I'd Like to Say: We're All Called to Be Saints

By Lucy Fuchs

Despite our flaws, each of us is a saint in the making.

Pope John Paul II loves to “canonize” saints. As he goes about the world, reaching out to people of every country, he likes to raise to the altar some person or persons of that country who have practiced heroic sanctity. Most of the people who have been recognized by the pope are little known outside of their native lands. Others seem to be somewhat controversial. The pope’s purpose is to encourage us to aspire to holiness and to give us models for doing so.

This presents a problem. To begin with, although we read the lives of the saints and admire them, most of us cannot imagine ourselves in that sacred company. Of course, we know that, besides the

more “famous” saints, there are those who will never honored by the Church with miracles and a feast day. St. Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, wrote “to the church of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy, with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

He would have written that same letter to all of us because the Corinthians were struggling to make their faith active in their lives, just as we are. 

Saint-making 101

We need to talk about becoming a saint with a lowercase s—one of the millions of unnamed and unknown persons who have found God in their lives and loved God with all their minds, souls and hearts.

You know many of them and so do I. We had a secretary at the university, my alma mater, who was the most generous and giving person I knew. She died young, but even the week before her death she was eager to help anyone who needed anything. I also know a young teacher with great wit, intelligence and humor. He is the most profoundly prayerful person I have ever met.

But none of us can make ourselves saints. None of us can even say the name of Jesus in faith without his grace. It is God who reaches out to us, not we who first choose God. God reaches out to us every day in a million ways, so grace is always there. It all starts with God and it ends with God, and in between there are nothing but God-laden moments, although we may not always recognize them as such. 

Tough Act to Follow

We all have our favorite saints—the joyful St. Francis of Assisi, the gentle St. Thérèse of Lisieux, her older Carmelite sister, the strong and sensible St. Teresa of Avila. It is very Catholic and delightful, it seems to me, the way we feel so at home with the saints that we not only admire them and ask their intercession with God for spiritual favors, but also send them requests for the daily things of life. St. Anthony of Padua is a good example. Some of us remember the little prayer rhyme to him: “Tony, Tony, look around; something’s lost that must be found.”

Still, we tend to think that we can never imitate or measure up to most of the saints. We look at the saints who died for their faith—the martyrs—some of whom suffered horribly. Some of us are frightened when we think of St. Joan of Arc being burned alive, the torture that the North American Jesuit martyrs suffered in 1646 or the long and lonely prison terms of some of today’s martyrs. We shudder and hope that God will preserve us from those trials.

We think of the missionaries of old who left their homes and all that was familiar to them and headed off to serve God, which required immense sacrifices, sickness or even death. Some went with the disapproval of their families, which must have torn them deeply. These saints we cannot hope to imitate. They had a special calling from God that far surpasses our ordinary assignments.

We think of those who founded religious orders or established new types of service in the Church. Again, these people had a unique vocation. It is very hard to find on the Church’s liturgical calendar just plain everyday people.

Love for God and Neighbor

The reason is not that those everyday people do not often become saints. It may be because they do not have “lobbyists.” More than 80 percent of the canonized saints are clerics or members of religious orders. Since canonization takes so long, one needs a group dedicated to the work of seeing it through to Rome.

In spite of this, it is important for us to remember that those who have become saints did so not because of the so-called great deeds they performed, but because of the love of God and neighbor that drove them. We don’t have to look hard to find the truth of this. All we need are the words of St. Paul:

“If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.

“If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Seven Characteristics of the Saints All saints are filled with the love of God.

They have chosen God above all others and made a definite commitment to God.

In her book Saint Watching (Viking Press), Phyllis McGinley writes that saints are human beings with an added dimension. “They are obsessed by goodness and by God as Michelangelo was obsessed by line and form, as Shakespeare was bewitched by language, Beethoven by sound.”

All saints love other human beings.

It cannot be any other way. In the First Letter of John (4:20) we read: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” McGinley also says that, although saints may be different in many ways, they are always generous. You will never find a stingy saint.

All saints are risk-takers.

When God called, they answered. For some it was taking a chance on a new way of life in a new place. In the Old Testament, we have the example of Abraham, called at an old age to leave his country and to go to the place God had selected for him. Even today, it is difficult for older people to leave their level of comfort and to face the new and unknown. Abraham’s story is a marvelous example of trust in God, but even more so of a Abraham’s story is a marvelous example of trust in God, but even more so of a decision to plunge into the unknown. Like Abraham, saints responded to the graces that were given to them. Some were called to be popes, bishops, abbots or abbesses. Others found their calling in a quiet, reserved life, far away from the center of activity.

St. Julian of Norwich lived in a small cell attached to a church. She was even walled in, but that did not keep people away; they came to her and asked for her spiritual advice.

St. Catherine of Siena lived at home, not in a convent, as a person dedicated to God. People flocked to her, but not because she wanted them to.

Others, whose names are not well-known, lived simple lives among their families and friends, serving God with all their hearts, but never making a splash in the world.

The saints are humble, willingly and lovingly attributing to God all that they have and all that they will ever be.

Humility has always had a poor press; many people think that humility means saying derogatory things about oneself. Far from it! The saints showed their humility by using whatever gifts they had to perfection, but never attributing these gifts to themselves.

St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas were brilliant men and they did not go around saying how stupid they were. They did acknowledge, however, that all they knew was as nothing compared to the infinite wisdom of God.

Saints are people of prayer.

Some, especially members of religious orders, had entire days of prayer. Others found their time with God in other ways.

Dorothy Day—not canonized but recognized by many as a truly holy person— started her day with prayer but said that she met God daily in the crowds of the poor who came to her hospitality house. None of the saints saw prayer as a waste of time or as an activity for only the weak or naive.

