Dear Family,
To continue with another Principle Virtue of the Blessed Mother we will move on to Deep Humility:
Luke14:11 Every one that exalts himself shall be humbled; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted."
From Francis writings "The Admonitions” it is written:
XX. The virtuous and humble religious
Blessed the religious who has no more regard for himself when people praise him and make much of him than when they despise and revile him and say that he is ignorant.What a man is before God, that he is and no more. Woe to that religious who, after he has been put in a position of authority by others, is not anxious to leave it of his own free will. On the other hand, blessed is that religious who is elected to office against his will but always wants to be subject to others.
XXIV. True humility
Blessed that person who is just as unassuming among his subjects as he would be among his superiors.Blessed the religious who is always willing to be corrected.A man is a faithful and prudent servant (Mt. 24:25) when he is quick to atone for all his offenses, interiorly by contrition, exteriorly by confessing them and making reparation.
If you would like to study this a little further, please feel free to read the following: Below is a list from St. Benedict.(the Father of Monasticism 480-547) with his "ladder to humility" which is part of his rule.
"The first degree of humility, then, is that a man always have the fear of God before his eyes shunning all forgetfulness and that he be ever mindful of all that God hath commanded…
"The second degree of humility is, when a man loveth not his own will, nor is pleased to fulfill his own desires but by his deeds carrieth out that word of the Lord which saith: 'I came not to do My own will but the will of Him that sent Me.'
"The third degree of humility is, that for the love of God a man subject himself to a Superior in all obedience, imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle saith: 'He became obedient unto death.'
"The fourth degree of humility is, that, if hard and distasteful things are commanded, nay, even though injuries are inflicted, he accept them with patience and even temper, and not grow weary or give up…
"The fifth degree of humility is, when one hideth from his Abbot none of the evil thoughts which rise in his heart or the evils committed by him in secret, but humbly confesseth them.
"The sixth degree of humility is, when a monk is content with the meanest and worst of everything, and in all that is enjoined him holdeth himself as a bad and worthless workman, saying with the Prophet: 'I am brought to nothing and I knew it not; I am become as a beast before Thee, and I am always with Thee.'
"The seventh degree of humility is, when, not only with his tongue he declareth, but also in his inmost soul believeth, that he is the lowest and vilest of men, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet: 'But I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men and the outcast of the people.'
"The eighth degree of humility is, when a monk doeth nothing but what is sanctioned by the common rule of the monastery and the example of his elders.
"The ninth degree of humility is, when a monk withholdeth his tongue from speaking, and keeping silence doth not speak until he is asked; for the Scripture showeth that 'in a multitude of words there shall not want sin.'
"The tenth degree of humility is, when a monk is not easily moved and quick for laughter, for it is written: 'The fool exalteth his voice in laughter.'
"The eleventh degree of humility is, that, when a monk speaketh, he speak gently and without laughter, humbly and with gravity, with few and sensible words, and that he be not loud of voice, as it is written: 'The wise man is known by the fewness of his words.'
"The twelfth degree of humility is, when a monk is not only humble of heart, but always letteth it appear also in his whole exterior to all that see him; namely, at the Work of God, in the garden, on a journey, in the field, or wherever he may be, sitting, walking, or standing, let him always have his head bowed down, his eyes fixed on the ground, ever holding himself guilty of his sins, thinking that he is already standing before the dread judgment seat of God, and always saying to himself in his heart what the publican in the Gospel said, with his eyes fixed on the ground: 'Lord, I am a sinner and not worthy to lift up mine eyes to heaven'; and again with the Prophet: 'I am bowed down and humbled exceedingly.'
"Having, therefore, ascended all these degrees of humility, the monk will presently arrive at that love of God, which being perfect, casteth out fear. In virtue of this love all things which at first he observed not without fear, he will now begin to keep without any effort, and as it were, naturally by force of habit, no longer from the fear of hell, but from the love of Christ, from the very habit of good and the pleasure in virtue. May the Lord be pleased to manifest all this by His Holy Spirit in His laborer now cleansed from vice and sin."
