Volume 10

Volume 10, Issue 3

July l, 2006

TAU CROSS REGION

The Newsletter of the Secular Franciscan Order for The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York

HAVE RECEIVED THE REPORT OF THE VISITATION MADE TO OUR REGION IN APRIL BY CAROL GENTILE, SFO, OUR National Minister and Fr. Bart Karwicki, OFM. Conv., representing the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants. Carol asked each fraternity minister (or representative) to talk about their greatest success and their challenges, so the visitors heard all the various apostolic works we are involved in. The report is generally complimentary. Each minister has received a copy of the report to share with their fraternity, as well as the minutes of the Chapter. There are two recommendations: more involvement of the diverse cultures in the region (we are working on this) and generating new leadership for the region; i.e. those willing to serve the Order. I will address the leadership issue.

Our next Chapter meeting in April 2007 will be our Election Chapter. It is not to early to talk about it. For various reasons, several council members will not accept nomination for the council again. This means others will have to be willing serve the Order. At elections in many fraternities, only a few people are willing to be nominated for office. A frequent excuse is “I have so many other commitments, I don’t have time.” These are not responsibilities to families or work-related, which of course must always come first, but being part of other religious and civic groups. There is nothing wrong with these groups; many of them do wonderful apostolic work, but they are not where Seculars Franciscans have made their profession. We are professed into the Secular Franciscan Order. This is who we are. We are Secular Franciscans. We may belong to many other groups, and “do” many other things, but we are Seculars first This is where we have made our commitment, our promise to live the Rule. Serving the Order, on any level, is part of that promise, that commitment; it has priority over other groups. Yes, you may have to let go of some things you are now doing, but you will receive many rewards serving your brothers and sisters.

In the late fall, each minister will receive a form to nominate Seculars for the various offices in the region, to be returned to the nominating committee. Everyone may nominate brothers and sisters to serve the Order; it is the fraternity ministers’ responsibility to give their brothers and sisters the opportunity to do so.

In the business conducted at the April Chapter, the Regional Fair Share was increased to $25 for each active member, starting in Jan. 2007. Thank you to everyone who participated in making such a wonderful day, and to St. Adalbert Fraternity for again hosting the meeting.

When arranging for elections and visitations, please call several months before the date you have chosen. Those who have not yet had a visitation, please call me to arrange for your fraternity’s. Just as elections are required every three years, so to does the Constitution require a visitation within the three year term of office.

Our next Regional Day will be Nov. 11, 2006, at St. Joseph Church in Babylon. †

YOU ARE THE ANSWER

Regional Spiritual Assistant

(The following brief article in English is also repeated in Spanish and Italian.)

OMETIMES, AS SECULAR FRANCISCANS, WE CAN GET DISCOURAGED WITH WHAT WE SEE AND EXPERIENCE IN THE world. There are so many problems and no one seems to have the answers. There are wars, poverty, hunger, abortions, materialism, consumerism, pornography, rejection of the sanctity of marriage, so many divorces, fewer children, violence, and disrespect for the teachings of the Church.

As Secular Franciscans, we have to really, strongly and truly believe that we have the answer. The Gospel is the answer. We have to believe that. Our living of the Gospel life is the only solution to the problems of the world.

By living the Franciscan vocation to which you have been called, you are not a part of the problem, but you are part of the answer. By living the Gospel life, you are the answer. †

Algunas vecas, nosotros, como Franciscanos Seculares, vemos muchos problemas en el mundo. Niguno parece tener las solucciones o respuestas. Hay guerras, pobreza, hambre, SIDA, abortos, consumerismo, materialismo, pornographia, disrepeto de las ensenanzas de la Iglesia, y mucho divorcido y menos hijos.

Como Francisanos Seculares, tenemos que creer que tenemos las soluciones, las respuestas. El Evangelio es la respuesta. Tenemos que creer eso. Nuestra vivia del Evangelio es la solucion.

