Mission Statement:We as Secular Franciscans are committed to seeking and promoting a closer relationship with God for ourselves and others by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by following St. Francis’ and St. Clare's example of simplicity, humility and service using the Rule of Life of the OFS as our guide.

Nov 2017 Waseca/Janesville/Owatonna MN Volume 11 Issue 11

November Month of the Holy Souls

Monthly Gathering: Our next gathering will be November 19th at 1:00 pm in the Parish Center dining area. Due to upcoming holidays we will gather on Nov 19 and Dec 17

Orientation Formation: (Matt) Read chapter 1 in The Franciscan Journey and answer questions at the end of the chapter. Kyle will lead.

Inquirer Formation: (Theresa) Meet at noon on November 19th in the T.C. Center. Read Chapter 7 in The Franciscan Journey and answer the questions on page 82.  Sister Lois and Pat will lead.

Ongoing Formation Please read chapter 14 “The Sacrament of Reconciliation.” in To Live as Francis Lived and answer the Questions for Reflection and Application to Daily Life T at the end of the chapter. Carol Tollefson will lead. Spiritual Buffet: Sr. Lois will lead the discussion on December 14th at 11:00 in the Youth Room at the Parish Center.

Council Meeting : Our next Council meeting will be December 12th at 11:00 am at the Parish Center.

Gospel Sharing: Our next Gospel Sharing will be at our November gathering. Pat Yunker will lead.

Encountering Our Materially PoorSr. Lois Erpelding, OSF, Spiritual Assistant

Pope Francis has invited us to focus on the materially poor as we prepare to take part in the 1st World Day of Poor on Nov. 19th. With grief we recognize that 1 of every 6 in the United States live in poverty. This statistic is graver matter in our global world.

David Courturier, OFM Cap, reflected on the mindset and action of St. Francis. “The Church and contempory society need models on how to see themselves … from the down side, of history. It was the religious genius of Francis as he looked at himself, his world, and his God from an angle and a perspective … from the lowest place of all. It led Francis to a remarkable journey of faith and it leaves us with staggering questions. How do we relate to one another and to our God when we have given up our struggle to dominate one another; when power gives way to peace; when suspicion gives way to sacrifice; when competition cedes to compassion; when what was once considered a right is now considered a grace and claim to life gives way to a call to life? It is in our heritage of minority that we, as Franciscans, enter the mystery of solidarity. Francis realized intensely that the glory of God was humility, kenosis, and the covenant with all those who are poor. Francis’ radical insight into the absolute, profound humility of God…is a love which continually emptied out, and found expression in the covenant with the poor.” (David Couturier, OFM Cap., “Life in Minority: from Trans-cultural to Trans-economic formation”)

Recently I became frazzled during a Poverty Stimulation. It took too much energy and gumption to seek housing and food needs after I was sent from department to department within a tight time frame. Later I received great hospitality as I encountered some of our impoverished at a Salvation Army meal. Let us move beyond our comfort zone and embrace some who are materially poor—hearing and responding to the presence of God within them.

Pray for all souls

Prayer for a Franciscan Spirit

Lord, remove the self-satisfaction of our contentedness and embed in us the need to do

more.Give us the grace to nurture the seeds you

have planted.Teach us to lead through prayer, caring

actions, and gentle words, even to those who don’t yet realize they need help to move from

the darkness to light.Give us the wisdom to understand the pain you

feel in a lost soul.Give us the courage to face our own

shortcomings and to step forward to be publicly counted as one of your sheep.

Looking into the CaveBonnie Johnson, ofs, Formation Director

This morning I was sitting in silence pondering the prayer for a Franciscan Spirit in the opposite column. As I considered each line I couldn’t help but examine my own spirit and question

how well or poorly I have responded to each. I believe that is why Francis often went into a Cave …to seek the silence and to look down into the depths of his soul. I am sure mine has a few bats that need to be uprooted.In choosing to live the gospel, Francis understood that the teachings and parables of Jesus were not just information about Jesus, but an opportunity to look within ourselves in order to stay the

course. As Franciscans we too have promised to do exactly that. In his book “The Way of St. Francis” Murray Bodo tells us “that the measure of our absorption in God is the measure of what we have been courageous enough to embrace and accept in ourselves and others. By humbly accepting his shortcomings, Francis was able be set free of them and to grow in holiness and draw nearer to God. Imagine the courage it took for Francis to abandon his former life…walk away from his family, beg for, and eat scraps. Of course, we don’t have to take the radical steps Francis did. We also know God loves us despite ourselves. So, then the question becomes, what keeps us from cleaning out our cave if it is not as public or as radical for us as it was for Francis? Pride? Shame? Fear? Weakness? Apathy? Lord give us the courage to face our shortcomings and live the gospel more closely each day.Rule 4 of the SFOChrist, the gift of the Father's love, is the way to him, the truth into which the Holy Spirit leads us, and the life which he has come to give abundantly. Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel.

November Franciscan Saints ScrambleCan you unscramble the names of these Franciscan Saints? If you are stumped, you can use the date to

search online. 4 St. leracsh orbmoroe8 Bl. Nojh nud tosuc

13 St. enfsarc bacnrii19 St. ngase fo sisais26 St. dearlno for top cauemri

Council Meeting MinutesNovember 7,2017

Help is needed on November 17th to help pack and deliver 78 meals to the elderly and homebound. If you can help, please meet in the Dining Room at the Parish Center in Waseca.

$100 from our Mission Fund will be sent to build wells as voted on earlier this year.

Gospel Sharing Leaders - 2017Jan Prayer Partners Jul CarolFeb Sarah Aug JeniseMar Sr. Lois Sep PicnicApr Divine Mercy Oct PeggyMay Pat Nov PatJun Kyle Dec Christmas

Ongoing Formation Leaders - 2017Jan Prayer Partners Jul BonnieFeb Retreat Aug PatMar Bonnie Sep PicnicApr Carol Oct Jenise/TBDMay Bonnie Nov CarolJun Peggy Dec Christmas

2017 Snack ScheduleJan Pat, Lisa Jul Sr Lois, GerriFeb Joan, Evie Aug Arlys, CarolMar Kyle, Sarah Sep Picnic (All)Apr Jean, Bonnie Oct Pat, LisaMay Jenise, Kathleen Nov Joan, EvieJun Doreen, Peggy Dec Kyle, Sarah

In January we will look for volunteers to be on the election committee. Lisa and Arlys will talk about duties of the Vice Minister and Councilor in November. Sarah will discuss Treasurer duties in December and Bonnie will do Formation Director in January.

Bonnie will look into the costs for cabinets/shelving for the books in the library.

Feeding the Hungry

On November 2nd, five of our Franciscans gathered at the Waseca Food Shelf to assemble items for the School Back Pack program, which donates food to children who otherwise not have nutritious food to eat on weekends. Thank you to those who were able to help, it was a fun event working with Pastor Larry and two of his sons. We put together 1 weekends’ worth of food in just ½ hour! Next time we will remember to take pictures!

Did You Know?

In addition to All Saints Day on November 1, the entire Franciscan Order celebrates a Franciscan All Saints Day.  All the saints and blessed, in fact, all the members of the three orders of St. Francis who have attained their goal in heaven, whether known

or unknown, are honored in a special manner on this day.  November 29 was selected for the feast day because on that day in 1223 Pope Honorius III gave his approval to the final rule which Saint Francis gave to the Friars Minor, a rule which pointed out a new way to sanctity.  By observing it faithfully many have become saints; and by celebrating the feast of all Franciscan saints, we are inspired and encouraged to follow in their footsteps.