Tag: Secular Franciscan

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Stepping down

In a couple of months I’ll be stepping down as fraternity minister for our St. Irenaeus Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order. I really enjoy being a Secular Franciscan and lately I’ve been a bit more active in wearing my Tau. I’ve been challenged in that regard by my friend Br. Kevin Kriso, OFM. I’ve enjoyed being the minister of our fraternity at times and not enjoyed it at other times. I’m unorthodox and that is one of my strengths, but I sometimes find myself at odds with those around me a bit more tied to orthodoxy than I. I guess living the way I do, by the seat of my pants at times is unsettling to those folks.

One person in particular took issue with my use of Google Apps to facilitate communication amongst our fraternity and more than once in the last few years I’ve thought of how using technology like Moodle we’d be able to form individuals wanting to be Franciscans, but unable either by distance or family requirements to make our meetings. There is precedent for such activities as St. Clare formed Agnes of Prague by writing letters to her.

It was the website of the monastery of Christ in the Desert that reached out to me almost fifteen years ago and brought me slowly back to the church and eventually the Secular Franciscan Order. Being a web developer, a Blackberry user, a tweeter on Twitter and a blogger on WordPress much of this just seems to flow, but there are some folks that this sort of activity is either threatening or frightening to. A couple of years ago while spending time at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia I noted that Fr. Michael Duffy, OFM was actually sending and receiving text messages in the middle of the dining room there. To some technology use seems un-godly I suppose and to others like me it’s just one more way of carrying a message of hope and reaching out to those around us.

In a couple of months I’ll return to being just another member of the Secular Franciscan Order. I’ve been a minister for three years and a secretary for three years before that. It’s time for a break. My plate is going to be very full this year doing varied tasks including graduate school. Quiet contemplative time continues to grow in my life and it’s something I crave more and more.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven: — Ecclesiastes 3:1

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Beside the still waters


I spent the past weekend at Stella Maris Retreat Center which is located on Skaneateles Lake in Skaneateles, New York. I was attending the annual Kateri Tekakwitha Secular Franciscan Order regional meeting. I’ve been at the meeting three years now and each time it has been refreshing and relaxing to gather with other members fo the Third Order Secular. The Secular Franciscan Order has been around since the beginning of Franciscan charism which is celebrating its 800th anniversary this year.

Unlike other weekends I’ve spent at Stella Maris though this particular weekend was very restful. My accommodations at the Passover House were quite lovely. I was not prepared for such lovely surroundings. I loved taking walks on the grounds and especially along the lake shore which borders the property. Sunday morning was especially peaceful and mystical as wisps of early morning fog floated just above the lake and the surface of the water was like glass. The lake was so clear that it was possible to see the bottom.

All three days were lovely and sunny, though Sunday began with a bit of overcast. I took my time driving home along Route 20 and through the communities of Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Geneva and Candandaigua. Everywhere I looked there was ample evidence of spring with blossoms bursting forth. All creation is shouting for joy.

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Garden at Mt. Irenaeus

Garden at Mt. Irenaeus

Tonight after work I drove nearly thirty miles to be part of a gathering of Partners in MInistry at Mt. Irenaeus. The mountain as we call it is one of my favorite spots. I almost blew this meeting off. In fact it was only Monday that I decided to come. I got there about 4:15, which was about forty-five minutes after the meeting had started. Fr. Dan asked me to reflect on a handout that included the Mountain’s mission and some thoughts of about the mission statement. As I sat and listened to the others share what this place and its form of ministry mean to them, I thought of my own path here. What was there about this place that continues to invite me back.

The garden is central to what brings me back here time and again and that is hospitality. At Mt. Irenaeus all are truly welcome. Christians of all stripes, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, atheists, all are welcome here. No one is asked to accept a particular theology. There is no proselytizing. Words and thoughts are shared, but central to it all is an overwhelming feeling of peace and hospitality. I think it’s what Jesus is really about.

The Eucharist followed our time of sharing and then it was down to the House for dinner. Each of us played a part in its preparation and mine was to help Br. Kevin Kriso, OFM collect lettuce, peas and beans from the garden. I joined two other guests and Br. Kevin and we gathered just enough for dinner. Tonight we all enjoyed a simple dinner and the company of many friends. Our meal was completed by a sumptuous blueberry dessert prepared by Fr. Dan Hurley, OFM. Dan Hurley is 88 years young and though he can no longer see well, he is able to contribute insight and culinary delights.

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Home again

I’m home again after two days at Stella Maris Retreat in Skaneateles, New York. It was the annual meeting of the Kateri Tekakwitha Region Secular Franciscan Order. I’m humbled to be a member, much less a minister of our local St. Irenaeus Fraternity. The Secular Franciscan Order, originally known as the Brothers and Sisters of Penance follow a rule of life much like that followed by Franciscan friars and nuns everywhere in the world except they follow it as very ordinary folks. Some are retired, some are not. Some are married, others are not. Some of our members are social workers, nurses, while others are teachers and some are even computer geeks.  Our members come from all walks of life and all around the world. We’ve got one thing in common and that is a desire to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the same way that our seraphic father St. Francis of Assisi did.

I’m humbled to be in the presence of such holy people. I feel like I am the least of the brothers.

Secular Franciscans, together with all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone “who follows Christ, the perfect man, becomes more of a man himself,” let them exercise their responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service.