Fraternity Newsletter for September, 2007

Immaculate Conception Fraternity (101)

Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region 61

Volume 21 Issue Number 6 June 2008

UPCOMING MEETING

June 14th, 2008

Mass 8:30 AM

30 min. Social time

Meeting to start approx. 9:30 AM

NOTE: OLD EDUCATION BUILDING TEEN ROOM St. Philip Benizi, Jonesboro, GA

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING REFRESHMENTS:

Drinks: Sylvan Thuente

Snacks: Eugenia West, Colleen Klinker, & Tiffany Hannah

Antiphonarian: Yone Daly

Scripture Reading & Responsorial: Sharon Griffies

JUNE BIRTHDAYS

3rd - Katia Thoman

7th - Barbara Reich

21st - Lynda Von Kanel

May your day and year be filled with much joy & blessings! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! .

GIFT OF GRACE HOUSE

The first Friday is June 6th

Please remember our fraternity’s commitment to fast and pray on the first Friday of each month for the Gift of Grace House. ONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO PURCHASE JUST ONE OF THESE ITEMS AND BRING THEM IN TO THE MEETING: Fruit Juice, Sugar, Sweet ‘n Low, Toilet Tissue, Clorox, Dishwasher Liquid, non-refrigerated Milk. Thank you!

SFO Fraternity Calendar

June

6th - Fast & Pray for Gift of Grace House

Council Meeting

13th - Fast & Pray for Holy Spirit Monastery

14th - Fraternity Gathering/Formation

SFO Rule - Part 1/Franciscan Writings

18th - Mass/Franciscan Crown Rosary

20th & 21st - Eucharistic Congress

July

4th - Fast & Pray for Gift of Grace House

11th - Fast & Pray for Holy Spirit Monastery

12th - Fraternity Gathering/Family Picnic

Picnic Park in PTC @ 10 AM

16th - Mass/Franciscan Crown Rosary

Immaculate Conception Fraternity (101)

Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis 

Region 61

MARY ELIZABETH BYRD, SFO

March 15, 1928 - April 20, 2008

     Mary Elizabeth Byrd, SFO was born March 15, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio to Philip and

Marie Holt. She had one sister, Cornelia, who preceded her in death.

Mary passed away on April 20, 2008 at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, Maryland. Mary was a domestic worker for many years and later become a chef working with several companies including the Hilton Hotel group. She retired with her loving husband John (who passed away March 21, 2007) and moved to Atlanta, GA in 1984 from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

     Mary was a loving, caring, and deeply religious person who worked many long hours feeding the poor of Atlanta with the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Mary loved music, sports (especially the Atlanta Braves and Falcons), traveling, movies, but more importantly she loved her family.

     Mary is joined in heaven by her devoted husband of 54 years, John; she is survived by a son, Michael; a daughter, Theresa; daughter-in-law, Annette; one granddaughter, Kristy Lewis and her husband, Demetrius; three beautiful great grandchildren, Jaylin, Jordan and Demetrius, Jr.; along with a host of cousins, other relatives and many, many friends. Mary Byrd will be missed dearly, she touched the lives of so any people.

     It was truly an honor and privilege to be present to send Mary off in a special Franciscan way to our Lord and Francis. After the Franciscan Habit was on her, I really think she smiled. Thank you to those that were able to be there to celebrate Mary’s life and show in a small way what she meant to us: Deborah Brehm, Bernadette Lasorsa, Joel

Alesi, and Gwen Brown.

Visit the website that our Web Minister, Dennis Mallon has set up: www.secularfranciscans.org

You may order his books on “Reflections of a Secular Franciscan” here at this site.

The Rule of the SFO

Chapter 1 - The Franciscan family, as one among many spiritual families raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, unites all members of the people of God—laity, religious, and priests—who recognize that they are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. In various ways and forms but in life-giving union with each other, they intend to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the Church.

Dates to note on your calendar:

ARG @ Ridgecrest, N.C.  August 8 - 10

Frat/Reg Retreat @ Conyers, GA August 29-31

NAFRA @ Nashville, TN

(Our region will be hosting)October 14-19

‘In order to become “Fully Mature with the Fullness of Christ,” (Eph 4:13, JB), the Secular Franciscan, called to holiness within the Church and prompted by the Spirit to deepen that calling, like Francis and Clare, through the Secular Franciscan Order, with its rich history and development, observes the Holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in community through a life of penance, through evangelical simple living, through a life of prayer, and through evangelizing with witness and the apostolate as a secular person with a lay mission by bearing peace and charity, by instilling justice and dignity, by being sensitive and loyal to the Church, and by witnessing to the Gospel in a public profession through the example and help of the Blessed Virgin Mary in intimacy with and conformity to Jesus the Lord.

Prayer Requests

Please notify Teri Williamson with your prayer requests:

Will2430@bellsouth.net or 770-477-5042

     Healing in Health related issues: Monte, Nicole, Cricket and her husband Jerry who has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, Jessica, Robert Murtha,(son), Joan, Teri, Jo Jo, Larry, Ken, Jason, Nancy, David, Joe, Pam, Nona, Max, Daniel, Micah, Abe, Mary Elizabeth, B.J., Mae, Ewart, Mary, Susan, Maria, Barry, Stephen Morrison, Willie, Jack, Rick Armbrecht, Michelle, Mr. Shaner, Jerry, Loribeth, Carol, Opal, Donisha, Jean, Cameron, Melissa, Danny, Sharon, Angie, Steve, Julie, Pat, Bob Murray’s son and 4 mos. Old grandson, Mike Bubrow, Robert Williams, Kay Fahey, Bridget O’Connell, Coddington twins, Chiara & Conor For Bret and Katia’s Pilgrimage Ministry, that doors will be opened so they can carry on God’s work in Italy

     For our family, friends and soldiers going through tough times that they see that they never walk alone.

