From our October 2012 Newsletter

Formation Quotations

…you are also an ‘Order,’ as the Pope said (Pius XII): A Lay Order, but a Real Order;” and after all, Benedict XV had already spoken of “Ordo veri nominis”. This ancient term – we can say medieval – “Order” means nothing more than your intimate belonging to the large Franciscan family. The word “Order” means the participation in the discipline and actual austerity of that spirituality, while remaining in the autonomy typical of your lay and secular condition, which, moreover, often entails sacrifices which are not lesser than those experienced in the religious and priestly life.

~John Paul II, June 14, 1988, General Chapter, SFO

• • •

There is a widespread opinion among many Franciscan seculars and religious that the Profession of Secular Franciscans is a “second class” commitment, some kind of a “light” Profession.
Indeed, most people have foggy ideas on the value of Profession in the Secular Franciscan Order and because of this many Secular Franciscans do not live the “grace” of Profession for what it really is. A true nuptial alliance with Jesus Christ aimed at a further consecration to God and at accomplishing a closer bond to the Church to reach the perfection of love and the realization of Saint Francis mission.

~Preface to Profession in the SFO: Gift and Commitment, Fr. Felice Cangelosi OFM Cap

Our October Gathering

Instead of our usual Sunday gathering, our next meeting will be our annual Day of recollection and will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Servants of Charity House of formation on the grounds of the Cardinal Krol Center / Don Guanella School next to Cardinal O’Hara High School. We will gather at 9:00 a.m. in the Refectory. Please remember to bring a brown bag lunch. There is plenty of refrigeration available to keep the lunches cold. You will also need to bring your Liturgy of the Hours for morning prayer. EVERYONE PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR RITUALS BOOK. Fr. Paul Oggioni will be our Celebrant and Retreat Master. And the theme for the day will be ”My Sheep Hear My Voice.”

New Council Appointed

The St. Katherine Drexel Regional Council has postponed our Chapter of Election for St. Francis Fraternity for one year to January 2014. At our Pastoral Visit on September 9, 2012 a new council was appointed to serve.

• Marie Gilligan – Minister

• Terry Ritter – Vice Minister

• Marie Bair -Treasurer

• Robert Santoliquito – Secretary

• Carmella Patterson – Councilor at Large

• Lee Potts – Formation Director

October Profession Anniversaries

• Joanne McManus 1978

• Rita Dourdoufis 2003

• Mary Ann Palmer 2003