NEW YORK - As we engage the questions of reconfiguration among the U.S. Provinces, it is mindful to note that this is a question that most of the Order is dealing with. 

In that regard, I am sharing with you today a Letter from the process of reconfiguration that is taking place in Canada. Although this process is mainly between the two Canadian Provinces - St. Joseph in the East and Christ the King in the West - it is also a process that involves our Foundation in Canada.

On October 30-31, I attended a meeting of the Canadian Provincial Administrations to discuss the issue of reconfiguration there. Joining me in representing our Foundation were our Vicar, Robert Campagna, OFM, and Foundation President Jimmy Zammit, OFM. 

As with the U.S. process, the discussion is still in its earliest stages, but we are grateful that the Canadian Provinces have welcomed us to be a part of the conversation. The letter is self-explanatory. I invite you to take the time to read it and please post it in your friary for anyone who does not have access to email. 

Fraternally,

St. Joseph Province | Christ the King Province

Ontario Foundation of the Immaculate Conception Province (USA)

"Yearning for a new way will not produce it. There is only one way to bring in the new. 

You must make room for it."

- Neale Donald Walsch

November 1, 2014

To our brothers throughout Canada,

May the Lord give you peace.

For two days, October 30-31, 2014, the Provincial administrations of both Canadian Provinces of friars - St. Joseph and Christ the King - along with representatives from the leadership of the Ontario Foundation of the Immaculate Conception Province (USA), gathered at Mt. St. Francis Retreat Centre in Cochrane, Alberta, along with General Minister Michael Perry, OFM, and General Definitor Francis Walter, OFM. The aim of this meeting was to discuss the future of our Franciscan life here in Canada.

Our days together were prayerful, fraternal and full of hope for our future as Canadian Franciscans. We are grateful for the presence of our General Minister and Definitor. It was the General Definitorium who took the initiative to call this meeting. They judged that the present situation of the two Provinces and the Foundation here in Canada could not continue and that it was urgent to face this issue now. By their presence with us, they assured us of their support in the present and throughout this journey. The meeting was the first of its kind to explore together the challenges our present situation places before us as well as to begin dealing with these challenges in order to move forward with confidence.

The reality of our current situation is this: we are aging and our numbers are decreasing. In St. Joseph Province, there are about 60 friars with a median age of 78. In Christ the King Province, there are 32 friars with a median age of 75. The Ontario Foundation has 16 friars engaged in various ministries in the Toronto area. This meeting, therefore, helped us to clarify what we already knew: we will not be able to sustain our current structures in the upcoming years. It is our responsibility, then, to revitalize our common identity as brothers and to take measures to restructure the organization of our Franciscan life for the future.

To face realistically the present situation is not to be pessimistic or to be prophets of doom. This is rather a moment of hope. The changes facing our brotherhood must not be seen in terms of decline but as steps to renewal. Any vibrant way of life needs to re-evaluate itself constantly as it meets the needs and opportunities of an ever-changing world. We believe that to face our current situation with realism and determination is to renew and continue our Franciscan presence in Canada in the years ahead.

This requires, however, that we commit ourselves to a project of renewal. There is considerable diversity in our entities. We are enriched by our different cultures, languages and histories. The goal is not for all of us to become the same, that is, to restructure in such a way as to create some monolithic form of Franciscan life in this country. We are rather committed to be creative in the answers to our problems so that what emerges is not only new but also something that honours, respects and preserves our uniqueness as we move forward.

For this to happen, though, we need each of you, our brothers, to reflect prayerfully both on our current situation and on what changes this situation is calling us to make. This cannot be a process that takes place only among those few who are in leadership positions but one in which we all act together as brothers.

There are obviously many concerns among us in our search for solutions to the status quo. This must not stop us, however, from facing our present situation with open minds and hearts. We say clearly that we want to walk together with those among us who are ready to think anew about the presence of our Franciscan way of life in Canada. At the beginning of this journey, we do not know the final destination or even the road or roads to get there. To speak in this way, of course, is not all that reassuring. As long as we are with brothers, however, we can be willing to take the next step with confidence.

We want to begin to explore some possibilities as soon as possible:

1. To form an interprovincial commission to develop concrete models for restructuring our way of life. This commission will make an initial report within the following year.
2. To hold a Chapter of Mats in 2015 for all friars in Canada to discuss our future; this gathering will be in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the friars in Canada.
3. To begin or increase collaboration in such areas as: initial and ongoing formation, JPIC, the FMU, communications...

Pax et bonum!

St. Joseph Province, Montréal