The saints are not perfect.

Each of the saints had human flaws and faults. They made mistakes. Even at the end of their lives, they still found themselves in need of contrition, pardon and reconciliation.

St. Jerome, it is said, had a fearful temper. When another scholar of his time, a former friend, Rufinus, questioned his conclusions, St. Jerome wrote pamphlet after pamphlet blasting him.

St. Aloysius apparently had bad timing in his spiritual quest; the other novices were just as happy when he was not there. He was the kind of saint who did not seem to know how to enjoy the things of this life.

Some saints misunderstood their own visions. When St. Francis was told to rebuild the Church, he thought it meant the local church building. It is interesting and amusing to note that Jesus did not clarify the request for him until after he had exerted a lot of sweat and energy repairing an old church.

St. Joan of Arc was coerced into signing a retraction of her visions, although she later retracted that retraction.

St. John Vianney, “the Curé of Ars,” did not believe the children of La Salette concerning their visions of the Virgin Mary.

During the time of the Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy at the end of the 14th century and beginning of the 15th, when one pope resided in Avignon and another pope in Rome, saints found themselves on opposite sides of the rival popes, as confused as many of the common people were.

The saints are people of their times.

One wonders how anyone escapes being of his or her time. There were injustices around the saints that they did not speak out against. St. Paul did not condemn slavery but encouraged slaves to obey their masters. St. Thomas Aquinas considered women unequal to men. He believed their only task in life was to bear children. If we look at the lives of all the saints, we can certainly find faults. Far from discouraging us, this can give us courage. Perfection is not what we are striving for, unless it is as perfect a love as possible.

Saints Among Us

My father died several years ago at the age of 91. He did nothing that the world would call special in his life. He was the father of a large family. He worked hard and endured a loss of hearing for many years. And he always tried to follow the straight and narrow path as he saw it.

My father found real joy in going to Mass and celebrating the festivals of the Church. He was always the one who was there for us, saying the kind and understanding word, offering help when needed and knowing when to let go. God was very real in his life. His faith was always strong, and people said of him the most important thing one can say of a man, “He was a good man.”

I doubt if my father ever thought about being a saint. I do know that in his own way, he was one. And he, more than any priest or bishop or canonized saint, taught me what it means to live the humble, simple life of faith.

We laypersons must recognize our call to holiness. There are no class distinctions in the Church or in the Christian life. Nor are there any obstacles in the lay life that prevent one from striving and achieving a deep spiritual life.

We need to look at the obstacles and see them for what they are: opportunities. There are enough opportunities, enough suffering, enough challenges and, above all, enough grace for all of us to be as passionate about God as the saints are.

Lucy Fuchs earned her Ph.D. in education from the University of Southern Florida. She is the author of dozens of books, including We Were There: Women in the New Testament and Gifts and Giving (Alba House), as well as numerous short stories and articles. Dr. Fuchs has journeyed much of the world, traveling to 45 countries. She and her husband, Frank, call Brandon, Florida, home.

St. Anthony Messenger 2004

On Saturday Oct. 29th a nasty storm hit the Northeast. I could hear the snap from the tree limbs trying to hold on with leaves and heavy wet snow. I hoped to hear a thump rather than a crash. The thump meant the tree limb has fallen on open ground and the crash meant it hit something. On several occasions the limbs of the tree in my backyard fell on open ground and i was very thankful. Then about 1pm, I lost electricity.

All the daily comforts were gone. Then it hit me, we take a lot of things for granted, cooking, heat, a hot Shower!

For 2 1/2 days I could do none of these but knowing it would be temporary gave me comfort. Yes, I whined at the inconvenience  and realized that I should be grateful! 

There are so many whose similar situation is not as temporary as mine. It is there way of life! "Blessed Francis often repeated the words: "I was never a robber: by that I mean that for the alms which are the inheritance of the poor, I have always accepted less then I needed so that I would not defraud the other poor. To act otherwise is to steal." ~ St. Francis of Assisi (Legend of Perugia)

Sometimes we need to be without

in order to remind us to be thankful for what we have and to pray for all who are less fortunate than we are.

For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.    Lord, have mercy.

MEDITATION for the Month

Fr. Richard Trezza, OFM

Regional Spiritual Assistant

Peace and good to all of you!

Well, Summer is a distant memory - although we have been teased into thinking that it lingers still with some days of warmth. Autumn has been spectacular - at least down here in New Jersey. Everyone agrees that the foliage has been somewhat muted this year - but the hints of cooler weather and the appearances of sweaters ease us into the inevitable Winter. 

We here in the Northeast are content to take part in the progressive seasonal changes. We anticipate them and welcome the memories they bring of family customs, holidays, special foods, etc.  Even our liturgy is taking on some changes as we ready ourselves for some of the changes in translation which will make our experience of Mass even more meaningful. Even the readings are beginning to get us to think about the end times. As we say good-bye to green leaves then leaves altogether and also to the familiar formulae of our liturgical prayers, we begin to think of our own passing. Before you know it, we will celebrate All Souls Day and ask ourselves how it is we are making our journey to the eternal kingdom.

As Franciscans, this is not a seasonal question. As Penitents, Secular Franciscans ask that question often - or should. Our Profession (consecration and oblation ... gift of self to the Lord) has set the pace for letting go. Consecration - the setting aside of something or someone for God's exclusive use, is an ongoing transformation from seeing this world as the place which gives us all we need to be happy, to seeing the doing of God's will and eternal life as the be all and end of of all we do and are.

