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.

April 2019 Waseca/Janesville/Owatonna MN Volume 13 Issue 4

Month of the Holy EucharistMonthly Gathering : Our next gathering will be April 28th starting at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church where we will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. We will sit as a group and following the Chaplet Prayer we will go to the Parish Center for our regular

gathering. Note the change in date due to Easter

Candidacy at 12:00: (Matt) Read Chapter 13 in The Franciscan Journey and plan to discuss Questions at the end of the chapter. Kyle will lead in Youth Room of Parish Center.

Orientation at 12:00 (Rose Ann) Read chapter 2 in the Franciscan Journey and plan to discuss the Questions at the end of the chapter. Bonnie and Peggy will lead in dining room of the Parish Center.

Ongoing Formation: Read chapter 25 and 26 in “To Live as Francis Lived

Council Meetings: Our next council meeting will be on Saturday, May 4th at 10:00 am. in the Parish Center.

Gospel Sharing: There will be no gospel sharing due to the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Spiritual Buffet: Our next meeting will be April 11th at 11:00 in the Parish Center. The assignment is chapter 1 in Holy Half Hours.

Regional Meeting in Buffalo Christ the King Retreat Center: May 31-June 2 for Ministers, Formation Directors and Spiritual Assistants. Sr Lois, Carol, Peggy, and Bonnie will attend

Friends of Francis Retreat in Prior Lake: October 25-27. More information will be shared as it becomes available. This is always a spirit enriching event so

save the date and perhaps begin putting funds aside tor the retreat.

Invited to Live the Unimaginable                  Sr. Lois Erpelding, OSF, Spiritual Assistant

   This Lent I have reflected on Sr. Ilia’s description of prayer. “Prayer is that dynamic, life-giving relationship with God by which we grow deep in God’s Word, strong in God’s Grace, and free in God’s love to dream with God the unimaginable. Prayer is attentiveness to the presence of God, awakening to the fact that we are not alone but caught up in God’s embrace. It is removing the blinders from our eyes and the rocks from our hearts that isolate and cut us off from knowing God’s tender love.” (Ilia Delio, Ten Evenings with God , pp. 17-18) Penance is a Grace and Spirit led conversion response, a radical change motivated by Gospel, reliance on God’s mercy and compassionate love, and united with the cross. Conversion calls to be non-judgmental, compassionately reconciling, and generous Gospel followers. Interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures, and works of penance. This radical reorientation of our whole life is fostered through forms of fasting, prayer, almsgiving reconciliation, concern for the poor, justice stance, examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering, taking up one’s cross daily, finding nourishment in Eucharist, reading Scripture, praying Liturgy of Hours, participating in communal and private prayer, living the Beatitudes and Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, pilgrimages, penitential liturgies, voluntary self-denial, charitable work, missionary work. As we live the Beatitudes and Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, we are invited to reach out in listening availability and service while receiving nourishment from the inner qualities of the persons we serve. Which of these multiple expressions of our Franciscan Christian life of penance have become part of our conversion living? What impact has the penitential act(s) had on our response to God’s stirring within us? We are invited to renew our Profession commitment during our April gathering. This is a time for our Fraternity to celebrate individual and communal response to our inviting God as we mirror a Secular Franciscan lifestyle. As Paschal Christians we gratefully believe that “we are free in God’s love to dream with God the unimaginable”.

JPIC Awareness “Our mistreatment of the natural world diminishes our own dignity and sacredness, not only because we are destroying resources that future generations of humans need, but because we are

engaging in actions that contradict what it means to be human.” (Renewing the Earth). As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd let us continue to be conscious of recycling. Are we moving forth in ending plastic pollution? “Treat the Earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, .... we borrow it from our children.” (Ancient Indian Proverb)

Rule 18 of the Secular Franciscan OrderMoreover, 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.

No Greater LoveRecently Sarah Gahlon ofs, gave a heartfelt presentation at St. Ann’s Church in Janesville which resulted in the parishioners, who were interested in learning more about their Faith and Scripture, filling out a short survey indicating what would be of interest to them. Below is a description of the first step written by Sarah pictured with her husband Kyle

Gahlon, ofs. What a gift you are to our church community and fraternity.

Lent at St. Ann Catholic Church in Janesville is a bit different this year. The church is hosting a five-part series entitled “No Greater

Love” put out by Ascension Press. The program is a journey with Jesus from his time in the Garden of Gethsemane to his final moments on the cross at Calvary. Each week there are chapters from the No Greater Love book as well as Bible verses and questions to look up and answer in the provided workbook. Each Thursday evening 18 participants have been coming for small group discussion followed by a 30-minute video which walks them through particular moments of Jesus’ Passion and shows the actual buildings and places where these historic scenes played out. It has been eye opening to see the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the New Testament teachings and to see with our eyes places in Jerusalem which we have only read about. Lent is a time of walking closer with our Lord and walking with Him in His suffering. This study is helping to shine a light so that we can see more clearly, and with an understanding of the heart and mind, what Jesus did for us out of the greatest love.

Jesus said: “By their fruits you will know them.” 