     Cindy, Deborah and Kelly for a safe pregnancy and healthy baby & for all expectant parents Sharon Griffies, Tiffany Hannah and family for peace, comfort and strength & for RayAnna Childer’s children Brian, Gayle & Theresa, for comfort & healing.

     For those who have lost their way and have troubled home lives, especially for the children, that the Christian community will reach out to them in prayer and action

     For those without work, that they will soon have honorable employment

     For our sister, Mary Byrd,SFO may she rest in the peace of Christ and for her family to have peace and comfort.

     For our priest’s that they may be holy.

     Praise and thanksgiving for all prayers answered and for all those that pray for us.

     For Peace in our world and within each one of us

SECULAR FRANCISCAN RETREAT

(Theme to be announced)

August 29 - 31, 2008

     Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery 2625 Hwy. 212 SW Conyers, GA 30094

For Reservations please call: 770-760-0959 Or Email: monastery@trappist.net

Cost: $120 ($30.00 deposit is due 60 days prior to the retreat to hold your room. This retreat is open to the Region so do not wait too long to get your room reserved)

     Check in is anytime after 1 PM on Friday (Dinner is served at 5:45 PM) Check out is after Lunch on Sunday

     We will be doing something unique this year in that everyone is encouraged to bring a ‘Franciscan Tunic’ to wear for a special event to take place on Saturday. This is optional. Cricket will share details at the next meeting.

     If the whole world followed you, would you be pleased with where you took it?

START WITH YOURSELF

     The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop (1100 AD) in the Crypts of Westminster Abbey:

     When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable.

     As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

     And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

      From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

If you have information for the newsletter, please contact Sheila Geist at (770) 631-2890 or joegeist@bellsouth.net. The deadline will be the 20th of each month.

God is at work in you for His own loving purposes, and He puts both the will and action into you.--Phil. 2:13

Catholic Time Management - Part II

Assignment: Crate your mission statement

     You will be challenged to write your own mission statement, explaining who you are and what you stand for.

     In order to make one that’s truly useful, first jot down a few notes about your core beliefs and your priorities – not what you think you ought to believe and do, but what you really believe and do. For some people this can be an eye-opener.

It’s supposed to be.

     If your core belief is that material possessions will bring you happiness, and thus your highest priority is to get rich, be honest about it. Write it down. You may find that your core beliefs and priorities need adjusting - that’s an important part of this exercise.

     Your mission statement should be: A STATEMENT OF WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU - the principles that guide all of your life’s activities SHORT ENOUGH TO MEMORIZE -but long enough to sum up your life’s focus REALISTIC IN LIGHT OF YOUR STATE IN LIFE – not that you can’t have long-range goals! More on that later.

FORMULA FOR MISSION STATEMENT:

What is your state in life? (one sentence)

What general responsibilities does this state entail? (two sentences)

Where is it all leading you? (one sentence)

How does it relate to the teachings of Christ and God’s plan for your life? (one sentence)

Go ahead! Write up your Mission Statement before the next meeting. You’ll need it for the next session and especially if you are serious about getting control of your time.

Time Management Reflection Questions:

1. How does the use of your day reflect your Franciscan calling? In what ways do you live poverty, chastity and obedience: What do your think St. Francis would add to your day? Forbid?

2. As you reflected upon those activities that were mission or shouldn’t be part of your day - how did you react?

Have you begun to make any changes? Share some successes and challenges. “…oh, Brother Leo, write, this is perfect joy!

One winter day St. Francis was walking to the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels from Perugia with Brother Leo, and the bitter cold made them suffer keenly. St. Francis called to Brother Leo and said, “Even if one of our brothers gives sight to the blind, heals the paralyzed, drives out devils, gives hearing back to the deaf and makes the lame walk, write that perfect joy is not in that. And going on a bit, St. Francis cried out again in a strong voice, “Brother Leo, if a friar knew all languages and sciences, and if he also knew how o prophesy and to reveal not only the future but also see the secrets of the consciences and minds of others, write down and note carefully, that

perfect joy is not in that.” Brother Leo, in great amazement, finally asked, “Father, I beg you in God’s name, what is perfect joy?” And Francis replied, “When we come to St. Mary of the Angels, soaked by the rain and frozen by the cold, all soiled with mud and suffering from hunger, and we ring at the gate and the porter comes and says angrily, ‘Who are you?’ and we say, ‘We re two of your brothers,’ and he contradicts us and says, ‘You are not telling the truth, you are two rascals who deceive people and steal from the poor. Go away!’ Oh, Brother Leo, write, that is perfect joy! And if we endure all his insults and injuries with patience, oh, Brother Leo, write, that is perfect joy!”

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING REFRESHMENTS:

July

Fraternity Picnic

Bring your whole family

August

Drinks: Dolores Proper

Snacks: theresa Ryan & Sharon Graham

Antiphonarian: Lisa Liepold

Scripture Reading & Responsorial: Sharon Loiselle

September

Drinks: Carmen Madero

Snacks: Antoinette Irons & Bernadette Lasorsa

Antiphonarian: Joanne Suwinski

Scripture Reading & Responsorial: Barbara Reich

October

Drinks: Willie Guadalupe

Snacks: Cricket Aull & Rose Campbell

Antiphonarian: Laura O’Connell

Scripture Reading & Responsorial: Jan Pitts

November

Drinks: Laura Cleary

Snacks: Jerry Daly & Sheila Geist

Antiphonarian: Lori Moran

Scripture Reading & Responsorial: Jo Jo Mekolichick

December

Annual Fraternity Christmas

Reflection, Drawing & Social

St. Francis

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