Mary, Queen of Angels
Secular Franciscan Fraternity of Northern Idaho August 2005
Praise to you, Lord, God of all creation! Blessed be your Holy Name! Glorious and wonderful are you!
Give Us This Day...
By Wayne Woodward,SFO
Jesus liked to explain things in parables. The analogies are fun to play with, and seem to contain more and more connectedness the deeper we probe. Maybe we can compare being Franciscan to being like bread.
First of all, bread is bread, being different from coleslaw, canned fish, and tomatoes, What distinguishes it is that flour - some sort of ground grain, is a principal ingredient (the visible part), and the fact that it is baked - ( the invisible part). Cookies and cakes are made from flour, and are baked, so they are bread, too - in a way. Sourdough is bread; pumpernickel is bread; the white enriched thin sliced stuff is bread - well almost. What makes one bread different from other breads? What makes Franciscan bread different from other Christian breads?
Breads vary with the ingredients used, and in the proportion of those ingredients. Franciscan bread is heavy on gluten - the connectedness that holds things together. It has a unique, robust flavor. (Some might call it nutty). And no two slices are exactly alike, no matter how you slice it.
Our gluten causes us to be a little chewy because of our perceived connectedness to environmental concerns, preservation of the family, our work, and peace and justice issues, and with one another, as we compare the world around us with what the Gospel tells us about how things “otta be”.
Our robust flavor comes from inclusiveness - we’re all sorts of folks sharing a common perspective - well, mostly. Two slices alike - no, but cut from the same loaf - you betcha!
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FRANCISCAN IDENTITY
by Father Larry Dunphy,OFM
You are puzzled by what makes us Franciscan. You ask: "Are we different or how are we different from the ordinary Catholic/Christian? Is there something especially Franciscan about us?" You wonder how to answer when someone asks you: "What does the Secular Franciscan Order do?" I’ll start out by saying that I don’t think that there is a clear answer to these questions. In some ways these questions are best answered by your own experience. In some ways that best answers come by telling the questioner what it means to you and sharing with them what difference you have experienced in your life from being an SFO.
However, I think there are some things that can be said. SFO is a true religious order, approved by the Church. Its rule of life was originally written by St. Francis and has been re-worked under the Church’s guidance to adapt it to contemporary life circumstances. The rule, the guide for SFO life, tries to suggest ways that men and women in the 20th and 21rst centuries can bring the spirit of St. Francis into daily life and the affairs of the world. Members are convinced that St. Francis’s life and spirituality have something that can contribute to the life of today’s Church and world.
SFO’s are not a prayer group, but they do pray. Franciscans pray individually and together. There is no particular Franciscan form of prayer, but because Franciscans learn something of prayer from St. Francis, Franciscan prayer does have a particular flavor and focus. St. Francis’ prayers were mainly ones of praise for God, especially for God as reflected in creation., like in Francis’ prayer "The Canticle of Creation." Franciscan devotion gives particular emphasis to the crib, the cross, and the Eucharist. Devotion to the crib is not just about the Nativity scene, but expresses Francis’ awe at the fact that the Son of God took on flesh and humbly lived among us as one of us. Francis’s prayer life flowed very much from his contemplation of Jesus crucified and of the incomprehensible love God showed for us by his death on the cross. Francis praised and thanked Christ in the Eucharist not only on entering a church, but whenever he saw one in the distance. In the Eucharist Francis saw that Christ was born again each day at the altar in the hands of the priest This was how he saw Christ bodily each day in the simple bread of the Eucharist. A Franciscan tries to pray in the manner of Francis.
SFO’s are not a club, but a community of brothers and sisters, known and unknown, scattered throughout the world. The needs of one brother or sister are concern of all. The sick members have a special concern, whom Francis exhorts to be treated as each one would want to be treated. This sisterhood and brotherhood of Franciscans are not an in-group which see themselves set apart from others. Rather, in this brotherly and sisterly community one lives and practices brotherhood and sisterhood in order to be a brother or sister to every human being.
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Give Us This Day continued...
Our robust flavor comes from inclusiveness - we’re all sorts of folks sharing a common perspective - well, mostly. Two slices alike - no, but cut from the same loaf - you betcha!
What about the baking - the invisible stuff? In the process of being who we are, somehow joy creeps in - like warmth from the oven. Something happens in the formation process that makes us happy to be who we are, doing what we do and with the situations where we find ourselves. That joy manifests itself by the love we show for those around us and in our own journey toward spiritual wholeness. Like bread, broken and shared, we want to enrich the lives of others and to be a leaven to our world.
Can we become moldy, like other breads? Sure. Are we sometimes crusty around the edges, burned, and come up with half-baked ideas? There are those who say so.
