The PoverelloSt. Bonaventure Secular Franciscans Detroit, Michigan

Vol. 76, no. 9— September 2016

The only vestment Jesus ever put on was an apron. see John 13:4

Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. Francis and his brothers wash the feet of lepers.

Clare washes the feet of her sisters.

Pope Francis washes the feet of immigrants of all faith traditions.

Minister’s Letter

2 The Poverello, September 2016

My sisters and brothers,

May the Lord grant you peace!

I attended the Divine Mercy Region Ministers’ Retreat the weekend of August 19-21 in DeWitt, Michigan. DuringthepasttwomonthswehavebeenpackingupourcurrentOFSOfficesandstorageareainpreparationforthemovetoournewofficespacelocatedonthefirstfloorofSt.JosephCenter(justofftheparkinglot)wheretheCapuchinDevelopmentOfficeiscurrentlylocated.Wearescheduledtomoveintoournewofficespaceduringthe week of September 19th.IamgratefultoMary Myler, Sylvia Snigier and Ona Moore for giving of their time tohelpmepackupourofficesandstoragearea.

Please note on your calendar

Iinviteyou,yourfamily,andfriendstoattend:

• The International Day of Prayer for Peace,sponsoredbytheCapuchinMinistries,includingtheCapuchinSoupKitchenandtheSolanusCaseyCenter,onTuesday, September 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Monastery Chapel.Thisyear’sthemeisLet peace begin with me.Theprayerservicewillhighlightourneedforinnerpeaceaswellasourspiritualcalltocreatepeacewithothersthroughactsofmercyandforgiveness.

• The Transitus service at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 3rd and the Vespers Service in honor of St. Francis on Tuesday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m. The Transitus is more than a remembrance of the death of the poor manfromAssisi,itisalsoacelebrationoftheFranciscanspiritalivetodayinus.

REFLECTION

Duringthepastfewweeks,IhavebeenreadingPopeFrancis’encyclicalonenvironment,Laudato Si’, in preparationforanall-dayconvocationIwillbeattendingontheencyclicalatmyplaceofemployment.Ifyouhavenotalreadydoneso,IencourageyoutoreadLaudato Si’foritremindsusofourresponsibilityasstewardsofourcommonhometoshowrespectandreverenceforallofGod’screation.

Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which “bear the imprint of the Most High,” and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.

- OFS Rule of Life, 18

We show respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

- United States Cathechism for Adults, p. 424

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow

The Poverello, September 2016 3

beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. Amen.

-PopeFrancis’prayerfortheearthattheconclusionofhisencyclical,Laudato Si’

PleaserememberthefollowingintentionsinyourprayersforanincreaseofvocationstotheSecularFranciscanOrder,foralloftheindividualseffectedbynaturaldisasters,especiallyforthoseimpactedbythefloodsinLouisianaandthefiresinCalifornia,forpersecutedChristiansthroughouttheworld,andforthepresidentialelectioninNovember.

IamlookingforwardtoseeingyouatourDayofReflectiononSeptember18th.HaveasafeandrelaxingLaborDayweekend.

YoursisterinSs.FrancisandClare,Maryann

New Member of Our Fraternity

AtourfraternitygatheringheldonAugust21st, Bernadette Mikowski was admitted into candidacy and becameamemberoftheSecularFranciscanOrder.Congratulations, Bernadette!

Bernadette Mikowski

Birthday: January 2

4 The Poverello, September 2016

Pray Dailyfor Vocations to theSecular Franciscan

Order

Members of our Fraternity

2016-2017Women's Weekend RetReat

We are pursing a date for a women's retreat atCapuchinRetreatinWashington,MI. Moredetailstofollow. Ifyouareinterestedinparticipating,pleasecontact Eileen Smith or Mary Myler.

