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Father Solanus Casey Fraternity
F ATHER S OLANUS C ASEY F RATERNITY
VENICE, FLORIDA
Bishop Dewane Celebrates Mass for the
Poor Clare Sisters on August 11th
Embracing a life of poverty, prayer and contemplation, solitude and seclusion, to serve
the Lord and His church. That is the life of the Poor Clare religious sisters who reside on Fort
Myers Beach and who recently celebrated the feast day of their foundress St. Clare of Assisi.
In a typical fashion for the Poor Clares, the August 11th celebration was low key and revolved
around the celebration of Mass.
Abbess Sister Mary Francis of Jesus Fortin explained that the religious sisters who reside behind the
walls of the San Damiano Monastery of St. Clare are not into large parties, but more into reflection and
thankful prayers for the life they willingly chose; women who want to be brides of Jesus and live without
money and worldly attachments. St. Clare and her sisters joyfully embrace a life of poverty, prayer and
seclusion that they may serve the Lord and his Church through the holy manner of living as Francis had
foretold. This life continues today in the San Damiano Monastery on Fort Myers Beach. As always, we
wish the Poor Sisters of St. Clare the very best of everything as they carry out their mission here is Southwest Florida,
Our Pope is Busy –A Hurried Schedule

Pope to speak from lectern President Lincoln used on September 26th in Philadelphia

Pope to focus on overcoming indifference –He will speak to the issue of solidarity and to promote peace

Pope while marking the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki called for a
ban on nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction

Pope recognizes martyrdom of Syriac Bishop Flavien-Michel Malke. He signed the decree on August 8th
clearing the way for his beatification.

Pope asks prayers for refugees after 71 found dead. Pope Francis joined Austrian Church leaders in
praying for the 71 refugees found dead in an abandoned truck near Vienna and he condemned the
smuggling of migrants as an offense “against the whole human family.”

Pope Francis to see “Homeless Jesus” during U.S. visit. When Pope Francis approaches the Catholics
Charities building in downtown Washington during his U.S. visit he will view a cast bronzed body covered
in a blanket laying on a park bench. Another symbol of abject poverty.

