The April meeting will be at 8pm on Friday 24^th at Marian Hall, Stutchbury Street, Page. Loui has kindly agreed to lead us in consideration of "The Holy Spirit in Franciscan Life". The article "Gift of the Spirit that brings us to the Father", foreshadowing the 20^th anniversary of the new Rule, republished in the February ‘Canberra Franciscan’ may be useful pre-reading.

Council will be seeking views on a proposal for a dinner at the Vietnam Village Inn in the Page shopping centre for Saturday June 20^th and also suggestions for another social function to be held about the end of August.

The question of whether it would be practical for us to organise a visit to Canberra by Fr Matthew of Behar in India is also to be discussed.

Helen Jarick, the Regional Minister, has written advising us that our next Regional Fraternity day has been arranged for Saturday 9^th May at the parish hall of Our Lady of the Rosary, Kellyville commencing with morning tea at 10:30am. It is hoped that there will be some input on the Rule of the SFO and she has asked the Regional Spiritual Assistant, Fr Joseph Nguyen OFM Conv., to share some of his thoughts on this important subject. There will be a shared lunch and departure will be about 3:00pm. The timing is such that it would be possible to make a one-day trip from Canberra. Travel arrangements can be discussed at the April meeting.

Council now has a list of volunteers to animate meetings for this year as follows:

May 22	Pam	The New Evangelization
June 26	Pat	The Sacrament of Confirmation
July 24	Martin	The Theological Virtue of Hope
August 28	ELECTIONS
September 25	Frank	Mary, Woman of Hope
October 23	Hélène	Gifts of the Holy Spirit

A copy of the April 1998 newsletter was sent to members. As usual, it contains much of interest.

Sylvia, Hélène, Cec, Jack and also Kevin and Loui and their wives represented us at the funeral service for Martha Minius at St Christopher’s Cathedral on Holy Saturday. Bishop Pat presided. Although a Requiem Mass is not permitted on that day, the service was quite inspiring.

Loui and Hélène had also attended the evening Rosary for Martha. Hélène was heard to comment that she felt a special peace and serenity and saw it as a special gift from Martha and Our Lady.

Pam, Rex, Jack, Hélène & Eric, Loui & Kate enjoyed the wonderful day the Lord had made for our picnic at Uriarra Crossing. After a crisp morning, without the forecast fog, the day was beautiful and sunny enough for the shade of the She-oaks to be welcome. It was a perfect autumn day. The rustic furniture and well-maintained site help make it a nice place to relax, share our food and enjoy one-another’s company.

A revised list of Fraternity members with corrections and updates to some details was sent to members.

Please pray for Kathy who, at the time of writing this newsletter, Monday 20^th April, is today due to be going into hospital. You could write to her at:

The Centre for Bone and Joint Diseases,

Badajoz Road,

North Ryde 2113 NSW.

Hélène will probably be going to Vanuatu from 3^rd to 16^th of May and to the Solomon Islands at the end of May and the beginning of June but should be available for meetings. She will be retiring from her work for the Canada Fund on 1^st July.

Please remember that we agreed to keep up our prayers for vocations to the SFO! Please pray that the Holy Spirit will offer special graces to the novices who are receiving instruction. Please remember also our neighbours, especially in the Monaro, who are suffering from the drought. Marge Mackay sfo writes: "As you know we are experiencing a heart breaking drought and selling stock and trying to keep a few breeders alive is extremely hard."

Next Council Meeting. Tuesday May19^th at Hélène’s place.