Newsletter April 07

Volume 11, Issue 2

April, 2007

TAU CROSS REGION

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

Y THE TIME YOU READ THIS, MY THREE YEAR TERM AS YOUR MINISTER WILL BE OVER. AN ELECTION WILL HAVE BEEN HELD. I MAY OR MAY NOT be the next minister elected to lead the region for the next three years. Either way, I want to report on the State of the Region. I have presided at many elections, and have done many visitations; our fraternities are welcoming and hospitable. It is uplifting to experience the various ways Seculars live the Rule, going from Gospel to life and from life to Gospel. We serve the poor, not only in our region, but through out the world by our participation in the Youth Commission’s H20 Project, that brings clean water to those without it, and also by our participation in the perpetual novena to bring peace to Darfur.

I have attended the NAFRA meetings, in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, and represented the region at the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn celebration in Centerport, at the Poor Clare opening of their new monastery in Wappingers Falls, and the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of St. Mary/St. Joseph Provinces celebration of their 150 years of service in the United States. I also attended the Franciscan Ecumenical Workshop at the Little Portion Friary in Mt. Sinai. Last April was our National Visitation; Minister Carol Gentile’s report had many good things to say about us

Saints, in Brooklyn and St. Thomas, our Syro-Malabar brothers and sisters, in the Bronx. Unfortunately, the Peace on Earth/Pope John XXIII Fraternity in Brooklyn has been deactivated. We have established the annual Regional Family and Peace Awards. Our regional guidelines have been revised and approved.

For our Fall Regional Gathering, we have had guest speakers, Anne Mulqueen, SFO, Fr. Richard Trezza, OFM, and Lori Pieper, SFO. As a region, we concentrated on increasing vocations, with monthly articles, flyers, meeting announcements in local papers; this also included my television appearance on Telecare, promoting the SFO. Each April

Included in this newsletter is a special insert on St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Patroness of the Secular Franciscan Order, in celebration of the eight hundred years since her birth and reflecting on how she lived as Secular and how it is relevant to us in today’s world. The region is also producing a Prayer Card of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, honoring her as our patroness, and the 10^th anniversary of the Tau Cross Region.

When I first became Minister, these words from morning prayer spoke to me. “Fulfill the good works you have begun in us Lord.” There is much “good work” being done in the region; we shared that with each other at the Fall Gathering in 2005. One of the good works that is happening is the number of fraternities who are working together sponsoring retreats, days of recollection, food

collection, holiday parties, visiting other fraternities. There is even a group of ministers and Seculars who meet informally for ”breakfast at the diner”.

The work of the region is done by the Council with the Minister. My heartfelt thanks to the council, Al Rocco, Bob Campbell, Gerry Crean, Bill Sosnicki, Teresa Teto, and Fr. Matthias Wesnofske, OFM Cap., for all the help and support they have given me.

The National Apostolic Commissions invites all fraternities to pray together the Peace Prayer of St. Francis at some time during the monthly meeting each month with the special intention of peace in the Middle East. If your fraternity decides to participate, please notify Carolyn Colburn at colburn@sonic.net Tell her the name of your fraternity and region.

Quinquennial Congress, July 3-8.This is a Gathering of Secular Franciscans from all over the country, at the Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh Green Tree, 101 Radisson Drive, Pittsburgh, PA. 15205 Tel.412- 922-8400. See the web page, www.radisson.com. This year’s theme is Multiculturalism. This Congress is a gathering of Secular Franciscans from all over the country. There are speakers, prayers, Masses, but the camaraderie that develops among the Seculars is from just being together, sharing with each other in the hallways, eating together, living in community with each other for five days.

Registration forms are in the Spring 2007 issue of TAU-USA or online at www. nafra-sfo.org

Family and Peace Award applications for 2007 will be available at the Chapter Meeting, April 28, or you may call me (516 221-9619) or e-mail JPON2@aol.com and I will send them to you. All nominations must be received by June 15, 2007. †

Bill Sosnicki, SFO

E ARE WELL INTO CELEBRATING THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF ST. ELIZABETH OF Hungary. There is much activity taking place, and we can learn much from this wonderful Saint. Our sister and International Minister General of the Secular Franciscan Order, Encarnacion del Pozo, has asked us to take two years for this celebration. She has, in a letter forwarded by her, stated that a Commission has developed "a special program of formation and reflection on the life of Saint Elizabeth and its spiritual implications, tracing a parallel with the documents of our Order." The program has twelve themes for each year, and additional information may be obtained from the Order's International Web page (CIOFS). I am enclosing below a copy of the Formation Outline. I think it will be very helpful for your Ongoing Formation in your fraternities, as well as a program that could be utilized by a small group of people or individuals for their own growth.