2....... Rita Collins4....... Joyce Brouillette8....... Mary Burghardt15..... Ray Mylenek18..... George Pelyak24..... Sheryl Ann Nordstrom Br. Pat McSherry25..... Joe Gentile26..... Lorraine Korte

Members of our Fraternity

Dan&JanAtkinsonKayBalasJohnBodellPatCardellioMaryLouCatinoMaryGillenNatalieGrabowski&FamilyJamesHeymesCarolineHojnaAnnaMayJezakGaryJohnsonDonnaMarieJohnstonLouisJosephJoyceKaminskiEstherKelleyLizandRonKesslerLorraineKorteRosalieLiccardello

Relatives needing prayers:DawnBodell,daughterofJohnandJanetMaryAnnBridge,daughterofConnieMusialKateComizio,Br.Pat’ssister(MultipleSclerosis)Fr.EdwardErtzbischoff,brotherofJuliaAliceGreene,sisterofHankForysTedHojna,husbandofCarolineDeniseJoseph,daughterofLouisDavidKaminski,sonofJoyceStephanie Kummer, mother of MaryannManningFamilyMichaelMcSherry,brotherofBr.PatJeanNozewski,wifeofThomasTheresaPoole,motherofMaryBarbaraSienkiewicz,daughterofConnieMusialNellieWestbrook,motherofTheresaSandraWoodsFamily

Please help to keep our prayer list up-to-date. Call:Jo Marie Nardi

TeresaLienertPatriciaLongIleneManningJosephMarraPatriciaMeldrumMabelMichaelsHugh MontpetitStellaMordarskiBarbara PardingtonBob PeckhamGeorgePelyakDiane RaymondTom RicardMary SaberJamesSchoenherrMike&BridgetSchultzBenStapelJosephWisk

The Poverello, September 2016 5

September 9th to be Day of Prayer for Peace in U.S. Communities

In lightof recent incidentsofviolenceand racial tensionin communities across the United States, the president of the U.S.ConferenceofCatholicBishopshasinvitedalldiocesesacross the country to unite in a Day of Prayer for Peace in OurCommunities.TheDayisintendedtopromotepeaceandhealingduringthistimeofgreatstrainoncivilsociety. On July 8th, in response to the racially-related shootingsinBatonRouge,MinneapolisandDallas,Abp.JosephKurtzof Louisville,Kentucky, noted the need to look atways theCatholic Church can walk with and help these sufferingcommunities. “I have stressed the need to look towardadditionalwaysofnurturinganopen,honestandcivildialogueon issuesof race relations, restorative justice,mentalhealth,economic opportunity, and addressing the question of pervasive gunviolence....Bysteppingforwardtoembracethesuffering,throughunified,concreteactionanimatedbytheloveofChrist,wehopetonurturepeaceandbuildbridgesofcommunicationandmutualaidinourowncommunities.” TheDayofPrayerforPeaceinOurCommunitieswillbecelebratedonthefeastofSt.PeterClaver,September9th,andwillserveasafocalpointfortheworkofthetaskforce.

St. Peter Claver“We are all brothers and sisters.”

New Address

Come and see... On Sunday, September 18th,ourSt.BonaventureSecularFranciscanFraternityishostinganewclassoforientees.Thegatheringbeginsat12NooninthesecondfloorconferenceroomoftheSolanusCaseyCenter.Orienteesareinvitedtoremainforthefraternitygatheringandsocial,if they wish. Pleaseconsiderinvitingevenjustonepersontocomeandseewhatweareabout.Wearelookingforpracticing,dedicatedCatholics.InvitethemandletthemdecideiftheywanttopursueourGospel-Franciscanwayoflifeforthemselves.

Bridget and Michael Schultz

Service Opportunity

Volunteers from our Fraternity will be

helping at the Capuchin Service Center from

9 am to 12 noon on Saturday, September 24th.

Please join us.

6 The Poverello, September 2016

Debate versus DialogueSomenotesbyLesterBach,OFMCap

Dialogueisanessentialtoolofcommunication.Itrequiresallparticipantstobegoodlisteners.Sowhatisagoodlistener?

