the st. anthony fraternity newsletterfranciscansalbuquerque.sfousa.org/wp-content/... · jan 7 –...

The St. Anthony Fraternity Newsletter Fraternity #101 Volume 20 Issue 1 January 2017

From the Minister BrothersandSistersinSt.Francis,

First,Iprayforblessingsandprotectionforallofyou.Aswebeginournewyeartogether,IwouldliketothankyouallforyourwordsofencouragementandallofthesupportyouhaveshownmeinregardstothenewpaththatIwillbetakingwiththeFraternity.Iwanttoemphasizethatthisisnotmypathalone–itisacontinuationofourjourneytogether.IwillsaythateverytimeIthinkmyscheduleisasfullasitcanbe,somehow,thereisalwayssomethingelsethatsqueezesin!WhenIbeganmyjourneywiththeFranciscans,IrememberhowafraidIwasofnotbeingabletodedicatethetimeneededinfulfillingthecommitmentsrequiredforprofession.Well,ImadeittoprofessionandIthought:“Well,hereIam–Imadeit!NowIcanrelax...”Beforeyouknowit,electionscamearoundandwhileIwasinSeattle,IgotatexttellingmethatIhadbeennominatedforViceMinisterandwouldIbeinterestedintheposition.Withtrepidation,Isaid:“OK”rememberingthatwearecalledtoserveandthatIprobablywouldnotbeelected.ThenexttextIgotwascongratulatory.Ummm...Isaidtomyself:“TheypickedmebecauseIwasn'ttheretosay‘no’.”Again,Iwasafraidofbeingabletofulfillmydutiesresponsibly.JustoneweekbeforeJanegavemethenewsofhernationalappointment,Idistinctlyrememberthinkingtomyself:“Wow,Idon'tknowhowJanedoesit–sheknowssomuchandsheissoorganized.Iadmirehersomuch.ThankGodIdon'thavetoworryaboutanythinglikethatbecauseIcouldneverdowhatshedoes.And,ifthesubjectevercomesup,it'sokaytosayno...”And.....hereweare.IlookforwardtoworkingwiththeCouncilandFraternityintheyeartocome.EverythingwedowillbeunderthedirectionoftheHolySpiritandIpraythatwewillbecomemoreunitedasweseektoserveallofGod'schildren–beginningwitheachother.Yoursister,Israela

Spiritual Assistant’s Message Dear sisters and brothers in St. Francis--- I always thought that “Epiphany” was a strange word, in sound and spelling; I still do. It’s one of those church-words (like “Advent”) that sounds out of place when used in a secular context. As we know, the Season of Advent is pre-Christmas Season–while the Season of Epiphany is post-Christmas Season. Christmas is flanked by awaiting the birth of the Messiah, and opening one’s mind and heart to the vocation manifestations of the adult Messiah. Jesus was probably the cutest baby–ever. And, as we were as babes, totally helpless. Just as our parents struggled to teach us how to live life virtuously–so too, did Joseph and Mary watch and participate in the mystery of their child blossoming into an adult. We shed our infancy through ups and downs as our parents offer good examples of Christian life. As Franciscans, let us strive to be good examples (and helpers) to our fellow sisters and brothers toward becoming mature Christians. May the Lord guide your words, hands, and steps, Br. Gordon

St.AnthonyFraternityNewsletter–January2017 Page2

LET US PRAY FOR… • Healthofallourmembers,especially:NancyBates(recoveringfromsurgery),Consuelo,DeaconCharlie,Arturo,BarbaraG,BarbaraH,Helen,ArtandErma,MaryLynn,Alcaria,Eva,JohnandNancy(andtheirnina),Winifred,JoannS,CarolElliot’sfamily,MargaretM’sson,Tommie,Elizabeth,VictorandRena,MargeandDerek.

• ThesoulofMargeArmijo’ssisterandforhealthforMarge’sniece.