Please pray for me,
Yours in Christ,
Jean
ST. ALPHONSA FRATERNITY APRIL 2016 NEWSLETTER
Meeting MinutesSunday, March 20, 2016 1:30-4:00pm – Epiphany Catholic Church, Coon Rapids, MN
Present: Jean McGinty, Fr. John Bauer, Mark and Patti Urick, Teresa Isenor, Jim Malisheski, Carol Schiebold, Gordon and Teresa Walker, Ellen Drasin, Shirlann Biser,Laurie Lacina, Ray and Jeannette Schelonka, Irene Brandenburg, Donna Green, Kathy Weissman
Absent:Stephanie Percic, Jerry Swanson, Jeanne Page
Candidates Present: Fr. John Bauer, Gloria Haluptzok, Cathy HIlls
Candidates Absent: Janet Uhlir
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, “O Sacred Head Surrounded” 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. Gordon Walker said the prayer for priests. Jean led us in opening prayer from the Ritual. The reading, “The Exhortation to the Praise of God” was read by Carol.
Business:
Jean and members talked about the following:
- Due to members sensitivities to smell, we were asked to refrain from wearing fragrances
- Rick Dzurik will be on lapsed status. See Jean’s note below.
- The Region wants everyone to be better formed and highly encourages members to have the Essential Documents Handbook and suggests that members have a copy of The Rule on their person. Shirlann will be placing orders for both books for those members who would like to purchase them.
- Jean wanted to know if any members were planning to attend the Q in St. Louis this summer.
- The Profession date will be Tuesday, November 29th, 2016 the Feast of all Saints of the Franciscan three orders. The Profession will be held at St. Vincent De Paul at 6:00 pm.
- We will plan our fraternity retreat in September and hold the “Come and See” in January 2017.
- Fr. John told us about the walking pilgrimage he and several others did to the Cathedral to go through the Doors of Mercy.
- Kathy and Patty talked about their pilgrimage to Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Wisconsin. See to find out information about the pilgrimage walk on May 7 to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help.
- Laurie talked to her granddaughter who is the youth minister at St. Alphonsa about increasing awareness of the Franciscan charism with their youth group.
- Gordon affirmed that the National Council is also focusing on increasing younger membership to sustain and grow the Secular Franciscan Order.
Beloved in the Lord,
I recently had the privilege of meeting with Brother Rick Dzurik. We had a good conversation about where he is at and about where God is calling him to be. He has decided to go on lapsed status effective March 1,2016 and I feel he is getting good discernment in this decision. He has assured me that he will be keeping us in prayer and of course will miss everyone dearly but will always feel part of our fraternity especially in our common bond of praying for priests. I have assured Rick that he will remain in our daily prayers and will have our support should he need it anytime.
Peace and All Good,
Jean
Treasurer’s Report:
Effective March 20, 2016 the Fraternity’s balance was $969.40.
We then said the Beggar’s prayer and passed the beggar bag.
Prayer: Fr. John led us in Lectio Divina praying the second reading of the Mass, Philippians Chapter 2: 6-11.
Formation:
Shirlann led formation and had us break up into small groups and discuss the questions from the readings in the Omnibus.
We closed the meeting by praying the prayer “Most High and Glorious God” and Fr. John gave us his blessing.
We then had fellowship, hospitality and refreshments.
FORMATION – April '2016Shirlann Biser
Dear Fraternity Family,
In the subsequent writing of the “Omnibus”, the book entitled, “Francis of Assisi the Saint”, contains some additional interesting details about the author, Thomas of Celano, and how he accomplishes his purposes in writing about the life of St. Francis. Pope Gregory IX commissioned Celano to write about the Saints life, and its success was important to him, not only for the promotion of the memory of St. Francis and the strengthening of the Franciscan Order in the Church, but also as a part of his effort to promote spiritual renewal within the life of the Church. As the first account of the life of St. Francis, Thomas's work holds a place of honor. Celano is convinced that through Francis, something new and refreshing entered into the spiritual communion of saints and into the visible life of the Church. In fact, Francis is the preeminent saint: “That is why every order, sex and age finds in him a clear pattern of the teaching of salvation and an outstanding example of holy deeds.” And Clare, still a relatively young woman while Thomas was writing in 1228, is praised as “bright in name, more brilliant in life, most brilliant in character.” At a time when heresies abounded, crusades failed, and the struggle for power between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy intensified, the poor and humble follower of the gospel, Francis of Assisi, offered an alternative way of Christian living. Thomas explains that Francis's participation in the same holiness as that of the great saints is based on a conversion that frees him from many burdensome cares and leads him into the life of the Church where he hears the Word of God. In his conversion, Francis no longer lives as a “deaf hearer” of the gospel but instead, boldly proclaims the gospel, making his hearers “children of peace.” Promoting the gospel message of peace, Francis spends his life rebuilding the life of the Church upon its solid and ancient foundation. His work of rebuilding 3 churches included: St. Mary of the Angels, dedicated to the Virgin; St. Peter dedicated to the Apostles; and St. Damian dedicated to the martyrs.
