Monday, August 31, 2009
Canonical Establishment of Fraternity
On Sunday, October 4, Father Felix Petrosky, OFM Cap, will oversee the official establishment of the Secular Franciscans of the Holy Eucharist as a canonically recognized fraternity. This event is the culmination of three years of formation, visitations, reviews of documentation and activities. Fraternity members will celebrate with a reception in Bonaventure Hall after the 11:30 Mass at the Franciscan Prayer Center. Our fraternity, located in the heart of America, has grown to approximately 65 members over these three years!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
What We Are About - The Order
For those viewing our blog who have no idea of what the Secular Franciscan Order is about, we will begin adding some posts that we hope will provide some insight. Today's post is from the General Constitution of the Secular Franciscan Order, Articles 1-7. It is our intention that these posts will answer questions, rather than provide blog posting experience.
The Catholic Church teaches that all the faithful are called to holiness and have a right to follow their own spiritual way in communion with the Church. Within the Church there are many spiritual families with different charisms. Among these families, the Franciscan Family, which in its various branches recognizes St. Francis of Assisi as its father, inspiration, and model.
The Secular Franciscan Order is a public association in the Catholic Church. It is divided into fraternities at various levels: local, regional, national, and international. Each one has its own juridical personality within the Church.
The SFO is open to the faithful of every state of life, which includes men and women and secular clergy (deacons, priests, bishops). Both are inspired by the gospel options of St. Francis of Assisi, committing themselves to continue his mission with the other components of the Franciscan Family.
The SFO is governed by the universal law of the Church, and by it own: the Rule, the Constitutions, the Ritual, and the particular statutes.
The Rule establishes the nature, purpose, and spirit of the SFO.
The full Constitution is on the National SFO website. The link to our fraternity's website on the left of the main blog page has a link to the National site.
The Catholic Church teaches that all the faithful are called to holiness and have a right to follow their own spiritual way in communion with the Church. Within the Church there are many spiritual families with different charisms. Among these families, the Franciscan Family, which in its various branches recognizes St. Francis of Assisi as its father, inspiration, and model.
The Secular Franciscan Order is a public association in the Catholic Church. It is divided into fraternities at various levels: local, regional, national, and international. Each one has its own juridical personality within the Church.
The SFO is open to the faithful of every state of life, which includes men and women and secular clergy (deacons, priests, bishops). Both are inspired by the gospel options of St. Francis of Assisi, committing themselves to continue his mission with the other components of the Franciscan Family.
The SFO is governed by the universal law of the Church, and by it own: the Rule, the Constitutions, the Ritual, and the particular statutes.
The Rule establishes the nature, purpose, and spirit of the SFO.
The full Constitution is on the National SFO website. The link to our fraternity's website on the left of the main blog page has a link to the National site.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
From the Summa off Tommy Augustine-Art.1
We’ve recently moved after thirty-two years of marriage from our first home to our second home. I’d say we are 90+ percent finished with the project. To give perspective, we bid the house three weeks ago, closed two week ago at 9:00 am before movers came three hours later that same day. We are really tired.
So how does this relate to you? First, since we still own the first house, if you’ve ever had an idea you’d like to move to Liberty, this is your opportunity for the deal of a lifetime! I’d love to have you meet our realtor!
Second, my Illusion about my level of Simplicity. I honesty believed I had this conquered. I was not one of those materialists. No way, not me. The ladies at the thrift store knew me personally from the boxes and bags we deposited on their back step. Oh, I had other problems, just not Simplicity. Well, boy was I wrong.
Moving taught me I had done little to de-clutter my life materially. My assessment of my success in this virtue reveals pride, ignorance, or some toxic combination. Stuff was everywhere. Junk of every description. Things too good to throw away but which I’ll never use. Slowly, ever so slowly, my little pile of treasures is being diminished. But I could have done it, and done it right, years ago.
If this reflects what is really going on interiorly, for me-- and I believe it does---I am stuck in the purgative stage even more deeply than I had ever imagined. And this was a perceived strength!