Pope Francis will visit Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary School in East Harlem., on September 25th. East Harlem Catholic Schools are a gateway to the future for immigrants. Timothy McNiff,
Archdiocesan superintendent of schools outlined the details of the papal visit to the school children.
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UPCOMING DECISION ON MEDJUGORJE
Pope Francis said the Vatican was ready to make an announcement
.concerning the alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith met recently to discuss the issue and “we’ve reached
the point of making a decision and then they will say,” he told journalists on his flight back to Rome on
June 6th. The expected announcement will include “just some guidelines (the congregation) will give to
the bishops,“ he said in response to a reporter’s question.
An international commission of cardinals, bishops, theologians and other experts, working under
the auspices of the doctrinal congregation, was set up in 2010 to investigate the claims of six young
people who said Mary had appeared to them daily beginning in 1981. The apparitions purportedly
continue and thousands travel to the small town each month to meet the alleged seers ( a person who
prophesies future events;) and to pray.
After a few years, the commission completed its study in which the members “did a beautiful job,
a beautiful job,” Pope francis said at the end of his one-day visit to Sarajevo. For years the local bishop,
Bishop Ratko Peric of Mostar-Duvno, has said he believes nothing supernatural has happened in
Medjugorje. While the Vatican has said dioceses should not organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje,
it has said Catholics are free to visit the town and pray there, and that the diocese of Mostat-Duvno and
the Franciscans should organize pastoral care for them.
Pope Benedict XVI had reaffirmed that the Church never requires the faithful to believe in
apparitions, not even those recognized by the Church.
Reprinted from: “The Florida Catholic” June 19-July 9, 2015
St. Conrad of Parzham
Confessor, First Order
St. Conrad of Parzham was born on a farm near the town of Parzham in
Bavaria in the year 1818. He lived in sanctity by his modesty and love of solitude.
Having spent his youthful years on the farm, closely united to God by means of
interior union with Him, he decided at the age of thirty-one to bid farewell to the
world. After disposing of a very large inheritance. He received permission to be
admitted as a lay brother among the Capuchins. Immediately after his profession he was sent to the
convent of St. Anne in the city of Altoetting. This place is particularly renowned among all others in
Germany for its shrine of the Mother of Mercy and hundreds, even thousands of the faithful come their
daily.
Among the virtues he practiced, he loved salience in a special way. His spare moments during the
day were spent in a nook near the door where it was possible for him to see and adore the Blessed
Eucharist.
Saint Conrad died in 1894. Pope Pius XI ranked him Blessed in 1930 and in 1934 solemnly named
him a saint.
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Franciscan Saints for the Month of September
1st St. Beatrice da Silva
2nd Blessed John Francis Burte
3rd Blessed John of Perugia and Peter
4th St. Rose of Viterbo
5th Blessed Thomas of Tolentino
6th Blessed Liberatus of Lauro
7th Blessed Gentile of Matelica
8th Servant of God Anaclete Flores
9th Blessed Seraphina Sforza
10th Blessed Apollinaris Franco
11th Blessed Bonaventure of Barcelona
12th Blessed Peregrin of Falerone
13th Blessed Sanctes of Montefabro
14th Servant of God Peter de Corpa
15th Blessed Michelina of Pesaro
16th Blessed Thomas of Foligno
17th The Stigmata of Our Holy Father St. Francis
18th Blessed Balthassar of Chiavari
19th Servant of God Therese of Chicago
20th St. Francis Mary of Camporosso
21st Blessed Leopold of Castelnovo
22nd Blessed Lucy of Caltagirone
23rd St. Padre Pio da Pietrelcina
24th St. Pacific of San Severino
25th Blessed Charles of Blois
26th St. Elzear and Blessed Delphine
27th Servant of God Mary Emmanuela
28th Blessed John of Dukla
29th Blessed Bernardin of Feltre
30th Blessed Francis of Calderola
A message from Tom Bello, OFS, our National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order
As many of our fraternity members know that Tom Bello, OFS, National Minister was stricken
with a very serious disease. In this connection, we reprint a E-mail message from Brother Tom Bello
and ask that you pray as hard as you can for his recovery. Tom Bello is a wonderful Franciscan.
“About the same time yesterday that I was under the CyberKnife for my brain radiation, I
received an email from the Archdiocese of Washington DC, with the approval of my home diocese of
Arlington Virginia, to vest as a Deacon and assist at the distribution of Holy Communion at the
Canonization Mass at the National Basilica in Washington DC on September 23rd 2015, with Pope
Francis and many thousand others.
Of course, I have no idea if I will be strong enough physically to accept this great honor, but I am
inspired by the example of the academic and missionary Father Junipero Serra whose canonization we
will celebrate. He never gave up. As you probably know, his motto was "Siempre adelante," which is
usually translated as "Always forward."
After a mostly sleepless night, I thank all of you, for I have felt radiated by all your prayers and
concern, and of course by the love of God and His eternal mercy. I have no idea of the success of this
radiation surgery, but I'm still alive.
I'm still prayerful. I'm so deeply grateful to God and to all of you. We have such a great family of
faith. There is never any reason to despair or lose hope, no matter what.
Let us keep going forward with peace and love to all,
__._,_.___
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Welcome Back
Our fraternity did not meet during the months of July and August. Now is the time to meet and
renew our commitment to be Franciscans and renew friendships. Pray that our fraternity will have a
successful new year in prayer and fraternity.
In the section below is a listing of Franciscans who are sick and in need of our prayers. Please
pray for them.
Richard Austin
Maria Calvert
Albert Cartier
Shirley Szarowicz
Tom Bello, National Minister

Pope Francis that he may have a safe trip to the United States

Franciscans who have been persecuted or killed by ISIS factions in
Northern Iraq



Franciscans who are being persecuted in the Middle East
For immigrants and refugees fleeing their homeland in Syria
The girls who have been kidnapped in the Federal Republic of Nigeria


Ebola Virus Disease Victims throughout the World
Members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Society in Syria

