May 30, 2014

In This Issue

Pope Francis speaks to the friars as General Minister Michael A. Perry, OFM (left) and Custos of the Holy Land Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM (right) listen.

During his time with the friars, he took a moment to thank them for their work in ministering in the Holy Land. "Thank you for what you are doing in the Holy Land. Without exaggeration we can say that the Holy Land is alive. If there are Christian communities, it is thanks to you!"

BOSTON - Our four Postulants - Dale Brewer, Josh Critchley, Josh Davis and Jay Woods - have completed their year of Postulancy and are now enjoying a few weeks of vacation with their families. 

Before the Posulancy year ended, they said their final farewell's at their place of ministry this year, Saint Jeanne Jugan Nursing Home in Somerville, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Following their vacation, they will report to St. Bonaventure University for summer courses in Franciscan studies before reporting to the Interprovincial Novitiate on August 15.

Click the link below for a VIDEO of the Postulants' year in review:

ATTLEBORO, MA - Fr. Alvin Te, OFM, was recently invited to be preacher at the annual Filipino celebration of Santacruzan held at the Shrine of La Salette in Attleboro on Sunday, May 25.

The celebration was sponsored by the Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Boston. 

Flores de Mayo (Spanish for "Flowers of May") is a Catholic festival held in the Philippines in the
month of May. It is one of the May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary and lasts for the entire
month.

By Becky Aubut, Anchor Staff

 

ASSONET, Mass. - Sixty-one years ago women of the Fall River Diocese got together and asked, "What can we do for the Church?" and six decades later, the Fall River Diocesan of Catholic Women are still working hard to answer that question. And though the number of active council members have become smaller than in years past, that hasn't diminished the faith of the current members as seen during this year's annual convention held at St. Bernard's Parish in Assonet.

 

"Do whatever He tells you," was this year's theme, based on what Mary told the servants during the Wedding of Cana, and after the formal meeting that updated members on everything from money raised to acknowledging those who had passed away, the council welcomed its guest speakers.

 

Father Thomas Washburn, O.F.M., former pastor of St. Margaret's Parish in Buzzards Bay, opened with the question, "Does anyone here believe in miracles?"

 

 

Some might answer quickly and easily, he said, stating they do believe in miracles, while others may be skeptical and only credit miracles happening in the Bible, while others may be open to the possibility but have yet to truly believe.

 

"We would love to experience a miracle. You might wonder why I'm asking you about miracles today?" said Father Washburn, who then expounded on the convention's theme, "Do whatever He tells you," with a retelling of the Wedding of Cana.

 

By having Jesus turn the water into wine, Jesus was making a bold statement, said Father Washburn. He could have begun His public ministry in a different way, but "He revealed His glory and His disciples began to believe," said Father Washburn. "It was this bold statement that ushers in the very first miracle of Jesus."

 

Jesus could have begun His holy ministry in myriad of ways, continued Father Washburn, but instead "He begins at Cana. He doesn't begin with a glorious speech or a ritual moment or grand entrance; He begins with a miracle. He begins with a moment that challenges those around Him and us, that things may not be what they appear. Even the things that seem impossible may become possible. He begins by showing us that the very presence of God can enter powerfully in an ordinary moment of our lives, if we let Him. Jesus didn't come to merely tell us about God, He came to be the very presence of God."

 

It's a very timely reflection considering the current climate; we live in a world that does not believe in miracles or challenges the belief in miracles, said Father Washburn; everyone wants to believe only in what can be seen, touched, measured or explained. There are some who feel God doesn't live here anymore, or is distant and far away in our lives.

 

Father Washburn then did a play-on-words with his audience: "Did you know the fastest growing group in the United States is the 'nones'? Now let me clarify that for you; I'm not talking about religious Sisters," he said, eliciting laughter from those listening to his presentation. 

 

He continued, "Instead, I'm talking about those who have no religious affiliation at all. Today when it comes to religious affiliation in America, those who consider themselves nothing in particular have grown to 20 percent of Americans, or 46 million Americans. That's a whole lot of people in this country. 

 

The 'nones' are made up of those who don't believe anything at all, or those who aren't sure, or those who don't care if there's a God at all. These are folks who like to refer to themselves as spiritual but not religious. We know these people, after all, many of these people are our friends and family."

 

But what does this have to do with miracles? It may differ from person-to-person, but it's really God reaching into our lives and into our world. When we stop seeing God's presence in our world, it's that much easier to become a "none."

 

Father Washburn began to list things that close us off to God, beginning with extremism that creates a polarization between differing parties, like in politics where there's no meeting in the middle, it's all or nothing - and that idea spills into our everyday values; "We approach our lives with an 'all or nothing' way, especially with those closest to us. We say things like, 'I can never do anything right,'" said Father Washburn, adding, "Never?"  

 

"Or, 'every time I try to make a difference, I always give too much and no one ever appreciates me.' Always?" asked Father Washburn. "Or, 'you only care about yourself and you will never change.' Never ever? You see the 'always' and the 'never' leave very little room for God. Our God is about transformation and change, and it's harder to find room for Him in the extremes."

 

Another factor that closes us off is the constant comparison, that tendency to be endlessly wanting what others have, a prevalence in our culture that encourages us to keep up with everyone else, said Father Washburn; "When we do this, our eyes are never on the goodness present in our own lives. God is always found in blessings and gratitude and never found in envy, jealousy or greed."

