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.

October 2018 Waseca/Janesville/Owatonna MN Volume 12 Issue 10

October~Respect for Life Month

Up Coming EventsMonthly Gathering : Our next gathering will be October 21st. Starting at 100 pm we will a Come and See Meeting for new Inquirers only. Bonnie and Peggy will lead.

At 2:00 pm we will have the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Matt Johansen in Sacred Heart Church. Following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the Parish Center. Our normal gathering will follow the reception. Note: Going forward our gatherings will be on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 2:00pm.

Ongoing Formation for October: Read Refection 18 in To Live as Francis Lived. “Humility the Twin of Poverty” and answer the question for Reflection on page 71. Kyle will lead.

A reminder:   Ongoing Formation for November:   In November we will be working on A Brief History of the SFO and Its Rule from the FUN Manual.  See the Article from Pat in this issue).  Council Meeting: Our next council meeting will be on Saturday, November 10th at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Center.

Gospel Sharing: There will be no gospel sharing due to the Admission ceremony.

Spiritual Buffet: Our next meeting is on November 8th at 11:00 in the Parish Center.

Unexpected Newness and Holy JoySr. Lois Erpelding, OSF, Spiritual Assistant

Often the story of the Rich Young Man tugs within me. Over the years I have examined this section in various ways. This year I reexamine the verses anew. Jesus answered: “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” (Mark 10)St. Francis was a young rich lad, son of a wealthy cloth merchant. Throughout times of refocusing his dreams and journey, he found God asking renewed commitment of him. Through prayer, contemplation, and living he recognized that he could clearly call his God good. “You are Three and One, Lord God of gods. You are good, all good, the highest good, Lord God, living and true.”  (Francis, “The Praises of God”)Celano refers to Francis: “...has poured out the streams of the Gospel in a holy flood over the whole world. He preached the way of the Son of God and the teaching of truth in his deeds. In him and through him an unexpected joy and a holy newness came into the world.” (1 Celano 89)We recently celebrated Francis’ feast and prayed together the Transitus. Thank you, Franciscan followers, for claiming new insights into the ongoing inspirational life of St. Francis as we call Francis a prophet for us in today’s society. Francis’ ongoing searing presence calls us likewise to respond to the radical grace of divine giftedness. We, too, are lured by the mystery of God; we too are called to blend    contemplative listening and action with a focused heart upon our God.This month we welcome as our new candidate, Matt Johansen. May he and each of us experience an unexpected Franciscan newness and holy joy.

Celebrating the Transitus

On October 4, 2018 Arlys Fell OFS hosted the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi at her home. This is a yearly event at Arlys’ house but this year, because of the rain, we held the ceremony inside. Pictured here from left to right in the back row are: Arlys Fell OFS, Matt Johansen (soon to be Candidate), Lisa Falenschek OFS, Joan Dahle OFS, Jenise Seewald OFS, Doreen White OFS, and Pat Yunker OFS. Seated in the front is Elliott Gahlon on his mother’s lap (Sarah Gahlon OFS) and his dad, Kyle Gahlon OFS. Elliott is a regular visitor to our fraternity gatherings and is a joy to behold. The fraternity prayed the Transitus together and closed with the words of St. Francis of Assisi on his deathbed: “I have done what was mine to do, may Christ now teach you what you are to do.” Bonaventure, The Life of Saint Francis.

Our Rule of Life With Help from St. Clare of Assisi

Pat Yunker OFS, Formation Director 

A few weeks ago, we were given a Brief History of our Rule from the FUN Manual and asked to read it and answer questions on the handout in November. If we

are like college students preparing for an exam, we may be saying to ourselves, “Where did I put that thing?” Or “I wish I had started this earlier!” I know this because my own copy had somehow gotten buried under papers and here it is, late October and we haven’t started. If this description fits you, then you are not alone because this past summer has been very hard on the members of our fraternity. God has chosen to take some of our loved ones home: Bonnie’s husband, Gale and Joan’s mother, Angie, as well as a cousin of Joan. But He has also chosen to give some of us new grandchildren, Thank you God. Some have moved their parents into their own homes for extra care and some homes had to become shelters for victims of the summer storms. There are those of you who are of have had to move yourselves into less restrictive environments and others who had or are facing major surgery for themselves or their children. Our prayer list gets longer and longer with the shorter days of winter around the corner. With all these people to worry and pray and care for, how can we keep on singing let alone study our Rule? How can we Keep from Singing is one of my favorite hymns, but it is impossible to keep the joy of our founding father, Francis let alone our vocation without the help of God, Our Blessed Mother, St. Francis, and St. Clare. We need them more now than ever. Do the best you can with our assignments for Ongoing Formation and don’t worry if you don’t get them finished. You have your whole life to get our Rule right. Better we listen to the advice of St. Clare in her Second Letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague as she writes:

Embrace the poor Christ…” If you suffer with Him, you shall reign with Him, grieving with Him, then you will rejoice with him; dying with Him on the cross of torments, then you will possess heavenly mansions with Him in the splendor of the saints. http://www.slr-ofs.org/st-clares-letters-to-st-agnes-of-prague.html

 Prayer for VocationsLoving God, in the name of Jesus, we ask you to

send your Spirit to us so that men and women among us, young and old, will respond to your

call to serve You by living a gospel centered life. We pray especially for those who hear your invitation to be a priest, sister, brother, or

Secular Franciscan.

October Franciscan Saints and Blesseds

1 Bl. Beatrice da Silva3 St. John of Dukla3 Transitus of St. Francis4 St. Francis of Assisi6 St. Mary Frances of Five Wounds

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St. Daniel and Companions, Angelus, Samuel, Donulus, Leo, Hugolinus and Nicholas

11 Bl. John XIII12 St. Seraphin of Nontegranaro

2018 Snack ScheduleJan Jean, Bonnie Jul Kyle, SarahFeb Doreen, Peggy Aug Jenise, KathleenMar St. Lois, Gerri Sep Picnic (All)Apr Arlys, Carol OctMay Pat, Bonnie Nov Doreen, PeggyJun Matt, Theresa Dec Sr. Lois, Gerri

Ongoing Formation Leaders - 2018Jan Prayer Partners Jul PatFeb Retreat -Sr. Lois Aug PeggyMar Bonnie Sep PicnicApr Carol Oct KyleMay Elections Nov Jenise/ArlysJun Sarah Dec Christmas

Gospel Sharing Leaders - 2018Jan Prayer Partners Jul CarolFeb Retreat Aug JeniseMar Sarah Sep PicnicApr Bonnie OctMay Elections Nov Gerri/PatJun Kyle Dec Christmas

13 Bl. Honorat Kozminski20 Bl. James of Strepar20 Bl. Contardo Ferrini21 Bl. Josephine Leroux22 St. Peter of Alcantara23 St. John of Capestrano25 St. Antonio of Saint Anne Galvao26 Bl. Bonaventure of Potenza

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Bl. Maria Jesus Ferragut & Companions: Maria Masia, Maria Ferragut, Isabel Rovira, Milagros Gimeno

31 Bl. Angelo of Acri

Blessed Josephine LerouxBlessed Josephine Leroux entered the convent of the Poor Clares at Valenciennes, France when she was 22 years old. Then the French Revolution

broke out, and the religious were driven from their convents. Josephine at first returned to her family. But when Valenciennes was captured by the Austrians, Josephine could not resist the impulse to return to the enclosure. However, the convent of the Poor Clares at Valenciennes had not yet been rebuilt, and she took refuge in the convent of the Ursulines, where her own sister lived. But the victorious revolutionary army retook the city, and Josephine was placed under arrest as having been disloyal to her country. Because she had resumed the life of a religious contrary to the laws, Josephine was condemned to death.

Our Thoughts & Prayers Go Out For:

Doreen White ofs

Evie Kahnke, ofs

Kathleen Tharp, ofs

The “Habit” of a Secular Franciscan

Etch the Commandments of God and the precepts of Holy Mother the Church in your heart and live them daily.

Participate joyfully the monthly meetings with your Fraternal family.

Pray the Liturgy or the Hours devoutly gleaning God’s message for you each day.

Faithfully wear your Tau cross as an outward declaration of your desire to imitate Christ.

To reverently say Grace before and after meals regardless of whom you are with and where you are at.

Humbly examine your conscience each night asking God to help you see your weakness and overcome them with His help.

Faithfully meet your Savior at daily Mass, as often as possible.

Generously support your Fraternity through donations to the common fund.

Joyfully give good example, avoid disputes and minister to the needs of other, especially the disenfranchised and the poor.