By the time you read this, NaFRA, the National Fraternity, will have met in California. The Chapter will begin with a Mass of Remembrance. This is perhaps a strange way to call brothers and sisters together for a fraternal week, but it makes absolute sense when you think about it. Calling to mind our deceased sisters and brothers is more than just giving thanks for what they accomplished for the Order and who they were for us. It is the moment of looking at our destiny squarely in the face and setting goals that set us in the direction of the Kingdom to come and also to re-order Franciscan lives that will benefit the Kingdom among us.

Read more...

October

The Month of Our Lady of the Rosary

+J.M.J.+
©Catholic Online 2004
by Monsignor Charles M. Mangan

It is well-known that the Church “dedicates” both May and October to the remembrance of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May’s commemoration is more general the Mother of God in all her splendor, whereas October’s is quite specific—Mary under her glorious title of “Our Lady of the Rosary.” This makes eminent sense. Before we venerate the Madonna, we must first know who she is. Before we lift our voices in the prayerful recitation of the Holy Rosary, which is insightfully hailed as “the Gospel in miniature,” we must know to whom we turn.

The focus on Mary during the second full month of spring may be likened to a student’s first two years at the university where he is enrolled in certain “core” classes: English, history, science, etc. October’s concentration on Our Lady and her Holy Rosary is similar to the business, philosophy or teaching-inclined collegian who “specializes” in his particular discipline during the last two years.

The Holy Rosary takes on deeper meaning when we come to acknowledge Our Blessed Mother and how she is related to her Divine Son and His Chosen Bride, the Church.

Father Luigi Gambero, an Italian Marianist priest who has considerable expertise in the study of the Fathers of the Church, identifies dozens of passages regarding Mary and her singular mission which were written in the early centuries immediately after the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In Mary and the Fathers of the Church: The Blessed Virgin Mary in Patristic Thought, Father Gambero demonstrates that our filial love for the Ever-Virgin Mother of the Savior and our sincere devotion to “telling the beads” are deeply rooted in the history, theology and practice of the Church.

For example, Saint Peter Chrysologus (c.380-c.450), Bishop and Doctor, whose Feast is July 30, was convinced of the necessity of devotion to Mary. He penned these words almost 1,600 years ago: “He who is not awestruck by this Virgin’s spirit and who does not admire her soul is ignorant of how great God is. Heaven trembles, angels quake, creation cannot bear it, nature is helpless—yet a girl carries God in her womb; she receives Him into herself and offers Him a dwelling place.”

For Saint Peter Chrysologus, such a truth evident in the following demands that the faithful everywhere honor that fair woman we salute in the Litany of Loreto as “the Cause of our Joy”: “Truly blessed is she who was greater than the heavens, stronger than the earth, vaster than the globe. For she alone contained within herself that God Whom the world cannot contain: she bore Him Who bears the world; she gave birth to her Father; she nursed Him Who nurtures every living thing.”

One may argue: “I don’t find anything in this text—or, for that matter, in any works of the Church Fathers—which advocates the praying of the Rosary, which is, after all, a much later development in Christian piety.”

Yes, the Rosary is a “later development.” Nevertheless, Saint Peter Chrysologus and the other Fathers of the Church lay the essential foundation. It is right and just that we invoke the Mother of the Master. She is close to Him in Paradise as she was here on earth. The Rosary is the ideal prayer. Pope John Paul II has conceded that it is his “favorite” prayer.

This excellent book, Mary and the Fathers of the Church: The Blessed Virgin Mary in Patristic thought provides salutary reflection especially in this month of Our Dear Mother whom we venerate with our Rosaries in hand.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, pray for us!

Blessing of Animals 

by Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M.

As autumn arrives, people in various places may notice something odd.

A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets.

This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.

Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.

Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for St. Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat!

That there are today over 62 million cats in the U.S. attests to the continuing affection we have for our furry, feathered or finned friends. We've even had a cat called Socks in the White House. Other popular presidential pets range from Abraham Lincoln’s Fido to Lyndon Johnson’s beagles, named Him and Her.

For single householders, a pet can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return. Many a senior has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature.

The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love.

No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated.

At Franciscan churches, a friar with brown robe and white cord often welcomes each animal with a special prayer. The Blessing of Pets usually goes like this:

“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

As the prayer is offered, the pet is gently sprinkled with holy water. Believe it or not, most pets receive this sacramental spritz with dignity, though I must admit I have seen some cats flatten their ears a bit as the drops of water lightly pelt them.

But the owner is happy, and who knows what spiritual benefits may result?

Usually the Blessing of Pets is held outdoors. But I remember it rained one year, and all were invited inside St. Stephen’s Church in Manhattan. It was quite a sight to see pairs of creatures—one human, one animal—sitting in the pews. The pastor joined right in with his beagle. Noah’s Ark was never like this!

Some people criticize the amount and cost of care given to pets. People are more important, they say. Care for poor of poodles. And certainly our needy fellow humans should not be neglected.

Some people criticize the amount and cost of care given to pets. People are more important, they say. Care for poor people instead 

However, I believe every creature is important. The love we give to a pet, and receive from a pet, can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life, into the wonder of our common relationship to our Creator.

Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M., is a Franciscan of the Holy Name Province.
Image © 2011 Captain Jack

Prayer of Saint Francis for Animals
God Our Heavenly Father,
You created the world
to serve humanity's needs
and to lead them to You.
By our own fault
we have lost the beautiful relationship
which we once had with all your creation.
Help us to see
that by restoring our relationship with You
we will also restore it
with all Your creation.
Give us the grace
to see all animals as gifts from You
and to treat them with respect
for they are Your creation.

