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mary, Queen of Angels Fraternity

SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER--USA + Altoona, Pennsylvania

+ JANUARY 2018 Newsletter +

www.maryqueenofangelssfoaltoona.org

Guido Santella, O.F.S. Father Christopher, T.O.R.

Minister 943-0971 Spiritual Assistant 207-5847

SantellaFuneralHome@gmail.com XtoferTOR@aol.com

Renewed and Confirmed:

Live the Treasure Celebrating 40 Years of our OFS Rule

[2018 National OFS Theme]

Fraternity Christmas Dinner and Auction

with the Friars

Epiphany Sunday 7 January 2018

1:30 PM

Saint Bernardine Monastery

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Christmas Dinner Menu Ravioli in Sage and Butter Sauce Roast Pork Loin with Apricots, Prunes and Apples Oven Roasted Potatoes Spiced Carrots Wine Berry Salad Stollen Christmas Bread Apple Pie Beverages

MESSAGE FROM OUR MINISTER Lady Poverty Regional Executive Council reminds us that we are overdue for a Chapter of Elections for servant-leaders (new officers) for the Fraternity. Prayerfully consider nominating yourself or another professed member to lead the Fraternity for the next three years. Elections will be held in May 2018. A slate of nominees for election must be submitted to Regional in April. Our Fraternity Christmas Dinner and Auction Party is set for Epiphany Sunday 7 January 2018, 1:30 PM, St Bernardine Monastery, with all the Friars. Wrapped gifts for the Auction; unwrapped gifts for Precious Life.

Your generosity is a gift that keeps on giving for the benefit of others.

INFIRM and HOMEBOUND

In your charity please remember in prayer our homebound and infirm members: at Home: Shirley Dougherty, Cheryl Hengst, Janet Azeles, Nelda Sinisi, Father Terrence, Father William; at Garvey Manor: Mary Margaret Kramar, Father Kenneth, Father Patrick; at Our Lady of the Alleghenies: Mary Jane Foster; at St Stephen’s Living Center: Mary Rita Stoltz; at St Bernardine Monastery: Father Adrian, Father Eugene, Father Fabian, Father Bill, Father Brad, and Brother Tello.

Please inform any member of the Council of any member who is sick and/or homebound, so that a visit can be arranged and/or a card may be sent, bringing them our prayers and best wishes.

JANUARY and FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” 1/31 Sandy Closson

2/01 Joanna Duman 2/10 Doug DeAntonio 2/21 Greg Nale

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LEADERSHIP: the Offering of Self for Service to the Fraternity What we learn from St Francis: A Franciscan is a servant leader based on the example of Christ, who recognizes and cares for the needs of the fraternity; who encourages the members; who acts with mercy and extends it when necessary; who does not become attached to their elected office; who perseveres in serving others. What we learn from Pope Francis: Live fully: be who you are. Washing feet: authentic power is service. Dusty shoes: immerse yourself in the world’s suffering and joys. Kneeling alone: withdraw to find perspective. Build on stones: live in the present and reverence tradition. Create the future: the challenge of leading through change. Don’t be afraid of the journey.

YOUR ROLE AS A SERVANT-LEADER If you are: You are probably good at: Forceful Initiating new ideas, getting results Adventurous Making decisions, solving problems Daring Taking authority Decisive Self-assured If you are: You are probably good at: Enthusiastic Motivating Outgoing Entertaining Emotional Generating enthusiasm Sociable Interacting with others Convincing Offering assistance Trusting If you are: You are probably good at: Systematic Following directions Diplomatic Working with specific assignments Conscientious Being diplomatic Analytical Doing critical thinking Sensitive Accurate If you are: You are probably good at: Patient Patience and understanding Loyal Loyalty Stable Listening Team-oriented Working with few new challenges Deliberate Concentrating

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January 2018 Calendar 01 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (obligation is lifted) New Year’s Day Prayer for Peace 03 Holy Name of Jesus 04 St Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious Blessed Christina of Tuscany, OFS: virtuous in modesty 05 St John Neumann of Philadelphia, Bishop: devotion to Eucharist Adoration Servant of God Ortolana di Offreduccio, Mother of St Clare 06 Servant of God Catherine, Queen of England, OFS 07 Solemnity of the Epiphany Fraternity Christmas Dinner and Auction with the Friars 1:30 PM, Saint Bernardine Monastery St Angela Foligno, OFS: overcoming temptations 08 Baptism of the Lord, (Winter Ordinary Time begins) 09 Servant of God Vico Necchi, OFS: biologist, defended Catholic principles 10 Blessed Pope Gregory X, OFS: Council of Lyons II, friend of St Bonaventure 15 Day of Prayer to End Racism Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day 16 Fraternity Council Meeting, 6:00 PM, Santella’s Initial Formation Session, 5:00 PM, Santella’s Healy Building St Berard and Companions: First Martyrs of the Franciscan Family 17 Servant of God Robert, King of Naples, OFS: devotion to the Eucharist 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 22 Day of Prayer for Legal Protection of Unborn Children St Vincent Pallotti, OFS: fostered devotion to the Blessed Mother 23 St Marianne Cope, OSF: ministry to lepers on Molikai 25 Conversion of St Paul 26 Blessed James of Pieve, OFS: known for his poverty and humility 27 St Angela Merici, OFS: devoted to the instruction of youth 30 St Hyacinth Mariscotti, OFS: dispossessed herself of frivolous objects 31 St John Bosco, OFS: temporal and spiritual welfare of youth 02 Presentation of the Lord: Blessing of Candles, especially for home prayer 03 St Blasé, Bishop: Blessing of Throats

POPE FRANCIS’ JANUARY INTENTION: Evangelization That Christians and other religious minorities in Asian countries may be able to practice their faith in full freedom.

