Mission Statement:We as Secular Franciscans are committed to seeking and promoting a closer relationship with God for ourselves and others by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by following St. Francis’ and St. Clare's example of simplicity, humility and service using the Rule of Life of the OFS as our guide.

October 2019 ` Volume 13 Issue 10

Month of the Holy Rosary

Monthly Gathering : Our next gathering will be October 20th at 1:00 in the Parish Center. Since October is the month of the rosary, we will say the Franciscan Rosary instead of the Liturgy of the Hour. Please be sure to bring your Franciscan Rosary with you.

Council Meeting: Our next Council meeting will be on Saturday, October 19th at 10:00 am. in the Parish Center In November we will return to our normal meetings on the 1st Saturday (November 2nd) at 10:00 am.

Candidates: Read chapter 18 of the Franciscan Journey and be prepared to discuss the questions at the end of the chapter. Bonnie will lead.

Gospel Sharing: Jenise/Sr Lois will lead.

Ongoing Formation: Deb McManimon will be with us to talk about her endeavors in Social Justice. Peggy will introduce Deb and initiate the questions.

Friends of Francis Retreat will be October 25-27 in Prior Lake: Father Steve McMichael of the Prior Lake Friary will present “Mary Magdalen as the Model of Easter Faith”. Cost is $160 plus registration fee of $30. The retreat will begin at 7:30 pm Friday and end after brunch served on Sunday at 12:30 pm. We will carpool.You may register online at: https://franciscanretreats.net/friends-of-francis-retreat/or call 952-447-2182.

Entering Into a Contemplative Stance Sr. Lois Erpelding, OSF, Spiritual Assistant

This is the third in our series focusing on Gazing, Considering, Contemplating, and Imitating. As we celebrate the life and death of St. Francis, we acknowledge that Francis grew in contemplation as well as attentiveness to active Gospel living.

For Francis and each of us, contemplation is a call to deepening love leading to ongoing transformation. This form of prayer invites us to look deeper to see all in relation to God.

“With openness to God’s Spirit, Francis was able to see with greater depth, What was initially ‘bitter’ for Francis became ‘sweet’ as he contemplated the goodness of God in fragile humanity.” (Sr. Ilia Delio, Franiscan Prayer, p.134)

“After he (Francis) had been there for some time, through unceasing prayer and frequent contemplation, he reached intimacy with God in an indescribable way. He longed to know what in him and about him was or could be most acceptable to the Eternal King. He sought this diligently and devotedly longed to know in what manner, in what way, and with what desire he would be able to cling more perfectly to the Lord God according to His counsel and the good pleasure of His will.” Francis of Assisi Early Documents, Vol. 1, p. 261.

Celano shares that Francis would take some select brothers with him as he went to caves, expecting his companions to protect his space of silence. Francis, as well, also expected his brothers to have similar experience for contemplation. What do we set in place to insure silent moments and spaces daily in our own spiritual nourishing?

We, Dubuque Franciscans and Associates, received this quote this week to ponder: “Contemplation is a very dangerous activity. It not only brings us face to face with God. It brings us, as well, face to face with the world, face to face with the self. And then, of course, something must be done. Nothing stays the same once we have found the God within…We carry the world in our hearts: the oppression of all peoples, the suffering of our friends, the burdens of our enemies, the raping of the Earth, the hunger of the starving, the joy of every laughing child.(Sr. Joan Chittister) Thus, the call to continue a contemplative stance along with our active Gospel living invites us ever anew to sit intimately in the stillness with our God.

JPIC ~ THINGS YOU CAN DOFROM THE COUCH

Save electricity by plugging appliances into a power strip and turning them off completely when not in use, including your computer. Stop paper bank statements and pay your bills online or via mobile. Share don’t just like. If you see an interesting social media post about climate change, or any JPIC issue share it so folks in your network see it too. Turn off the lights. Your TV or computer screen provides a cozy glow, so turn off other lights if you don’t need them. Report online bullies. If you notice harassment on a message board or in a chat room, flag that person. For more ideas try this link https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/takeaction/ .

St. Francis ~ The Child WithinBonnie Johnson, ofs, Vice Minister

As I drove past the school yard today and looked at all the little kindergarten kids playing, I couldn’t

help but feel a sense of peace at their joy. It made me think of Jesus with a child on His lap saying: … "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3-4). Do you ever feel like that is an impossible expectation? How are we to do that? Jesus used the word lowly meaning humble…but there are many more ways in which we can become like children. Children are dependent…on their parents as we are dependent on God. A child’s faith in their Father and Mother to keep them safe. Do we have the same faith in our Heavenly Father and Mother? Their endless love, obedience, trust, innocence, purity, and the joy I saw today. All of them qualities St. Francis had.So often we see pictures of St. Francis feeding the birds. But we know, he was so much more. My favorite picture is the one above of him smiling…a picture of joy. Or the clip art of him playing the fiddle and dancing for joy like a child. I believe St. Francis lived every word that Jesus ever taught. Perhaps becoming like a child isn’t as preposterous as it initially may sound. I believe St. Francis knew how to follow in the footsteps of his Savior, and knew how to become like a child; humble, loving and trusting his Heavenly Parents, loving all men and all creation, and more…and so can each of us if we truly live the Gospel. Why do we sometimes complicate what is simple… no not easy, but simple?