We pray for all animals
who are suffering as a result of our neglect.
May the order You originally established
be once again restored to the whole world
through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary,
the prayers of Saint Francis
and the merits of Your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ
Who lives and reigns with You
now and forever. Amen.
St. Francis of Assisi, additions added later

Prayer for Mary's Intercession by St. Francis of Assisi

Holy Virgin Mary, there is no one like Thee born in the world among women, Daughter and Handmaid of the Most Highest King, the Heavenly Father, Mother of Our Most Holy Lord Jesus Christ, Spouse of the Holy Spirit:

Pray for us with St. Michael the Archangel and all the powers of Heaven and all the Saints before Thy Most Holy and Beloved Son, the Lord and Master.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, ...

Like Father Francis, I too have a great devotion to our Blessed Mother. As I was surfing the web, I came across a website from the Rosary Army. The Rosary Army is a non-profit Catholic organization that originally started solely as an apostolate dedicated to making, praying, and giving away all-twine knotted Rosaries and encouraging others to do the same. Well needless to say, I thought it was an awesome idea. What a great way to promote prayer and say thank you to our Blessed Mother  who has done so much for me! I watched the video and learned how to make knotted Rosaries! So far, I have given away over 35 rosaries since September.  I have become a Rosary Army Soldier! If you wish to receive a knotted rosary, please give me a call!  If you are interested in becoming a Rosary Army soldier you can visit their website:www.rosaryarmy.com

 So on this Month of the Rosary, I encourage you, to pray the Rosary everyday, enabling you to find peace and serenity in your life just I have found!

Pax Et Bonum!

Frances

Read more...

Once, when Francis was to preach before the Pope and the Cardinals, he had memorized a sermon which he had carefully composed.  When Francis stood in their midst to offer his edifying words, he went completely blank and was unable to say anything at all.  This he admitted to them in true humility and began to invoke the grace of the Holy Spirit.  Suddenly, he began to overflow with such effective eloquence, and to move the minds of those high-ranking men to compunction with such force and power, that it was clearly evident it was not he, but the Spirit of the Lord who was speaking.”  Major Legend of St. Francis by St. Bonaventure

Have you ever been speechless?  Being caught up in the moment, or standing in front of an awesome sight like the Grand Canon or Niagara Falls can leave on speechless.

During these beautiful summer days in the month of June the Church celebrates some of it’s most beautiful mysteries:  Ascension Thursday, Pentecost Sunday, Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi Sunday.  The mysteries of the Ascension, the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity… can leave one speechless and blank.  If you trust that the Spirit of the Lord is the one speaking to us through these mysteries we too, like Francis, will be filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Final Profession

Celebration

On May 15th during the 11:30 mass, Frances Acosta, Anne Collins, Janina Jelchocinski and Jeanne Reilly made Final profession vows after two and a half years of formation.
 Rosemarie Keegan renewed her sacred vows.
Special Thank You to Maureen Brennan & Clara Pascucci
who helped us through our journey.
The celebration continued with a light luncheon with our  fellow Franciscans, family and friends!
A great day at Sacred Heart Church!

The Dance of Joy

    It poured and it was very foggy. But the despite the fog as I sat in the tomb in which my Father Francis is buried I was able to see so clearly what God has called me to do! Two and half years later, I sit in the Church of the Sacred Heart Church getting ready to profess my life as a Secular Franciscan. It is pouring rain on this day and the fog is just as pronounced as in Assisi.

    What a beautiful day, I thought to myself, that I have come full circle. The journey set upon me by my Lord has only illuminated my heart to what I am meant to be. To continue the work set forth by my beloved Francis, to live, lead, preach, love and use words if necessary. My heart is filled Joy!
 Congratulations to my fellow classmates!

Pax et Bonum!
Frances

St. Anthony and the Child Jesus

St. Anthony Shrine,Ohio

St. Anthony has been pictured by artists and sculptors in all kinds of ways. He is depicted with a book in his hands, with a lily or torch. He has been painted preaching to fish, holding a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament in front of a mule or preaching in the public square or from a nut tree.
But since the 17th century we most often find the saint shown with the child Jesus in his arm or even with the child standing on a book the saint holds. A story about St. Anthony related in the complete edition of Butler’s Lives of the Saints (edited, revised and supplemented by Herbert Anthony Thurston, S.J., and Donald Attwater) projects back into the past a visit of Anthony to the Lord of Chatenauneuf. Anthony was praying far into the night when suddenly the room was filled with light more brilliant than the sun. Jesus then appeared to St. Anthony under the form of a little child. Chatenauneuf, attracted by the brilliant light that filled his house, was drawn to witness the vision but promised to tell no one of it until after St. Anthony’s death.
Some may see a similarity and connection between this story and the story in the life of St. Francis when he reenacted at Greccio the story of Jesus, and the Christ Child became alive in his arms. There are other accounts of appearances of the child Jesus to Francis and some companions.
These stories link Anthony with Francis in a sense of wonder and awe concerning the mystery of Christ’s incarnation. They speak of a fascination with the humility and vulnerability of Christ who emptied himself to become one like us in all things except sin. For Anthony, like Francis, poverty was a way of imitating Jesus who was born in a stable and would have no place to lay his head.

“The sea obeys and fetters break/And lifeless limbs thou dost restore/While treasures lost are found again/When young or old thine aid implore.”
—Responsory of St. Anthony

 

St. Anthony of Padua 
Doctor of the Church

Feastday: June 13
b.1195 d.1231

Saint Anthony was canonized (declared a saint) less than one year after his death.

