Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Prayer, Our Key to Conversion
Matt 6:6"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
Recently my sister gave my husband (the Principal) a dvd and book explaining how to teach children in Catholic schools the art of "Christian Meditation". It is a process that the kids and teacher as a group, sit on the floor in a circle around an altar type of setup, with a lit candle and a crucifix or statue of Jesus etc.. (Older children were sitting at their desks). They shut their eyes and sat up with good posture and repeated in silence, (in God's presence), a mantra or special word over and over. Like the word "Maranatha" or "Jesus". They simply said this word over and over and when they became aware that they are no longer saying it, they simply started to say the mantra again.
It was interesting to witness the testimony of the impact that just a few minutes per day of meditation had on each individual and on the entire classroom. Some kids said after the silent meditation, "I found after meditation that classmates are more willing to help each other.", "It seems like we are more like a group instead of individuals." "It helps me with stress", "It gives you a chance just to be with God", "It helps me to know myself better." The teacher said the class is "much calmer afterward, the kids are kind to each other too."
The youngest kids started out with just 30 seconds "because that is all they could do", the teacher reported. Then they would add a minute per week or as they were ready. Now they do between 5 and 7 minutes of quiet meditation at the beginning and at the end of the school day. The teacher said the only problem is, the kids would like more time for silent meditation... Many schools have tried this and they all were having the same positive results with wonderful testimony from the children and staff. A key to the success was the teacher involvement. As long as the teacher was doing this with the class, the class was in compliance.
Article 14- #5 of the General Constitutions says " In all places and at all times, it is possible for true worshippers of the Father to give him adoration and to pray to him. Nevertheless, the brothers and sisters should try to find times of silence and recollection dedicated exclusively to prayer. In the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order , Rule #8 says, "As Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all they are and do." ...
I encourage if you sense God is leading you this way, to pray in silence like this each morning and evening, as this prayer can lead you to the prayer of contemplation . Contemplation is where God takes over and does the praying for us. He communicates with us and we just receive. It is simple and requires very little, besides committing to a regular time and sticking to it. It is OK to start with just a minute or two for the first week. Then add 1 minute per week until you are up to 30 minutes. Some of you will want to spend 1 hour in the morning and evening eventually because of the great benefits you will feel from this practice. If you are already enjoying the prayer of contemplation please continue to do what is working for you. There is nothing more important than prayer!
If we are spouses of Jesus Christ, as we all are, then every good marriage needs time. We need to listen to our spouse and communicate, especially in the morning and evening each day in order to have a good marriage. All good relationships begin with time. Be with the one you love. Be with LOVE.
Please pray for me.
You are in my daily prayers,
Jean
ST. ALPHONSA FRATERNITY FEBRUARY 2016 NEWSLETTER
Meeting MinutesSunday, January 31, 2016 1:30-4:00pm – Epiphany Catholic Church, Coon Rapids, MN
Present: Jean McGinty, Fr. John Bauer, Patti & Mark Urick, Irene Brandenburg, Teresa Isenor, Jim Malisheski, Carol Schiebold, Gordon and Teresa Walker, Donna Green, Ellen Drasin, Shirlann Biser,Laurie Lacina, Kathy Weissman
Absent: Stephanie Percic, Rick Dzurik, Jerry Swanson, Ray and Jeanette Schelonka, Jeanne Page
Candidates Present: Fr. John Bauer, Janet Uhlir, Cathy Hills
Candidates Absent: Gloria Haluptzok
Visitors: None
We participated in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament for 30 minutes from 1:30 to 2:00.
We opened the meeting with song, “Love Divine All Loves Excelling” and prayed the “Hail Mary” for our deceased Brother Rick Isenor. We then called upon the Holy Spirit to oversee our meeting with the “Come Holy Spirit” prayer. Teresa Walker said the prayer for priests. Jean led us in opening prayer from the Ritual. The reading, “Prayer from the Admonishments – Virtue and Vice” was read by Laurie.
Business:
Jean passed out and reviewed financials for 2015 expenditures and the 2016 budget. Jean asked the Fraternity to vote on the 2016 budget. The Fraternity unanimously approved the budget.
In 2015 the Fraternity make charitable contributions to St. John Vianney Seminary, Franciscan Brothers of the Poor and the Epiphany Food Shelf.
On behalf of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, Carol is asking for rosaries. The Franciscan Brothers need them to distribute with their food baskets and to anyone who asks for them. Chain/link rosaries can be repaired if they are broken. Carol is asking us to bring rosaries and (parts and pieces) to the February meeting to donate to the Brothers.
Treasurer’s Report:
Effective December 31, 2015 the Fraternity’s balance was $1,531.28.
