Vatican Honors Secular Franciscan

Betty Frank, OFS

UTICA, NY -- Betty Frank, OFS, was professed into the Secular Franciscan Order in 1949 at then-St. Joseph's Church. Since then, she has been immersed in the life of the parish (now St. Joseph-St. Patrick) and the Syracuse Diocese, leaving a spiritual handprint like few others, noted Fr. Richard Dellos, pastor. It has not gone unnoticed by the Vatican, Father Dellos added, because Pope Benedict XVI has conferred on her the Pontifical Cross, "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice," the highest honor the pope can bestow upon a lay person.

27 Gather for Christmas Dinner

Some 27 Secular Franciscans and guests gathered for Christmas dinner Dec. 16 at Riverside Diner in Marcy. See photos.

Elected International Councilor

Mary Stronach, OSF, was elected international councilor at the national gathering of the Secular Francciscan Order in the United States in October. With her election, Mary had to step down as vice minister of St. Joseph Fraternity, and the Fraternity Council elected Marsha Kistner, OSF, as vice minister and appointed Robert Stronach, OSF, to succeed Marsha as secretary.

Deceased Still Touch Our Lives

Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv

"Friendship and concern does not end at death, but continues," Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv., told some 60 people Nov. 18 at a Service of Remembrance, co-sponsored by St. Joseph Fraternity and St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church. "We have the opportunity to reflect on how they have touched our lives and to reflect on how they are part of the reality of God's church."

Fraternity Elects Servant-Leaders

Joanne Lockwood, OFS, of Barneveld was elected minister of St. Joseph Fraternity on Sunday, Sept. 16.

She and other members of the newly elected council will serve a three-year term.

Joanne was previously assistant formation director and also serves as secretary for the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Regional Fraternity.

Life of Kateri Has Message for Today

Kateri Tekakwitha

Beth Lynch

"It all started with the Franciscans."

That's how Beth Lynch opened her talk on Kateri Tekakwitha, the soon-to-be first Native American saint, at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church on July 15.

4 New Secular Franciscans

Friar Henry Madigan

“The central act of Francis was to respond to the word of God,” Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv., reminded four candidates at the Rite of Profession on May 20 at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church. Like the apostles, “Francis and companions received a call to extend the word of Christ and the love of God.”

Likewise, he said, those being professed as Secular Franciscans are accepting the call to bring Christ and the Gospels into their everyday lives.