Let's talk the OFS

[iloveangels]

I do. Looked into the BSP, actually. The head is a wonderful man. First year formation is great, but they follow the 1st Rule, which is just too strict (for me) and would be disruptive to the family (no meats MWF–meaning my wife would have had to have cooked separate meals).

We used to work a soup kitchen every other month (in place of the meeting). I loved it. (Well, it was my idea ). The older members did not (interestingly these “meetings” were attended at twice the # as compared to regular meetings, though). I would like to get back to doing it at least 1-2 times per year, TBH.

My local fraternity is quite involved in Right to Life issues. And some political issues, aka HHS mandate. As much as I hate politics and deem much of the fighting to be futile nonsense, I have some facility in dealing with politics. My local Congressman knows me now.

 

[iloveangels]

This is what we do. What makes it a tad unbearable is that the fraternity is assessed for all members (even those that never attend or contribute). Seems unfair to me.

Actually, I don’t think that’s supposed to happen that way. The statues and constitutions have information about all that.

 

[iloveangels]

I do. Looked into the BSP, actually. The head is a wonderful man. First year formation is great, but they follow the 1st Rule, which is just too strict (for me) and would be disruptive to the family (no meats MWF–meaning my wife would have had to have cooked separate meals).

We used to work a soup kitchen every other month (in place of the meeting). I loved it. (Well, it was my idea ). The older members did not (interestingly these “meetings” were attended at twice the # as compared to regular meetings, though). I would like to get back to doing it at least 1-2 times per year, TBH.

I understand, Luigi Daniele,

There is an emphasis in the BSP on penitential practices as opposed to the medieval definition of “Penance,” which means “turn toward God in conversion of your life.” Slight difference in word usage; can be a big difference in meaning.

Francis lived in a period of great confusion and corruption. His ministry began, more or less, in the middle of a Civil War! So his emphasis was on getting people to give up the obsessions, let go of the established authorities and power structures that were no longer working, and put an end to the fighting that they were engaging in, and turn to God instead. This is the key to understanding Francis.

Francis understood very clearly that the Church, the Gospel and faith in God were non-negotiable and not to be laid aside, but that the power battles over the buildings, money, “sticking points” and political figures had to end before they destroyed the faith of the people. He taught people new ways to think about life to replace the old ones, better fitted to recovering from the fall of the Roman empire. The feudal system and all that worked really well to prevent Europe from collapsing after the Roman fall, but it had ceased to work by the 13th century, really by the 12th century.

Far from being something dark, scary and grubby, Francis preached a dramatic turn towards God and life. He took the contributions of people before him and put together a new and very creative synthesis, and this synthesis is the Franciscan family and its effects on Europe and the world. Europe had got itself into a real bind, and St. Francis helped God help it to recover.

 

[iloveangels]

I don’t mind at all. I truly think Franciscan. The only down side is distance (1 hr away) and gas (gasoline, not me )

I’m about an hour away from our fraternity meeting place too…but then I’m at least an half hour from just about everyplace anyway…so.

One of the problems here is that the geographical distance across our fraternity is very large. It can take hours to get from one end to the other. It’s many rural counties wide and deep. People have to travel long distances to get there, and most of the people in the fraternity are older. If we had more professed members, it would make more sense to subdivide into 2 fraternities. Maybe that’s what we’ll end up doing someday.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Luigi,

Mylo was right. This is a great Franciscan thread, so you might want to keep this one going. iloveangels made a very good point about third order monastic life being so “sparse and solitary”. This is a major factor in my becoming involved with Opus Dei. I’ve only been with Opus Dei for about two months, yet my involvement has been anything but “sparse and solitary”: Cooperator workshop in New York City in November,
Opus Dei retreat at Longlea in December, Study Center family picnic in September, evening of recollection the third week of each month, circle meeting the fourth week of each month, 'bi-monthly meetings with Opus Dei priest for spiritual direction, Church doctrine classes once each month, and the daily plan of life (similar to third orders).

Extensive involvement leads to great fellowship among the people affiliated with Opus Dei. The people themselves vary greatly by age, occupation, and experience. I met one supernumerary for dinner at a nice restaurant and enjoyed an occasional lunch with Opus Dei priests and numeraries at the Study Center. I’ve taken the opportunity to pray alone in their beautiful chapel before meetings or lunch. Their extensive library is also accessible to those interested in studying the faith. The reinforcement of Opus Dei spirituality is constant.

Opus Dei is a blessing in my everyday life.

