Gathering in Time of Pandemic

 

As Secular Franciscan, we are called to community, but in this time of the coronavirus, gathering to share that community has become difficult.



The Glory of the Most High Fraternity in Rochester N.Y. normally gathers the first Sunday of the month. With the closing of church buildings – we gather at St. Theodore’s Church – and with stay-at-home recommendations in place, we were not able to gather April 5. But we had planned to say The Way of the Cross According to the Method of St. Francis of Assisi, so we contacted the members of the Fraternity and suggested that each of us say it at 1 p.m. (our gathering time) that day.

As the closings continued, we realized we would not be able to gather May 3. Since May is the month of Mary, we had discussed saying the Franciscan Crown Rosary for the regular gathering, so we decided to repeat the April “distance gathering,” substituting the rosary at 1 p.m.

 

 

But then the suggestions was made that those of us who felt comfortable doing so gather to say the rosary at the St. Padre Pio Chapel in the Rochester suburb of Gates. The chapel is a private one, created in 2007 by a family with a devotion to St. Padre Pio. The building is the size of a small church, with plenty of room for people to practice social distancing. It has remained open daily for private devotions throughout the pandemic.

 

 

We therefore proposed to the Fraternity that we all say the Crown Rosary wherever we were most comfortable doing so, but noting that some of us would be at the chapel reciting it. Several of us did gather there May 3 – wearing masks and keeping social distance.

 

 

It was such a wonderful experience that the suggestion was made that we gather at the chapel every Sunday at 1 for the month of May, and invite the rest of the Fraternity who cannot join us to pray the rosary wherever they are. Meanwhile, members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity from nearby Hilton heard about what we were doing and liked the idea, so we welcomed them to join us.

 

However many of us gather at the chapel, however many of us are saying the rosary at home, we will be united in prayer as a community. And among our prayers is that we will be able to have a regular gathering as soon as the pandemic begins to subside.

Pax et bonum

Epiphany Gathering

We held a small Epiphany Party January 3, at which we collected items for the Focus Pregnancy halp Center.

 

 

And, of course, there was socializing.

Pax et bonum

Happy New Year

 

Happy New Year!

Pax et bonum

Transitus 2019

We held our Transitus celebration at St. Theodore's Church October 3. The celebration included a Mass and a social gathering - with representatives from the two Rochester-area fraternities and the parish. Between 45 and 50 people attended.

One of the ideas inspired by other Transitus celebrations was placing a Franciscan robe on the floor in front of the altar. Donated food items, and oil and salt to be blessed, were also placed there.

Pax et bonum

Fraternity Picnic 2019

Our Fraternity celebrated summer with a picnic August 11. Because it was the Feast of St. Clare, we added prayers and a renewal of our profession as part of gaining a Plenary Indulgence (we also need to get to confession and receive Communion on our own as part of fulfilling the criteria for the Indulgence). Then, we socialized and enjoyed the food brought by Fraternity members - including the lovely St. Clare cake above. 

Thank you to the Whites' for their hospitality.

Pax et bonum

Franciscan Day, St. Padre Pio Chapel

Some 35 of us from three different fraternities (Geneva, Hilton, Rochester), and the Regional Minister, gathered at St. Padre Pio Chapel July 13 to view and discuss Bishop Barron's St. Francis of Assisi.

In addition to viewing and discussing the video in small groups, we had time for quiet prayer and for the Franciscan Crown Rosary in the chapel.

Pax et bonum

Joan McGuire and John Ocon Become Inquirers

(From Left: Formation Director Betty Carmen, Inquirer Joan McGuire, Betty Annechino (who introduced Joan), Minister Lee Strong, Inquirer John Ocon, and Spiritual Assistant Rich Backlas)

 

June 21, The Glory of the Most High Fraternity welcomed Joan McGuire and John Ocon as Inquirers.

 

The two have been working with Formation Director Betty Carmen since last fall, and impressed us all with their faith and dedication.

Pax et bonum