Refugees fleeing their homeland in Iraq, Iran, Syria and other
 Mid-East Countries
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September 2015
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Blessed Mary Magdalena Martinengo
Virgin, Second Order
Blessed Mary Magdalena came from a prominent family of Brescia. Even as a
child she took special delight in the austerities of religious life. Despite many
difficulties that confronted her, she joined the daughters of St. Clare when she was
only seventeen years of age. The young nun soon distinguished herself by her modesty, patience and
cheerful obedience. The hours prescribed for prayer and mediation, as well as the visits to our Lord
in the tabernacle, were the most delightful hours of her day.
Her sympathy for our suffering Saviour was so deep that she was often found kneeling like one
devoid of life. As a novice mistress and later as a abbess, she guided the sisters to great sanctity by
her admirable example and loving gentleness.
The fame of her sanctity caused many lay person to appeal to her for consolation and advice.
On such occasions she manifested the special gifts God had given her to encourage disheartened
souls, to reconcile such as were at variance with each others, and bring sinners back to the path of
duty, Not seldom she read the innermost thoughts of others and foretold future events.
Exhausted by labor and austerity more than by age, she died on July 27, 1737, in the fiftieth year
of her saintly life. Pope Leo beatified her.
Prayer of the Church
O God, who has given us in the virgin Mary Magdalena an example of innocence and
mortification, grand that may renounce all worldly desires and come to Thee by the way of truth
and justice. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
90th Birthday for Minister Marie Fry
Minister Tom Shumate received a communication from Area Director, Barbara Carroll advising
that Our dear sister Marie Fry will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Oct. 6th . For anyone
who doesn't know Marie she is the Minister of St Clare of Assisi Fraternity in Port Charlotte.
Please say a pray for Marie in thanksgiving for her. We are so blessed to have her. Nothing is
too much trouble for Marie to do for you. She goes out of her way to be kind and generous.
God Bless her Always. Her address is 414 Spring Lake Blvd. NW Port Charlotte Fl. 33952
Minister Tom Shumate reminds us that the deadline for submitting articles for the
Regional Newsletter is Wednesday, September 30th.
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What is faith? by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB
The problem of the nature of faith plagues us all our lives. Is openness to other ideas
infidelity, or is it the beginning of spiritual maturity? What is it that can possibly take us far
afield from the initial believing self? How do we explain to ourselves the journey of getting
from there to here, from unquestioning adherence to institutional answers, to the point of
asking faithful questions? It took years before I realized that maybe it is belief itself, if it is real, that
carries us there. Maybe if we really believe about God what we say we believe, there comes a time when
we have to go beyond the parochialisms of law. Maybe, if we are to be really spiritual people, we can’t
afford the mind-binding of denominationalism. In order to find the God of life in all life, maybe we have
to be willing to open ourselves to the part of it that lies outside the circles of our tiny little worlds.
The Sufi tell of disciples who, when the death of their master was clearly imminent, became totally
bereft. “If you leave us, Master,” they pleaded, “how will we know what to do?” And the master replied,
“I am nothing but a finger pointing at the moon. Perhaps when I am gone you will see the moon.” The
meaning is clear: It is God that religion must be about, not itself. When religion makes itself God, it ceases
to be religion.
But when religion becomes the bridge that leads to God, it stretches us to live to the limits of
human possibility. It requires us to be everything we can possibly be: kind, generous, honest, loving,
compassionate, just. It defines the standards of the human condition. It sets the parameters within which
we direct our institutions. It provides the basis for the ethics that guide our human relationships. It sets
out to enable us to be fully human, human beings.
—from “Called to Question,” by Joan Chittister. OSB (Sheed & Ward)
Editors Note: Joan Chittister, OSB
Called to Question: A Spiritual Memoir is Sr. Joan Chittister's most personal and intense writing to date.
Alive with the raw energy of a journal and polished with the skill of a master storyteller, each chapter is
an engaging dialogue between Sr. Joan and many different wisdom sources about such topics as God's
existence and call, experience, struggle, justice, the role of women and men in society and church, living
through doubt, and celebrating life.
"An honest and striking insight into the heart and faith of one of the great spiritual leaders of our time. In
this personal journal, Chittister wrestles with soul-stretching questions and ideas, challenging not only
