NEWSletterDivine Mercy Regional Fraternity of Lower Michigan and Toledo OH January, 2010

Divine Mercy Regional Fraternity

Mark your calendar

April 24, 2010Spring MinistersMeeting, CausewayBay Inn, Lansing

August 20-23, 2010Annual RegionalMinisters Meeting atSt. Paul of the CrossRetreat Center,Detroit (See relatedstory on p. 4)

Formation team shares National Formation Snapshot

by Patti Reynold, SFO Regional Formation Minister

I would like to share with you a Formation Snapshot from the NAFRA meetingheld in October in the Albuquerque area. According to our Regional Minister RogerEnsign, SFO Formation has been named our number one priority for the entire Orderas set forth by the International Fraternity (CIOFS).

I truly believe that we will find more Franciscan Joy, as well as a deeperFranciscan identity, if we focus on Formation opportunities and details. As Roger hassaid, “We need to recapture the vision of the man, and the energy and vitality of themovement. Francis is not just a memory.”

The following is a snapshot taken from the Formation sessions in Albuquerquealong with my thoughts and plans:

The syllabus of the Formation Manual is incredible, very meaty and full ofsustenance. There will be no question as to whether those being Professed into ourOrder will have a vocation to do so once they have followed this plan.

What is exciting for me to think about is what the newly Professed membersof the Order will be empowered to contribute after going through this Initial Forma-tion period. What wonderful leadership opportunities will come to enliven theirfraternities. What a strong Franciscan identity they will have.

This bronze image of St. Francis keeps watch overnorthern Michigan throughout the long winter.

Inside:

News from NAFRA - p. 2

Peace Statue - p. 2

Annual Gathering - p. 4

Follow us on the web - p. 4

Executive Council

MinisterRoger Ensign, SFO

Vice MinisterSheri Hafeli, SFO

SecretaryJean Martin, SFO

TreasurerRosemary Hannaford, SFO

CouncilorsRay Boisvenue, SFO

Marcia DePauw, SFO

Jim Howard, SFO

Nancy Maioho, SFO

Formation MinisterPatti Reynolds, SFO

Spiritual AssistantFriar Tod Laverty, OFM

Continued on p. 3

Regional Minister shares news from NAFRA

by Roger Ensign, SFO Regional Minister

As many of you may be already aware, I have returned recently from the annualmeeting of the National Fraternity (NAFRA). The gathering was held this year fromOctober 22-25 in Rio Rancho, NM.

This was my first time attending this national gathering. A lot of ground wascovered, and an abundance of information was shared. It was an enriching experiencefor me. I don’t want to swamp you all with volumes of information, so I will do mybest here to provide you with a few ideas.

-There was some discussion about the need for a Diversity Coordinator to serve theNational Fraternity. The NEC will appoint someone to begin exploring to determine ifthere is a need.- Discussion on JPIC (Justice, Peace, and Integration of Creation) which replaces theprevious Apostolic Commission structure. Pat Brandwein-Ball is the committee chair.We’ll have more information in the future.- Franciscan Youth involvement in the H2O project provided water for those in need.They raised $12,247 for this effort. The National and International Fraternities arechallenging all of us to place more emphasis on reaching out to youth; they are thefuture of the Order. More information to come.- The Council adopted and approved a resolution condemning the violence against thepeople of Pakistan.- Planning has begun for the 18th Quinquennial Conference to be held on July 3-8,2012 in Chicago. The theme will be “Why Francis? Claim the Gift”. More informationto come.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions or comments or need anyassistance. Email: rensign@charter.net

Peace Statue displayed in Grand Rapids

The International Peace Statue of Brotherhood depictsFrancis of Assisi as a symbol for peace leaping over theworld holding an olive branch, barefoot with a joyfulsmile. The statue is the work of Mic Carlson, a native ofGrand Rapids who has exhibited his sculptures aroundthe world. Sixteen of his bronzes were displayed in the Basilicaof St. Francis in Assisi, Italy in 2004.

