February 202

The Canticl
Volume 17 Issue

6
Newsletter

From
FromGospel
GospeltotoLife-
Life-From
FromLife
LifeGospel
Gospel

Acceptance Into this Lif

“Let them put aside all

attachment, as well s
every are and worry.

Let them only be

concerned to serve, love,
adore and honor God, as
Following Francis, Following
best they can, with a
Chris single heart and a pure
mind.
The most important aspect of your
Franciscan Spiritual Journey will
happen in your own heart. St. Francis of Assis




Fr. Henry Beck, OFM
Immortal Spark
There is a beautiful quote from Thomas
Merton, a monk and spiritual writer who lived
at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky.
“At the center of our being is a point of
nothingness (“no-thing-ness”) which is
untouched by sin or illusion, a point of pure
truth, a spark that belongs entirely to God.
It is like a pure diamond, blazing within the
invisible light of heaven. It is in everybody.
I have no program for seeing this but it is
only given. The gate of heaven is
everywhere!”
This quote captures what I believe is at the
heart of our Franciscan spirituality. We
Franciscans believe first and foremost in God’s
goodness, beauty, and truth. And we believe
that all of creation pours forth from the heart
of God, from the heart of the Trinity.
The deepest part of us is alive with God’s
goodness, with God’s very life and grace.
Sin does not touch this place. This is where
God dwells at one with us. This is our dignity
and the dignity of every person.
Peace! Fr. Henry

?
Nancy Snyder, OFS - Minister
St. Francis had a wonderful zest for life which
enabled him to plunge into the every day with
gusto! Before his conversion experience,
we’re told he was the center of boisterous
activity with the other youths of Assisi. After
turning his life over to God, it seems his days
rivaled those of his earlier life in the intensity
with which he loved them, whether spent in
itinerant preaching or in solitary prayer. His
energy for God’s work was boundless
And as he lived, so he wrote in his Rule of
Life for his followers. His passion for the life
bursts forth in his words in the
aforementioned quote, urging all of us, from
the newest members to the eldest, to put aside
everything which would distract us from
focusing our entire being on the heart of our
life. One can almost hear Francis speaking
these words, excitedly urging us to let go of
the trivial things which clutter our life, then
he breathlessly names those activities which
he knew were to be our true life’s work, and
our whole life’s work
How fitting are these words as we enter the
Lenten season! Our church invites us to
enter into a conversion process similar to that
which Francis outlined for his followers to
embrace permanently. What better time than
this to resolve to try to put aside a distraction,
a temptation, a habit which is keeping us from
what we have promised, and turn back to
God
Holding all of you in my heart, pray peace
and All Good
Nanc

 Formation Director Editor-

Nancy Snyder, OF

Ongoing Formatio
 
A short time ago Father Henry shared with me the importance of deepening our Franciscan “Nothing should displease a servant of God
Knowledge and Spirituality as an instrument of Ongoing Formation. Yes we can take part in except sin. And no matter how another
serving our community in various ways, pray and contemplate but we can also continue to person may sin, if a servant of God becomes
learn. Father informed me as did our brother, Mark about informative short articles contained in
disturbed or angry because of this and not
“Custodians of the Tradition” and “TAU Series…TOR,” both found online.
  because of charity, he is storing up guilt for
Each week I will be sharing with my brothers and sisters a segment of one of the volumes’ himself” (Francis of Assisi, Admonition XI)
excerpts. An example from TAU Series (#17)…TOR follows:
  Saint Francis lived the spirit of Lent all year
Give an Account of the Hope That Is Within You by William J. Short OFM : long. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving
“Always be ready to give an account of the hope that is within you with gentleness and respect.”
characterized the whole life of Saint Francis
I Peter 3:15 “To give an account of the hope that is within us” is our challenge. As Franciscans,
we have hope within us, within the Franciscan intellectual and spiritual tradition. We must “get after his conversion. His religious discipline
this word out.” But to do so requires intelligent analysis of the signs of the times as well as effort created the character in him, it is said, that
and dedication in living out its implications. We must learn our tradition carefully and deeply would elicit virtue in people who were not
and then find the language in which to express it, making it available to a broad public virtuous. He never lost sight of the fact that
accurately and simply. he could betray God at any time. St. Francis
was grateful for the mercy shown to him, yet
What follows are a few examples of approaches to important questions which face the Church
and world today, to which the Franciscan tradition suggests approaches and insights that can be he lived with the profound realization of his
used to address some contemporary issues. God and Christ human frailty and thus created a longing
  desire for God
God
Christian religious language about God in the United States whether Catholic or Protestant is Padre Pio used to say that; "I only suffer
strongly influenced by monistic or Unitarian viewpoints. God is understood to be like an
when I don't suffer because when I suffer, I
individual who is a distant, static being who made the world, leaving it as a testing place for
those who are pre-destined. The supremacy of the individual finds its roots in the have something to offer to God." Can we take
understanding of God — sameness, identity, uniformity — these are the godly characteristics. this Lent to deepen our understanding of that
Difference, dialogue and diversity become “ungodly” words. In contrast, the Franciscan tradition profound Franciscan insight? What might our
understands a more complex, interesting and lively image of God. God is Trinitarian — tri- suffering be? Physical? Spiritual? Emotional?
personal, communal, interactive. God is primarily a community of persons in the give and take Perhaps it’s the suffering we have in the
of an inter-relationship. Unity does not suppress identity, but enriches it. In this view, diversity is
disappointment of those around us? Or
enriching, dialogue essential to being, and difference is divine. How does the Franciscan
understanding of God speak to our notion of society? What would it mean to model human maybe we are disappointed in some of our
inter-relationship on a communion of persons in unity? How can this speak to those who cannot leaders? Can we make of all those sufferings
accept a distant, alienated, monolithic theism? an offering to God not only for our own
purification but also for the renewal and
Christ purification of others and of the Mystical
The predominant Catholic and Protestant understanding of Christ is that of Savior, whose
Body of Christ? Let us use this Lent to re-
suffering and death cancel the effects of Adam’s sin. According to this view, Christ came because
Adam sinned. Human sin is the very core of the universe because it demanded the coming of embrace the genius of our founder and the
Christ to remedy its damage. This view can be called, “hamartiocentric” (sin-centered) freedom it brings through prayer, penance
  and acts of charity. God bless you all and
The Franciscan view is not hamartiocentric, but Christocentric. Christ, not sin, is at the center of have a blessed Lent
the inter-relationship between God, the world and humanity. The 14th century philosopher-
theologian, John Duns Scotus was asked, “Would Christ have come if Adam had not sinned?”
“That person truly loves his enemy who is not
Contrary to the predominant thinking of the Christian theological tradition, Scotus answered,
“Yes.” Christ came not simply as a remedy for sinfulness, but as an expression of the divine hurt by an injury done to him, but, because of
Trinitarian communion, overflowing in generosity and sharing ever greater life with others. The love of God, is stung by the sin of his soul. Let
focus changes from “fighting sin” to “giving life. him show him love by his deeds” (Francis of
Assisi, Admonition IX)
 Vivat Jesus, Tom Caleca, OFS

