Next Meeting Date: 4/27/08

"I loved my visit to America!

Blessings to all my Secular Franciscan faithful--

especially those of Korban Fraternity in Oakdale, CT"

Alleluia !

"God raised up Jesus on the third day and granted that he be seen, not by all, but only by such witnesses as had been chosen beforehand by God-" [Acts 10: 40]

Candidate Formation: Catch Me A Rainbow Too (Chapters: 12-13)

Gospel to Life - Life to the Gospel: (John 14: 15-21)

Refreshment Committee: Pot Luck - bring some small item if you will be attending.

Last Call - Fair Share is due: $21 Professed Members ($11 Candidates)

Good Friday Reflection in Music

Perhaps today,the most somber and grave day of the year, is a day that can be given to prayer and some private musical reflection. Here are three pieces that I find reflective of the character of this day. If you have 15 minutes for reflection, please stay a while.

The first piece is Adagio in G Minor by Albinoni (9:54). Whenever I hear this selection I instinctively think of Good Friday and Our Lords Passion. It begins very quietly; with a distinct feeling of a purposeful and trudging movement. It contains a few pauses reminding me of our Lords falls along the way to Calvary. It contains waves of pathos building slowly and finally becoming overwhelming. The end comes with a quiet and sweet violin. If you close your eyes and picture The Way of the Cross...





The second piece I favor on this day is Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie. (3:28) After the Lord's death there is a loss that is not quite reconcilable: the feeling is more than simple loss, it's uncertaintly and misunderstanding. It's a dispirited confusion where the final phrase is slightly discordant. This piece is also slow (lent) but not as heavy as the first. For me it reflects the despair of time in between death and resurrection.




My final selection is somewhat more hopeful. It is Schumann's Traumerei. (2:28) It's performed by the master Vladamir Horowitz in Moscow.This is a favorite among the Russian people whose history has been filled with tragedy. The piece conveys sadness but its ending is more encouraging: it is peaceful and we know that we are reconciled.




We adore you O Christ and we praise you,
Because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.



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Next Meeting Date: 2/24/2008

May the Lord give you peace.


Gospel to Life Reading: John 4:5-42 (3rd Sunday of Lent).

Don't Forget food items for St. Vincent DePaul Place.

Refreshment Committee:

• Sandy St. J
• John B.
• Joe & Judy D.

Fair Share is due: $21 per member (Candidates & Professed).

Candidate Formation: Catch Me A Rainbow Too - Chapters 10-11

No Meeting In March (Our normal meeting date falls on Easter Sunday).

Next Meeting Date: 01/27/2008

Our first meeting of the new year is coming soon. We greet each other at 1:15 and we begin with opening prayers at 1:30.

Since we haven't met in a while the Council will meet earlier than usual at 12 noon.

Please remember our chosen apostolate - St. Vincent DePaul Place. Any items that you can donate for their ministry is greatly appreciated.

Refreshment Committee: All are asked to chip in.

Upcoming and recent Birthdays: William Caverly 12/24; Fr. Andy Drew 01/17; Doris Gamelin 01/30.

February 3rd is the 1st anniversary of the passing of Teo Dino. Please keep him and his wife Zaida in your prayers.

Creche Service Begins Advent Season

Members of the Fraternity along with their families participated in a wonderful service to begin the Season of Advent. The Creche scene was set up in front of the altar and surrounded with 'manger hay' to commenorate the 'Nativity' as Francis had done over 800 years ago.

The program, which was enhanced with organ music, set the tone for a peaceful and joyous season of preparation. Hopefully everyone was inspired to make this Christmas a truly holy holiday.

Thank you to everyone who worked with setup and food to make this a joyous event.

Next Meeting Date: 11/25/2007

At our next meeting we will have our annual Christmas Creche Service upstairs in the church. Refreshments will follow in the church basement. Every one is asked to bring some food, drink, and snacks to share with our Sisters and Brothers and any invited guests. This is a particularly great time to invite your family members as well as friends to share in our joy.

Please arrive at the usual time to help with set up and preparation. Many hands make the work easy. The service proper will start at 2:00 pm. There will be no formation classes as such. The service itself serves as a wonderful formation experience. We will recall once again how St. Francis created his creche scene to awaken the hearts of the faithful.

And don't forget our brothers and sisters who rely on our generosity at St. Vincent DePaul Place in Norwich. There is no better way to show our love for Jesus and Francis than to give alms to those in need.

Next Meeting Date: 10/28/2007

This month we dedicate our gathering to Mary, Mother of the Church and Advocate for the Franciscan Family. Please bring your Rosary so we can recite, as a Fraternity, prayers in honor of Our Lady.

On October 26, 2007 (the Friday before we meet) a very special event will take place for The Secular Franciscan Order. Blessed Franz Jagerstatter, Secular Franciscan Martyr, will be beatified in Linz, Austria. For information about his life click here.

40 Days For Life Campaign: Please take the time to be informed and to participate in this peaceful effort. For more information about the campaign click here.
'Let them individually and collectively be in the forefront in promoting justice by the testimony of their human lives and courageous initiatives. Especially in the field of public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith.' [Article XV - SFO Rule]

Finally, don't forget our chosen apostolate, helping the less fortunate with a food donation to St. Vincent De Paul Place in Norwich. They are ever grateful for any help.