Is ours the perfect loaf? That’s a matter of opinion - some like cupcakes and some like rye. For those of us who show an affinity for Franciscan bread, it keeps growing and growing on us, and we couldn’t give it up if we had to.
Visionaries? By Marci Woodward, OFS
I know for sure we Franciscans are not perfect. It doesn’t take long and I don’t have to go beyond the end of my nose to discover that. But I also believe we are an idealistic and visionary lot. God has touched us in some way, tugging at our hearts and minds, giving us a desire to commit to deeper relationship with Him. Francis’ vision resonates with us.
Franciscans have a great love of God. We try to live the Gospel in our families, church, communities and work. We don’t seek the lime light, honors, or applause. Being little in the eyes of the world is just fine. Most of the time - and yes, it is work -
Franciscan Identity continued...
Francis sought to follow the poor Christ and declared poverty to be a mark of the way of life that he had learned from Christ and the gospels. He himself renounced all ownership of things, sold all that he had, and gave it to the poor. Although, few if any can do as Francis did, Franciscans try to live a simple life, not burdened by possessions nor the desire for them. Francis moved in with the poor and Franciscans are concerned for the lot of the poor. Part of a Franciscan’s way of living a poor life must be expressed by being involved in seeking to eliminate unjust and involuntary poverty. Franciscans realize that this kind of dehumanizing poverty imposed on so many in the contemporary world comes from unjust economic and social structures and public policies. Franciscans strive to grow in awareness of these unjust structures and policies and are willing to lend their voices to efforts to change them.
Francis was a person of joy despite his own poverty and physical sufferings. Franciscans seek to be witnesses to joy and to show a way to joy in the midst of a world that is so often joyless. Franciscan joy comes from the realization that in all circumstances they are loved by God and by one’s Franciscan brothers and sisters. Adversity and patience in sufferings opens the way to closer likeness to Christ, who is the cause of one’s joy.
Franciscan life and spirituality are Christ-centered. Christ showed Francis how to live and Francis learned to know Christ through reading of and contemplation of the gospels. Francis was deeply in love with Christ and he did all that he did for love of Christ. The Franciscan life is most fundamentally a life in Christ and a way to grow in love and imitation of Christ. Christ shares his Father with his friends and reveals the Father to them. Francis saw the Holy Spirit as the one who would really guide his Order.
Franciscans do not set out to be different or special but simply to live in the spirit of Francis. In doing that they may find themselves becoming hospitable and showing a different way of life than those who do not seek to follow the way of Francis.
we are joyful, hospitable, and stand up for justice. We work at respecting all - enemies, yes, terrorists and sex offenders - trusting in God, prayer, and the loving embrace of Mary, Mother of God.
Because we are idealists and visionaries, we may be more acutely aware that we fall short of who we are called to be...both individually and as fraternity. This is God’s grace working in our hearts. This is the way of penance - being aware so that we may move on and get back on the Gospel path. There is a good chance we are doing wonderful things, but we know there is so much more in the Kingdom to do and be.
Praise God! Each of us lives a note in a song - each fraternity adds a chorus - singing simply to give glory and praise to the Creator of us all, most high, glorious God. (Not always on key, by the way!) I for one am glad to be part of this raucous family.
Pilgrims’ Reflections
Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have thousands of old ladies running around with tattoos?
There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 AM. It could be a right number.
The operative phrase which keeps me focused as a Secular Franciscan is "conversion." I have come to understand that conversion represents the alpha and omega of my life as a Secular...Conversion is also my future. I now understand my vocation as a Secular Franciscan as a call to on-going conversion in all aspects of my life... Of all the areas of my life in need of conversion, the most important for me personally at this time is conversion to a "secular spirituality”. - Edward Zablocki, OFS
You are now expected to find God in modern culture, politics and economics, and to delight in his presence there. You have been thrust into the front fine as leaders in public life and transformers of secular culture. -Fr. John Vaughn, OFM speaking to SFO
I find that it is difficult to guide many Secular Franciscans into an active apostolic way of life. They want prayer, even active participation in the liturgy; they want spiritual assistance of the friars. But to convince them that living the Gospel necessarily involves being sent out to the world, and to form them to be publicly apostolic has been my most difficult task. -Fr. Carl Schaefer, OFMSpiritual Assistant to the International SFO
In 1287, eyeglasses were first introduced. As age weakens the muscles of our eyes, what a fuzzy world we would live in without spectacles. Also salute A.E. Fick, a Swiss doctor who in 1877 made the first contact lenses. A good day as well to pray for improved vision of the beauties of creation and for a compassionate beholding of the suffering in the world.
The Chinese first invented toilet paper in 580 A.D., but it took over a thousand years to reach the West. It was first sold in a roll in 1871. In a relatively short time it has become a necessity in our culture, although it is still considered a luxury item by 3/4 of the world’s population. Besides this humble aid to a clean environment, are there any other luxuries in your life that you take for granted?