There is perhaps no more loved and admired saint in the Catholic Church than Saint Anthony of Padua, a Doctor of the Church. Though his work was in Italy, he was born in Portugal. He first joined the Augustinian Order and then left it and joined the Franciscan Order in 1221, when he was 26 years old. The reason he became a Franciscan was because of the death of the five Franciscan protomartyrs -- St. Bernard, St. Peter, St. Otho, St. Accursius, and St. Adjutus -- who shed their blood for the Catholic Faith in the year 1220, in Morocco, in North Africa, and whose headless and mutilated bodies had been brought to St. Anthony’s monastery on their way back for burial. St. Anthony became a Franciscan in the hope of shedding his own blood and becoming a martyr. He lived only ten years after joining the Franciscan Order.

So simple and resounding was his teaching of the Catholic Faith, so that the most unlettered and innocent might understand it, that he was made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. Saint Anthony was only 36 years old when he died. He is called the “hammer of the Heretics” His great protection against their lies and deceits in the matter of Christian doctrine was to utter, simply and innocently, the Holy Name of Mary. When St. Anthony of Padua found he was preaching the true Gospel of the Catholic Church to heretics who would not listen to him, he then went out and preached it to the fishes. This was not, as liberals and naturalists are trying to say, for the instruction of the fishes, but rather for the glory of God, the delight of the angels, and the easing of his own heart. St. Anthony wanted to profess the Catholic Faith with his mind and his heart, at every moment.

He is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus, to whom He miraculously appeared, and is commonly referred to today as the "finder of lost articles." Upon exhumation, some 336 years after his death, his body was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally incorrupt, so perfect were the teachings that had been formed upon it.

Prayer to St. Anthony

Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find {mention your petition} which has been lost. As least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.

In his sermon notes, Anthony writes: "The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."

Read more...

Holy Week and Easter are fast approaching.  In our preparations for these days we can get lost in the details and planning.  I  invite all to enter deeply into the liturgical celebrations through prayer and contemplation.  The liturgies during these most special days provide a rich spiritual words and actions that prepare us for the coming of God's Kingdom.

On, May 2nd our Fraternity as Sacred Heart Parish will celebrate a special Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of John Paul II at 7:00PM.  John Paul II will be Beatified by Pope Benedict on Divine Mercy Sunday (May 1st).  John Paul had a special love for the Secular Franciscans and was deeply involved in our Order.  On November 22, 2002, John Paul II spoke these words to the Secular Franciscans meeting in Rome:

”You are called,” John Paul II affirmed, “to offer your own contribution, inspired by the person and message of St. Francis of Assisi, to hasten the advent of a civilization in which the dignity of the human person,
co-responsibility and love are living realities. You must study deeply the true foundations of universal brotherhood and create everywhere a spirit of welcome and an atmosphere of fellowship. Commit yourselves strongly to fighting every form of exploitation, discrimination and marginalization and every attitude of indifference towards others.”

Through our preparations and participation in these upcoming liturgical celebrations we can make our Fraternity and parish a "place of welcome and an atmosphere of fellowship" so that all will come to know the mercy and love of God.

LOOKING AHEAD

Sacred Heart's Food Pantry thanks you for all your donations. We will resume collections of food in June. We wish those members who have been unable to attend meetings recently to know that we keep you in our prayers. Eileen Powers is in charge of our apostolate to send a monthly card or note to absent members. Please see her for the name of someone at our next meeting. Thanks go to Ed and Olga Jakubek, Maureen Brennan, Mary Travers, Rosemary Dann, and Bernice Sutch for providing food for the Friday soup and salad lunch on April 1st and for their participation in The Stations of the Cross. LOOKING AHEAD---Special Mass in celebration of Pope John Paul II's Life will be held at Sacred Heart on Monday, May 2nd--Father Andrew will have details.--Our May meeting on Sunday, May 15th--will feature the Profession of Frances Acosta, Anne Collins, Janina Jelchocinski, and Jeanne Reilly and the Renewal of Profession of Rosemary Keegan--at the 11:30 a.m. Mass. This will be followed by a luncheon in the Church Hall. --
                May Council meeting is Saturday--May 7th after the 8:30 Mass

Living as an “Easter Person”
By Lorene Hanley Duquin
Whenever you experience something that is life-changing, energizing, transforming, or joyful, you catch glimpse of what it means to be an “Easter person.”
Easter Sunday celebrates the Resurrection of  Jesus.  The  word “resurrection” means “to stand up again.”
Jesus “stood up again” on Easter when he emerged from the tomb.  It is one of the great paradoxes of life.  What seemed to be over was just the beginning.  What seemed to be a terrible tragedy was transformed into the greatest miracle of all time.
As “Easter people” we know that goodness can overcome evil.  We understand that even in the darkest moments of our lives, there is a promise of new life, new hope, new energy, new possibilities.  We know that God can transform everything into something good – no matter how painful, boring, or difficult things may seem. We can be renewed, re-energized, recreated.
During this special time of year we have a chance to focus on what resurrection means in our lives.  
How will you experience resurrection in your life during this Easter season?  How will you live as an “Easter person”?
 Will you let go of bad habits, judgmental attitudes, or negative outlooks?
Will you let go of anger or resentment toward someone who hurt you?
 Will you ask for forgiveness from someone you have hurt?
 Will you reach out to someone who needs a kind word or a helping hand?
 Will you set aside time to work on your spiritual life?
 Will you stand up for something that is important?
 Will you say no to something that is wrong?
Will you try to cultivate a sense of gratitude for all of the good things in your life?
If your answers to any of these questions is yes, then you understand the power and the promise of being an “Easter person.”

 On May 2nd our Fraternity as Sacred Heart Parish will celebrate a special Mass of Thanksgiving in honor of
John Paul II
at 7:00PM.

