Our February Gathering
We will hold our monthly gathering on Sunday, February 12th at 12:30 pm in Conway Hall. We will celebrate the Rite of Admission (see below), participate in an abbreviated ongoing formation session, enjoy a time of fellowship, recite the Franciscan Crown Rosary and, after our regular meeting and prayers, we will proceed to St. Francis Church for Benediction.
If you are unable to fulfill your obligation to attend the monthly meeting, please call Pat Simon at 610-352-5390
“And we will be involved in the monthly meeting as an act of worship and a building of community.â€
~ The Lay Franciscan Monthly Pledge
Rite of Admission
We are very pleased and excited to announce that Kathy Cerone has completed her period of Inquiry and as she (along with the fraternity’s council) has discerned a clear calling, she will be admitted to the order during our February gathering. Please keep her in your prayers as she prepares for this important milestone and begins the next phase of formation and discernment leading to the permanent commitment of Profession to the Secular Franciscan Order.
Annual Fair Share
Please remember that this year’s Fairshare contribution of $30 is due by our March meeting.
The Fair Share is not meant to be a hardship on anyone. If your financial circumstances makes it difficult to contribute please let a council member know.
Prayer Petitions
Please contact Mrs. Fran Urso at francesurs@aol.com or 610-202-8965 if you would like to include a petition in the newsletter. A new list will be generated each month.
- Al – in rehab for addiction
- Nikki – physical discomfort
- Sandra – mental health
- Liz – addiction
- Ray – carpal tunnel surgery
- Repose of Barbara’s Soul
- Repose of Rita’s Soul
- Claire – spiritual and physical health
- Rose – spiritual and physical health
- Anne – for her and her family’s health
- Jaime – spiritual growth and health, addiction
St. Francis Inn Needs
- Men’s & Women’s Underwear
- Men’s Shoes
- Dinner-size Forks
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Paper Towels
- Prayers
Formation Information
We will be beginning our February gathering with Kathy’s Rite of Admission and we will hold an abbreviate ongoing formation session if any time remains before we have our usual time of fellowship. As Kathy is entering the Candidacy phase of formation, let’s use that for our theme. Please ponder the passages below as preparation.
From: The Secular Franciscan Formation Process
Part III: The Candidacy Phase
When we look at the Secular Franciscan formation process, it is important to see it as a continuum, that is, each stage flowing into the next. Aspects that are essential in the first phase, Orientation, will still be essential in the second, Inquiry, the third, Candidacy, and into the Ongoing Formation of professed members.
The time between the Rite of Admission and the Rite of Profession or Permanent Commitment to the Gospel is the Candidacy phase of formation. This is a time for assisting and promoting the growth of the Candidate as a human person, as a Christian person, and as a Franciscan person. All three dimensions are interrelated and, if the vocation is true, will blend into one harmonious human being.
As in all phases of formation, it is essential that resources allow for dialogue and sharing between the Candidates and the Fraternity as well as among the Candidates themselves. This is a time for the Formation Director/Team to encourage the Candidates’ growth in Franciscan spirituality and the practice of Gospel values. It is the time for the Candidates to take on a gradually more active role in the Fraternity and in society, especially by means of participation in Franciscan apostolates.
During Candidacy the Secular Franciscan Rule supplies the path, the approach, and the guide. Therefore, considerable emphasis is placed on reading, understanding, digesting and incarnating the Rule. The living out of the Rule is crucial in preparing for Profession since it provides the structure for growing in the spirit of penance and ongoing conversion within the context of the local Fraternity.
- Candidacy is the most important stage in the Initial Formation process since its purpose is to prepare the Candidate for a life-long commitment to live the SFO Rule, a mature and enduring decision to participate as fully as possible in the Church’s life and mission according to the manner of Saint Francis.
- This period of formation begins with the Rite of Admission into the Secular Franciscan Order, the public acceptance by the Order of the Candidate’s request and intention to live the Gospel life in the manner of Saint Francis as contained in the SFO Rule which has been approved by the Church.
- During Candidacy, the entire Fraternity participates in and nurtures the growth and development of the Candidate’s evangelical living out of the SFO Rule.
- It is important that the Candidate be given opportunities to experience, interiorize, integrate and live out the Gospel values presented in the SFO Rule.
Leave a Reply