Thecharacteristicsofbingagoodlistenerinclude:• Listeningtotheothersideandwhytheydisagreewithyou.• Listeningfully(notthinkingofaresponsewhiletheotherpersonisspeaking;notinterrupting)• Givingrespect• Notrushingtheconversation,butgivingittimetotakeshapeanddevelopandevenchangedirection• Havingunityasthegoal–bringingustogether• Settingupapatterntotalkfreelywitheachother• Showingrespectforlisteningandsharing• Understanding the other person• Respectingeachperson’sstory;don’tblaboutsideofthefraternity

Debate vs. Dialogue

DebatecanbedistinguishedfromDialogueinthefollowingways:

In a debate,thegoalistowintheargument,affirmingone’sownviewanddiscreditingothers.Thegoalofdialogue,ontheotherhand,istounderstandbetterdiverseperspectivesandtolearnaboutother’sviews,tohearwhattheyaresayingandtorelatebettertooneanother.

In a debate,peoplelistendifferently.Debaterslisteninordertofindflawsintheother’sarguments.Inadialogue, peopleputtheirownideasasidemomentarilyinordertolistendeeplytoothersinordertounderstandhowtheirexperiencesshapetheirbeliefs.

In a debate,peoplecriticizetheexperiencesofothersasdistortedandinvalid.Inadialogue,peopleacceptthattheexperiencesofothers–althoughdifferentfrommine–arerealandvalid.Byvalidatingourcommonality,weshowrespecttotheindividualandforwhattheyaresharing.

Peopleapproachadebatefromthestanceofargumentation,whereaspeopleapproachadialogue from the stance of sharing.

In a debate,peoplearedeterminednottochangetheirownviewsontheissue.Inadialogue,peopleareopen,evenifreluctantly,toexpandingtheirunderstandingoftheissue.

In a debate,peopleoftenmakeassumptionsaboutothers’viewpointsandmotivations.Inadialogue,peoplespeakfromtheirownunderstandingandexperience.

In a debate,peopleopposeeachotherandattempttoproveeachotherwrong.Inadialogue,peopleattemptto work together toward a common understanding.

In a debate,strongemotionsandresponses(likeangerandpersonalattacks)areoftenusedtointimidatetheother person. In a dialogue,strongemotions(likeangerandsadness)areappropriatewhentheyconveytheintensityofone’sownexperienceorbelief.

The Poverello, September 2016 7

DIALOGUE

1. Cooperative:buildingnewideastogether2. Greyareas:exploringcomplexityandlookingfor

new perspectives3. Everyone participates4. Sharing to create new meaning5. Speakforyourselfwithoutclaimingtorepresent

anyoneelse’pointofvieworinterests6. Temporarilysuspendjudgment7. Critiqueideas,notspeakers8. Listeningtoreachmutualunderstanding9. Welcomesilenceinbetweencomments10. Equalityofparticipation:Speakwhenyouare

moved to speak.

DEBATE

1. Competitive:oneideaisgoingtowinthedebate2. Blackandwhite:polarizingissuesinto“usvs.

them”or“thisvs.that”3. Afewindividualsspeak4. Focusedonindividualopnions5. Claimingtorepresenttheopinionsorinterestsofa

group6. Jumptoconclusionsandgeneralizations7. Putpeopledownifyoudisagreewiththeirideas.8. Preparehowtorespondwhileothersaretalking9. Interrupting and speaking over others10. Competingforairtime

• Debatepresumeswinningandlosing,• Debate does not seek understanding, common ground or compromise.• Debateisforinfluencingthemindsofothers.• Debateisthecommonmodelinourcultureforexploringvaryingviewpoints.

The purpose of dialogueistocreate“sharedmeaning:orcoherenceinagroup. The challenge of dialogueistosimplyallowmultiplepointsofviewtobe.

