National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order-USA
Annual Minister's Report
November 1, 2003 - November 1, 2004
St. John's Center For Youth and Family
Plymouth, Michigan
Transition
On November 1, 2003, Jane DeRose-Bamman was appointed Acting Coordinator of the Apostolic Commissions. On January 13, 2004, a consensus was taken and the members of the Executive Council appointed Jane DeRose-Bamman to complete my term as Apostolic Commissions Coordinator. Due to the All Commissions' Conference 2004, I have continued to assist and support Jane with this project and other issues.
On December 09, 2003, Elizabeth Allen came to Pennsylvania, with her own funding, to be the liaison for the past National Minister, William Wicks. She delivered and reviewed pertinent information and reviewed the records with me.
Delegation/Co-responsibility
On November 12th assignments were delegated and disseminated to members of the Executive Council. This endeavor provides cohesive involvement of all members and co-responsibility to our servant leadership.
The Mentoring Ministry system was developed to assist everyone so that we can all achieve the maximum amount of progress for our efforts and time toward our good works.
Proposals and Requests
On March 19th, 2004, Anne Twitchell, SFO, Regional Minister of the Blessed Junipero Serra Regional Fraternity, requested a change in the wording of the Living By Faith newsletter subtitle. The word handicapped was changed to handicapables. This change appeared on the April newsletter.
On April 7th, 2004, Benedetto Lino, Coordinator of the International Formation Commission, requested a person to represent the USA on the International Formation Commission. After reviewing the criteria sent to me by Mr. Lino and consulting the Formation Commission, as well as others, Marie Amore was appointed to fill this position.
On April 17th, 2004, Frances Wicks, Editor of TAU-USA requested a CD rewriter that cost $200.00, in order to send information to Dave Barbo. Request was granted.
On May 7th, 2004, a request was made by Ignacio Harding, OFM for an annual matching solidarity grant of $1,800 to relieve the economic pressure on the National Council of the Secular Franciscan Order in Bolivia. Subsequently, the request was made by the National Council of Bolivia. The matter was referred to a private donor.
On May 11th, 2004, a proposal was sent to NAFRA to change the format of the meetings.
The format consists of general sessions, geographically based study groups and ends with Open Forum sessions. Also, a proposal was sent to NAFRA to change the Peace Award location from the National meeting to a Regional meeting.
On May 17th, 2004 a request was made for the approval from the International Presidency on the amendment of Article 29.1.
Attested as amended on May 11, 2004 by the National Fraternity Council,
SFO - USA
Confirmed by The International Presidency, June 12, 2004
On June 9th - 12th, 2004, I received an invitation to attend a conference entitled Shaping Our Province and Ministries: A Franciscan Response to Globalization. The Holy Name Province of OFM friars, Office for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation, was hosting an all province assembly on Globalization at Siena College Albany, NY. Carolyn Colburn, SFO, Peace and Justice Commission Chair attended the conference as our representative.
On July 28, 2004, Fr. Vince Inghilterra SFO called the National Minister from Germany, requesting assistance with formation of Americans interested in our Order. Anne Mulqueen has contacted Fr. Vince to assist with his needs.
On July 28, 2004, a letter was mailed to Honorable Colin L. Powell requesting that the United States pass a resolution calling for immediate intervention in Sudan and that an attempt be made to coordinate an international mobilization of humanitarian aid for the displaced people both in Sudan and in Chad.
On August 15, 2004, a Secular Franciscan Order Annual Report (Demographic Report) was requested and completed for the Presidency of the International Secular Franciscan Order.
In August and September 2004, donations were made to Catholic Charities USA for Hurricane Relief in Florida and in the Caribbean - $l000 in August and $1000 in September from Donor Fund.
September 14th through 19th 2004, Sonia Bernardo attended and participated in the VI CONGRESO LATINOAMERICANO, in Mexico City, as my delegate and representing NAFRA.
Official Visit
On January the 3rd three gifts were delivered Fr. Benet Fonck, OFM from the Secular Franciscan Order-USA: a check for $1000.00 to be applied to "The International Center for Secular Franciscan Studies Endowment" fund given in his name and a gift of $500.00 to a charity of his choice. (Fr. Benet designated the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart as the recipient of this gift.) A handmade, specially designed, framed picture was presented to him, also.
On August 2nd 2003, I attended the funeral mass of Fr. Benet Fonck's father (a Secular Franciscan) on behalf of NAFRA.
TAU-USA
Four articles were written for TAU-USA:
Winter 2003 - Message from Holy Father 2002
Spring 2004 - Our Rule
Summer 2004 - One Man's Journey Is Still Alive
Autumn 2004 - Staying on Track
Information/ Dissemination/Collaboration
Official letters for elections and visitations were disseminated as requested.
Celebrations of Elections and Visitations
3/12,13,14/04 St. Katharine Drexel's Election with John Sanborn
3/27-4/6/04 All Commission Chairs field trip to Assisi funded by participants
5/15/04 Lady Poverty's Election with Dennis Ross
5/21,22,23/04 La Verna's Visitation with John Sanborn
6/17,18,19,20/04All Commissions' Conference
8/27,28,29/04 Our Lady of Guadalupe Visitation
9/13,14/04 CNSA Meeting
9/15,16/04Annual Gathering of Provincial and Regional Spiritual Assistants
9/17,18/04Santa Maria de las Montañas Visitation
NAFRA Meeting
3/17-21/04Winter Executive Council Meeting
6/21-27/04Summer Executive Council Meeting
Presentation Given
1/03/04 - A presentation was given to the entire Franciscan Family on closed circuit television before Mass at the OLA Friary at Greccio, Springfield, IL. One hundred religious were present to hear how SFOs bring the "Spirit of the Gospel and of Francis to the Market Place."
2/24/04 Serra Club-Beaver Falls, PA. "Who Are The Secular Franciscans?"
5/22/04 La Verna Regional Fraternity - "Embracing Our Way of Life"
9/15/04 Conference of National Spiritual Assistants
"Is What the Spiritual Assistants Do With and For You (the SFO)
Contributing To Your Own - and Their Own - Spiritual Growth?"
Presentations Requested
8/06/05 Holy Trinity Regional Fraternity - Servant Leadership
Networking
2/26-29, 2004 - I attended the Franciscan Institute 6th National Forum, "Go, Repair My House," in Denver, Colorado.
8/15-18/04 - I attended the Franciscan Federation meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. During the meeting, Sr. Sharon Dillon and I met in reference to the Quinquennial Congress and Sr. Kathleen Uhler and I met in reference to the invitation to join in Franciscan ministry in the Holy Land.
Acknowledgements
A heartfelt THANK YOU to Conference of National Spiritual Assistants, Provincial and Spiritual Assistants for all the time and effort they have given so generously to the Secular Franciscan Order over the years and continue to give!
Carol L. Gentile, SFO
National Minister