• ForCathyPierceasshepreparestomovetoTexas.InthanksgivingforherservicetoourFraternityandtheRegion.

• InthanksgivingforhealingforElizabeth’sbrother.• VocationstotheFranciscanOrders.• ThesafetyofImmigrantsandRefugees.• Healingaftertheelectionandfornewlyelectedofficials.• TheabilitytobeinstrumentsofpeaceintheChurchandintheworld.

• OneMinuteBlessingforJanuary:ForChristianUnity.

WHATHAPPENEDATTHELASTGATHERING?Familyandfriendstotallynearly50gatheredtosharethoughtsaboutGod’sinspirationandwonderfulculinaryconcoctions.TheprayerserviceremindedusofSt.Francis’lovefortheIncarnation.TheNativitycharactersspoketosomanyparticipants.Severalsharedverytouchingandpersonalthoughts.JourneysallconvergedwithGod’scallingtotheOFS(whetherafamilymemberorapersonalcalling).ThankstoConsueloforplayingthekeyboardandAbraham,MargaretandRenaforleadingusintheprayer.Newbuddynameswereselectedfor2017.Ourhomeboundmemberswillgetachancetovisitwithanothermemberofthefraternity.Activemembersareinvitedtocallorvisitourhomeboundmemberfrequentlythroughouttheyear.Thisactivityisonewaytogettoknowourfamily.Thegiftexchangewasfunasusual.Thegiftswereverythoughtfulandcreative.Lastlythemealwesharedwasdeliciousandnoonecountedcalories.Seepage5forsomesnapshotstakenbyRexSchlicherduringthejoyfilledevent.

Calendar Jan 1: Solemnity of Mary Jan 8: The Feast of the Epiphany Jan 13: Council Meeting, Friary*, 9am Jan 14: Candidacy and Inquiry Classes, Friary*, 10am-Noon Jan 22: Candidacy Class, Friary*, 12:30-2pm Fraternity Gathering, Friary*, 2pm Ongoing Formation: 2016 Quinquennial Congress Presentation Hospitality Group 1: Connie Jo Martinez, Ernestine Sedillo, Tommie Page, Gina Lubeck.

St. Anthony Bread: CFR’s (monetary donations will be collected) Jan 28: Inquiry Class, Gina’s house, 10am-Noon.

Feb 11: Candidacy and Inquiry Classes, Friary*, 10am-Noon Feb 25: Inquiry Class, Gina’s house, 10am-Noon. Feb 26: Candidacy Class, Friary*, 12:30-2pm Fraternity Gathering, Friary*, 2pm Ongoing Formation: 2016 Quinquennial Congress Presentation Hospitality Group 2: Elizabeth Chavez, Ed and Carol, Jane D-B, Abraham, Margaret Martinez St. Anthony Bread: St. Felix Pantry

Mar 3: Council Meeting, Friary*, 9am

* Friary = Franciscans, 1350 Lakeview SW, Albuquerque, 87105

STATUSFORMS:Don’tforgettocompletethestatusformincludedintheDecembernewsletter.PleasecompleteandmailittoGerryRohrkemper,OFS.Thankyou.

St.AnthonyFraternityNewsletter–January2017 Page3

FinancialStatementfor: December2016BeginningBalance $2,385.26Income

RegularContributions $989.00EndowmentInterest $80.96ExceptionalIncome -

Expense SpiritualAssistant $100.00*

Infirmarian -CouncilAdmin.Supplies $18.80

NewsletterSupplies $24.94NewsletterPostage $37.60

PoorClares $75.00FranciscanFriars $50.00ContingencyFund $50.00

Formation -ExceptionalExpenses$50.76**

EndingBalance $3,048.12ContingencyFund $1,208.70 NumberofDonors 26*Replacementofmisplacedcheck**$25forcantor,$25.76prayerservicecopies

AssisiTrip–St.FrancisPilgrimagesSeptember30–October9,2017

$1750groundrate.Airfaretobepurchasedonyourown.http://www.stfrancispilgrimages.com/