 Our Life Together Fraternity

Growing in Prayer
Spirit, Fraternity and
Service

FEBRUARY Prayer Petitions

Donald Foote &. Wife Linda
Sharon Hare, OFS
OFS Council Meeting Regina Marhefka, OFS
Elizabeth Nutting, OFS
Saturday, February 4, 2023 @ 10:30A Shirley & Steve Puccino, OFS & Family
Susan Reynolds, OFS
Dona-Maria Triandafilou, OFS
Annette Potkovac, OFS - son Mark
OFS General Gathering Fr. John Joseph Gonchar, OFM
Sunday, February 19, 2023 @1:30 P
Profession Anniversaries
In Main Chape Katharine Butchko, OFS - 02/17/2019
Franciscan Evening Praye Dona-Marie Triandafilou, OFS - 02/17/2019
Vol 1 - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Tim
Ongoing Formatio
Reflectio February Birthdays
Annette Potkovac, OFS - 02/25
In Main Dining Roo
Brief Business & New In Memoriam
Light Refreshments, Fellowship & Sharin Elaine Hutnick, OFS - 1969
Michael Marx, OFS - 1985
John Kunda, OFS - 1986
Aurelia Kobli, OFS - 1987
Joseph Gosse, OFS - 1989
Iona Josue, OFS - 2000
OFS Formation Sessions John Hero, OFS - 2009
Inquirers to start their orientation Phase Jean Allen, OFS - 2013
Mary Bankos, OFS - 2015
Judi Painte
Francis Rockovit O Lord, the God of mercies, grant unto the
Carol Swavel souls of Thy servants, the anniversary year of
whose deaths we are keeping, a place of solace
and a peaceful rest of glorious light. Through
Sunday, February 19th , at 12:30P Christ our Lord, Amen.
Franciscan Room - lower leve
Formator: Rosemary Rossner, OF

S ORM HEAVEN!