FORMATION PROGRAM FOR THE BIENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE 8TH CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF SAINT ELIZABETH OF HUNGARY

2. Youth and formation/Giving up things for God, this home and the heavenly one/

3. Marriage/The spirituality of marriage, as a secular state of life/SFO document:

4. Parenting/Children are presents of God, whom we have for a certain period of time./SFO document:

5. Vital reciprocal union/Meeting Franciscan Family, the Church, Spiritual direction/SFO document:

12. Death and dying/Weakness of our bodies; how we deal with sickness/SFO document:

Please keep in mind that this is only an outline. Please refer often to the International Secular Franciscan Order's Web page (CIOFS or www.ciofs.org) for much changing and updated information in regards to this material during the next two years.

"We invite all of you to re-discover Saint Elizabeth, her Christian and Franciscan commitments and her values of love and mercy, faithful reflections in her life of the Love and Mercy of the Father, to which she deeply vowed herself. And as Saint Elizabeth said herself, which will be the motto of the Centenary, "Give to the Lord what you have with joy and cheerfulness"." †

On April 16, 2006, in Babylon, Carl D’Angelo was admitted into St Agnes of Assisi Fraternity. Dan Volpe, Minister, presided. Deacon Mike Hayden witnessed.

On October 21, 2006, in Brooklyn, Anna Gallio, Maria Garello, Francesca Ligotta, Louisa Palazzolo and Crescenza Sarota were admitted into St Finbar Fraternity. Clelia Savarino, Minister, presided. Rev Adolpho Giorda witnessed.

On October 30, 2006, in Elmhurst, Eugene Cassidy, Margaret Francis, MaryAnne Page and David Rubira were admitted into St Adalbert Fraternity. Connie Watz, Minister, presided.

On January 27, in The Bronx, Inge Parker was admitted into St Barnabas Fraternity. Kathleen McElligott, Minister, presided.

On January 28, in Rocky Point, Robert Heslar was admitted into Our Lady Queen of Angels Fraternity. Pete D’Amato, Minister, presided.

On March 13, in Oceanside, Mae Ann Barrella was admitted into Our Lady of the Atonement Fraternity. Mary Alice

On April 17, 2006, in Elmhurst, Joanne Burns, Camela Cangialosi and Elizabeth Galvin were professed into St Adalbert Fraternity. Connie Watz, Minister, presided.

On January 26, in Babylon, Marie Cadet was professed into St Agnes of Assisi Fraternity. Al Rocco, Minister, presided. Rev Seth Arwo-Dogu witnessed.

On February 11, in West Hempstead, Maureen Collins, Gloria Jiminez and Evelyn Samuels were professed into St Bonaventure Fraternity. Jane Krull, Minister, presided. Rev Matthias Wesnofske OFM Cap was Friar Witness.

February 10: All-Day Retreat, sponsored by Immaculate Conception Fraternity; Retreat Master Fr Nick Mormando OFM Cap. In addition to fraternity members, parishioners and neighboring fraternities attended.

 “Christ in the City”, Retreats at Church of St John the Baptist, 210 West 31^st Street, NYC: Saturdays April 21, May 19, June 23, 4 to 10 pm; contact Brother Salvatore Patricola OFM Cap, (212) 564-9070 ext 247.

 April 17-19, 2007: Regional Retreat, Cormaria Retreat House, Sag Harbor. Cost $160; contact Bob Campbell for information/reservation.

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

 May 20: Day of Discovery, New Pentecost Fraternity, St Matthew Church, Dix Hills, 1:30-4:30.

 June 16, Day of Recollection, co-sponsored by Blessed Raymond Lull and Our Lady of Atonement Fraternities, Tabor Retreat Center, Oceanside.

Come and see how Franciscan life can lead you to a life of devotion, simplicity and Gospel values. Being part of a Franciscan Order could be for you the glue which brings together the things that you know that will bring Jesus closer.

Francis loved the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, Mother Earth, Brother Sun, Sister Moon and the Holy Catholic Church.

Members of First, Second and Third Orders of St. Francis will be present to answer questions.

had first learned of Saint Francis when I was 16 years old, from reading a book lent to my sister Maureen (who is now a Franciscan also) by my Uncle John. I fell in love with Saint Francis but, being a teenager...well, you know how it is. It was not until years later that I came across the Third Order of Saint Francis (now known as the Secular Order of Saint Francis).

I found that they held their monthly meetings in my parish church, which at the time was Saint Barnabas, in Bellmore. I went down to inquire and liked what I saw. Everyone was so friendly and made you feel welcome. At that time, Al Rocco was the Prefect (the term used at that time). He came right over and introduced himself and we spoke about Saint Francis and the Order. It is good to know that there are people who feel about things like you do, and to get that support that is needed in this world.

Charlie Wilkins, who was the Formation Director of the fraternity at the time, had organized a weekend retreat for the upcoming candidates from different places, and what a wonderful experience that was. By the end of the day we had met and shared with everyone our thoughts and feelings on becoming a member of the Franciscan Family.