October Franciscan Saints3 St. John of Dukla3 Transitus of St. Francis4 St. Francis of Assisi

Snack Schedule - 2019Jan Arlys, Jean Jul Volunteer, Sr. LoisFeb Matt, Lisa Aug Arlys, JeanMar Kyle, Sarah Sep Picnic (All)Apr Jenise, Bonnie Oct Matt, LisaMay Doreen, Sarah Nov Kyle, PeggyJun Carol, Pat Dec Jenise, Bonnie

Gospel Sharing Leaders - 2019Jan Carol Jul BonnieFeb Sarah Aug Sr. LoisMar Retreat Sep PicnicApr Divine Mercy Chaplet Oct Jenise/Sr. LoisMay Matt Nov ArlysJun Pat Dec Ongoing Sr & Pat

Ongoing Formation Leaders - 2019Jan Matt Jul Bonnie

Feb Carol Aug Kyle

Mar Retreat Sep Picnic

Apr Carol Oct Speaker/Peggy

May Sarah Nov Bonnie

Jun Gerri Dec Sr. Lois/Pat

6 St. Mary Frances of Five Wounds

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St. Daniel and Companions, Angelus, Samuel, Donulus, Leo, Hugolinus and Nicholas

11 Bl. John XIII12 St. Seraphin of Montegranaro13 Bl. Honorat Kozminski20 Bl. James of Strepar20 Bl. Contardo Ferrini21 Bl. Josephine Leroux22 St. Peter of Alcantara23 St. John of Capestrano25 St. Antonio of Saint Anne Galvao26 Bl. Bonaventure of Potenza

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Bl. Maria Jesus Ferragut & Companions: Maria Masia, Maria Ferragut, Isabel Rovira, Milagros Gimeno

31 Bl. Angelo of Acri

St. Seraphin of Montegranaro

St Seraphin was born at Montegranaro, 1540; died at Ascoli, 12 October 1604. Felix de Nicola was born of a poor, pious family, and in his youth was employed as a shepherd, an occupation which gave him much leisure for prayer and other pious exercises. Upon the death of his parents, he was subjected to harsh and cruel treatment by his eldest brother. At the age of sixteen, he entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and received the name Seraphin. He was distinguished from the first by his unaffected simplicity, mortification, and obedience as well as charity which towards the poor knew no bounds. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Eucharist and to Our Lady. Seraphin was endowed with the gift of reading the secrets of hearts, and with that, of miracles and prophecy. Although unlettered, his advice was sought by secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries, and was a fruitful source of virtue to souls. His tomb is in the Capuchin friary at Ascoli. He was canonized by Clement XIII, 16 July, 1767.

Rule 13 para. 2 of the SFOA sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.

A Prayer for Those in Need

God of the broken, God of the wanderer, Christ who is without shelter, surround those in deep need among us.Surround them and help us hear their cries for help. We are a people who long for the broken to be mended.

We long for justice in the face of much corruption, to practice hospitality but have legitimate fears.

Surround us in our trying times and help us to reach beyond ourselves.

We confess we are bogged down by so much need in the world, may we have the courage to stand for what is right even when it offends.

May we have the imaginations to help create a better world, and the strength of your Spirit to carry on.Let us be as you are in this world. Amen.

St. John Paul II Fraternity Picnic Photos

At Loon Lake in Waseca

L-R Arlys Fell ofs, Carol Tollefson ofs Rose Ann Ripka, Candidate, Jean Gallegos ofs and Matt Johansen, Candidate

Pictured here with Carol Tollefson, ofs are her father and sister.

L-R Lisa Falenschek ofs, Pat Yunker ofs, Matt Johansen, Candidate, Jean Gallegos ofs, Rose Ann Ripka Candidate, Carol Tollefson ofs, and Arlys Fell ofs. Note the Fraternity Banner was also hung!

Photos courtesy of Bonnie Johnson.

A Huge Thank You to Arlys Fell, ofs for hosting the Transitus of St. Francis. Also Pat Yunker, ofs for providing the snacks. Present were Arlys,

Matt Johansen, Joan Dahle, Doreen White, Bonnie Johnson, Sarah Gahlon, Lisa Falenschek and Fr. Gregory Leif. Unfortunately we do not have pictures of the beautiful event.