A very special Meeting is
Our Regional Convivenza
Celebrating  the 15th Anniversary of Our Region
 Our Lady of Angels
Our Special guest Presenter is coming all the way from Minnesota.
He is Richard Morton, SFO, former National Minister and the architect of the Regionalization in the USA
His Theme is :
“Looking Back- Looking  Ahead”
WE ASK YOU TO BRING A BROWN BAG LUNCH--WE WILL HAVE TEA AND COFFEE--WE WILL  ALSO HAVE A MID-DAY MASS. IT IS A GREAT TREAT FOR US TO HOST THIS EVENT. A NUMBER OF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP TO PROVIDE SPECIAL HELP THAT DAY--BUT WE URGE EVERY MEMBER TO MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO SHARE IN THIS DAY. Sheila

WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN

We have been chosen to carry out his mission,
 to love and to spread his word in what we say and do. To be called Christian , we are bound by him- to live in him and through him.
By the gift of the Eucharist,
he feeds us
by His words he gives us direction
by those before us, He gives us an example.
For we too
need to be examples for those who come after us.
The definition of Christian is defined by us, our lives, prayer and love!
We have been called!
We have been Chosen!
                    Frances Acosta

HE CROSS AND CHRIST’S LOVE

Jesus came into this world for one purpose. He came to give us the Good News that God loves us,that God is love, that he loves you,and he loves me. He wants us to love one another as he loves each one of us. Let us love hi. How did the Father love him? He gave him to us. How Jesus love you and me?-by giving his life. He gave all that he had-his life- for you and me. He died on the cross another as he loves each one of us. When we look at me, your family, and everybody’s family with tender love. And God loves us with a tender love of God. “I have called you by your name, you are mine.”
                        Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

CHRIST, THE VICTOR

When this perishable body puts on imperishability,
and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The string of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ.
    1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Prayer
    Resurrected Lord, I join with all creation in celebrating the feast of your victory. Alleluias! The light of your resurrection gives new meaning to all of life. Death and sufferings no longer have the final word. You have conquered the night and death and brought us day and life. May the joy of Easter be with me always. renew me and fill me with your risen life as I seek to bring the good news of your resurrection to the world.
Celebrate new life by committing yourself to environmental stewardship, social justice, and respect for the dignity of all human life.

Read more...

Pope Benedict XVI’s message for Lent 2011 calls us to take seriously the reality of our Baptism.   “You were buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him.” (cf. Col 2:12)  Our Baptism frees us from sin and death.  We truly died with Christ on the day of our Baptism, and each day we live out that “baptismal death” by dying to our own egos, selfishness, envy and lusts.  And Christ, the first born from the dead, reaches out, grasps us by the hand, and raises us up to a new life with Him. 
   
What blocks us from living out this new life with Christ?  I believe the answer is guilt. By dwelling on past sins and failings we allow guilt to chock that new life Christ brings us.  Wallowing in guilt is really a very selfish thing to do.  St. Francis knew this and gradually pulled the weeds of guilt from his heart. 
Read the following words from Thomas of Celano’s           

The Life of Saint Francis:

He began to lose himself;
his feelings were pressed together;
and that darkness disappeared
which fear of sin had gathered in his heart.
Certainty of the forgiveness of all his sins poured in
and the assurance of being revived in grace was given to him.
Then he was caught up above himself and totally engulfed in light
and, with his inmost soul opened wide,
he saw clearly the future.
As that sweetness and the light withdrew,
renewed in spirit,
he now seemed to be changed into another man.


My prayer for all of you this Lent is to know the certainty of the forgiveness of sins and the love God has for you.  Let the darkness of guilt give way to the bright future of a new life with Christ.  Through our baptism and Christ’s resurrection “Salvation and power of God has come upon us and the accuser of our brothers and sisters is cast out (cf. Rev. 12:10)


Dear Fraternity,
I am going to be in Rome for Ash Wednesday and then at San Giovanni Rotondo, the home our Padre Pio.  The Vatican and the Capuchins are sponsoring a conference on "Reconciliation in the Modern World".  I will be with priests and Capuchins from all around the world leading and praying about ~ but more importantly, experiencing God's love and mercy in a world torn apart by sin.

I ask for your prayers and assure you of mine.
   
Fr. Andrew Nowak, OFM Cap

The Fraternity  made a donation of $35 this month to The Let's Share the Sun Foundation for their
fundraiser at Fordham Prep on March 19th to provide solar panels for a school in Haiti. As we progress through Lent--Sacred Heart Church is providing a soup, salad, and bread lunch at 11:30 on the Fridays of Lent. The repast will be followed by the Stations of the Cross at 12:30. Our Fraternity will be Providing the lunch on Friday, April 1st. We will have a sign up sheet at our March 27th meeting for this event.

What Is Lent?

