Padre Pio Press March, 2015 March Meeting Change This is a reminder that, for the month of March, we will attend the District Lenten Retreat at Holy Spirit Church in Hemet. This will take the place of our monthly meeting originally scheduled for March 14th. Our fraternity will provide the breakfast foods, so we need to be a bit early. We will meet at Jane’s home between 8:00 and 8:15 to carpool out to Hemet. Each person should also pack a lunch as there are no restaurants close by. For those of you who are driving your own car, the address is 26340 Soboba Street, Hemet, CA 92544. The March council meeting will take place at the Serros home on March 13th at 1:00 PM. Lenten Retreat Jan DeSpain Our presenter is Fr. Stephen Gross, OFM, Conventual. He will share Lenten Franciscan and Eastern Orthodox traditions. There is no cost for the retreat, but we will have an offering to thank Holy Spirit for the use of their facilities. Be there or be ! Serra Retreat Our annual Secular Franciscan Retreat will be held in Malibu at the Serra Retreat Center on May 23, 24, and 25. Fr. Dan Horan, OFM will be the retreat master. The theme of the retreat will be “Living our Franciscan Tradition Today: Prayer, Franciscans, Spirituality, and the Significance of Pope Francis.” It is recommended that we register early as this retreat is sure to be full. Applications were passed out at the January meeting. Janet and I are already registered. I am willing to drive and can get the van. Let’s make this a fraternity event. The Point at Serra Retreat Center The St. Francis and St. Clare Fraternity is sponsoring a Lenten Retreat at Holy Spirit Church located at 26340 Soboba St. in Hemet, CA on Saturday, March 7th from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Morning refreshments/food will be provided at 9:30 AM. No lunch is provided, so be certain to bring a lunch. Words of St. Pio The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain. March Calendar of Saints Saints’ Corner March 30th, St. Peter Regaldo St. Peter Regaldo was a Friar Minor and a reformer. He was born at Valladolid in 1390 to wealthy parents of noble birth who were known for their virtue. He lost his father in his youth and his mother piously educated him. At ten years of age, Peter asked to be admitted to the Seraphic Order, but was not allowed to do so until the age of thirteen. In the year 1404, Peter became to disciple of Peter de Villacreces who had introduced the reform of the Observance into Spain in 1397. In the convent at Agilera, Peter entered into the life of solitude, prayer, and poverty which he had desired above all things. In 1415, he became the superior of the convent at Aguilera and when Peter de Villacreces died in 1422, he also became superior of the convent at Tribulos. He observed nine, fasting on bread and water, and was given the gift of miracles and prophesy and every virtue. When his body was exhumed thirty-six years after his death, it was found to be incorrupt and was moved to a more precious tomb. Peter was beatified by Innocent XI on the 11th of March, 1684, and was canonized by Benedict XIV on the 29th of June, 1746. His feast is celebrated on March 30th. He is represented by flames bursting from his heart. 2 3 5 9 12 18 20 22 23 24 30 St. Agnes of Prague, virgin, II Order Bls. Liberatus Weiss, Samuele Marzorati, and Michele Pio Fasoli priests and martyrs, I Order St. John Joseph of the Cross, priest I Order St. Frances of Rome, religious, III Order Bl. Angela Salawa, virgin, III Order St. Salvator of Horta, religious, I Order Bl. John of Parma, priest, I Order St. Benvenute of Osimo, priest, I Order St. Catherine of Genoa, III Order Bl. Ludovico of Casoria, priest, I Order St. Peter Regaldo, priest, I Order International Day of the Unborn Child By Bill Bash, Knight and Friend of Francis The Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord is March 25th of each year. March 25th is exactly nine month from Christmas Day, the birth of Jesus. March 25th celebrates the day of the annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel came to tell the Virgin Mary that she would conceive the Lord Jesus. This was the day that the Virgin Mary gave her fiat, “Let it be done to me according to Your Word.” It is the moment that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb. God’s salvation for mankind was manifested in the flesh! Thus, it is not coincidental that St. Pope John Paul, II chose March 25th to be the International Day of the Unborn Child. This was the beginning of a nine month human gestation period that flowered at birth. Let us pray every day for international acceptance of a culture of life. On the March 25th feast, let us thank our Mother Mary for saying, “Yes,” and thank our God for life. Gospel, Conversion, and Reconciliation From The Franciscan Journey By Lester Bach, OFM, Capuchin 7. United by their vocation as “brothers and sisters of penance,” and motivated by the dynamic power of the Gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by means of the radical interior change which the Gospel itself calls “conversion.” Human frailty makes I necessary that this conversion be carried out daily. On this road to renewal, the sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father’s mercy and the source of grace. Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order During Lent, our thoughts naturally turn to the Gospel, conversion, and reconciliation. As brothers and sisters of penance, we need to think of penance as more of a way of life and less as something we give up for Lent. We need to use the time of Lent to make changes in our lives that will lead us closer to God. Father Bach quotes Father Bill Cieslak, OFM, Capuchin who told of someone who said, “I’m having trouble with an ornery neighbor. So I am going to give up chocolate for Lent.” This misses the point of being sisters and brothers of penance according to Father Bach. There is no conversion experience. Nothing changes, because, on Easter Sunday, we can go back to enjoying chocolate. This type of “penance” does not bring about radical interior change. Father Bach says that we need to “embrace the light of Christ.” The light will help us to recognize the areas of life that need conversion. Father Bach gives the example of washing windows. He tells of washing a window on a cloudy day and thinking it was a good job. The next day the sun was shining, and he was dismayed to see all the streaks he had left. When we live in the light of Christ, we will see the need for conversion more clearly. 1 John 2:10 tells us, “Whoever loves a brother of sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.” Because of our frail human natures, conversion must be an ongoing daily event. Some do not agree with this idea of ongoing conversion. Perhaps they are perfect or they do not see conversion as being needed daily. The rule answers them as it says, “…motivated by the dynamic power of the gospel, let them conform their thoughts and deeds to those of Christ…” Obviously, we have not fully conformed our thoughts and deeds to those of Christ. We are not yet perfect. Lent gives us a time to focus on what we need to do all year long. When we fail, we are blessed to have the sacrament of reconciliation. Rule #7 says, “On this road to renewal, the sacrament of reconciliation is the privileged sign of the Father’s mercy and the source of grace.” Reconciliation celebrates God’s love and mercy for us. Likewise, we need to forgive others. Jesus reminds Peter to forgive others seventy times seven. Reconciliation focuses on God’s gracious love for us. It is a part of our conversion and helps us to conform our thoughts and ideas to those of Christ. Mother’s Day Roses Stephanie is asking those of us who will be at St. Patrick’s on Mother’s Day to help with the sale of roses after masses. If you can help, please let Stephanie know. The proceeds will help the Respect Life Group. March Birthdays 3/14 Stephanie Thiebaux March Professions None Pray for our Military Justin Williams (Marine) Erica Borne (Air Force) Marcus and Dominic Fontenot Matthew Day (Air National Guard) Please Pray Charles Cushing Eilene Smith Judi M. Johnson Janet Serros Guadalupe Serros Anne Hurst Robbie Ward Barbara and Tom Turkowski Health and wellbeing of Betty Sonderman and her friends and family All caretakers for peace, strength, and comfort For the safety of those who are persecuted by terrorists and oppressive governments The end of human trafficking The end of domestic violence Isabella Keller, pancreatic cancer Lucille Adams, health and comfort Gerard Borne, Jr. for the peace and guidance of God in his life and for ongoing conversion Dennis Herron, conversion and health Keith Beard, conversion and health Shirley Hulse, health Elizabeth Richards, well-being/peace in family Mel Brooks Buford A. Johnson Obligations for the Professed of the Secular Franciscan Order Julie Bash Ara Sagherian, healing Rhonda Turkowski Adriana and Ruben Rose Cassandra Beddingfield and family Forrest Clark An end to abortion Sanctity of marriage Johnathan Kimball To join in Liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church, preferably the Liturgy of the Hours The wear the Secular Franciscan habit (Tau Cross) To examine one’s conscience daily To contribute to the Fraternity’s common fund according to one’s means To observe the commandments of God and the precepts of the Holy Mother Church To attend monthly meetings for on-going formation and community building To observe moderation of dress, recreation, food, and manner of life. To give good example, avoid disputes, and minister to the needs of others, especially the poor. Franciscan School of Theology The Franciscan School of Theology is now located at Mission San Luis Rey. According to an email from region, Secular Franciscans will receive a discount on tuition. Phone numbers are (760) 547-1800 or toll free (855) 355-1550. Change for Charity Please remember to contribute to our Change for Charity box. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to support our charities. Contacts Minister Janet Serros 951-242-7370 H 909-519-4448 C [email protected] Vice-Minister Denise Leslie 951-242-7778 [email protected] Secretary Dixie Marshall 951-485-2326 [email protected] Treasurer Julie Bash 951-242-3270 [email protected] Formation Jane Wurzel 951-247-4786 [email protected] Councilors Stephanie Thiebaux 951-961-0135 [email protected] Hermie Quevedo 951-242-3632 Infirmarian: Agatha Borne 951-943-2709 [email protected] Hermie Quevedo 951-242-3632 [email protected] Spiritual Assistant: Bill Mussatto 909-626-3777 909-920-9154 [email protected] Editor Dixie Marshall 951-485-2326 [email protected]
© Copyright 2024