We then said the Beggar’s prayer and passed the beggar bag.
Prayer: Fr. Bauer led us in Lectio Divina on Sunday’s reading, the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, chapter 12: 31 – 13 : 13 on love.
Formation:
Shirlann led formation and had us break up into small groups to do an assignment on what impacted us the most about the readings from the “Testament of St. Francis” from the Omnibus. Each group summarized what the others in their group shared. Then we shared with all the members.
Shirlann asked us to pray the Angelus each day for the person in our small discussion group.
Shirlann closed the meeting with a novena prayer to St. Francis and Fr. John gave us his blessing.
We closed our monthly gathering with fellowship, hospitality and refreshments.
FORMATION – February '2016Shirlann Biser
Dear brothers and sisters,
We Praise the Lord, as we continue forward in our journey together in embracing the Gospel life, through the inspired, loving writings of our dear Father Francis. We can feel his sense of urgency and plea to turn unreservedly to God, and leave the past (self) behind. Father Francis gives us the map to follow in living the Gospel life in Christ. We are in warfare, and it is souls that are at stake. St. Francis paved the way to victory! We have heard it said that we must be willing to bear our share of hardships for the Gospel. But as we bear that hardship of the Gospel that is ours, we find joy—Gospel joy in being united to Jesus and being united to one another in that unity of faith.
It is most evident that our dear Francis is asking us above all else to honor and venerate the most Holy Sacrament, for which lies our strength and salvation. Fr. Francis reveals that union with God lies in recognition of the true presence and profound reverence of the Eucharist. We must strive to keep God always before our eyes, so that our intentions are done for the Glory of God and the salvation of souls. Thus, keeping our hearts pure, by worshiping Him in “spirit and in truth”.
SFO Rule 12 states, “Witnessing to the good yet to come and obliged to acquire purity of heart because of the vocation they have embraced, they should set themselves free to love God and their brothers and sisters.” The “F.U.N.” manual states, “The Eucharist has particular importance for Francis (a supreme concrete expression of the love of the Father for his creatures and of the revelation of his essence), in which the true encounter with God and his creation is achieved in all dimensions of existence, human and spiritual”.(“...the Spirit of the Lord, who lives in his faithful, is He who receives the most holy Body and Blood of the Lord” and”...in such a way the Lord is always present with his faithful...” Admonition I).
In light of our Omnibus readings and discussion this past month, the “F.U.N. Manual goes on further to say, “Because of the Eucharist Francis held a special reverence for Priests everywhere, not based on their worthiness, but on their faculty to make the presence of Jesus real in the Eucharist. ….And, given the numerous movements of his day, most of which became antagonistic to the clergy, Francis' insight kept his family firmly within and at the service of the Church. Today unlike many “Third Orders” the Secular Franciscan Order is and remains directly linked to the Holy See and our guiding documents and interpretation of our Rule for modern times remain a function of the Holy See.
February Assignments
Fraternity:
From “Omnibus”, Read pgs. 91-119 (Contains Part Two – Letter to all the Faithful, and etc.)
Candidates:
-Do two activities from Session 6 – Lay Mission (pgs. 11-21 & 22)
-Read Session 7 – Bearing Peace & Charity (pgs. 12-1 to 12-23)
Answer questions pg. 12-24; Select two activities pgs. 12-25 to 26
Prayer Requests:
- Prayers for conversion of sons, that they would return to the Church
- Prayers for all those with life threatening illnesses
- Prayers for all those who are incarcerated
- Prayers for consolation in financial matters
- Prayers of Peace in the world and an end to violence and terrorism
- Prayers that Ellen’s annulment will be granted
- Prayers for all priests and seminarians, especially at St. John Vianney and St. Paul Seminary
*2016 Calendar
***All Dates in bold are required attendance by our Rule
February 28th Sunday 1:30pm Meeting
March 20th Sunday 1:30 Meeting (Palm Sunday)
March 25th Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
April 24th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
May 29th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
June 13th Feast of St. Anthony of Padua
June 26th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
July 28th Feast of St. Alphonsa
July 31st Sunday 1:30 Meeting
August 2ndThe Portiuncula Indulgence
August 11th Feast of St. Clare
August 14th Feast of St. Maximillian Kolbe
August 15th Feast of the Assumption
August 28th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
September 8th Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 12th Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
September 14th Exaltation of the Cross
September 15th Our Lady of Sorrows
September 17th Sacred Stigmata of our Holy Father Francis
September 25th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
Sept. 29th Feast of St. Michael the Archangel
October 4th Feast of St. Francis
October 10th Canonical Establishment
October 30th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
November Retreat (TBD)
November 19th St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Patron of the Third Order
November 27th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
December 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December Christmas Party (TBD)