As for Thomasof Celano, he laid the foundation for the rich Franciscan literary tradition of 13th century. Except for his presence at the Pentecost Chapter at the Portiuncula in 1221 and for his part in the subsequent mission of the friars to Germany, there is little other known evidence about life. (No biography of his life has been written). Celano was believed to have received a solid liberal arts education with knowledge of the monastic literary tradition and he most likely studied Theology. It is interesting that Thomas died on October 4th, of 1260. He was first buried in the monastery of the Poor Ladies, and then transferred to the Church of St. Francis. Thomas continues to be honored as a saint who wrote about a saint!
April Assignments:
Fraternity:
From “Omnibus of Sources”:
Read and reflect on pgs. 179-212 Introduction to First or and Second Life of St. Francis, as well as the synopsis above.
Questions for April formation discussion:
1). What do you recall about the author, Thomas of Celano, especially of his qualifications as biographer of St. Francis?
Let us examine the books and their contents of those we will be studying:
2).What are the titles of the 3 major writings by Brother Thomas?
3). The First Life contains how many "books";and give brief overview of its contents? Where did the author derive his sources?
4). The Second Life contains material gathered from what 3 close brother companions of St. Francis; they present as "flowers gathered from a delightful meadow"? How many books are included in this Second Life? What are some of its contents?
5). What was omitted from these first two books/works that John of Parma, minister general,commanded Celano to correct this defect? What resulted?
6). What is interesting about the literary style of Celano?
7). Discuss issues/problems that ensued since Celano's initial writings?
Bros. Elias; Growing confusion over life & deeds, resulting in new writings
Candidates:
From “Fully Mature with the Fullness of Christ”:
Review 2 activities from Session 8, By Instilling Justice and Dignity pgs. 14-23 to 24.
Read Session 9, By Being Sensitive and Loyal to the Church, pgs. 15-1 to 15-16.
Complete questions for group sharing: pg. 15-18; and 2 activities from 15-19 & 20
Prayer Requests:
- Jackie and Warren for the marriage bond to remain intact and for great love to grow in the marriage and in the family
- For healing of cancer for Jim M., Trish Swanson and John
- For healing of daughter’s father-in-law – healing of prostate cancer
- Healing for Jennifer and Michelle
- Healing for nephew, Artie – mental illness
- Healing for granddaughter Ali
- For Martin so that he would not be such a handful for his mother
- For grandchildren/wife may accept Jesus and come closer to Him
- For Jacob to come to know Jesus
- For Cathy’s son, Connor – full physical and spiritual healing
- For Janet – full physical healing
- For Ellen – protection for a situation at work
- Wisdom and enlightenment for our candidates for the Franciscan charism
- Hearts and minds be enlightened with truth – Come Holy Spirit
- For all of our priests/seminarians for the prayer protection they need and for a devoted prayer life
- For vocations to the religious life.
- For all Christians being persecuted throughout the world
- For the protection of the unborn and all life
- For good Presidential candidates who will uphold Christian teachings.
- For our youth and for Franciscan initiatives that will teach them the freedom of the Franciscan charism
- For families – healing, inner healing, peace, conversion and unity
- Prayers for consolation in financial matters/financial security
- 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
April 20th – Council Meeting
April 24th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
May 25th – Council Meeting
May 29th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
June 13th Feast of St. Anthony of Padua
June 22nd – Council Meeting
June 26th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
July 28th Feast of St. Alphonsa
July 27th – Council Meeting
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 24th – Council Meeting
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 21st – Council Meeting
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 26th – Council Meeting
October 30th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
November Retreat (TBD)
November 19th St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Patron of the Third Order
November 23rd – Council Meeting
November 27th Sunday 1:30 Meeting
December 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December Christmas Party (TBD)