Nuestra vocacion es vivir el Evangelio. A vivia este Evangelio, somos una parte de la solucion. No somos parte del problema. Nosotros somos la respuesta. Pero, es necessario creer esto verdaderamente, y con valor. †

Il mondo moderno e’ attenagliato da moltissimi problemi. La guerra, il terrorismo, la violenza, nelle sue molteplici forme, la fame nel mondo, la poverta’, la pornografia, la prostituzione, l’aborto, la facilita’ con cui si divorzia, l’abbassamento della natalita’, l’unione di coppie dello stesso sesso, la lotta contro l’insegnamento della Chiesa, ecc...

I Terziari francescani hanno un mezzo per risolvere questi ed altri problemi. San Fracesco d’Assisi ci ha detto di nutrirci spiritualmente della Buona Novella proclamata dal Santo Vangelo. Noi Terziari Francescani vivendo i valori evangelici diamo una riposta positiva al mondo secolarizzato d’oggi. †

Bill Sosnicki, SFO

S PART OF OUR ONGOING FORMATION RESOURCES, WE SHOULD CONSULT STATEMENTS PUBLISHED BY THE U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Such material could lead local fraternities into a discussion on present day Peace and Justice issues, and also help to keep us informed.

On January 12, 2006 the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops presented their position on the war in Iraq, Toward a Responsible Transition in Iraq. It was written by Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, who is Chairman of the USCCB Committee on International Policy. The report begins with a summary of events of the war in Iraq. Bishop Wenski stated that "...almost three years after the initiation of war, the situation in Iraq remains complex, uncertain, and dangerous—for the Iraqi people, for the region, for our nation, and for our military personnel." The Bishops do recognize such achievements as a dictator being deposed, and elections being held , but the human and social costs have to also be acknowledged.

It should be noted that the U.S. Bishops had serious reservations about the United States entering into war with Iraq. “The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church” states: “Engaging in a preventive war without clear proof that an attack is imminent cannot fail to raise serious moral and juridical questions." The Bishops feel that it is both necessary and patriotic to ask questions concerning the situation. Also, the Conference clearly states that: “Raising grave moral questions regarding the decision to invade Iraq is not to question the moral integrity of those serving in the military.” What the U.S. Bishops would hope for is that their reflections will contribute to a dialog to help our nation chart a way forward, that responds to both the moral and human aspects of the Iraq situation.

The report goes on to discuss several moral issues. For example, it is not simply a matter of whether to stay in Iraq or leave. Rather, our nation has a moral responsibility to stay committed to a policy of responsible transition. A transition which will bring security and stability for the people of Iraq under their own control. The presence of our military must be an Iraqi decision that respects the sovereignty of their people. We are also reminded that human rights, religious liberty, concern for refugees, helping the poor at home and abroad are also our responsibilities. Finally, the U.S. Bishops believe that the U.S. must now live up to its moral responsibilities. The complete report may be found on the U.S. Bishops’ website.

Ray Hardwick, SFO, who is a member of the National Peace and Justice Commission, reminds us of a similar situation in one of his articles. He mentions that the war in Iraq resembles what was going on in the Middle East when St. Francis went to see the Sultan. St. Francis was very good at prayer. Please pray to St. Francis to intervene for us so that peace may be achieved. †

Q1: I am confused by some terminology; some longer-professed used different terms. Are they interchangeable?

A: No. Our SFO Rule was revised in 1978, to make it more “user-friendly”. That is, the emphasis is on life lived in fraternity, which is “family.” Here are some current terms (shown in BOLD) and the ones they replaced (shown in italics):

Q2: On the Fraternity Annual Report, we were asked the number of “active professed”. Are there other categories of professed?

1. Active professed: those who regularly attend gatherings and contribute to the fraternity common fund, or those who the fraternity has excused from these obligations (usually due to age or infirmity, such as becoming homebound or residing in Nursing Homes).

2. Lapsed: professed brothers and sisters who do not regularly attend gatherings and have not been excused from this obligation.

Q3: Do we pay the fair share contribution for brothers and sisters who do not attend fraternity gatherings?

A: The fair share contribution is expected for all active professed (see above) but not for lapsed.

