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October Meeting will be held at 8 pm Friday 27 October, Marian Hall, St Matthews, Page.
I would like to encourage all of us to give a more serious consideration as concerns attending our monthly meetings. I believe that we all have good reasons when it is not possible to come, but I would like to think that a simple phone call or some other means of letting us know of our absence would be a sign of our love for the Fraternity. (I am not pointing finger to any one, nor can I judge any one - rather, each one of you is an example to me in Christian and Franciscan living). Equally so, when someone is going through a rough patch, it is our duty to lend our support and love as much as possible. (I must admit that here I personally failed many times).
For this October meeting the Council decided to focus on the Eucharist and I volunteered to prepare a few thoughts for our usual prayerful discussion. My inspiration came primarily from the Diocesan Assembly weekend, the theme for which was Eucharist. The keynote speaker was Fr Frank Andersen, who challenged us to try to understand the importance and meaning of Eucharist. My very limited understanding of this so important Mystery of our Faith prevents me even from being able to summarize adequately Fr Andersen's thoughts. All the same I will try to share with you, as much as I can, some of the impressions he made on me at our meeting.
One aspect of Eucharist Fr Andersen has emphasized, is the communal one. This may be a good thing to think about and share with each other at our meeting. In order to make this more relevant to us Secular Franciscans and to help us to prepare for our meeting, I included here a few quotations from our Rule as well as from Fr Andersen's recent book: Eucharist-participating in the Mystery
Remember:
Loui
Oceania National Elective Chapter. Nominations of candidates for the National Executive, as detailed in last month's Canberra Franciscan, should be submitted to Loui by the end of October. By then, Loui also needs to nominate a delegate and any observers for the National Elective Chapter to be held 9 to 11 February 2001 at the New College, University of NSW, Kensington NSW. Each fraternity in each region is entitled to send one delegate to the Chapter. Because of the location, it is possible to accept some observers. Please let Loui know before the end of the month whether you are prepared to serve your brothers and sisters in this way. Please pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this discernment.
Port Macquarie SFO Gathering. The Sacred Heart Fraternity, Port Macquarie, is to hold a fraternal and spiritual gathering on 11 and 12 November at the Main Assembly Hall, Mac Killop Campus Grounds, rear of St Francis Chapel, St Agnes Village, Port Macquarie. The Director will be Fr Carl Schafer ofm. It is a Bring Your Own meals event. For further information, or to advise attendance before 1 November, please contact Marjorie Carnie sfo, St Agnes Village, Lochinvar Place, Port Macquarie.
Regional Meeting. At the last Regional Meeting, held at Waverly, those in attendance voted to hold three Regional meetings each year. Sandie Tilley, Regional Minister, was able to secure meeting rooms at Edgecliff for future meetings. The next meeting will be held on Saturday 18 November at St Joseph's Hall, Albert Street, Edgecliff. It commences at 10.30 am with Morning Tea and concludes at 3 pm. Bring a lunch to share.
Richard Rohr ofm. Remember that Richard Rohr will be speaking in Canberra 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm on Thursday 23 November at the Manning Clark Theatre ANU on The Passion of God and the Passion Within. We can still make bookings. The cost is $15. Bookings to Aquinas Academy, 141 Harrington St, Sydney 2000 Telephone 9252 2476. Credit Card details can be accepted. Rex has read a wonderful book by Richard Rohr and will be attending. Loui is now reading the book.
November Meeting. Council will propose to the October meeting that, in place of the November meeting, we take part as a Fraternity in the Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Goulburn on Sunday 26 November, the Feast of Christ the King. The Pilgrimage will be centred on the Eucharist and our Heritage of Faith. The Diocese chose Goulburn for the Jubilee focus on the Eucharist because Fr Therry celebrated the first Mass, in what is our present Diocese, at Riversdale Goulburn on 3 August 1833. Riversdale is a National Trust property, formerly Matt Healy's Pub. Goulburn was also the seat of our Diocese for nearly a hundred years. Many Catholic institutions were established there. In 1951 there was a Eucharistic Procession on the Feast of Christ the King with large contingents from St Peter and Paul's Goulburn and St Christopher's Canberra marching. The programme will involve continuous Exposition in the Old Cathedral from 10 am with Liturgies on the hour. There will be historical displays on our Catholic Heritage of Faith. Parishes are asked to provide material for use on Display Boards. Mass will be at 2 pm in the grounds of the former school opposite the Church. Pilgrims are asked to come as early as possible and bring a chair for the Mass. There will be some food stalls available but it is expected that many will bring their own for a picnic. Pilgrims are asked to wear nametags. It is suggested that to prepare we:
Day of Reflection. This year, the Day of Reflection is to be held on Saturday 9 December 2000. Fr Allan Hartcher ofm, Regional Spiritual Assistant, is not available so Loui has approached Fr Ken Barker of the Missionaries of God's Love to see whether he can make a priest available and permit us to use their Hall and extensive grounds at Narrabundah. Loui will advise the outcome.
