Mission Statement:We as Secular Franciscans are committed to seeking and promoting a closer relationship with God for ourselves and others by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by following St. Francis’ and St. Clare's example of simplicity, humility and service using the Rule of Life of the OFS as our guide.

August 2020 Volume 14 Issue 8

AUGUST MONTH OFIMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

Monthly Gathering:Our next monthly gathering will be August 16th 1:00 pm. We will be social distancing. Masks are optional. Bring your own snack.

Council Meeting: Our next meeting will be September 5th at 10:00 am in the Parish

Center.

Candidates: Read chapter 23 in the Franciscan Journey and be prepared to discuss with Kyle at noon in the Parish Center on August 16th.

Gospel Sharing: Sr. Lois will lead us in Lectio Divina and include a section from the rule.

Ongoing Formation: Read chapter 40 & 41 in To Live as Francis Lived. Sarah will lead. We will begin including a portion of the rule beginning in August.

Feast of St. Clare: We will meet at Clear Lake Park in Waseca after the 8:30 Mass for the Transitus. Bring your own snack.

Clare, Strength of Patience, Prayer, Love Sr. Lois Erpelding, OSF

In mid-August we journey with an unnamed Canaanite woman within a male dominated society venturing into a Jewish area to plead for her daughter’s healing. With a daring persistence she refuses to give up. Jesus recognized her for a great faith and healed her daughter. (Mt. 15:21-28)

On August 11th we celebrate another woman, St. Clare of Assisi. She, too, was in pursuit of Gospel living. Clare chose to walk a way of Gospel poverty while gratefully being filled with God’s goodness and love. She persistently sought the wellbeing of her Sisters and the approval of their rule.

The papal document, Bull of Canonization 1255, celebrated St. Clare’s faith, poverty, humility, and spiritual nourishment within a Church of great needs. Clare led those in her Community with a prudent service, and vigilant in a caring companioning. She “was a vessel of humility, a fortress of chastity, a fire of charity, the sweetness of kindness, the strength of patience, the bond of peace, and the communion of familiarity: meek in word, gentle in deed, and lovable and tolerant in everything.” (10)

We, too, like the Canaanite woman and St. Clare respond with our own persistent faith in a time of great turmoil. We are cradled in the arms of our God in the midst of grave suffering. In prayer and action, we give voice to human lament. We come to our God yearning to be strengthened by the One we trust to sustain us. Together we are invited to name sufferings as well as graces that accompany this shared suffering as we move forward with hope. As

Franciscans let us continue to “gaze, consider, contemplate, and imitate our God”. (2 Agnes 20) as we go forth with a persistent spring in our step.

Saint Beatrice de Silva The Blessed Virgin showed Saint Beatrice de Silva in a vision that she should wear a habit consisting of a white tunic and scapular with a light blue mantle. This was the origin of the Order of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Conceptionist Poor Clares. St Beatrice founded the Order of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Conceptionist Poor Clares.

The whole life of the foundress was conformed to her religious rule. The rule itself can be summed up briefly in three short mottos: to be silent and submissive in all things that happen to us by God's ordinance or are required of us by holy obedience; to become small in the eyes of God, of the world, and of ourselves, and to prefer a life of obscurity; to love everyone with a holy love, and become all to all by prayer, sacrifice, and labor. The Conceptionists were incorporated into the Franciscan Order and soon spread through Europe and America.

Rule 8 of the Secular Franciscan OrderAs Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul

of all they are and do.Let them participate in the sacramental life of the Church, above all the Eucharist. Let them join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church, reliving the mysteries of the life of Christ.

