From Our August 2019 Newsletter

Our Next Gathering

We will hold our monthly gathering on Sunday, August 11th at 12:30 pm.

We will participate in ongoing formation, have some social time with our fraternal family, and then recite the Franciscan Crown Rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours.

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.”

~ The Lay Franciscan Monthly Pledge

Ceremony of Introduction and Welcoming

[As was announced during our July gathering, we will hold the ceremony this month.] Our initial formation group has completed the primary discernment of Orientation. They will now be moving into the Inquiry Phase which marks the formal beginning of their actual initial formation. This means we will be taking a few minutes during the July gathering for the Ceremony of Introduction and Welcoming.

Prayer Petitions

Please contact 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.

• Joan G. – recover from heart and respiratory problems
• Terry L. – confirm and treat possible lupus
• Bill M. – vision problems
• Bill McS. – heal health problems
• Carol – return to health
• Kathy T. – to become pain free so can return to work
• Ray J. – healing from 6/14 surgery
• Bob – cancer
• Rita – cancer
• Antoinette – cancer
• Trish – mental illness and addiction issues
• Trish’s grandmother – that she will find a way to help her
• B.A. – heal from stress of business
• Jamie – safe delivery and healthy baby
• Linda C. – healing from pancreatic cancer
• Linda G. – healing from asthma and upper respiratory infection
• CW – wisdom and guidance
• Michelle – healing from anxiety
• Andrew – job security – possible lay off
• Velvet – healing from shingles
• FA – healing from back and neck pain
• Piccone family – healing from health issues
• Helen F. – healing from cancer surgery
• Michelle – healing from anxiety
• Andrew – employment

St. Francis Inn Needs

• Men’s & Women’s Underwear (especially men’s boxer shorts) — All Sizes
• Men’s Shoes — All Sizes
• Baby Formula
• Powdered Milk
• Oatmeal (not instant or “one minute” please)
• Spray Air Freshener or Deodorizer
• Cleaning Supplies
• Spray cleaners (Lysol, Formula 409, disinfectants, cleanser, or similar items)
• Paper Towels
• Dish Towels
• Prayers

Formation Information

Br. Kip will be facilitating our August ongoing formation session. This month’s theme will be “Theological Reflection.” There’s no homework but please bring a bible, a notebook, and pen.

Random Food for Thought

Francis and his brothers in faith were then — and they remain today — a confirmation of how God renews the Church through a kind of gentle rebellion against the world; an uprising of personal holiness; a radical commitment to Christian poverty, chastity and obedience in service to the Church and the poor.

The Franciscan revolution of love teaches a lesson that Catholics too often forget. Rules, discipline, and fidelity to doctrine and tradition are vital to the mission of the Church. But none of them can animate or sustain Catholic life if we lack the core of what it means to be a Christian. If we really want God to renew the Church, then we need to act like it. We need to take the Gospel seriously. And that means we need to live it as a guide to our daily behavior and choices – without excuses.

Christian discipleship is not about how generous we feel, or our good intentions, or even how well we do certain religious duties. It’s about being converted in our lives according to the pattern of Jesus Christ.

~  Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Remarks at CALL (Catholic Association of Latino Leaders) Conference, Houston, Texas, Aug. 16, 2014 via
Catholic Philly

– – – – – –

Thus we find the SFO Rule (Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, 1978) is not as specific or as secure as the former rules, but perhaps in the long run it is more demanding. It calls for an intense and personal relationship with God and a mature decision to be responsible for one’s own actions. It suggests a creative mind to seek out new and better ways of acting and an open-ended stance that says, “Just doing this or that isn’t enough for fulfilling the demands of gospel life, my potential is limitless!”

~ Benet A. Fonck, OFM, Called to
Proclaim Christ