Annual Retreat. Fr Carl Schafer ofm, National Spiritual Assistant, has written that he would be delighted to give the retreat in Goulburn from 23 to 25 March 2001.
L'Arche Day. The Peter Kearney Concert on 17th September was most enjoyable. Quite a few of us turned up to help with setting-up, selling drinks and tidying up afterwards. Many of Peter's songs promote Franciscan messages and I'm sure that St Francis would love the use of song for the purpose. Although this concert was geared to an adult audience, many of the songs are intended for children and he gives concerts at schools. Cec and Margaret's granddaughter seemed to enjoy the concert even though it was at adult level.
Perhaps we could replace some normal monthly meeting with a most enjoyable night of listening to the music of Peter's folk opera about St Francis. On the one occasion when it was given in Canberra, Peter said it took a whole busload of people to mount it so it is unlikely that we would have another opportunity to hear the real thing.
Diocesan Pastoral Council. The Archbishop invited us to be represented at a meeting on October 6 & 7 with the theme Rediscovering a Eucharistic Heart and Mind. Here is a report:
The keynote speaker at the Council was Fr Frank Anderson MSC. His input sessions were centred about the main theme. They were:
- A Eucharistic Heart and Mind
- A Eucharistic Heart and Mind within Liturgy: and
- A Eucharistic Heart and Mind in our Daily Lives.
Fr Frank Anderson is an accomplished speaker. He was well prepared well researched and spoke with personal commitment. He showed an enjoyable sense of humour and interspersed his presentations with, as we would have expected, recourse to song. His thoughts were interesting and challenging and. at times, possibly even provocative. Many of his ideas were founded on Church as the Body of Christ. His views on the Host and the Body of Christ/Real Presence certainly caused those present to think deeply. The general thrust of his comments, however, was consistent with those in his relatively recently published book, Eucharist. I would recommend this publication, as I'm sure you will find it not only interesting but also very thought provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed the DPC and thank the members of the Holy Spirit Fraternity for the opportunity of being a delegate.
K P Martin sfo
Fr Eugene Teglia. Fr Eugene has arrived safely in Bologna but has had further ill health.
On 20 September, he sent a postcard that shows the Historical Centre of Bologna with the following message.
Thank you for keeping me in your list and - above all - in your thoughts & prayers, as I do likewise for you & the other SFOs in Canberra.
After nearly 2 weeks in Hospital I feel pretty well "patched up" and enjoying life again. I'll be going to Rome soon for the Canonization of some 120 Martyrs in China, 3 of whom are from our Franciscan Province of Bolgna. I'll then take some more time off visiting my many relations in various parts of North Italy.
May the Lord continue to bless & keep you in his Love & Care,
Pax et Bonum!
Eugene T.
Transitus. The Anglican Third Order of the Society of St Francis have asked us to take on the organization of the Transitus every year and not just alternate years. They are happy to participate but have difficulty with the number of people they have available to organize it. They say that we are "good at it". Apparently, they have another function to organize on the Feast the next day.
They suggested that, in order to ensure that we continue to foster the ecumenical spirit, they will make a proposal that they organise a function at another time of the year.
Prayer Apostolate. Council has asked that we come to each meeting prepared to put forward an intention for prayer. The meeting could discuss proposals and resolve to adopt an intention that we would all make a focus of prayer until the next meeting.
Prayers. Please remember to pray for vocations:
"Gracious God, we pray that men and women might respond generously to Your call to ministry in the Church; --- And may You increase our Franciscan community by calling those dedicated to penance and the Gospel life."
Celebrate. We like to celebrate the landmarks of life and remember them. In the month of November let's celebrate Hélène's birthday on 13 November.
Next Council Meeting will be held at 8 pm on Tuesday 7 November at Kevin's place.
Input for the Canberra Franciscan and requests to Jack Smith: phone 61-2-6258 3824 fax 61-2-6258 3151 jacksmth@ozemail.com.au