n

 Anne Leis, OFS
A Simple Way to Keep the Flu Awa
Updated for the 2022-2023 flu season
You can prevent the flu this season by taking one simple step: Get a
flu vaccine. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months or older get
vaccinated, with few exceptions. This includes pregnant people
Unfortunately, some people think that getting a flu vaccine is too
much trouble or costs too much. Or they are sure that a flu shot will
make them sick. Or it will make them more likely to catch the flu
The flu is also called seasonal influenza. It's caused by one of several
strains of the flu virus (type A or B) that infect the nose, throat, and
lungs. The flu makes life miserable for a week or two for many
people. It's deadly for some. Flu season can start as early as October.
It peaks anywhere from late December to early April
This year you may have another important reason to get the flu shot:
COVID-19. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, health experts
strongly advise that you get the flu vaccine to protect you and others,
and to reduce the strain on the healthcare system because of
COVID-19. Those who get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time
may be more likely to have severe complications or die from either
illness. With COVID-19 circulating this year, it's very important that
you prevent getting the flu by getting vaccinated. Flu vaccines and
COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time
Vaccine facts: Your best defense against the flu is to get
vaccinated. The vaccine is available in several forms. 1) The flu
vaccine is usually given by shot, most often into a muscle in the arm.
This form of the vaccine has killed virus. It's approved for most
people older than 6 months of age. Children ages 6 months to 8 years
who have never been vaccinated need 2 doses given 1 month apart.
This is to build up protection. Get the first dose as soon as it's
available so that the second dose is given by the end of October. After
the first flu season, your child will need only 1 dose for future flu
seasons; 2) A nasal spray also a choice for healthy, nonpregnant
people 2 to 49 years old. It's made of live but weakened flu virus; 3)
A needle-free device called a jet injector can give a 2-dose flue
vaccine through the skin into the muscle. This may be a choice for
people 18 to 64 YOA. Talk with your health provider first. Some
shouldn’t be vaccinated for the flu.
Other prevention steps: Flu viruses are spread by contact
with droplets sneezed or coughed from an infected person. Breathing
in the droplets is the most common way to get the flu. Touching
objects on which droplets have landed also infects many people. You
can spread the virus to others before you feel sick yourself. The CDC
says you are contagious a day before symptoms start and up to 5 days
afterward
You can protect yourself against the flu by doing simple things like
washing your hands before eating, not putting your hands near your
face or in your mouth, and wearing a mask over your nose and mouth
when around others. Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap
and clean, running water works fine. If soap and water are not
available, rub your hands with an alcohol-based hand cleaner that
contains at least 60% alcohol. If someone in your family has the flu,
you can help prevent it from spreading by wearing a mask and
by cleaning surfaces with a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1
gallon of water
Don't believe the rumor that a flu shot can give you even a mild case
of the flu. The injected form of the vaccine is made from pieces of
dead flu virus cells. Some people have mild flu-like side effects, this is
not the same thing as having the flu. Your body reacts to give you
immunity against the virus. healthlibrary.franciscanhealth.org.
.
.
.
JPIC
We are all aware of the Ten Commandments given by God
through Moses. The commandments on a whole can be
considered as a set of guiding principles relating to ethics
and worship. It is interesting to note that, in the Bible,
God included creation, setting the stage with the story of
creation. JPIC invites our fraternity to look at our
responsibility toward God’s sacred creation in the light of
the Ten Ecological Commandments, and ethical principles
based on our Franciscan understanding of the Gospel way
of life.
Ten Ecological Commandment
1. You shall have the God of sharing, the God of protecting the
planet for future generations and the God of wise choices. Their
opposites are greed, stealing from those who come after us and
destroying the dignity of creatures.
2. You shall honor all of God’s creation, the Earth and all its
beings. You shall find ways of living that reflect the goodness
and integrity of creation.
3. You shall keep the Sabbath holy by using the Sabbath Day as
an opportunity to look back on our week, as an opportunity to
restore hope, as a time to share with the poor and an awareness
that nothing really belongs to any individual.
4. Honor Father and Mother God by being conscious of all they
do, of all they have created for us. Honor Mother God with
awareness I have come from Mother Earth and I will return to
Mother Earth.
5. You shall not kill the Earth with asking it to accept
excessive waste. You shall try to monitor your waste cart
and educate yourself where this wast is originating
6. Ecological adultery is when I fail to be good stewards of
the land. You shall not abandon the land by thinking only
of your personal needs.
7. You shall let other things be themselves. You shall let
others be without manipulating them. You shall embrace
all beings as they are without making them into something
they are not. You shall look at all God’s creation as a
revelation of God
8. You shall have an awareness of your mutual belonging.
You shall have a kind of conversion, a turning to the
unfolding beauty of God’s love of creation
9. You shall have access to information and environmental
damage and you shall have a greater awareness of our
interdependence
10. You shall be grateful for all God has given us. The
spirit of conversion is to live in gratitude. You shall be
dependent on others and on the earth. You shall be
cognizant of the lure of technology which leads us away
from attentiveness, perseverance and loving others.
Prayer and Action
Please take time to pray and reflect on these ten
ecological commandments, and share how you have
adapted the them in your life, with all of our brothers &
sisters in fraternity.

 If we forget where we come from, we forget who we are. And

if we forget who we are, then we have to create who we are.

Distanc

Forgive me for my distance, I didn’t know how to say

How desperately I needed your peace
Expectedly I lost my way

Forgive me for my distance,There’s been so much on my mind

My brain is constantly running
I wish I could on rewind

Forgive me for my distance, I’ve been placing me before You

I’ve been worried about myself
I knew You’d never approve

Forgive me for my distance, and let this prayer remind

That without You I am nothing
In you my happiness I find

Forgive me for my distance, You’ve been there all along

I thought You left me hangin
But yet again You’ve proved me wrong

Forgive me for my distance, This world is too hateful for me

It makes me wonder if this is it
But I know now Heaven awaits for me

Forgive me for my distance, Forgive me for my doubt

Your mercy has never failed me
And again you’ve made me shout