Pat Yunker ofs, Formation Director 

Twelve years ago, in June, the first Orientation Class for our then forming community met at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, in Janesville, MN. The topic of the study was: “Francis and Penance”.  Throughout these years, we have been blessed by the inquirers who have

continued to come, two by two into our Franciscan family where we strive to live the Gospel life.  

On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used parables to give his followers a roadmap on living the

Ongoing Formation Leaders - 2019Jan Pat Jul PeggyFeb Carol Aug KyleMar Retreat Sep PicnicApr Carol Oct ArlysMay Sarah Nov BonnieJun Gerri Dec Pat

Gospel Sharing Leaders - 2019Jan Carol Jul KyleFeb Sarah Aug PatMar Retreat Sep PicnicApr Divine Mercy Chaplet Oct JeniseMay Bonnie Nov ArlysJun Peggy Dec Gerri

Snack Schedule - 2019Jan Arlys, Jean Jul Gerri, Sr. LoisFeb Matt, Lisa Aug Arlys, JeanMar Kyle, Sarah Sep Picnic (All)Apr Jenise, Bonnie Oct Matt, LisaMay Doreen, Peggy Nov Kyle, SarahJun Carol, Pat Dec Jenise, Bonnie

commandments of His heavenly Father. One of these parables was about false prophets, but that parable had a much broader implication when Jesus said, “By their fruits you will know them”.  Jesus was talking to us when he said, “By their fruits you will know them”. (Mt: 7 15-20 NABRE) 

Several of us have been communicating by e-mail and have been looking for ways to become visible by doing ministries as a group. In our Annual Report to the Region, we listed many, many individual ministries from our members and for this we need to be commended. But, just perhaps we could do more together.

Therefore, we have taken our thoughts to Council, and it will be on our agenda to discuss forming an Activities Committee to look at what needs there may be in our communities and where we could help as Franciscans. The e-mail buddies believe that if others in our parishes saw the Franciscans out and about helping the poor and disenfranchised, they might also be drawn to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis.   

So, we are asking you to think about ways we can serve the poor and disenfranchised in our parishes and home towns, and then at the April fraternity meeting, offer to serve on this committee.  We also ask you to help us put our ideas into action. Maybe if we bring our ministries into the public view others will say, “I want what you have!”   Pax et bonum.  Pat  

“Let the joy of the gospel be the source of your strength and consistency…. True greatness is to make yourself small and serve.”

Pope Francis to the Capuchin Friars.

A Prayer Before Sayingthe Liturgy of the Hours

Lord, open my lips to praise your holy name. Cleanse my heart of any worthless, evil, or distracting thoughts. Give me wisdom and love necessary to pray this office with attention, reverence, and devotion. Father let my prayer be heard in your presence for it is offered through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Something to Ponder

How have I followed these words of Francis? Isn’t this what Jesus did for the woman who was to be stoned?

Franciscan Prayers for Personal Stations of the

CrossAdapted from Franciscan

Iternational.org

Jesus is condemned to Death : Lord, as we recall our Savior’s crucifixion, we pray for your forgiveness. Let our communities serve the Gospel of life which consistently promotes and celebrates human dignity. Jesus takes up the cross; Lord, we pray for the victims burdened with the cross of extreme poverty. Show us effective ways in which we can share our resources with our sisters and brothers.

WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO HEAL WOUNDS, TO UNITE WHAT IS FALLEN APART AND TO BRING HOME THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR WAY.

Jesus falls for the first time: Lord, our societies often “fall” into a cycle of accepted discrimination. Help us to move people from silence in the face of such violence.Jesus meets his Mother; Lord, you looked into the eyes of your mother and knew the anguish in her heart. May her love for you reach out through us to all families with broken hearts, especially those who are fearful for their children.Simon helps Jesus carry His cross: Lord, bless all of our Franciscan brothers and sisters who live and walk with those less fortunate.Veronica wipes the face of Jesus: Lord, thank you for compassionate sisters and brothers who work to increase discussion on the issues of stigma and discrimination.Jesus falls a second time: Lord, open the eyes and change the hearts of those who are bent on cleansing society through force, violence, and blind hatred. May we find peaceful ways to address our differences in ways that accept and respect each other.

Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem: Lord, you told the women not to weep for you. Let us console those who suffer hardships reaching out to them to provide for their needs.

Jesus falls the third timeLord, we pray for those whose decisions affect the global economy and environment. Help them make choices that encourage sustainable life and development.

Jesus is stripped of his clothing; Lord, help us open our minds and hearts to those who are different from us. Give us the compassion to stand up for the migrants and homeless in ways that are consistent with the law yet mindful of the dignity, and safety of all.

Jesus is nailed to the cross: Lord, we pray for those who are nailed to the cross of terrorism. Help us to find ways to foster acceptance and understanding among all people.

Jesus dies on the cross: Lord, remind the victims of violence, terrorism, and torture that you are with them sharing their pain. May they find relief in your everlasting mercy.

Jesus is taken down from the cross: Lord, we pray for all Christian communities that celebrate your passion, death, and resurrection. Help us to be an active sign of new life you are bringing into our world.