the reader, but her own beliefs and positions. Want to see what mature spirituality looks like? Then read
this book." - Catholic Press Association Award Citation
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Pope Offers Abortion “Mercy”
ROME—Pope Francis will make it easier for Catholic Church to forgive women for having had
abortions, one of several outreaches planned during a “year of mercy” starting in December. The
announcement by the Vatican came just weeks before the pope travels to Cuba and the United States—
two countries with higher abortion rates that Western Europe.
Pope Francis has made mercy a signature theme of his 2-1/2 ye3ar pontificate, winning acclaim with
a more conciliatory style than his immediate predecessors, and emphasizing humility in a bid to reach
alienated Catholics and those on the margins of society…
Helen Alvare, who in the 1990s coordinated a church-sponsored outreach aimed at women who had
abortions, said the move epitomized Pope Francis’ way of presenting even the sternest prohibitions as an
occasion for welcome. “He is a master of being pastoral, of interpreting the teachings to meet Jesus in
your life and reconcile yourself to him if you feel separated,” she said.
Under church law, anyone who willingly participates in an abortion – including the pregnant woman,
the abortion provider and any assistants – incurs automatic excommunication, which normally can be
lifted only by the local bishop. But in a letter, the pope said he would grant Catholic priests authority to
“absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness
for it.”
He expressed compassion for “women who have resorted to abortion. I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision. I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal.” The power to lift
the excommunications would extend during the year of mercy, which starts Dec. 8 and ends Nov. 20, 2016.
The church observes so-called jubilee years for pardons and the remission of sins every 25 years and on
other occasions designated by the pope, a tradition drawn from the Bible.
According to Nicholas Cafardi, a professor of law at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, the
concession won’t have a large practical effect in the U.S., because many American bishops have already
delegated their authority. In other dioceses, he added, “many priests go looking for reasons why the
automatic excommunication doesn’t apply.” “They ask, ‘Were you forced into this?’ or ‘Were you aware
that abortion brings automatic excommunication?’ And if they discern that the automatic penalty has not
been incurred, they forgive the sin on the spot and that’s the end of it,” Mr. Cafardi said.
Yet he also called the move symbolically important. “The pastoral value is the message to priests to
be welcoming in the confessional when these sins are confessed,” Mr. Cafardi said, so that when people
“do approach the church for forgiveness they won’t be treated in a way that would make them wish they
hadn’t come.”
Automatic excommunication is incurred by committing one of a set of especially grave sins, which
includes heresy, desecration of the Eucharist and a physical attack on the pope.
Continued on page 8
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Some U.S. antiabortion activists have complained that Pope Francis hasn’t stressed the
protection of the unborn life as much as his predecessors did. He didn’t make a major statement
about abortion until six months into his pontificate.
“We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of
contraceptive methods,“ Pope Francis told an interviewer in 2013. “It is not necessary to talk
about these issues all the time.” Ms. Alvare, now a professor of law at George Mason University,
said that people keeping a “score card of how often Francis mentions a particular issue” might
interpret the new concession as sending a message of leniency.
“But the idea that anyone can think that this makes abortion seem trivial or can make a post
-abortive woman take her abortion less seriously obviously has no experience of the struggles
people go through before going into a confessional,” she said.
Tuesday’s letter also included concessions to disadvantaged groups to help them
participate in the year of mercy. For example, in lieu of making a pilgrimage to Rome or to a
designated church, people who are sick or elderly may watch Mass on television, and prisoners
may visit their prison chapels.
Pope Francis has also called for mercy toward divorced Catholics who marry in civil
ceremonies. In October in Rome, a meeting of bishops will consider a proposal to make it easier
for them to receive Communion, which they are currently banned from doing.
Source: Wall Street Journal, September 2, 2015. Written by columnist, Francis X. Rocca
Catholics in the U.S. are Split on Families
Statistics are revealing
Taking the Pulse
Attitudes of U.S. Roman Catholics about family arrangements for raising children are mostly
in line with other Americans, but Catholics tend to be more disapproving of divorce, abortion and
contraceptives.
Catholics vs. Other Americans responding to questions were asked: Is It Sinful to:





Get a divorce
Have an Abortion
Engage in Homosexual
Behavior
Live with a Partner
w/o being married
Use Contraceptives
Catholics
Catholics
YES—22%
YES—59%
NO— 68% Don’t believe it is a sin 10%
NO— 27% Don’t believe it is a sin 14%
Catholics
YES—43
NO—35%
Don’t believe it is a sin 22%
Catholics
Catholics
YES—58%
YES—14%
NO—13%
NO—21%
Don’t believe it is a sin 29%
Don’t believe it is a sin 65%
Source: PEW Research Statistics, published in Washington Post -”Religion,” 8/14/15 –Pg. 17B
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Did You Know ???
Vatican backs plan to name Rome square for Martin Luther
ROME — The Vatican has given its backing to a central Rome square being named
after Martin Luther, a Church reformer excommunicated by the pope nearly 500 years ago.
A German Catholic priest and theologian, Luther was a key figure in the Protestant
Reformation and sparked considerable controversy by challenging the authority of the Catholic
Church. He denounced the corruption he saw among clergy in Rome and believed salvation
came through faith alone — views that did not sit well with Pope Leo X. Luther was
excommunicated in 1521 and was never allowed to return to the Catholic Church, but now the
Vatican’s views have changed.
Next month, a hilltop square in Rome is due to be named Piazza Martin Lutero, in memory
of Luther’s achievements. The site chosen is the Oppian Hill, a park area that overlooks
the Colosseum.
Martin Luther (1483 –) was a German friar, priest and professor of theology who was a
seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. Initially an Augustinian friar, Luther came to reject
several teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. He strongly disputed the claim that
freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence
salesman Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar, with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520.
Luther taught that salvation and subsequently eternity in heaven is not earned by good deeds
but is received only as a free gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ as redeemer from sin
and subsequently eternity in hell. His theology challenged the authority and office of the Pope by
teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge from God and opposed
Sacerdotalism, (Sacerdotalism is the belief that propitiatory sacrifices for sin require the
intervention of a priest.) by considering all baptized Christians to be a holy priesthood. Those who
identify with these, and all of Luther's wider teachings, are called Lutherans even though Luther
insisted on Christian as the only acceptable name for individuals who professed Christ.
Today, Lutheranism constitutes a major branch of Protestant Christianity with some 80 million adherents, while Protestantism itself is represented by an estimated more than 800 million
people worldwide. His translation of the Bible into the vernacular (instead of Latin) made it more
accessible, which had a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture. It fostered the
development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of
translation, and influenced the writing of an English translation, the Tyndale Bible.[9] His hymns
influenced the development of singing in churches. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a m
odel for the practice of clerical marriage, allowing Protestant priests to marry.
In his later works, notably On the Jews and Their Lies, Luther expressed antagonistic views
toward Jews, writing that Jewish synagogues and homes should be destroyed, their money confiscated, and liberty curtailed. These statements and their influence on antisemitism have
contributed to his controversial status.[12] Martin Luther died in 1546, still convinced of the
correctness of his Reformation theology, and with his decree of excommunication by Pope Leo X
still effective.
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Our Fraternity Attended the St. Clare Annual Celebration in Naples
August 8th was a beautiful day, especially for a trip from Venice to St. William’s Church in Naples.
Chris Riccardi, Alberta Winter, Janina Walczok, Roger and Agnes Reid arrived in plenty of time along with
enough food to feed a small army. The day of celebration was structured against an agenda that kept us
busy all day. It was a very enjoyable trip. We congratulate St. Clare Fraternity Minister Bill Roche for a
wonderful celebration and for planning and leadership. Bill Roche, you are a great Franciscan.
Newspaper Insert in Florida Catholic
For those members who do not receive the Florida Catholic by mail, there was an insert contained
therein from Father Primo, O.F.M., Franciscan Mission Associates, PO Box 598, Mount Vernon, NY 10551.
Fr. Primo talks about St. Jude, God’s Special Saint for an Impossible Mission. The saint we call upon when
things look hopeless. He states, “We Franciscans know about St. Jude and the power of prayer and we
want to join with you in two special Novenas of Masses from October 2 to October 19.” To learn more
and for those members so inclined, the Franciscan Mission Associates are requesting donations to the
address noted above.
Catholic in U.S. Split on Families