INITIAL FORMATION Our next session is set for Tuesday 16 January 2018, 5:00 PM, in Santella’s Healy Building. In Franciscan Journey, Chapter 11: The OFS Rule, will be presented and explored. Fraternity members are invited to come and share your insights.

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THE RHYTHM OF FRANCISCAN LIFE: Nurturing Body, Soul and Spirit You recall that toward the end of Francis’ life, he asked forgiveness for treating his body most severely by extreme fasting and mortification. In this one instance, (and this one instance only!), do not imitate his example. Rather, let us commit ourselves to our own well-being:

• slow down: carve out time to discern where you truly feel called to place your attention and energy, letting go of other forms of busyness that do not serve you well;

• turn off the screen: be selective of media intake; initiate behaviors that will ensure we engage media as a tool, not a source of compulsion;

• get back to Brother Body: connectedness to our physical self is vital to our health;

• reconnect to our Sister, Mother Earth: we are all rooted in nature, we remain linked to all of creation; re-read Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si;”

• spark joy: reflect on our relationship with our physical “stuff,” clearing out clutter, clarifying priorities, crafting a truly joyful living space;

• cultivate relationships: this is what life is about; invite for coffee and cookies; bring dinner to a friend;

• get closer to God: nurture our spiritual life; mindful contemplation; meditating on the daily Scriptures; imitate St Clare: gaze, meditate, contemplate, imitate.

WHAT SAY YOU ABOUT THE MOVIE? Let me begin politely by saying “The Sultan and the Saint” was an attempt to portray a Franciscan and Catholic encounter with a Muslim, given the tensions and the flare-ups here and around the world. I was expecting something better. Historical and verifiable facts were sacrificed by several inaccuracies: especially Francis reciting the Peace Prayer to the Muslims, which he did not write; Francis and Illuminato were severely beaten, not merely roughed up before meeting the Sultan; no mention of the gift of the silver Powderhorn (which is in the Assisi Basilica) given to Francis by the Sultan for his safe passage between camps. The redeeming aspects came with the excellent and accurate interviews with the various scholars. Let us not shy away from interfaith dialogue with our sisters and brothers of other faith traditions. This is Francis’ true mission to the Muslims, and ours!

LOOKING FOR THAT SPECIAL GIFT Should you be looking for a religious gift, medal, rosary, or all occasion and religious cards, visit The Friar’s Nook across from St Bernardine Monastery, on Monastery Road, 4 miles south of Hollidaysburg off Route 36. Open daily except Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM.

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HOW WE JOURNEY IS HOW WE ARRIVE -- Father Christopher, T.O.R. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

As Franciscans we should take note of Pope Francis’ prayer for a peaceful two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his annual Christmas Day message. Speaking just days after members of the United Nations condemned President Donald Trump’s move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Holy Father prayed for the “peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.” Jerusalem is a unique city, sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, where the Holy Places for these religions are venerated. It has a special vocation to peace. Its identity is to be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East, and the

entire world. The European Union’s top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, expressed concern about the repercussions this may have on the prospect of peace. She went on to say thatJerusalem should be a future capital of the two states, Israeli and Palestinian, and that embassies should not be moved there until the city’s final status was resolved. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem is administered apostolically by Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa who is an OFM Franciscan. In his speech in the exchange of Christmas greetings with King Abdallah, I quote “Keeping in mind a situation of evident conflict, we hold that every one-sided solution cannot be considered a solution. Unilateral decisions will not bring peace, but rather will distance it. Jerusalem is a treasure of all humanity. Any exclusive claim -- be it political or religious -- is

contrary to the city’s own logic.” Here, the Archbishop departed from his text and spoke metaphorically: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is our Mother. When one child is missing, the mother cannot be at peace.” We can be sure of this: any obstacle to peace and unity are erected by human hands, hearts, and minds. As Franciscans, if we pray for peace and unity, voicing our “so be it” means we have work to do. Peace and unity means more than uniformity. Diversity of peoples and cultures brings its own richness. Entrenched obstacles have brought only tension, anxiety and discord. Let us pray and work for the peace of Jerusalem, our Mother.

WITH THE LORD THROUGH SISTER DEATH Members of the Fraternity who died through the years in the month of January:

01 Betty Stehman 26 Angelina Carnevale 17 Alfonso Mastropietro 29 Lucy Martino 25 Marie Hammond

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FINAL WORD FROM YOUR NEWSLETTER EDITOR

When Father Christopher shared with me the latest developments concerning life in the Middle East, especially in the Holy Land, and the call from the Holy Father and the Franciscan Archbishop for peace to reign in Jerusalem, I thought the following prayer for Mary’s intercession would be appropriate, since she herself lived and moved throughout the region:

Litany for Peace (Response): Help us bear peace to the world.

Mary, Mother of the poor: Laboring Mother of the bolted door: Mother who fled to safety with her Child: Mary who saw the death of the Holy Innocents: Bearer of the Christ: Bearer of immense responsibility: Bearer of the light of possibility: Bearer of the Good News: Woman who said “yes” to the Divine: Woman who pondered miracles in her heart: Woman arrayed with confidence: Woman clothed with undying faith:

Peace and All Good! On-Line Newsletters Mary, Queen of Angels:

www.maryqueenofangelssfoaltoona.org

Carol E Peo, O.F.S. Lady Poverty Region:

ladyaugust16@gmail.com www.ladypovertyregion.org