 

He asked those in the audience who believed they had experienced a miracle in her life, and as hands were raised, he said that "miracles are nothing more than God breaking into our world" and that he hopes "God is breaking in with regularity."

 

He encouraged everyone to be an on-going witness, and to continue to do "whatever He tells you" and "to fill the world with miracles of peace."

 

This originally appeared in the May 7, 2014 issue of The Anchor, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River.

The retreat was on the theme "God's Love: Returning to Our Roots." Each of the Conferences picked up that theme, for example, with sessions titled "Created in God's Love," "Restored in God's Love," "Nourished in God's Love" and "Made New in God's Love." 

Approximately 150 Secular Franciscans from throughout Northern New England attended the retreat held at St. Anthony Monastery, run by the Lithuanian Franciscans.  The retreat took place May 16-18.

Fr. Michael will also direct a 7-day retreat for the Sisters of St. Ann in Marlborough, MA, June 1-6.

VALLEY OF THE ANGELS, GUATEMALA - "Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received--only what you have given." (Francis of Assisi)

 

These profound words from our Seraphic Father was the theme for the 2014 Guatemala High School Mission Trip this past March Break.  In total 17 teenagers from grades 11-12 embarked on a 10-day journey at the Valley of the Angels Orphanage just outside of Guatemala City.  

 

"Guatemala was an amazing, life altering experience.  Our trip opened doors for me that I didn't know were there," said Nik.

 

For 10 days, my students went above and beyond in love, compassion and physical endurance.  From clearing a soccer field so the children could finally use it, painting shelves and lockers for the children to place their belongings, and other projects, the students were certainly busy.  The most fun however, was the time they spent with the children.  As much as my students worked to make physical areas of the orphanage better, they received more in return.  They felt love like many had not felt before; unconditional without expectation.

 

 

 

Each night the students met in the upstairs office of Valley which was dubbed the "upper room" in order to take time to reflect on what the day had brought and where they had encountered God.  They used the format of "lights and shadows", to share both the challenging and enlightening moments.  

 

While this was the initial and immediate effort to integrate their experience, we are sure that it will take a life time to unfold all the graces received.  Jordyn said, "Guatemala absolutely changed my life and the way I view the world around me."

 

This was the first time a high school had visited Valley and the interaction of students with students, especially peers was very special.  The opportunity to give of themselves and to come out of themselves, and to genuinely love others had a profound impact on the students.  Shelby wrote: "The experience was unforgettable and it has changed me forever." Another student, Breanna, remarked: "Valley of The Angels Orphanage will always have a huge place in my heart.  I will always be grateful for everyone who was a part of this experience."

 

 

 

I truly believe we received more from this trip than we anticipated.  My students left with a new sense of gratitude for the blessings in Canada and for many of them a change in perspective and opportunity. 

 

"Best time of my life. Going back this summer just feels right.  I feel like part of me stayed there and I need to go get it back. It felt like home.  Those children made me so happy.  That was the happiest I've ever been. Best time ever," said Devon.

 

The children and staff will forever live in our hearts.  Our time there reminded us how important it is to go out of our way and give.  Giving of ourselves is the best gift we can give, besides prayer of course J 

Finally, Ellie wrote of the mutual blessing the trip offered. "Guatemala was truly life changing. We got to experience life in a new way. We made so many new friends and touched the lives of others who also changed us. We will never forget."

 

Lisa Theriault, OFS

Youth Animator, Trillium Regional Fraternity

ST. MEINRAD, IN -  St. John the Baptist Province met last week in Provincial Chapter at St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Indiana. During the course of the ir Chapter, they took up consideration of the Proposal being deliberated currently by all seven U.S. Provinces to engage in a process of reconfiguration that will lead to the reduction in the number of U.S. Provinces.

 

The friars gathered accepted the proposal voting 104 in favor and three opposed.  Five men in initial formation also cast a consultative vote with four voting in favor and one opposed. 

 

In a statement prepared by the members of the Chapter, the friars stated:

 

The Province of St. Barbara was the first U.S. Province to vote in favor of the Proposal deciding in March 91-4 to be part of the national conversation on reconfiguration. 

 

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - The annual Province Retreat has been scheduled to take place October 19-23 at Mount Alvernia Retreat Center. The retreat will be a joint endeavor with the Capuchin Friars of St. Mary Province, also based in New York.

The theme of this year's retreat will be "Pope Francis and the New Evangelization: Implications for How We Evangelize as Franciscans." The retreat will be directed by Fr. Bill Cieslak, OFM Cap. 

Fr. Bill lived with the friars of the St. Barbara Province for 25 years while teaching Sacramental Theology, Sacred Liturgy and courses in The Legacy of the Franciscan Theological Tradition and Intellectual Tradition at the Franciscan School of Theology at Berkeley, California. He is currently the Director of Preaching and Evangelization for the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph and lives in Chicago.

The retreat will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 19 and will conclude following lunch on Thursday, October 23. Friars interested in attending must register by contacting Fr. Roch Ciandella at (845) 297-5706 Ext. 112 by October 13. 

Friars attending this retreat who are engaged in parochial and other external ministries and who are allowed a stipend for their annual retreat are kindly asked to donate that stipend to Mount Alvernia to help with the expenses related to the retreat..

CO-DIRECTORS OF COMMUNICATIONS: Thomas Washburn, OFM | Alvin Te, OFM