Local Franciscan rises to CFR leadership

In June, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal met in General Chapter and Father Anthony Baetzold  of St. Leo's Parish in Hilton was elected Vicar. We know him from so many days of prayer he's led for the local Secular fraternities over the last few years.

The entire leadership team is:

Servant – Fr. John Paul Ouellete, CFR
Vicar – Fr. Anthony Baetzold, CFR
Council – Br. John Joseph Brice, CFR
Fr. Solanus Benfatti, CFR
Fr. Isaac Spinharney, CFR
Fr. Emmanuel Mansford, CFR

May God be with Father Anthony and all the other members of the leadership team.

Pax et bonum

Socializing with Franciscans 2

Here are more pictures from our fraternity picnic July 26.

Pax et bonum

Socializing with Franciscans

One of bits of advice from the Handbook for Franciscan Leadership is allowing time for social time at meetings. "... social time provides an opportunity to experience each other as family in a relaxed atmosphere. How well do we know each member of our fraternity? We also need times to celebrate together."

This past Saturday, we took the call for social time a step further with a midsummer fraternity picnic.

Good food. Good friends. Good discussions. Lots of laughter.

Here's a few pictures. More to come.

Pax et bonum

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Pray for Us

Today is the feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American woman to be declared a Saint. Our region of the Secular Franciscan Order is named after her.

Here's a prayer from online.

St. Kateri, Star of Native People and Bright Light for all!

We thank God for your heroic courage, constant perseverance and deep love of the Cross.

Pray for us that our love for Christ may deepen.

And may we imitate you in following God’s Will even when difficulties arise.

In Jesus’ name we pray. 

Amen.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan Servant Leadership - characteristics

"Three essential characteristics when one assumes a Franciscan servant leadership role are:

1. that the call or commission is initiated by God;

2. that the response or commitment is wholehearted; and

3.that the leader has or is open to receiving the vision necessary to serve in a servant leadership capacity.

The vitality and growth of fraternal life is usually related to the absence or presence of these characteristics in its leaders."

From The Handbook for Franciscan Servant Leadership (2010) 

Pax et bonum

The Canonization of Two Popes: An Unexpected Invitation!

Elizabeth Annechino, OFS

     As I reflect on the Canonizations of John Paul II and John XXIII what immediately comes to mind are the words:  miraculous and sublime.  When you are open to God’s invitation miracles take place.  Our minds were on God alone and our hearts were eager and open to receive all that God had invited us to that day.

    You see when Gwen and I started planning our Franciscan Pilgrimage it was to be our “Assisi Pilgrimage” with the privilege of also spending a couple of days in “Rome sweet Home.”  We were well into planning before they announced the canonizations of these two great Popes.

     Anyone who knows me well knows I hate crowds and don’t enjoy big celebrations.  I experience God most profoundly off by myself and in silence.  That was my heart’s desire and as for Gwen she was marveling at how God had provided the time and means to go.  After this occurred, an awareness emerged that we were no longer in charge and that Someone far greater than us was inviting us on this pilgrimage. We were humbled and felt honored to accept this invitation.

     We got up very early that morning to arrive at St. Peter’s Square by 7am. With no breakfast, we just swiftly went to get to our destination nice and early.  Mass would begin at 10:00 and we were going to be there to receive all that the Lord had invited us to, no matter what.

     Our excitement soon turned into frustration and terror as we stood for hours while the crowds emerged. They say there were close to a million people. People were pushing and shoving and not acting very Christian at all. There was garbage all over the place from people who had camped out the night before.  Gwen and I were hanging on for dear life and I was getting very upset that people were forgetting they were on holy ground!

     The first miracle happened when the holy Mass began and Pope Francis and Benedict embraced and the people responded to Mass parts in Latin.  God transcended our humanity and we were on holy ground. My heart melted and my anger turned to an overwhelming sense of God’s Mercy on His people…one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.  Gwen who had been standing on her once injured leg, that made normal walking difficult at times, was somewhere other than earth in adoration. 

     We were both humbled and honored to be at this historic moment in history. Four Popes at one Mass! We were immersed in our heavenly Father’s love and mercy for His poor, broken and sinful people on this Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014.  I’m sure only a tiny speck in His Ocean of Divine Mercy!  So after the three and a half hour Mass we headed back to our hotel. There were no buses or taxis due to the masses of people in Rome. So we walked and we walked and we laughed and we cried for literally hours until we arrived at our hotel close to seven pm. It was only the next day that we learned we had walked ten miles. I certainly do believe in miracles.

Pax et bonum

The Lourdes Hymn (Immaculate Mary)

In honor of Mary during her month.




Pax et bonum