Columnist Tamara Audi writes in the World News section of the Wall Street Journal, August 2nd
that Roman Catholics in America overwhelmingly believe it is best to raise children in a household with a
married mother and father, but most also consider families composed of unmarried acceptable. The
survey by the Pew Research Center sought to capture how practicing and non-practicing U.S. Catholics
viewed family issues in advance of Pope Francis’ visit this month. He is set to address Congress and the
United Nations and spend a weekend in Philadelphia. Pope Francis has emphasized themes of inclusion,
alleviating poverty and protecting the environment and is seen as attempting to steer the church away
from clashes over divisive social issues. Some Catholic leaders in the U.S., especially those appointed by
earlier popes, remain outspoken against same-sex marriage, artificial contraception and abortion. The
findings show Catholic views roughly mirror sentiments of other Americans on divorce and
homosexuality, though Catholics as a whole tend to be more disapproving.
Save the dates!!
Dear Brothers and Sisters, peace to your hearts! The work on the "Q" is well underway and lots of
exciting plans are in the making. Our XIX Quinquennial will be held June 30 - July 4, 2016 at the
Renaissance Airport Hotel in St. Louis., MO. Please mark these dates on your calendar for what is sure to
be an exciting time for the family of Secular Franciscans.
This Newsletter
This newsletter has a readership that is in favor of its free-wheedling articles and style that includes
Franciscan news and Franciscan saints. It also includes article on our highly mobile pope, and other article
that I find interesting catholic news. On occasion you will read of the activities and events of our local
bishop and that of our Cardinals throughout the United States.
There are a few critics of the content of this newsletter. Some feel it should be relegated to just
Franciscan news. I understand that– however, I do need your help in your submission of Franciscan news.
I’ll assure you that if you submit and article –I WILL PRINT IT. Editor
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Order of Friars Minor | Immaculate Conception Province
The Immaculate Conception Province is part of the Order of Friars Minor (more
commonly called The Franciscans), a Roman Catholic religious community founded
by St. Francis of Assisi over 800 years ago. As brothers we strive to follow the Gospel
living the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Our Province ministers in New
England, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and West Virginia in the United
States. Our ministry takes place in parishes, schools, retreat centers, reaching out to the poor,
and anywhere that God leads us. We are a mixed community of both ordained (priests and deacons) and non-ordained members.
A Brief History
Fr. Panfilo da Magliano, OFM
On June 20, 1855, Friar Panfilo da Magliano dei Marsi, the friar-priest who founded the
Province of the Immaculate Conception, came to the United States of America and established
his first mission in the area of Buffalo, New York. His ministry would produce a university, two
Franciscan Provinces, and two groups of Franciscan religious women.
Friar Panfilo had come at the request of the Bishop of Buffalo, John Timon, who desired to
bring the Franciscans to their diocese and establish a college and seminary there. For his part, a
local friend would give 200 acres of land and $5,000 to build a monastery. The first to arrive at
this new missionary endeavor were the aforementioned Father Panfilo, along with Father Sixtus
da Gagliano, Father Samuel da Prezza, and Brother Salvator da Manarola. The college and seminary they founded, St. Bonaventure University, continues to prosper today.
On March 1, 1861, this band of brothers would be formed into an official entity of the Franciscan Order as the Custody of the Immaculate Conception was established.
Up until 1880, the members of this Custody were mostly Italian friars. But around this time,
there began a great influx of local vocations and by 1890, the friars of the Custody were mostly
native born and of Irish, not Italian, stock. This mix would eventually lead to a separation within
the Custody with native English-speaking friars continuing to minister at St. Bonaventure and in
various English-speaking parish settings; and the Italian members of the Custody finding
increasing amounts of ministry among the burgeoning communities of Italian immigrants in New
York City, Boston and Pittsburgh. This provided a new beginning for the Custody. Father
Pandolfi was chosen as the first Provincial Minister of the new Province of the Immaculate
Conception.
Today our central house of formation is the Convento San Francesco located on
Via Nicolo V, in the heart of Rome, a literal stone’s throw from Vatican City.
Continued on page 13
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Just a decade later, the friars would embark on a new mission, this time south to Central
America. Heeding the call of Central American bishops, the Province sent four friars to Olancho
in Honduras in 1944.
On October 4 of that year, Father Thomas De Luca and three companions departed from St.