A: Yes. The fraternity council should make every attempt to encourage the missing brother/sister by phone calls, notes or personal contact. If the brother/sister fails to respond, he/she is to be formally given notice that their status has been changed to “lapsed.” This is best done by letter from the fraternity council, with a copy to be kept in the fraternity records and notation made in the Fraternity Register. [NOTE: Contact the Regional Secretary for sample letter.]

A: Yes, but is doesn’t happen often, thank goodness! It could happen in the following situations:

1. voluntary withdrawal: a brother/sister could request release from their promises; for example, the brother/sister wishes to join another Order

2. dismissal for serious cause: you do not have the authority to “dismiss” anyone from the SFO. If a serious matter arises, the fraternity council should discuss the matter with the brother/sister involved; if there is no resolution, contact the Regional Minister for further advice.

3. Those brothers/sisters you have designated “lapsed” (see above) are dropped from your fraternity but not from the Order; we hope that they may some day return to either your or another fraternity.

A: It is the responsibility of the brother/sister to find a fraternity in their new area. They could seek assistance from the Regional Secretary in finding a new fraternity, even if it is another state. The fraternity secretary should make a notation in the Fraternity Register and then advise the Regional Secretary so that the name can be removed from your fraternity roster; the brother/sister is kept as a part of the Regional Fraternity until a transfer can be arranged.

A: This is a very good question. Some suggestions might include fraternity retreats or days of recollection, fraternity outings (such as picnics), Bible sharing, group visits to brothers/sisters who are homebound or in Nursing Homes. [Please let us know what your fraternity is doing in this regard. We will publish your responses in a future issue.]

On April 23, in Merrick, Christine Alves and Janet Zink were admitted into Cure of Ars Fraternity. Frank DeVito, Minister, presided. Deacon Robert Campbell SFO was Witness.

On April 23, in South Ozone Park, Jean Thomas was admitted into St Michael Fraternity. Radames Rosas, Minister, presided. Rev Matthias Wesnofske, OFM Cap was Friar Witness.

On March 14, at Oceanside, Maureen Collins and Geri Kozlik were professed into Our Lady Queen of the Atonement Fraternity. Eileen Ostendorf, Minister, presided. Deacon James O’Neill SFO was Friar Witness.

On May 17, in Elmont, Linda & Louis D’Arco, Kim Merlo, Edward McDonald, Rose Munday and Linda Notarnicola were professed into St Boniface Fraternity. Marie Parisi, Minister, presided. Rev Matthias Wesnofske, OFM Cap was Friar Witness.

On May 19, at Rocky Point, Caroline Kush was professed into Our Lady Queen of Angels Fraternity. Pete D’Amato, Minister, presided. Rev Matthias Wesnofske, OFM CAP, was Friar Witness.

On June 15, at Wyandanch, Barbara Kretkowski was professed into Holy Poverty Fraternity. Pauline DiCicco, Minister, presided. Fr Matthias Wesnofske OFM Cap was Friar Witness.

38 brothers and sisters, representing 10 fraternities, attended the annual Regional Retreat at Cormaria on April 25-27. Fr Gregory Noel, OFM Cap, the Retreat Master, gave us many insights on Franciscan spirituality.

Silent Retreats at Church of St John the Baptist, 210 West 31^st Street, NYC: Saturdays 4 to 10 pm. Contact Brother Salvatore Patricola OFM Cap, (212) 564-9070 ext 247

Day of Recollection, August 19: St Lawrence of Brindisi Fraternity, at Our Lady of the Island shrine, Eastport

Day of Recollection, September 28: Our Lady Queen of Angels Fraternity, at Cenacle Retreat House, Ronkonkoma

Regional Chapter of Elections, April 28, 2007: St Adalbert Parish Center, Elmhurst

Frank Drollinger, SFO, Editor

“...you’ll never view ‘The Last Supper’ the same way again.” So says one of the endorsements of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. The release of the movie is a good time to take a look at this bestselling novel, which attacks the divinity of Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of the Church.

A number of good books set the record straight. EWTN ran interviews with such authors. Christian magazines, such as Crisis and Christianity Today have good articles. Opus Dei has information on its website and recommends two books: Amy Welborn's De-Coding Da Vinci, and The Da Vinci Hoax by Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel. Human Events and National Review have online articles.