Divine WhisperingBonnie Johnson, ofs, Vice MinisterIt seems like the last few days I have been running into the same

message in things that I read. Whisper…the whisper of God, the need to listen for His message. In a world full of distraction, working a

Gospel Sharing Leaders - 2020Jan Matt Jul JeniseFeb Kyle Aug Sr. LoisMar Retreat Sep PicnicApr Peggy Oct MattMay Rose Ann Nov Rose AnnJun Bonnie Dec Sr. Lois

Snack Schedule - 2020Jan Doreen, Arlys Jul Jenise, PatFeb Carol, Bonnie Aug Doreen, ArlysMar Rose Ann, Sr Lois Sep Picnic (All)Apr Jean, Peggy Oct Carol, BonnieMay Matt, Lisa Nov Rose Ann, Sr. LoisJun Kyle, Sarah Dec Jean, Volunteer

Ongoing Formation Leaders - 2020Jan Carol Jul BonnieFeb Sarah Aug SarahMar Retreat Sep PicnicApr Bonnie Oct Sr. LoisMay Kyle Nov KyleJun Bonnie Dec Sr. Lois

August Franciscan Saints & Blesseds1 St. Alphonse de Ligori, Bishop tertiary

before joining another Institute2 Feast of Our Lady of the Angels3 St. Pierre-Julien Eymard Priest tertiary

before joining another Institute4 St. Dominic Priest, Cordbearer5 B. Marie-Francoise de Jesus, 3rd Order

Religious6 Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ7 Bl. Agathange et Cassien, Priest, Capuchin8 St. Jean-Marie Vianney, Priest, 3rd Order

Secular9 Bl. Marie-Marguerite of the Sacred Heart

3rd Order Religious10 St. Beatrice de Silva, Poor Clare11 Bl. Innocent XI, Pope, Franciscan 3rd Order

Secular11 St. Clare of Assisi, Foundress of Poor Clares13 Bl. Novellon de Faenza, Confessor, 3rd

Order Secular14 St. Maximilien-Marie Kolbe, Priest, Conv.15 Assumption of Our Lady16 Bl. Francois de Pesaro, Confessor, Secular17 St. Roch de Montpellier, Confessor, Secular18 Blessed Martyrs of Pontons de Rochefort,19 St. Jean Eudes, Priest tertiary before joining

another Institute20 St. Louis d’ Anjou, Bishop, 1st Order21 St. Jeanne-Francoise de Chantal, Secular22 Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary23 Bl. Bernard d’Offide, Capuchin24 St. Emilie de Vialar, Virgin, religious 3rd

Order25 St. Louis, Patron, Secular26 Bl. Pierre de Benisa, Priest, Capuchin27 St. Joseph Calasanz, Priest, Cordbearer28 Bl. Junipero Serra, Priest, 1st Order29 Bl. Jean de Perouse, Priest, 1st Order30 Bl. Juvenal Ancina, Bishop, Secular31 Bl. Aurele de Vinalesa, Priest, Capuchin

job, tending to family, mayhem, and suffering…how difficult it may seem to listen for the whisper of God. I have read that St. Clare waited until all the others were asleep and then in the silence, she found the Divine whisperer. For many of us by the end of the day we are too exhausted from the business of the day (or perhaps everyone else’s snoring) to do that. But in my journal of things I read or heard that touched my heart there is a quote from someone or somewhere that goes like this. “There are times when words are an impediment to the flow of the Spirit just as rocks are to a stream.” I think St. Clare understood that…and St. Francis. Even Jesus found a time to go and listen to His Father whispering. Like them we need to remove the rocks from the stream or find our own time of day just to sit in the Chapel of our hearts and say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” And while we listen, let us offer up our hearts and all we are…the world today needs our prayers. 19 years ago, our world responded to an evil attack as one body. Today we are no longer acting as One. Healing comes through One God. He is whispering…are we listening? Let us pray as one: Lord God, I pray that I hear Your voice today as You guide, guard, protect, direct, and govern me. Lord God You have told us that You will draw close to us when we draw closer to You. I therefore draw closer to You so that I can hear from You, know You more and obey any instruction that You will whisper into my ear.

Please also offer prayers for:

Kathleen Tharp ofs who has been moved to Mankato Birchwood Cottages due to memory problems.

Sister of Rose Ann Ripka, Candidate who is having

serious health issues.

Those who are unable to join us at gatherings due to age and health.

The safety/health of children and teachers returning to school.

A Little Summer HumorTo Lift Your Spirits

And fill an Empty Spot