Anthony Church in New York to head for this new mission field. By 1950, these missionary efforts
would extend to Guatemala and El Salvador. The friars were central in eventually establishing a
native Province there, the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Today, our Province continues to minister in nine sites including parishes, an
orphanage, schools and a variety of outreach programs to the poor. In testament to their great
missionary service, friars of the Immaculate Conception Province have repeatedly been elevated
to the episcopacy there.
At its height, the Province had over 350 friars. Today, under the leadership of Provincial
Minister Primo Piscitello, we number over 150 friars and continue to minister throughout New
York, New England, Toronto, Canada and parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Florida;
along with our missions in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala administering parishes, schools,
retreat centers, reaching out to the poor, and anywhere that God leads us.
ANews…... has learned that Pope Francis, in advance of his upcoming US visit, and as a
way to commemorate the Year of Mercy, has told Cardinal Dolan of New York that the Statue of
Liberty ought to be renamed the “Statue of Mercy”. Anonymous sources have added that the
Holy Father intends to make the same request to the US Congress when he addresses them in
September.
“This shouldn’t come as a shock to anybody,” one source told ANews. “Pope Francis thinks
it would be a fitting tribute to the theme of mercy. And if you ask me, Americans need to be
more concerned with mercy than liberty anyway.”
Calls to the New York archdiocesan offices have not been returned, as Cardinal Dolan is
currently in St Louis at the USCCB Spring Meeting.
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2015
Council Members
Medjugorje - Our Lady's Message –
September 2, 2015
Minister
Tom Shumate
Vice Minister
Agnes Carrasco
Secretary
Betty Williams
Treasurer
Roger Reid
Formation Director
Jane Fantini
Council - At-Large
John Gerney
Marie Rasch
Audrey Shumate
Greeter
Shirley Szarowicz
Newsletter Editor
Roger Reid
(H) 941-486-0949
(C) 410-227-4545
(E) reid003@ verizon.net
The Blessing of
Saint Francis
Whoever shall
observe these things may
he be filled in heaven with
the blessing of the most
high Father, and may he be
filled on earth with the
blessings of His beloved
Son, together with the Holy
Spirit, the Consoler, and all
the powers of heaven and
all the saints.
And, I, brother
Francis, your worthless
servant, as far as I am able,
approve this most holy
blessing. Amen.
— Saint Francis of Assisi
Message to Marija
"Dear children, My dear apostles of love, my carriers of truth, again I am
calling you and gathering you around me to help me, to help all of my children
who thirst for love and truth—who thirst for my Son. I am a grace from the
Heavenly Father, sent to help you to live the word of my Son.
Love one another. I lived your earthly life. I know that it is not always
easy, but if you will love each other, you will pray with the heart, you will reach
spiritual heights and the way to heaven will be opened for you. I, your mother,
am waiting for you there because I am there. Be faithful to my Son and teach
others faithfulness. I am with you. I will help you. I will teach you faith that you
may know how to transmit it to others in the right way. I will teach you truth
that you may know how to discern. I will teach you love that you may come to
know what real love is.
My children, my Son will make it so as to speak through your words and
your actions. Thank you."
J u n e , J u ly, A u g u st & S e p t e m b e r
P r o f es s i o n A n n i v e r s a r i es
Agnes Carrasco—June 3, 2006
J a n e Fa n t i n i — A u g u st 2 , 2 0 0 3
Maxine Goodin—September 2, 2006
To m a n d A u d r e y S h u m a t e — S e p t e m b e r 2 , 2 0 0 6
J u ly, Au g u st & S e pt e m b e r B i rt h days
Mary Geimer—August 23
Albert Cartier—August 31st
Newsletter
Please send newsletter information to:
E-Mail: reid00 @verizon.net
Source:
Franciscan Prayer Book, The Franciscan Friars
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MEETING DATES AND HOSPITALITY ASSIGNMENTS
September 2015
Council Meeting
Fraternity Meeting
Hospitality
Monday, September 7—9:15am Soy Building, Room 110
Sunday, September 20 Soy Building, Room 107
2:00pm
Betty Williams and
Chris Riccardi
October 2015
November 2015
Council Meeting
Monday, October 5—9:15am
Soy Building, Room 110
Fraternity Meeting
Sunday, October 19 - 2:00pm
Soy Building, Room 107
Hospitality
Roger and Agnes Reid
Council Meeting
Monday, November 5 -
Fraternity Meeting
Hospitality
December 2015
Council Meeting
9:15am
Sunday, November 18 2:00pm
Soy Building, Room 110
Soy Building, Room 107
Al Cartier and Mary Geimer
Hospitality
Monday, December 7 - 9:15am Soy Building, Room 110
Sunday, December 20—
Soy Building, Room 107
2:00pm
Christmas Party
All OFS Members
Fraternity Meeting
Just pray for one Blessed,
Venerable, Servant of God or Saint on
his or her anniversary date.
In this way because many
Franciscan members may not know of
them or never heard of them they will
be remembered and perhaps they will
pray over you. It’s worth a try.
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