"For the ancients a name is not simply a conventional designation,
but rather an expression of a beings place in the universe. God perfects
His creation by naming creatures; day, night, heaven, earth, sea (Gen
1, 3-10); He calls each star by name (Is 40, 26);..." (Dictionary
of Biblical Theology).
Our newsletter belongs to all and it is time to
recommend a name which reflects the wishes of all. So far suggestions have
been:
Fr. Paul Juniet, OFM-
Spiritual Assistant
In the 1950s the Church let up on the
practice of fasting and abstinence. Many Catholics rejoiced at this and
didn't pick up on the "Rest of the Story". The observance of meatless fridays
and fast days had become ritual without spirit. The Church asks us to enter
into the depth of the spirit rather than the law. Removing the obligation
did not mean that we no longer needed these practices. Rather, the Church
asks us to enter into these practices with our inner spirit and life. Each
one of us must take responsibility for our journey to the Lord.
Francis showed us the way in his own life. When
he went forth from the world he tells us he was led by the Spirit calling
him forth.
In his testament he tells us, "While I was in sin,
it seemed very bitter to me to see lepers. And the Lord himself led me
among them and I had mercy on them. And when I left them that which seemed
bitter to me was changed into sweetness of soul and body."
Jesus in the Gospel tells us "whoever does not take
up his cross is not worthy of me." Our life of penance is not so much limited
to fasting and self denial as it is to walking with the Lord in our daily
struggles as He calls us forth. When I was in the novitiate on Ash Wednesday
we as novices wanted to give up dessert. So we let the pies sit on the
table. Our novicemaster told us to eat the pies since the cooks worked
to bake them. He told us that rather than give up dessert we needed to
cut out bickering and being uncharitable with each other. This is true
penance and taking up our cross and following Jesus.
During the Lenten season we as Franciscans are called
are called to spend time with the Lord in prayer and to walk with the Lord
in our daily life. To let the Lord be with us in our daily struggles and
to walk with each other as we take up our own crosses to follow Jesus.
Fr. Paul
"Paz y Bien" From the Infirmarian:
SFO INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL Weekly
News
FROM: CIOFS BULLETIN, 1999, VOL 5 N.1(January)
3. The years of preparation for the Jubilee have
been placed under the sign of the Most Holy Trinity: through Christ in
the Holy Spirit to God the Father. In the mystery of the Trinity, the journey
of faith has its origin and its final goal, when at last our eyes will
contemplate the face of God forever. In celebrating the Incarnation, we
fix our gaze upon the mystery of the Trinity. Jesus of Nazareth, who reveals
the Father, has fulfilled the desire hidden in every human heart to know
God. What creation preserved as a seal etched in it by the creative hand
of God and what the ancient Prophets had announced as a promise is disclosed
in the revelation of Christ.
(Continued next month)....
Calendar of Saints/Feast Days:
February
4. St. Joseph of Leonissa, priest, I Ord.
6. Sts. Peter Baptist, Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs, I and III
Ord.
7. St. Colette, virgin, II Ord.
17. ASH WEDNESDAY- LENT BEGINS
19. St. Conrad of Piacenza, Hermit of III Ord.
Lenten Reflections
Lent is the most important time of the year
to nurture our inner life. It is the time during which we not only prepare
ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus,
but also the death and resurrection that constantly takes place within
us. Life is a continuing process of the death of the old and the familiar,
and being reborn again into a new hope, a new trust and a new love. The
death and resurrection of Jesus is not therefore just an historical event
that took place a long time ago, but an inner event that takes place in
our own heart when we are willing to be attentive to it. True repentance
is an interior attitude in which we are willing to let go of everything
that prevents us from growing into spiritual maturity, and there is hardly
a moment in our lives in which we are not invited to detach ourselves from
certain ways of thinking, ways of speaking, ways of acting, that for a
long time gave us energy, but that always again need to be renewed and
recreated.
Lent offers a beautiful opportunity to discover
the mystery of Christ within us. It is a gentle but also demanding time.
It is a time of solitude but also community, it is a time of listening
to the voice within, but also a time of paying attention to other people's
needs. It is a time to continuously make the passage to new inner life
as well as to life with those around us.
When we live Lent attentively and gently, then Easter
can truly be a celebration during which the full proclamation of the risen
Christ will reverberate into the deepest place of our being.
(Henri J. M. Nouwen)
A GUIDE TO CONFESSION THIS LENT
Take some time to consider what held Jesus firmly
on the cross. Surely it could not have been the nails. He could have called
upon his father to send a legion of angels to save him.
INQUIRER'S CLASSES:
February 13 at 1:00pm, and February 28 at 1:00pm at Queen of Angels
. Instructor: Joanne Elfers
CANDIDATE CLASSES:
Feb 28 at 1:30pm at Queen of Angels.
Instructor: Rena Xuereb.
ONGOING FORMATION:
Feb 28 at 1:30-2:30 pm at Queen of Angels. Topic: Series- Our Journey
to the Father. The third and final year of preparation for the Great Jubilee.
Bring your Bibles!
. ALL PROFESSED ARE WELCOME. Instr.: Louise Baca
There was evil and goodness, mortal sin and grace, the evil and virtuous, the saved and the lost. I knew the enemy and attacked with all the pompous self- righteousness of one who is certain of divine revelation. Maybe it was trying to listen
All I know is that my tears
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COUNCIL MEETING:
March 6 at 1:30 pm at Queen of Angels. PROFESSED MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO ATTEND.
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS/ ACTIVITIES:
Profession Retreat
Feb. 27 Retreat for candidates making profession.
Location: Felician Sisters House, 4210 Meadowlark Ln., SE, Rio
Rancho
Time: 9am- 3pm. Contact Rena
if attending.