Franciscan LinkJUNE 2012 St. Joseph Fraternity, Utica, NY Vol. 23, IssUE 6

MinisterCatherine Koscinski, OFS

Vice MinisterBob Stronach, OFS

Formation DirectorMary Stronach, OFS

Ass’t. Formation DirectorJoanne Lockwood, OFS

SecretaryMarsha Kistner, OFS

TreasurerRick Roberts, OFS

Spiritual AssistantFr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv

Secular Franciscan Order Monthly Gathering: Sunday, June 17 Socializing, 1:30; Gathering, 2 p.m., St. Joseph-St. Patrick Parish Center, Utica, NY

MAILING ADDRESS

St. Joseph FraternityPO Box 115Yorkville, NY 13495-0115

4 NEW SECULAR FRANCISCANS!

Just a Thought by Marsha Kistner

The Rule: To faithfully fulfill the duties proper to my circumstances of life; following the poor and crucified Christ, witnessing to him even in difficulties and persecutions.

How do I “follow Christ” in the “proper circumstances” of my life? If I have a job, do I respect others and all creation that I find at work? If I am living alone, do I respect and appreciate the quiet and prayerfulness

that may come with it? If I am volunteering or visiting others, do I accept those I meet just where they are at and take things as they come? Or… am I finding myself thinking more of myself than others’ circumstances? Judging others with all my “shoulds” and “buts”? Talking about someone just because I don’t like her ideas?

How Christian am I….. really??

Ana Pereira, Cynthia Barres, Roberta Mickey and Bill McMyler pose under a stain glass image of Francis of Assisi in the vestibule of St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church just prior to making their profession as Secular Franciscans during mass on May 20. More photos, Pages 3-4.

RIPFrances Horgan,OFS,

embraced Sister Death on May 21 at the age of 100. She was professed on Jan. 18, 1966.

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MINISTER’S MESSAGE by Katie Koscinski, OFS

Welcome to our newly professed!

We welcome Cynthia Barres, Ana Pereira, Roberta Mickey and Bill Mc Myler to the Secular Franciscan Fam-ily of St. Joseph Fraternity. We are so blessed that these children of God have heard His call to follow in the foot steps of our founding Father, St Francis. May we always be blessings to each other. God called us to this place in life and it is our responsibility to continue to nurture the call. We do this by daily reading and studying of Gospel and Sacred Scripture. Like Francis, we will find in the Scrip-tures the purpose and the way of living, loving and suffer-ing. We will learn to accept the will of the Father no matter what difficulties we may face on our Journey home. The Bible holds the keys to Heaven and teaches us to reject every doctrine contrary to human dignity; thus we will be able to live the Franciscan spirit of peace. Again I say God bless you and welcome.

NEW FRIAR PRIESTOn May 27, Joanne Lockwood, Ana Pereira, Mary

Larocco and I attended OFM Friar Daniel P. Horan’s first mass at his home parish. Fr. Dan was ordained May 19 at St. Camillus Catholic Church in Silver Springs, Maryland. Friar Dan recently authored his first book entitled, “ Dating God, Live and Love in the way of St Francis.” The book is available through Saint Anthony Press or at Amazon.com.

We pray especially now, in a time of great need, that many more priest laborers will be sent into the harvest fields of religious works and eternal salvation.

UPCOMINGJune 16 -- Day Of Reflection with Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM

Conv., combined with OFS Workshop on the new Formation Manual, at The Franciscan Church of the Assumption, Syra-cuse, sponsored by St. Elizabeth-St. Bonaventure Fraternity. Contact Rosemary Costa, OFS, 315-288-5395.

July 3-8 -- Quinquennial in Chicago, Ill. at the Holiday Inn North Shore, “Why Francis? Claim the Gift!” This is a gift you deserve to give yourself! Wonderful speakers. Meet your brothers and sisters from around the nation. Spirituality enough to make you higher than a kite!

August 12 -- Secular Franciscan Pilgrimage Day at the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine, Fonda, NY. Registration before the 10:30 Mass.

Sept. 14 -- Secular Franciscan retreat at Christ the King Retreat Center, Syracuse, NY.

Sept. 16 -- Elections at our own St Joseph Fraternity.

Oct. 3 -- Transitus*

Oct. 4 -- Feast of St. Francis*

* Two important days for Franciscan Family to be together.

JUNE PROFESSIONSJosephine CoscoJo GinnityDiane HnatDaniel MiddaughMary Stronach

Bob StronachKaren SzczesniakJoanne LockwoodRichard Roberts

The U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops urges Americans to join in a special “fortnight for freedom” from June 21 to July 4.

“Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage and liberty,” the bish-ops’ statement on religious liberty said. Regardless of political persuasion, National Minister Tom Bello, OFS, and Regional Minister Mary Frances Charsky, OFS, ask all local fraternities to join in prayer and fasting during the “fortnight for freedom.”

Noted Charsky: “They invite us to join in an urgent prayer for religious liberty.”

Almighty God, Father of all nations,For freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal. 5:1).We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty,the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common good.Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties;By your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land.We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness,and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

U.S. BISHOPS CALL FOR ‘FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM’

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“The central act of Francis was to respond to the word of God,” Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv., reminded four candidates at the Rite of Profession on May 20 at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church.

Like the apostles, “Francis and com-panions received a call to extend the word of Christ and the love of God.”

Likewise, he said, those being professed as Secular Franciscans are accepting the call to bring Christ and the Gospels into their everyday lives.

It signifies “an inner change, which brings us to a reality of Christ” never experienced before.

“I congratulate you” for making your-

selves “a gift not only to the church, but to God.”

Then, with Father Henry officially witnessing for the Roman Catholic Church, Roberta Mickey, OFS, Cynthia Barres, OFS, Bill McMyler, OFS, and Ana Pereira, OFS, took turns profess-ing their commitment to the Secular Franciscan Order while kneeling before Fraternity Minister Katie Koscinski, OFS, in front of the altar. Some 55 fam-ily members, friends and other Secular Franciscans were than asked to come up and individually congratulate the newly professed.

Father Henry presided at the mass, with Fr. Richard Dellos, pastor, and

Fr. Mark Pasik of St. Mark’s Church concelebrating.

Providing musical accompaniment were:

• parish music director Andrew Siuta as organist.

• Joachim Nelson on the flute.• Christine Mickey on the viola.• Jason Rickey on the trumpet.A reception with refreshments in the

parish center provided a festive conclu-sion to the day.

As Fraternity Secretary Marsha Kist-ner, OFS, put it:

“Today the Secular Franciscan Order was excited and humbled to admit four new members to the Order.”

NEWLY PROFESSED BRING CHRIST INTO DAILY LIVES

Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv.Spiritual Assistant

Cynthia Barres makes profession before Minister Katie Koscinski. At left is sponsor Mary LaRocco. Holding microphone is Formation Dir. Mary Stronach.

Bill McMyler Ana Pereira Roberta Mickey

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Trumpeter Jason Rickey, Violist Christine Mickey and Flautist Joachim Nelson helped provide music for the profession mass.

Congregation congratulates the newly professed Secular Franciscans (above & right).

Bill McMyler, Ana Pereira, Cyntha Barres and Roberta Mickey are all smiles as they get set to cut their profession cake dur-ing a reception in the parish center. Some 55 relatives, friends, clergy and Secular Franciscans celebrated with them.