1-404-418-6681bret.thoman@gmail.com33

BirthdayBlessingsto:Br.GordonBoykin 1/19JeannetteSchlicher 1/21HelenSlavinski 1/23LucianaGarcia 1/26JoanneG.Elfers 2/3LydiaWroten 2/19MariaVega(ES) 2/20AntoniaMaldonado(ES) 2/23EdDzienis 2/24LorenzoPino(ES) 2/26AnnaBenavidez 2/28

Pleaseemailsaf.ofs.newsletter@gmail.comwithcorrectionsoradditions.Thankyou.

SanctityofLifeAwarenessandUnityDay-Wednesday,January18,2017inSantaFe.ThethreeDiocesesofNewMexicowill

prayerfullymarkthe44thanniversaryoftheSupremeCourtdecisionRoev.Wade

legalizingabortionwithaSanctityofLifeAwarenessandUnityDayonJanuary18,2017.ThedayincludesaMassatthe

CathedralBasilicainSantaFe(Noon),aprayerprocession(1:30pm)andrallyatthe

Roundhouseandvisitinglegislators(2pm).Bringbabyitems(diapers,blankets,bottles)and/orsocksandtoiletriesfortheelderly.

MLKMassandCelebrationJointheArchdiocese’sAfricanAmerican

CatholicCommunityattheRev.Dr.MartinLutherKingJr.MassandCelebration.

Sunday,January15,2017atNoonatSt.JosephontheRioGrandeParish.

PRAYERFORPEACEINOURCOMMUNITIESLetuspray...OLordourGod,inyourmercyand

kindness,nothoughtofoursisleftunnoticed,nodesireorconcernignored.

Youhaveproventhatblessingsaboundwhenwefallonourkneesinprayer,andsoweturntoyouinourhourof

need.Surroundedbyviolenceandcriesforjustice,wehearyourvoicetellinguswhatisrequired...“Onlytodojusticeandtolovegoodness,andtowalkhumblywith

yourGod”(Mi6:8).Filluswithyourmercysothatwe,inturn,maybe

mercifultoothers.Stripawaypride,suspicion,andracismsothatwemayseekpeaceandjusticeinour

communities.Strengthenourheartssothattheybeatonlytothe

rhythmofyourholywill.Floodourpathwithyourlightaswewalkhumblytowardafuturefilledwithencounter

andunity.Bewithus,OLord,inourefforts,foronlybythe

promptingofyourgracecanweprogresstowardvirtue.WeaskthisthroughJesusChristourLord.Amen.

St.AnthonyFraternityNewsletter–January2017 Page4

Jan 7 – St. Angela of Foligno 1248-1309 Angela was born in 1248 of a prominent family in Foligno. As a young woman, and also as a wife and mother, she lived only for the world and its vain pleasures. But the grace of God intended to make of her a vessel of election for the comfort and salvation of many. A ray of the divine mercy touched her soul and so strongly affected her as

to bring about a conversion. She went to confession to be relieved of her sins, but through shame concealed the most grievous ones, but still went to Communion. Later her conscience tortured her day and night. She called upon St. Francis for help, and, moved by an inner impulse, went into a church where a Franciscan Father was then preaching. After a full confession and penance, she continued to call upon the saints, and especially upon the Saint Virgin, to intercede with God for me. "It appeared to me now as if they had compassion on me, and I felt the fire of divine love enkindled within me so that I could pray as I never prayed before. I had also received a special grace to contemplate the cross in which Christ had suffered so much for my sins. Sorrow, love, and the desire to sacrifice everything for Him filled my soul." Soon after, her mother died, then her husband, and soon afterwards all her children. These tragic events were very painful to her; but she made the sacrifice with resignation to the will of God. Being freed from these ties, she dispossessed herself of all her temporal goods with the consent of her confessor, so that being poor herself, she might walk in the footsteps of her poor Savior. She also entered the Third Order of St. Francis, and presently found herself the superior and guide of others who followed in her path. Many women joined her, even to the point of taking the three vows. She encouraged them in works of charity, in nursing the sick, and in going personally from door to door to beg for the needs of the poor. Angela experienced many more spiritual trials but ultimately was filled with great consolation. She obtained a marvelous insight into divine things and was very frequently found in ecstasy. For many years Holy Communion was her only food, until at last, completely purified, she entered into the eternal joy of the Supreme Good on January 4, 1309.

