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August Meeting. The meeting will be at 8pm on Friday 27th August in Marian Hall, Stutchbury Street, Page. Hélène will give the input on the theme "God is Love".
You are all asked to reflect on this theme before the meeting so that you can all share: You will be asked to share "How have you experienced God's love in your life". Can you share one special time or instance when you felt this?
Family Day. This will be on 4 October at Warrawong to celebrate the Feast Day of St Francis. See the flyer.
The Reflection Day will take place on the Saturday 11 December. Father Carl Schafer ofm (National Spiritual Assistant) will be with us for the day.
Feast of St Clare. On 11 August, most of the fraternity joined the Croatian community charismatic group to celebrate the feast of St Clare at St Augustine's Church, Farrer. Fr Tvrtko Gujic OFM celebrated mass and gave a short talk on St Clare. Br Joseph Kasina, who is studying for the priesthood at a Franciscan seminary in Croatia, was home for summer holidays with his family and was able to be with us. We also were happy to see our isolated sister from Cooma, Marjory Mackay sfo, and her husband, Keith.
Regional Review. Hélène attended the first meeting of the sub-committee assigned to look at the NSW region. Article 62 of the Constitution says that: "The Regional council has the following duties:
Please refer to the "Brown Book", Our Rules, Constitutions and Ritual, pages 80 and 81.
The first task of the sub committee is to prepare a text and a questionnaire. The next task will be to visit each fraternity in NSW to meet all the SFOs in NSW and listen to their views. In general terms, the sub committee will look at the NSW region and see how it can operate more effectively and efficiently in accordance with the constitutions.
Doug Clorey sent us the following message from Prince Edward Island, Canada:
"At the moment, we are just recovering from a death in our family - my Dad died on July 23rd. Mom had died in February, 1997, just a few months after we returned from Australia.
So, in a little over two years, both of my parents have joined their Creator in eternal life. In both cases, they were very accepting of death and looked forward to spending eternity with their God. Will write again soon. Take care."
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Doug's dad and that the Lord's peace will help Doug in this loss.
Fr Eugene Teglia ofm wrote on June 27th from Lumi, Sanduan Province, PNG:
"Thanks a lot for your latest (5 June) note along with the Canberra Franciscan papers. I rejoice on your vitality and so many interesting activities. Praise the Lord! Long live SFO!
In late May - after my routine visit to the cardiologist in Brisbane - I stopped over in Lae to meet some members of our tiny SFO Fraternity there. They have 14 in the list, but only 6 were able to turn up for the meeting. Their Spiritual Assistant is Fr Jeffrey Lee an ex Anglican Franciscan who, 5 years ago, joined the Catholic Church (Roman, I mean!) and was soon after ordained by the Bishop of Lae and incardinated in that See….
Thanks again for your kindness and brotherly cooperation. God bless all you in Canberra! In our father Francis …"
Resignation. Jack Smith resigned from the council and will not be able to attend fraternity meetings because of ill health. We were all very sorry to hear about Jack's heart attack but delighted that he is still with us and receiving visitors.
Although he will be taking life at a much slower pace, Jack suggested that the continuing publication of the newsletter will not inhibit his return to health provided he is supplied with the text. We continue to be indebted to Jack for the publication of our newsletter. This is a job he does in such an excellent way. We are very grateful, thank you Jack
Raffle tickets. All members of the fraternity are urged to take a booklet of tickets. Instead of increasing the levies, the National Council decided to hold a raffle to obtain funds needed for the National Council to operate effectively. Tickets should be sold as soon as possible and money, stubs and unsold tickets returned to Hélène by the September meeting.
Francis of Assisi, The Saint, Early Documents, volume 1. There is a limited number of copies of this book available for purchase at the special price of $30.00.
"This long awaited compilation of the writings of Saint Francis and those of the early Franciscan witnesses will prove to be of estimable value to scholars, students and lovers of Il Poverello as well. "
Lawrence Cunningham, the University of Notre Dame.
Hélène will be happy to take any orders and get the books next time she goes to the Regional meeting. They will also be on sale at the Family Day, 4 October at Warrawong.
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.
Next Council Meeting. 8pm Monday 13 September at Hélène's place.
Input for the Canberra Franciscan and requests to Jack Smith: phone 61-2-62583824 fax 61-2-62583151 jacksmth@ozemail.com.au