I am not trying to derail the thread. Rather, I’m suggesting that someone might take the initiative in Franciscan fraternities to institute more activities, meetings, social events, seminars, or lectures to provide constant reinforcement of the charism of St. Francis. Maybe that’s not practical among third orders, I don’t know. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with the Discalced Carmelites, a wonderful group of people emulating the lives of a remarkable array of saints, but one monthly meeting is just not enough for me. I wish all CA contributors the very best with their chosen orders.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

What drew you to the OFS?

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Luigi,

Mylo was right. This is a great Franciscan thread, so you might want to keep this one going. iloveangels made a very good point about third order monastic life being so “sparse and solitary”. This is a major factor in my becoming involved with Opus Dei. I’ve only been with Opus Dei for about two months, yet my involvement has been anything but “sparse and solitary”: Cooperator workshop in New York City in November,
Opus Dei retreat at Longlea in December, Study Center family picnic in September, evening of recollection the third week of each month, circle meeting the fourth week of each month, 'bi-monthly meetings with Opus Dei priest for spiritual direction, Church doctrine classes once each month, and the daily plan of life (similar to third orders).

Extensive involvement leads to great fellowship among the people affiliated with Opus Dei. The people themselves vary greatly by age, occupation, and experience. I met one supernumerary for dinner at a nice restaurant and enjoyed an occasional lunch with Opus Dei priests and numeraries at the Study Center. I’ve taken the opportunity to pray alone in their beautiful chapel before meetings or lunch. Their extensive library is also accessible to those interested in studying the faith. The reinforcement of Opus Dei spirituality is constant.

Opus Dei is a blessing in my everyday life.

I am not trying to derail the thread. Rather, I’m suggesting that someone might take the initiative in Franciscan fraternities to institute more activities, meetings, social events, seminars, or lectures to provide constant reinforcement of the charism of St. Francis. Maybe that’s not practical among third orders, I don’t know. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with the Discalced Carmelites, a wonderful group of people emulating the lives of a remarkable array of saints, but one monthly meeting is just not enough for me. I wish all CA contributors the very best with their chosen orders.

Well put, sir.

Received a communication yesterday that is a tad disturbing. Apparently, a couple that was attending has stopped due to work issues (the husband doesn’t come, so neither does the wife). This means the fraternity is down to 3 members (4 with me). 5 is minimum, or the fraternity is de-activated. There hasn’t been a new OFS vocation in over 4 years.

Problem is, the next 2 nearest fraternities are Spanish (I understand a little, but certainly can’t speak it, much). The next fraternity after that is about 1.5 hours away, which means 7 hours (meeting plus round trip). As I work 6 days/week, I just don’t feel that big a chuck of time (essentially all of Sunday) would be fair to my family.

Don’t know what to do, really. Before the 2 left, we would have had 5-6 members (with me). There would have been a possibility of a future. Now, I don’t know.

I am getting a tad tired of having roadblocks thrown in my way, TBH. I need your prayers (all of you) again, please. The gentleman will be getting back to me in the next couple of days. Again, the decision may be made for me. If that is God’s will, then obviously so be it.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

Find someone! Talk to the husband and wife to see if they will stay with you joining the fraternity. Talk to your friends, family, fellow parishioners. Pray like crazy. I feel almost as frustrated as you, Luigi.

 

[Tampa_Dave]

You must have a grace period before they shut down the fraternity.

Did you ever contemplate starting a new group in your own parish?

 

[Marauder]

I echo Dave’s comments and say, have you ever thought about starting a Fraternity in your own area? Seeing how many people are interested, talking to the pastor, etc.

If there is enough interest you can start people off in the old fraternity until you can go through all the proper procedures to start a new one (or move the current one to your parish), or if things take off in the old fraternity based on the influx from your area the old fraternity can survive.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

You must have a grace period before they shut down the fraternity.

Did you ever contemplate starting a new group in your own parish?

There is one near me, but it is Spanish.

Been bombed at work. I have an email from them. Will check out and let you all know.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I echo Dave’s comments and say, have you ever thought about starting a Fraternity in your own area? Seeing how many people are interested, talking to the pastor, etc.

If there is enough interest you can start people off in the old fraternity until you can go through all the proper procedures to start a new one (or move the current one to your parish), or if things take off in the old fraternity based on the influx from your area the old fraternity can survive.

Too far away. I have tried recruiting members in the past. They last 1-2 meetings, then never come back.

See you all in 1 hour (or so)