. Marek gave his homily Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the opening Mass of the 2024 Chapter of Secular Franciscans—USA held at the Franciscan Renewal Center. This also was the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s receipt of the Stigmata. Fr. Marek linked Francis’s attentiveness to God’s voice to the stigmata.
He demonstrated how our minds are trained to listen for important sounds. He told the story of two men walking at Times Square. One, Eugene, told his friend to listen for the sound of crickets. Nearly impossible amidst the noisy crowd, the man said.
Eugene then threw a pocketful of coins to the ground, and those nearby stopped to look down, momentarily attracted by the sound of silver hitting the pavement.
We can hear what is important, no matter what the circumstances, was Eugene’s point.
“Practice tuning your ears to the sound of God’s voice,” Fr. Marek said.
This will give you peace in your heart, which will cause you to turn your life over to God’s will. The stigmata was a sign that Francis let God dominate his life. Francis heard God’s voice through all of the suffering that he was enduring.
“The stigmata is permitting God to be in control. Allow Him to dominate your life,” Fr. Marek said.
The stigmata made Francis a different person.
“If we experience those moments with God, we will not become bitter or resentful, but we will become people who are free. Resurrected,” Fr. Marek said.
Listen to Fr. Marek’s homily in its entirety.
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/09/18/listen-like-st-francis-for-gods-voice/
Member Highlight-June Carpenter, OFS A Treasure to the Order
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Summer 2024 Digital Issue #112)
by Patricia Reynolds, OFS
There is basic information found in our national database. For example, if you look up June Carpenter, you’ll see that she is a member of Rosa Mystica Fraternity in South Woodbury, CT, which is within the Bl. Solanus Casey Region and was established in 1992. Her listing includes her contact information, and her profession date. But there is a lot more to know about June, for she has accomplished a lot in her almost 92 years.
The Franciscan journey for June started in 1963 at St. Mary of the Angels Fraternity in Darien, CT. June really fell in love with St. Francis and the Franciscans. The example of Francis and his first followers and a new grace that she received led her to strive to live the Gospel in her daily life. Service in various positions and levels of fraternity over the years led to June’s spiritual growth and to a path of ongoing conversion as a way of life. She professed to live the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order on December 19, 1965. From then on, she served the Order diligently.
June served as Minister of a Byzantine Rite Fraternity, representing the fraternity for 11 years up to the time of regionalization. She served on the National Executive Council, helped to write The Guide to Servant Leadership, and was involved with the national publication before it was the TAU-USA. And she did all of this while raising three sons and a daughter with her husband, Roger, who professed in 1976.
Several years ago, Junes advanced age caused her to transfer to a fraternity that is closer to where she lives – Rosa Mystica Fraternity in South Woodbury, CT. Now, as she approaches 92 years of age, she is not able to attend gatherings at all due to physical limitations. Fortunately, the physical issues do not interfere with her spiritual life or mental state.
For the last nine or ten years that I have been privileged to know June, she has been my own personal cheerleader. She will write notes, send emails, and keep up with all the newsletters. Initially I thought it was just me that she was encouraging. (Silly me!) I’ve since learned that this is how June treats people in general which paints a picture of a really great person!
At this point in her life, June is happy to sit back as the younger followers of St. Francis lead us onward. As she herself says: I am eternally grateful for having Franciscans in my life – ever grateful and still on the ongoing conversion route…by God’s mercy and grace. Our God brought me to my salvation through His Son’s leading me to the Franciscans. Amen. He gave me the mission of the Cross, by the saving LOVE through and of His Son. Nothing else covers it better; I gratefully accept the fact that I was given a community of faith-filled souls I never would have known otherwise and needed very much!
May we all learn from June’s example as she continues to spread Franciscan Joy to others.
[Editor’s note: June had requested that her fraternity Minister reach out to correct an error that was published when her husband, Roger, passed away. The wrong death date was printed. The correct date is May 10th, 1987. The current NEC and TAU-USA editor regret that the error was made and wanted to correct it as well as highlight one of our Order’s treasures.]
Roger and June Carpenter
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2024/09/16/member-highlight-june-carpenter-ofs-a-treasure-to-the-order/