Many times, children ask, What is Lent? As adults, we know it is a season of repentance and conversion, and a time of purification in which we are called by God with a much greater reflection and commitment. It is a time when we fast, for the good of our bodies and our souls. When the children ask us, Why do you give something up? We tell them it's not necessary to give up something for Lent, but we try to help ourselves to find out what we are attached to that might keep us from God. So, we show God how great is our love for Him. We do one thing everyday to help ourselves to not cling to something that might keep us away from God. And so, we can do one thing everyday that we might not like not because we have to but we do it freely without resentment or resistance. Its our way of saying yes to Jesus.
    We tell the children that during Lent we follow Jesus on the way of the Cross. Why? That was when Jesus told us that, Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up the cross and follow me. That's why many of us follow by walking around in our Church to pray the Stations of the Cross. When we stop in front of scenes that show Jesus in suffering and death, we can reflect on the way of the Cross more fully. During Lent, we learn to realize that following Jesus does not mean just going to Mass every week or being kind to others. To follow Jesus, we must follow the way of the Cross.
    We teach our children that during Lent we follow our Lord's path and do much to please Him that is saying YES to Jesus. Lent is a positive time a time for new life to appear and old attitudes to disappear. It is a time we celebrate the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection, a time when we are called to respond to God with greater reflection and commitment. It truly helps us to follow Christ more deeply in our daily life. It has been the Church's preparation for Easter.
    During this Lent, may we as Secular Franciscans respond to God with greater reflection and commitment, and follow our Lord Jesus more deeply in our daily lives and always say YES to Jesus.  Amen!

"Dear brothers and sisters, through the personal encounter with our Redeemer and through fasting, alms giving and prayer, the journey of conversion towards Easter leads us to rediscover our Baptism. This Lent, let us renew our acceptance of the Grace that God bestowed upon us at that moment, so that it may illuminate and guide all of our actions. What the Sacrament signifies and realizes, we are called to experience every day by following Christ in an ever more generous and authentic manner".
An excerpt of 2011 Lenten Message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI

Lent: The Season of Opportunity

    We are creatures of habit. We get up a certain time, we have weekly routines both at work and at home. Let’s admit it, we even have become creatures of habit in our spiritual lives as well.
What will we give up, becomes the topic just before Ash Wednesday.  Normally we choose things not “too out there” so that it will not throw off our “routine”. If we truly want to take up our cross and follow Christ, We MUST STOP! Mix it up a little, be SELFLESS! don’t think of what you can deprive yourself of and think of what you can give of yourself for others.
Volunteer, be generous with your busy time. Think about it, Isn’t that what Jesus Christ did for us?
Blessings!

Our Franciscan Sister Catherine of Siena 

Catherine of Genoa, a Secular Franciscan whose feast day is March 23rd, attempted to be a nun at the age of 13; however, she failed to because of her age. At 16, she married a man who was unfaithful to her. One day in Confession, she reformed her life and soon turned her husband's life also. Together, they dedicated their lives to works of charity. After his death, St. Catherine continued a life of charity. She died on September 15, 1510 and was canonized in 1737. Her last words before death were: Jesus in Your heart Eternity in Your mind God's will in all your action but above all, Love God's love  Entire love!

“May Lent be for every
Christian a renewed
experience of God’s love
given to us in Christ, a love
that each day we, in turn,
must ‘re-give’ to our
neighbor, especially to the
one who suffers most and
is in need.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Read more...

This past week 2 people have asked me to suggest a penance for lent.  Lent? I had to look at my calendar and saw that lent is just around the corner.  I had to ask these two people to give me some time to think about lent ~ to be honest, I had not given any thought to lent and was caught off guard at just how close Ash Wednesday is.

I racked my brain to think of a penance.  Give up chocolate?  Give up beer?  Say an extra rosary?  I had no clue and was getting frustrated.

While preparing for a talk on Franciscan fraternity I came across those words of Francis:
"Blessed is he who loves his neighbor as much when they are sick and can be of no use as when they are well and can be of use.  Blessed is he who loves and respects his neighbor as much when they are absent as when they are present and who would not say anything behind their back that he could not say charitably to his neighbor's face." Admonition XXV

This inspired me to think of how I treat others.  Is my neighbor someone I go to just to borrow a cup of sugar or a screwdriver?  Did God bless me with a neighbor to be there just when I am lonely or need something?   I am thinking about the above words of Francis and what relevance they have for lent.  I still do not know what penitential practice(s) I will do or suggest ~ there still is a little time to commit to something.  I am struggling with the above Admonition and see how I can apply it to lent.... Any suggestions?

Commitment



The Franciscan hand-
Leads
Feeds
Prays
Gives
Loves
All who need
The love of Christ
Who he himself found pierced
to set us Free
to be
to love
                                 Frances Acosta

HE NEED FOR THE APOSTOLATE

    From the beginning of history there have always been people in need. Jesus said "The poor you will always have with you." (Mt. 26: 11) When He walked on earth, one of His major ways of evangelization was in healing people from various types of afflictions. Some of those were insanity, mental retardation, muteness, deafness, blindness,leprosy, even death!
As we follow Jesus, we want to model our lives after Him. He said that He came to heal the sinner. The well person does not need a doctor, a sick person does. There exist almost as many types of apostolates as there are people in the world.

The fraternity, in observing the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, is required to have an apostolate in which every member can participate. The fraternity is called upon to use the gifts and capabilities of its' various members in determining a suitable apostolate. A fraternity that has many elderly and
disabled would not choose teaching square dancing to the mentally disabled. Rather, they
might visit the sick or set up a foster grandparents program. Homebound Seculars might be able to make telephone calls or write to the patients confined to bed as their part in the apostolate. All members can pray! As a new member of the fraternity, you are highly encouraged to find in what capacity you can serve the apostolate of the local fraternity.

