Sunday, January 31, 2010

Guidelines for the Development of the Franciscan Person

Woo hoo! I found "Guidelines for the Development of the Franciscan Person" at this web site address:

http://docplayer.net/63419131-Guidelines-for-the-development-of-the-franciscan-person.html

There is an earlier hard copy edition, but this is better. Sister Diane Jamison, OSF, an Oldenburg Franciscan, worked on the update. So did Sister Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF. Over the next few months, I will be reading and reflecting on "Guidelines for the Development of the Franciscan Person."

Of course, there are other approaches for developing a Franciscan person. My favorite is found in "Fully Mature with the Fullness of Christ" by Benet A. Fonck, OFM. He focuses on the opening lines of Francis' "The First Version of the Letter to the Faithful" and Mark 12:30-31, which you can find in Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume 1, pg. 41. (FA:ED Vol. 1, pg. 41).

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Eucharistic Presence and the Road to Emmaus

For Christmas, among other things, I received "A Eucharistic Vision and the Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi" by Br. Mark of Whitstable, a Capuchin friar. It is a very interesting book.

I am now reflecting on the appearance of the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus, (Luke 24:13-35) and its implications for the early Church. The importance of this encounter between Christ and the apostles is recognized in the Catechism of the Catholic Church where it states "The Breaking of Bread, because Jesus used this rite, part of a Jewish meal, when as master of the table he blessed and distributed the bread, above all at the Last Supper. It is by this action that his disciples will recognized him after his Resurrection...." (1329). Here as a footnote the Catechism references Luke 24:13-35.

The Eucharist is very important to Francis. He writes about it in Admonition 1, the first paragraph of his First Letter to the Faithful, his Testament, and several other places. Over the next few weeks, I am looking forward to exploring the Eucharistic vision of St. Francis more deeply.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The Regional Triennial Election Is Fast Approaching

The Regional Triennial Election is scheduled for April 10, 2010 at Kokomo Indiana.

All Secular Franciscans are eligible to nominate someone for the Regional Executive Council.

TIMELINE:

JAN 1 - Notice of Election published; Call for Nominations

FEB 10 - Nominations close

FEB 11 - Nominations Committee contacts nominees, they accept or decline nomination

MAR 11 - Deadline for nomination forms returned from nominees

MAR 12 - Resumes of nominees sent to voting members of the Elective Chapter

PROCEDURE:

For the office of Minister, Vice Minister, Secretary, Treasurer, Formation Director, and Councilor, email (preferred) OR snail mail the name, address, and email address to BOTH Kathleen White and Linda Grady.

(Nominations are sent to both committee members to avoid a nomination being lost. Committee members will continually cross reference nominations.)

Kathleen White, SFO kdwsfo@verizon.net 612 Front St - Logansport IN 46947

Linda Grady, SFO lgradysfo@sbcglobal.net 6001 Harvard Drive - Kokomo IN 46902

Nominations are confidential.