Pope Innocent XII approved the continual devotion paid to her at her tomb in Foligno. He beatified her in 1693. Pope Francis declared her a saint October 11, 2013.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH O God, Thou sweetness of hearts and light of the

inhabitants of heaven, who didst refresh Saint Angela, Thy servant, with a marvelous insight into heavenly

things, grant us through her merits and intercession so to know Thee upon earth, that we may be found worthy to rejoice in the vision of Thy glory in heaven. Through

Christ our Lord. Amen. Excerpted from THE FRANCISCAN BOOK OF SAINTS edited by Marion Habig, OFM Copyright 1959 Franciscan Herald Press

Poverty Awareness Month

During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Catholic Community in the United States in taking up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor! The suggestion for Jan 22 is: "All of us are asked to obey [Jesus’] call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the 'peripheries' in need of the light of the Gospel" (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium). How will you “go forth” with Two Feet of Love in Action today?

For the entire calendar go to: http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-

campaign-for-human-development/povertyusa/upload/poverty-

awareness-month-calendar.pdf

DuringJanuary,theissueofHumanTraffickingisbeinghighlighted.Fourmajorstepstohelptoprevent:Beapartofthesolution,beobservant,spreadthewordandbeinformed.Tolearnmoreaboutwhatyoucandotohelp,review:http://www.usccb.org/about/anti-trafficking-program/index.cfm.

St.AnthonyFraternityNewsletter–January2017 Page5

St.AnthonyFraternityNewsletter–January2017 Page6

Our Mission Statement We, the fraternity of St. Anthony, inspired by the

vision of St. Francis, Commit ourselves to the Gospel as our Way of Life: “Going from Gospel to Life and Life to the Gospel”. We believe that we are called to Fraternity to Share a life of joy

and peace as well as to draw our inspiration from the cross of Jesus as Francis did.

We believe we are called to be renewed continually through the celebration of the

Eucharist and to go forth to rebuild the Church through our witness.

St.AnthonyFraternity

PostOfficeBox6881

Albuquerque,NewMexico

87197-6881

Fraternity Contacts MINISTER: Israela Garcia OFS 505-450-5267 bailabaila@qwest.net VICE MINISTER: Rex Schlicher OFS 505-839-9397 rlschlicher@msn.com SECRETARY: Gerry Rohrkemper OFS 505-873-2657 gmrsfo@aol.com TREASURER: Elizabeth Chavez OFS 505-401-4007 smileysr67@gmail.com FORMATION DIRECTOR: Marilyn Migliarini OFS 505-261-1555 mmigliarini@gmail.com COUNCILOR #1: Tommie Page OFS 505-452-0915 COUNCILOR #2: Mary Lou Narvaez, OFS 505-235-5772 malunarvaez44@gmail.com SPIRITUAL ASSISTANT: Br. Gordon Boykin, OFM 505-249-5774 gordyboy45@gmail.com INFIRMARIANS: Tommie Page OFS and Margaret Martinez OFS NEWSLETTER: Consuelo Chavez Email: saf.ofs.newsletter@gmail.com WEBSITE: http://franciscansalbuquerque.sfousa.org

We are the Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (The Secular Franciscan

Order) in the United States of America.

We live our vocation in Our Lady of Guadalupe Empress of the

Americas Region.

Our Franciscan Community is the St. Anthony Fraternity located

in Albuquerque, New Mexico