Secular Franciscans Elect New National Executive Council, Set Priorities for 2025–2028

 by Sharon Winzeler, OFS  Committee Chair

(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2025  Issue #117)

Fr. Tomas, Church witness, Ana Maria, election presider, and Kim Pappas, election secretary.

The National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States (NAFRA) concluded its 2025 Chapter with the election of a new National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday, September 13, at the Bon Secours Retreat Center in Marriottsville, MD.

Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS, was re-elected as national minister for a second term. Also returning to office are Vice Minister Diane Menditto, OFS; Secretary Susan Ronan, OFS; and International Councilor Mary Frances Charsky, OFS.

Newly elected officers include Treasurer Steve Roszhart, OFS, and Councilors Christine Blood, OFS; Chris Leone, OFS; and Corinne Lorenzet, OFS. Diane Menditto was also elected alternate international councilor.

The fraternity expressed gratitude to the outgoing NEC members: Treasurer Claudia Kauzlarich, OFS, and Councilors Josh Molidor, OFS; Donna Hollis, OFS; and Cherryle Fruge, OFS.

The election was overseen by international visitors Fr. Tomas Ginga Panzo Suva, OFM Cap., of Rome, general spiritual assistant to the OFS, and Ana Maria Raffo Laos, OFS, of Peru, who served as election presider.

The election marked the conclusion of a five-day meeting that gathered the elected NEC officers, committee chairs, ministers of the 30 regional fraternities or their delegates, the CNSA – the four national spiritual assistants who represent the Franciscan friars: OFM, OFM Conventual, OFM Capuchin, and Third Order Regular (TOR), and observers.

The new national priority developed by a task force is “Living the Gospel.” This priority emphasizes build-ing relationships, inspiring others to seek God, forming ourselves in the Franciscan way of life, attracting vocations, and working to rebuild the Church.

“When we are living the Gospel, we are involved in the activities and challenges of the world, integrating faith and action in our daily lives, nurturing hope, sowing seeds, and transforming hearts and minds,” Chris Leone, OFS, task force member said. “These actions represent what Christ would be to sdathe world.”

In addition to Chris, other task force members were Janet Angelillo, OFS; Pamela Boespflug, OFS; Ellen Ferrone, OFS; and Jeffrey Wilson, OFS.

The new national theme for 2025–2028

is drawn from the Gospel of Mark:

“Go into the world

and proclaim the good news.”

(Mk 16:15)

The newly elected NEC: Susan Ronan, Christopher Leone, Mary Frances Charsky, Jane DeRose-Bamman, Diane Menditto, Steve Roszhart, Christine Blood, and Corinne Lorenzet.