One thing that I have benefited from was the closeness I experienced with others in my formation group, particularly once I became a novice (now called a candidate). We were all different ages but we were all so young (as the spirit has no age) and enjoyed each other’s company. The ages ran from the 20s to the 80s. The second thing was the leadership and contagious enthusiasm of Ann Masso, who at the time was our instructor. I enjoyed my lessons so much, as we all did, that I looked forward to this time each month. >

This was, of course, the experience of community, of fraternity, that is so much a part of the Franciscan life. We had days of recollection at different places, and bus trips. The response to these was very favorable and everyone enjoyed same. As a professed member, I served on the council and each month, everyone would speak and give their report, and if there was anything someone wanted to share or any new ideas, they were welcomed. Brunch always followed. During Christmastime we would get together, eat, sing Christmas carols and be merry. While serving as Minister Ann would also do the bulletin and some of us would get together occasionally and stuff envelopes, etc., which didn’t seem like a chore at all. Those were the days.

I’m grateful for my vocation, which lead me to such unexpected experiences and friendships. I’m also grateful to Ann’s leadership, which always seemed, in one way or another, to be a part of the fraternity life. As she served as Formation Director, Minister, and on the regional level, Ann was always close to us, and was always open to new ideas. Ann will never get old because she is a young spirit (young at heart) which is a gift from God and will be sharing herself in other capacities as God sees fit. She loved to have us together for discussions and socials at her house, and I can’t help but think that this was one of the reasons why we have had such a successful fraternity. We used to joke and call her house the House of Prayer. Spiritual and worldly enjoyment were so easily combined. †

Frank DeVito, Minister of the Cure of Ars Fraternity, sent us a copy of an article in the Dec. 27, 2006 edition of The Long Island Catholic, which gave notice of a “writing contest”, called the Simon Scanlon Awards, being conducted by “The Way of St. Francis”, a magazine put out by the Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Barbara.

The topic for the contest is “the influence and relevance of Franciscan life, spirituality, and history and how it relates to our world today.” The form of pieces submitted, which should be 1,500-2,000 words, may be an essay, a profile, a poem, a human interest story, or an interview. Submissions should address the general reader. The winners will be eligible to receive prizes of up to $1,000, and their entries will appear in the magazine.

Anyone interested in entering a piece in this contest can send it to ofmcaway@att.net. More information is available at the Franciscan Friar website, www.SBFranciscans.org, or by calling 916 443-5717. Entries must be postmarked no later than Oct. 4, 2007.

A Christian philosopher once wrote, There are areas of my life where the Gospel has still not been preached. This reminds me that we talk of missionaries working in far-away places, but there’s another meaning to ‘mission field’. A missionary may travel to distant shores. Or he or she may also one have the task of relighting the faith in our own diocese and parish. We are all missionaries.

When we work to get rid of abortion, we are like missionaries, like The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, who work to change hearts. Our Rule tells us to trust in the presence of the divine seed in everyone, in the transforming power of love and pardon. The Helpers regard the abortion clinic as Calvary. Msgr. Philip Reilly, their leader, says, “We cannot establish a culture of life without the mother [Our Blessed Mother] and her Son. We start with offering the blood of Christ at Mass. Then, when we go out, we let the mother lead us. And she leads us to her Son, at Golgotha. Innocence being slaughtered.”

The recent Helpers newsletter (Jan. 7, 2007) relates experiences that leap off the page. For example they held a prayer vigil on December 9 at an abortion mill in Brooklyn. A nearby group of pro-abortion people sang blasphemous Christmas ‘carols’, but the Helpers kept praying. That day, some women turned away from the clinic. Prayer vigils were held in the following days, and many more mothers turned back—on one day 14 mothers changed their minds and kept their babies. One person reminded Msgr. Reilly that he had held a similar prayer vigil there, 16 years earlier, and that one of the women who had come that day for an abortion and changed her mind, because of their “prayerful presence”, now had a 15-year-old daughter who had just celebrated her birthday.

A Helper tried to give another woman some brochures. She said he had already given the material to her, six years back, and because of that she now had a daughter who was five, “thanks to you.” Still another woman said that she was a grandmother thanks to the Helpers. This was 18 months previously. Her daughter’s child was now “the joy of our lives. We are both deeply grateful to you. Don’t be discouraged. Keep doing what you are doing. It’s God’s work.”

Msgr. Reilly tells us that so many people are trapped in darkness, in the culture of death, and they are “waiting, without realizing it, for some Christians to bring to the public square, the God of Light, the Creator and lover of life. If not you, then who? If not now, then when?” You can look up this newsletter at http://www.helpersbrooklynny.org/news.htm.

Please send items of interest (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. Articles by Fraternity members are welcomed. If accepted, they may be edited. 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 fdrollin@aol.com