The artist is known for using Francis and Franciscans for his subject matter. His work can be seen at the newgarden at St. Ann’s Home, also in Grand Rapids. This garden is called the St. Francis Prayer and Meditation Gar-den and contains an outdoor chapel, storyboards on the life of Francis and prayer benches. This piece was entered into the ArtPrize 2009 competition and was on display in the lobby of the downtownWaters Building where Mr. Carlson has a gallery, Micasso Productions.

Roger Ensign, SFO

It is my hope that even though this new Formation Manual is not required, wecan promote it effectively and encourage its use and implementation.

The Formation Team members will be here to support, encourage and inspirelocal Councils in carrying out the number one priority of our Secular FranciscanOrder.

Suggested Formation Topics(based on CIOFS Formators Manual and my list)

Orientation

The CreedEcclesiology of Laity (Baptism)Franciscan Movement

InquiryVocationCharism of the Founder, Mission of the OrderFundamental Elements of Christian Doctrine – ScriptureNature of the SFOIdentity of the Secular FranciscanDiscussion on the life of St. Francis of Assisi

CandidacyYear 1:The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order (3 sessions)JPIC (Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation ~ 2 sessions)Conversion – PenanceFurther Elements on ConversionProfession (2 sessions)Fraternity as fundamental element of St. Francis

Patti Reynolds, SFO

“Do not be afraid, Iwill be with you.”What an exciting

time!

Opportunities to Share the Formation Manual

- “Forming the Formators” National Workshop, May 2011- Initial Divine Mercy Regional Workshop Training Weekend for Formation Ministers and their Teams, Aug. 2011- Fall 2011 Candidate’s Day- Spring 2012 Minister’s Meeting- July 2012 The “Q” in Chicago- August 2012 Regional Meeting/Elections- Ongoing…

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have regarding this, or if I can be ofservice to you in any other way. I can be reached at the following email address: pattireynoldssfo@aol.com

Year 2:Francis and his approach to Divinity and FranciscanSpiritualityFrancis and the Blessed MotherSt. Clare of AssisiHistory of the SFO & its RuleSecular Franciscan Saints and BlessedsGeneral Constitutions & NAFRA StatutesFranciscan Youth & Young Adults (FYYA)Pastoral Assistance to the SFO

Continued from p. 1

Follow us now at:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Divine-Mercy-Regional-Fraternity-SFO/290925040220

and http://twitter.com/dmercy43

Annual gathering of the Regional Fraternity finds a new home

St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center in Detroit will be the site of the 2010 Annual gathering of theDivine Mercy Regional Fraternity. The meeting will be held on August 20-22.

People who attended the annual gathering had enjoyed the comforts of St. Johns Center for Youth and Family inPlymouth, Michigan for the past few years. Arrangements already had been made to return there for our 2010gathering when word reached the Executive Council that St. Johns was closing.

It was then that Councilor Nancy Maioho, SFO and other Council member began scrambling around to look foranother site. Time was of the essence because many such facilities are booked for at least a year in advance. Finallythe decision came down to a choice between two facilities. One promising venue offered our usual arrangements, butthe location of restrooms and showers would have required a hike down the hall from participants' private rooms.Eventually Councilor Ray Boisvenue, SFO managed to do a little wheeling and dealing with St. Paul of the CrossRetreat Center who were able to offer us private rooms with baths. These will be accompanied by all of the othercomforts we have come to expect for our busy and refreshing weekend activities. Make plans to attend now.

Editor622 W. Oldfield

Alpena, MI

Divine Mercy NEWSletter isa bi-monthly publication

of Divine Mercy RegionalFraternity of Lower

Michigan and Toledo,Ohio.

Local fraternities areencouraged to send their

news and upcoming eventsto the editor.

The deadline for the Marchissue is February 15

dmercy@charter.net

Welcome to Lumen Christi Emerging Fraternity

At its November meeting the Executive Council voted to allow a forming group tobecome Lumen Christi Emerging Fraternity. The fraternity meets meets the secondand fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary School inWyandotte, MI.

The new Council in-cludes:Minister – PatriciaJurasek, SFOVice Minister – GregoryMontminy, SFOSecretary – MarilynWynne, SFOTreasurer – RogerRaupp, SFOFormation – SylviaJagielski, SFO