DIALOGUE

Two sides Multiple perspectives

Listen to enhance position Listen to learn

Winners and losers Exchange formutual undestanding

Stessful; exhausting Generates new energy

DEBATE

8 The Poverello, September 2016

On Sunday, September 18th, ourDayofReflectionwill beginat 11:00 a.m.Joyce Brouillette, OFS, JPICCoordinator for ourfraternity,willintroducethetopicofJusticeforEarth.Theafternoonwillfeatureaninvitedguestspeaker,Patricia Gillis.Ms.GillishasbeenanambassadorwiththeCatholicClimateCovenantandshewillincludePopeFrancis’encyclical, Laudato Si’, in her presentation. She is thrilled at the prospect of spending timewith theSecularFranciscans, andwe are trulyblessed to haveher joinus.Please remember to bring a brown bag lunch and, if you are able, a dish to share. There will be no Mass.

On another note, for those who are interested in the Assisi Pilgrimage in 2017,pleaseplantomeetoverlunchduringourDayofReflectiontodiscussdatesandthenextsteptosecureourspotforthisamazingopportunity.

2017 Ass i s i P i lgr image

Roman CatholiC teaChing and human evolution

Sincewe’refocusingontheCareofCreation,itmightbegoodtosaysomethingabouthowourChurchviewshumanevolution.InOctoberof2014,PopeFrancistoldanaudiencefromthePontificalAcademyofSciencesthat theoriesofevolutionand theBigBangarenot inconsistentwithcreationismandbiblical teaching.“TheevolutioninnatureisnotopposedtothenotionofCreation,becauseevolutionpresupposesthecreationofbeingsthatevolve.” “WhenwereadinGenesistheaccountofCreationweriskimaginingthatGodwasamagician,withsuchamagicwandastobeabletodoeverything,”hesaid.“However,itwasnotlikethat.Hecreatedbeingsandleftthemtodevelopaccordingtotheinternal lawsthatHegaveeachone,sothat theywoulddevelop,andreachtheirfullness.”Thecreationoftheuniverse,Francissaid,wasnotasingularevent,butrather“wentforwardforcenturiesandcenturies,millenniaandmillenniauntilitbecamewhatweknowtoday.” In2002,then-CardinalJozefRatzinger-thefuturePopeBenedictXVI-deliveredanaddressinwhichhestatedthat“convergingevidencefrommanystudiesinthephysicalandbiologicalsciencesfurnishesmountingsupportforsometheoryofevolutiontoaccountforthedevelopmentanddiversificationoflifeonEarth.” In1950,PopePiusXII,inanlettertobishopstitledHumani Generis,wrote,“[The]Churchdoesnotforbid...researchanddiscussions...takeplacewithregardtothedoctrineofevolution,inasfarasitinquiresintotheoriginof the human bodyascomingfrompre-existentandlivingmatter…”ItwasfineforCatholicstothinkaboutanddebateaboutevolution,aslongastheykeptthesouloutofit.Thesoul,Piussaid,wasinjectedintohumanbeingsbyGod,andcouldnotarisefromnaturalprocesses. Almosthalfacenturylater,ina1996lettertobishops,PopeJohnPaulIIcameoutevenmorestronglyforDarwin’s theory, callingevolution“more thanahypothesis.”On the subjectof the soul,however, JohnPaulagreedwithPius.Thesoul, JohnPaulsaid,couldnotemerge“fromthe forcesof livingmatter,orasamereepiphenomenonofthismatter.” In light of these previous statements, Pope Francis’ position is hardly news within the Roman Catholiccommunity.Francis’viewsechothoseofhispredecessors, includingPopeBenedictXVIandespeciallyPopeJohnPaulIIontheimportanceofrespectingtheindependenceandintegrityofscientificinquiry. PopeFrancisviewstheuniverseasacontinuouslyunfoldingdrama,andthinksaGodwho“makesthingsthatmakethemselves”—asfellowJesuitPierreTeilharddeChardinespoused—isaninfinitelymoreinterestingdeitythanonewhomustcontinuallytinkerwithhiscreationstogetthemright.

The Poverello, September 2016 9

This year’s Walk for the Poor will take place onOctober 9th on Belle Isle, with registration starting at 10 am,andthewalkbeginningat11am.Ifyou’reinterested,please contactBrittney Walendzik. She’ll register usas theSecularFranciscanTeam.Moreinformationcanalso be found on thewebsite (copy and paste in yourbrowser):https://www.svdpusa.net/fop/index.php?Submit=View+Event+Website&action=walkevents&eventid=1570

St. Vincent de Paul’s Walk for the Poor

People sometimes complain about kids today obsessed with modern technology. Then someone reminds me of how it really was in the “good ole’ days”...