The apostolate of the fraternity is a critical component of our secular order for two reasons.
    One reason is that in working on the apostolate of the fraternity, members get to know one another and thereby help each other to mature spiritually. The second reason is that Jesus used the apostolate as a means of evangelization and thereby to prepare us for His Father's kingdom. When Jesus evangelized the Samaritan woman at the well, "many Samaritans from that town believed in Him on the strength of the woman's word of testimony: 'He told me everything I ever did.'" (John 4:39) When a great healer comes to town regardless of the person's religious denomination, people flock by the thousands to be healed. When the miraculous healings occur, people are convinced of God's power and many conversions from sin happen.
The power of God is evident in the same way when we perform our apostolate. Whether we feed the hungry, work with abused people, shelter the homeless, visit the outcast in prison, counsel
and help pregnant women on the verge of an abortion, accept the mentally and emotionally disabled, help the handicapped, we are being Jesus to that person. Evangelization and apostolate must go hand in hand. This is why it is critical that each fraternity only have one apostolate and then allow it to grow and develop according to the numbers that God sends to the fraternity. One example of doing this is when the fraternity adopts the running of a soup kitchen for the poor as an apostolate. Since the soup kitchen is run by them and not some other group, they will incorporate prayer and teaching into it.
Thanksgiving should be publicly said before the meal. A teaching about God is recommended as part of the program. By necessity, the speaker must be very dynamic.
God will open the poor person's heart to hear the evangelist, but we must supply someone to teach or preach that can break through the barrier of their personal problems.There are many existing ministries, or new ones that could be developed to respond to a need.
    One of the newer ministries is domestic violence shelters. Others are programs where a person is asked by an abusive to live in their home to teach them correct family living. This would be a great
opportunity to teach Christian family living. There are programs to teach young mothers to properly care for their children. Volunteers are needed in all of these programs. There is an extensive ministry to the homeless in our society. The needs are growing day by day. Your fraternity could consider some small component of providing for the needs of the homeless. Some people have vans that they use to drive around at night to look for and help these people. Clothing, food, shelter, medical and dental care are needs. In conjunction with caring for all of the other needs, these people need to be nourished spiritually.
 

PROFESSION COMMITMENT
    THE CALL TO PROFESSION

    You have reached the end of your time of careful and prayerful study of the life of a Secular Franciscan. You are now invited to make your profession, that is, a public declaration officially received by the Church, whereby you promise to strive for holiness by observing the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order. How can this life be described and summarized?
Father Benet Fonck, O.F.M. describes it this way: The Secular Franciscan is called by God through the Holy Spirit to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the spirit of St. Francis and the heritage of the Franciscan Family within the world  and in a community of one mind and heart through a life of prayer (especially the liturgy), through an ongoing change of heart, and through Gospel poverty; and hence is called to build the spirit of brotherly love among people by inflaming the world with Gospel values, by bearing peace and charity, by instilling justice and dignity, by being sensitive and loyal to the Church, and by witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus in a public profession. All of this is done through the example and help of Mary, Francis, and the saints and in imitation of and in intimacy with Jesus Christ the Lord. Profession should take place during the Eucharist, because this special fullness of baptismal life which is sealed and confirmed emphasizes more clearly the task of witnessing to Jesus more effectively in the fraternity, in the Church and throughout the whole world. It is a ceremony showing forth the fact that now in a new way you give yourself to the Lord Jesus, and you are in a new way now sent forth by the Spirit for the work of the Lord. By profession you enter into a new relationship with the other members of your fraternity.
 

THE FRATERNITY
    In committing yourself to walking in the way of Jesus, you also commit yourself to your brothers and sisters. God does not call you to Himself except as a brother and sister. We belong to the brotherhood, a community, a fraternity. We learn about Jesus from the community of faith; so also we see Francis' Way by the aid of his followers. Committing oneself to the Lord to
observe the Gospel cannot be done alone; we need the help and support and prayers of our brothers and sisters. While the fraternity may only meet monthly, the members should care for each other, pray with each other, share with each other, as Jesus lives among us. 

BEGINNING AGAIN
 

Having made your profession in the Secular Franciscan Order, you have completed a task and entered a new world, only to begin again. It is a door through which you go to enter a new
life, a life of the Gospel, a life of the Beatitudes. You will begin to walk with the Lord in His life
and in His way and in His truth. You may become discouraged or frustrated or as the Bible says, "in the desert," but believe more and more strongly that Jesus is walking with you. He tells you, "Do
not be afraid." As you respond to His call and as you walk with Him, you will find yourself serving your brothers and sisters. You will reach out to them.
 

KNOWING THE LORD
 

   Perhaps we should call attention to something you have read in Father Murray Bodo's book, '7he Journey and the Dream". He describes well how Francis carne to know Jesus, and knew
himself for the first time. Francis knew himself as the "Poverello," the Little Poor Man, whose strength was in the Lord. He experienced the Lord working in his life. And we need to do the same.
Knowing that the Lord is working in your life and in your fraternity, Jesus says: "I will be with you." Difficulties, resentments, striving for power, jealousies will crop up in your life and in
your brothers and sisters. But Jesus does not run away; He stays with us, patiently comforting, guiding, teaching, but also convicting us of sin and weakness. Jesus has a sense of urgency in the Gospel: "There is no time to lose. The life we live and the work we do is important for each of us and for His kingdom. Strive to develop a deep life of prayer.
Continue to set aside a period of time each day for prayer, both in praise of God and in intercession for your brothers and sisters. All of us are in need of the mercy of God. Strive also to minister to your brothers and sisters, both in the fraternity, in your families and among your friends. The Lord calls us to be peacemakers, and calls us to prayer to repair all the destruction which violence is causing in the world, as Francis did, and as Jesus did. Reach out beyond yourself!  And finally, read the Word of the Lord every day, reflect on it, let it "make a home in you." Make your daily decisions on the basis of what Jesus said and did. Believe that the Spirit continually calls us together to form the Body of Jesus today.Good things we do not keep for ourselves; share with others about what the Lord is doing for you. It should only be natural to tell others about this new way of life you have accepted and invite them to join you. What the Lord is doing for you, He can do for them.

Read more...