200 Celebrate St. Joseph's Table

Rick Roberts

The celebration of St. Joseph's Feast Day -- first with mass and then song and refreshment at "St. Joseph's Table" -- "truly was a success," reports Rick Roberts, OFS, who helped organize the event. The celebration took place March 19, with mass at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church on Columbia Street in Utica, followed by a procession to the parish center for St. Joseph's Table.

'St. Joseph's Table' Celebrates Feast Day

Secular Franciscans are coordinating St. Joseph-St. Patrick's Church's celebration of the Feast Day of St. Joseph the Husband of Mary.

It takes place Wednesday, March 19 -- first with mass and then with song and refreshment at "St. Joseph's Table" in the parish center.

Roberta Mickey Receives Immaculata Award

Roberta Mickey

Roberta Mickey, OFS, a member of St. Joseph Fraternity's formation team, received the Immaculata Award Dec. 8 from Bishop Robert J. Cunningham at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse.

The award recognizes “those who generously and unselfishly give of themselves to their parishes," the diocese announced.

Betty Frank Receives Peace Award

Betty Frank, OFS

UTICA -- Elizabeth "Betty" Frank, OFS, has been awarded the Franciscan Peace Award by the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Region of the Secular Franciscan Order (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis). "Our national theme is to 'Be a Bridge -- Accept All People As a Gift of God'," Mary Stronach, OFS, the U.S. international councilor, noted during an awards ceremony at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Parish Center Sunday (Oct. 27). "Betty Frank is that bridge."

Fraternity Gathers a Week Later in Sept., Oct.

The fraternity will hold its monthly gathering on the fourth Sunday of the month in both September and October, instead of the third Sunday. The change to Sept. 22 and Oct. 27 avoids scheduling conflicts with the Regional Gathering and a St. Marianne novena/celebration at the parish.

Looking for More? Come to Info Night

 Do you have an inner nagging in your heart? Are you wondering about living life more fully? Are you attracted to St. Francis of Assisi? It may be time to check out the Secular Franciscan Order -- at an information night on July 31.

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.