Holy Habits for walking in God's presence

St. Benedict recommended that we divide our spiritual reading into three parts:

• first read until we come upon something that touches our heart,

• then meditate on it for a bit,• finally turn it into a prayer to incarnate it into

your life.

28 29 30 1

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20

MeldrumSoup Kitchen:

10:30-1:00

10 The Poverello, September 2016

26

9:30 - 11:30 amCouncil Meeting

21 22 23 24

25 27

FraternityDay of

Reflection11:00 a.m.

CapuchinService Center9 a.m. - Noon

WEEK 23Pss Wk 3

WEEK 24Pss Wk 4

WEEK 25Pss Wk 1

WEEK 26Pss Wk 2

LABORDAY

Stigmata ofSt. Francis

St. Pio,OFM Cap

Bl. SeverinGirault, TOR

St. Teresaof Kolkata

The JapaneseMartyrs, OFS

St. CatherineFieshci Adorno,

OFS

Bl. BernardinaJab³oñska, TOFR

Bl. Lucy ofCaltagirone,

TOR

St. Elzear &Bl. Delpina, OFS

Bl. Rosario andCompanion

Martyrs, OFS

Bl. Charles ofBlois, OFS &

Bl. Nicholas ofForca Palena, OFS

BD: RitaCollins

BD: JoyceBrouillette

BD: MaryBurghardt

BD: RayMylenek

BD: GeorgePelyak

BD: Sheryl AnnNordstrom &

Br. PatMcSherry

BD: JoeGentile

BD: LorraineKorte

Day of Prayerfor U.S.

Communities

Ecumenical Prayer Service

for Peace:7 PM

St. BonaventureChapel

The Poverello, September 2016 11

Minister Maryann KummerVice Minister EileenSmithTreasurer LauraSapianSecretary RayMylenekFormation Minister SylviaSnigierCouncilors: JoyceBrouilette Onakapoma Moore MaryMyler BrittneyWalendzik

Spiritual Assistant: Br. Patrick McSherry

APPOINTMENTSContinuing Formation Coordinator: EileenSmithGospel Happenings Coordinator: BrittneyWalendzikHealing Service Social Coordinators: Ron&LizKesslerHospitality Coordinator: ElaineMasbouthInfirmarian: JoMarieNardiJPIC Coordinator: JoyceBrouilletteSoup Kitchen Coordinator: RayMylenekAnnual Picnic Coordinator: Ona Moore

The Poverello is published by theSt. Bonaventure Secular Franciscan Fraternity

1780 Mt. Elliott St.Detroit, Michigan 48207

Phone: 313-579-2100, ext. 136e-mail: OFSDetroit@gmail.com

editor: Br. Pat McSherry, OFM Cap

MAKING FRATERNITY HAPPEN

Our Fraternity gathers on the Third Sunday of every month. For more information, contact: Maryann Kummer

In addition to our monthly Fraternity gathering, some members also gather in a small group:

Fr. Solanus Cell (2nd Friday, 7:30 pm): Mary Ann and Hugh Montpetit

FRATERNITY MINISTRY OUTREACH:Meldrum Soup Kitchen

Usually on the 2nd Friday of each month.&

Healing Service SocialWednesdays at 2 PM

OFSDetroit@gmail.comhttp://www.sfostbonaventure-detroit.org

Join us on FACEBOOK:St. Bonaventure Secular Franciscans

Fax et Phonum

Soup Kitchen VolunteerS (so far)

SEPTEMBER:

Mary Myler Teresa Westbrook-Lienert Sophia Cisneros Jeanine Ward

OCTOBER:

Mary Myler Jeanine Ward

For more information contact:Ray Mylenek

St. BonaventureSecular Franciscan Fraternity1780 Mount Elliott StreetDetroit, Michigan 48207