Finally, Television. What can I say? We have all, or most all sat through Cable TV playing the same gruesome news over and over. We’ve complained of MTV, then sat mesmerized with Dancing With the Stars.
Lynda opined we could do without cable TV, just keep the internet and phone. She then suggested getting the fastest road runner. I was hooked. And all we regularly watched was EWTN, anyway. We get good reception on the internet and the radio.
So do I miss television? Very little. And spiritual reading leaves my head in a much better place than some dark detective drama.
One more change I am planning is Devotion to Sacred Heart. Even bought me a statue. Never did it two days in a row in my life. Look at what it promises in last month’s news letter! Better deal than I’ve heard lately.
Want to try it, too? If you stop, you can always get the old you back.
So how does this relate to you? First, since we still own the first house, if you’ve ever had an idea you’d like to move to Liberty, this is your opportunity for the deal of a lifetime! I’d love to have you meet our realtor!
Second, my Illusion about my level of Simplicity. I honesty believed I had this conquered. I was not one of those materialists. No way, not me. The ladies at the thrift store knew me personally from the boxes and bags we deposited on their back step. Oh, I had other problems, just not Simplicity. Well, boy was I wrong.
Moving taught me I had done little to de-clutter my life materially. My assessment of my success in this virtue reveals pride, ignorance, or some toxic combination. Stuff was everywhere. Junk of every description. Things too good to throw away but which I’ll never use. Slowly, ever so slowly, my little pile of treasures is being diminished. But I could have done it, and done it right, years ago.
If this reflects what is really going on interiorly, for me-- and I believe it does---I am stuck in the purgative stage even more deeply than I had ever imagined. And this was a perceived strength!
Finally, Television. What can I say? We have all, or most all sat through Cable TV playing the same gruesome news over and over. We’ve complained of MTV, then sat mesmerized with Dancing With the Stars.
Lynda opined we could do without cable TV, just keep the internet and phone. She then suggested getting the fastest road runner. I was hooked. And all we regularly watched was EWTN, anyway. We get good reception on the internet and the radio.
So do I miss television? Very little. And spiritual reading leaves my head in a much better place than some dark detective drama.
One more change I am planning is Devotion to Sacred Heart. Even bought me a statue. Never did it two days in a row in my life. Look at what it promises in last month’s news letter! Better deal than I’ve heard lately.
Want to try it, too? If you stop, you can always get the old you back.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
AUGUST 11 - Feast of St.Clare of Assisi
Born July 16, 1194
Died August 11, 1253
Canonized September 26, 1255
Clare fled from her wealthy family to live a life of poverty, founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares) at San Damiano in Italy and led it for 40 years.
Quotes from St. Clare:
"Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me."
“Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation."
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
You Are Invited
Our lives are busy, busy, busy. Good intentions to step aside from the secular race of life and focus on where we are in our relationship with the Lord melt from one day, greeting us the next day, only to flow forward again and again. We are a Scarlett O'Hara people (Gone With The Wind) saying I can't think about that right now. I'll think about that tomorrow.
Make good on that promise to yourself. Save this date - October 3, 2009. Attend a day of reflection hosted by the Secular Franciscans of the Holy Eucharist at the Franciscan Prayer Center in Independence, Missouri.
The date of October 3 is important to Franciscans around the world as they observe the Transitus of St. Francis.
Our day of reflection will end in a special Transitus prayer service.
Let this October 3 be an important day in your life.
Come! Lay down your burdens and find rest in the Lord!
More information will be posted soon, or you may email us at sfo.mhe@gmail.com.
Make good on that promise to yourself. Save this date - October 3, 2009. Attend a day of reflection hosted by the Secular Franciscans of the Holy Eucharist at the Franciscan Prayer Center in Independence, Missouri.
The date of October 3 is important to Franciscans around the world as they observe the Transitus of St. Francis.
Our day of reflection will end in a special Transitus prayer service.
Let this October 3 be an important day in your life.
Come! Lay down your burdens and find rest in the Lord!
More information will be posted soon, or you may email us at sfo.mhe@gmail.com.
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