As the end of the month approaches and schools open their doors across the country, it is a good day to ponder the Hindu proverb, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Regardless of your age, do all that is necessary today to make yourself ready for the teacher. -Pilgrim’s Almanac
Holiness Is...
Reflections on the fruits and the Tree
Submitted by Marie Nordin, OFS
We are holy. And all who strive to be part of Christ’s mystical Body share in the common holiness of the faithful. The following reflections on this truth may help you appreciate your own holiness.
Holiness is not something that comes from doing good; we do good because we are holy.
Holiness is not something we acquire by avoiding evil; we avoid evil because we are holy.
Holiness is not something that follows from prayer; we pray because we are holy.
Holiness is not the result of kindness; we are kind because we are holy.
Holiness is not the something that blossoms when we are courageous; we are courageous because we are holy.
Holiness is not the result of character building; we build character because we are holy.
Holiness is not the private possession of religious people; we are religious because we are holy.
Holiness is not something that comes from being more joyful; we are joyful because we are holy.
Holiness is not ta gift we obtain after a lifetime of service; we give a lifetime of service because we are holy.
Our holiness is God with us, Emmanuel. And while it’s true that holiness carries with it both the Cross and the Resurrection, it is more a gift than a reward.
Praise be to Jesus Christ.
Thoughts to Ponder This Month
What makes me Franciscan?
How do I live out my Franciscan identity?
St. Louis - Patron of Secular Franciscans
July 25
At his coronation as king of France, Louis bound himself by oath to behave as God’s anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord of the King of Peace. Other kings had done the same, of course. Louis was different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the light of faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought peace and justice.
He was crowned king at 12, at his father’s death. His mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled during his minority. When he was 19, (and his bride 12) he was married to Marguerite of Provence. It was a loving marriage, despite her arrogant and restless nature. They had 10 children.
Louis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His army took Damietta on the Nile but not long after, weakened by dysentery and without support, they were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the release of the army by giving up the city of Damietta in addition to paying a ransom. He stayed in Syria four years.
He is admired as a crusader, but perhaps he deserves greater credit for his extending justice in civil administration. He drew up regulations for his officials which became the first of a series of reform laws. He replaced trial by battle with a form of examination of witnesses and encouraged the beginning of using written records in court.
Louis was always respectful of the papacy, but defended royal interests against the popes and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV’s sentence against Emperor Frederick II.
Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick and, like his patron St. Francis, caring even for people with leprosy. (He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order.) Louis united France—lords and townsfolk, peasants and priests and knights—by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace.
Every day Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to eat with him, and a large number of poor were served meals near his palace. During Advent and Lent, all who presented themselves were given a meal, and Louis often served them in person. He kept lists of needy people, whom he regularly relieved, in every province of his dominion.
Disturbed by new Muslim advances in Syria, he led another crusade in 1267, at the age of 41. His crusade was diverted to Tunis for his brother’s sake. The army was decimated by disease within a month, and Louis himself died on foreign soil at the age of 44. He was canonized 27 years later.
Comment:
Louis was strong-willed, strong-minded. His word was trusted utterly, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt, especially the “humble folk of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals, churches, libraries, hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings, to whom he gave his life, his family and his country. From Saint of the Day by Fr. McCloskey, OFM
Celebration of Clare
We are invited to join the annual “Celebration of Clare” at the Poor Clare Monastery garden in Spokane on August 6th at 10:30am.
Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Skylstad.
(...Other SFO have also been invited along with who knows ...).
The nuns went barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete silence. (Later Clare, like Francis, persuaded her sisters to moderate this rigor: “Our bodies are not made of brass.”) The greatest emphasis, of course, was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property, even in common, subsisting on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to persuade her to mitigate this practice, she showed her characteristic firmness: “I need to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ.”
From Saint of the Day by Fr. McCloskey, OFM
Feast of St. Clare, August 11th
Calendar
August
6 Celebration of Clare
6 Council meeting ?
8 St. Dominic
12-14 SFO Campout
15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
25 St. Louis of France, Patron of SFO
Prayers
That travelers will reach their destinations and return home safely.
For the marriage of Jordan Ballinger & Tina Marie Lundberg
For the success of the various apostolates and ministries members are involved with.
For an end to violence in families, especially here in Northern Idaho.
For the continued health of Sally.
For relatives who are sick and lack faith.
Bill Ballinger, minister 208-623-3435
Fr. Colman Nolan, spiritual guide
Wayne Woodward, vice minister
Paul Franz, secretary
George Loftus, treasurer
Marci Woodward, formation
Sue Ballinger, commissions chair
Marci newsletter 457-8807
Please contribute an article, joke, art, etc.
Deadline each month is the 20th. September theme is Ecology, spirituality of penance. God Bless you!