The Da Vinci Code type of attack on the Church has occurred all throughout history. It falls into a type of thinking—gnosticism—familiar to those who study the history of religions. Gnosticism has been with us for longer than Christianity has. It involves the claim to secret knowledge by a few individuals.

Conspiracy theories like The Da Vinci Code are a cousin of gnosticism. The writer claims to be exposing knowledge that’s been deliberately kept secret: Hitler is still alive, Elvis is still alive, the Holocaust never happened, etc.

The Da Vinci Code is fiction that gives the impression of being based on well-researched facts. The author maintains he did research and his ‘facts’ are true, but it appears the ‘research’ is little more than window-dressing added to speculation he found in other books from the 1980s. Yet the period of time he’s dealing with goes back to the time of Christ.

I think Brown gained his audience because enough of us will accept what he says without checking, which is time-consuming. Also, truth makes demands. Christ’s Gospel message is truth, and there are consequences to accepting it. It calls us to change our lives.

When we truly believe the Church’s teachings, we know that attacks on these teachings are in error. If we haven’t the time or ability to do the research, we rely on those we trust. In any case, we accept responsibility for our own beliefs, and not subject them to re-proving themselves.

One problem with the book is that its ‘facts’ are often really negatives. For example, it says that Christ would have been married because all Jewish men of the time were supposed to get married. But how can you prove that Christ was not married? How can you prove a negative? How can you prove that someone doesn’t have car insurance?

The question really is not ‘is this false?’ but ‘is this true?” Brown says that the Gospels were changed in the 4^th century. But the proofs are there, that they say now what they did at the beginning. Even the Church’s enemies, right back at the start, verify this, because they quoted those Gospels when they attacked the Church.

Faith can look like platitude. There is something about truth that makes us yawn and say, “Yes, of course, but...”. Truth only has power when you let it get personal; when, in this case, it dawns upon you what is meant by a personal God: Truth is a Presence.

Our belief rests on faith, and its real proofs are those of faith. Faith starts from the witness of others, such as the martyrs, who did not give their lives for some secret symbols but for Christ. Faith is a decision, and it brings a type of knowledge. Without faith, we’re sitting ducks for any error. As Chesterton once said, those who do not believe in God will believe anything else.

The Da Vinci Code relies on the rejection of authority. But while some think they reject authority, they really accept a different authority—that of the dissenter, of the skeptic, of the person who mocks traditional authority. The Da Vinci Code attacks the authority of the Church, by getting us to accept the authority of Brown. But the rejection of authority really involves the rejection of tradition, and replaces that authority with the individual’s own judgment. But—and this is crucial—when I reject tradition, I reject history. I have no valid authority against which to test whatever I hear.

How many people have taken serious courses or read books in Church history or apologetics? There is no substitute for knowing the truth, which comes from outside us: we do not manufacture truth, we can only recognize it. We have to decide that there really is such a thing as truth, and that we can know it. We cannot live without this belief in objective truth.

This book may be one of the things to bring back serious study of Church history and apologetics. Some, such as Cardinal Rigali of Philadelphia, regard it as a teaching moment. After all, many of the doctrines of the Church were simply believed, without any formal declarations, until a real challenge prompted serious and effective statements of those beliefs.

Please send items of interest about your Fraternity - Elections, Professions, Anniversaries, Events, Recognition - to Regional Secretary Bob Campbell, 135 Centre Avenue, East Rockaway NY 11518 (or email to arcyc@aol.com)

The TAU is published quarterly, in January, April, July and October by the Tau Cross Region. Articles by Fraternity members are welcomed, and are reviewed. If accepted, they may be edited in the interest of brevity or to maintain publication standards. Please submit copy by the 10^th of the month prior to the publication month.

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Please address inquiries or letters to Frank Drollinger, SFO, Editor, The TAU 89-14 85^th St. Woodhaven, NY 11421 Phone: 718-296-1756 or mailto:fdrollin@aol.com