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⇒ News from the US Franciscans website
⇒ A collection of our #FriarFriday reflections
⇒ News from the OFM English-speaking Conference and our General Curia in Rome
⇒ News from the US Franciscans Facebook Page
⇒ Local US Franciscan news

News from US Franciscans

#FriarFriday – Reconsidering the Habit

#FriarFriday – Reconsidering the Habit

by | Jun 10, 2017 | 6 Comments

The distinctive external symbol of Franciscans friars is the iconic brown habit – the tunic, hood and white cord with three knots. When someone sees someone in the habit, they know immediately that that person is a Franciscan friar.

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New Assisi Shrine is Reminder to Shed Attachments

New Assisi Shrine is Reminder to Shed Attachments

by | Apr 18, 2017 | 0 Comments

In following Christ, the pope said, “we are all called to be poor, to strip ourselves of our egos; and to do this we must learn how to be with the poor, to share with those who lack basic necessities, to touch the flesh of Christ!

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US Franciscans Speak Out on Immigration Ban

US Franciscans Speak Out on Immigration Ban

by | Feb 1, 2017 | 1 Comment

The leadership of the US Franciscans have issued a statement against the president's recent travel ban. They say: The recent actions of President Donald J. Trump regarding the treatment of immigrants and refugees entering our country have been troubling to a wide...

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Let Us Begin Again

Let Us Begin Again

by | Jan 1, 2017 | 0 Comments

t. Bonaventure tells us that towards the end of his life St. Francis would tell the other friars: "Let us begin again, brothers, for up until now, we have done little or nothing." One of Francis's other biographers, Friar Thomas of Celano, tells us...

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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

by | Dec 25, 2016 | 0 Comments

The story is told that St. Francis was discussing with Br. Morico about whether to fast or not when Christmas falls on a Friday.

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News from US Franciscans

#FriarFriday – Reconsidering the Habit

#FriarFriday – Reconsidering the Habit

by | Jun 10, 2017 | 6 Comments

The distinctive external symbol of Franciscans friars is the iconic brown habit – the tunic, hood and white cord with three knots. When someone sees someone in the habit, they know immediately that that person is a Franciscan friar.

read more
New Assisi Shrine is Reminder to Shed Attachments

New Assisi Shrine is Reminder to Shed Attachments

by | Apr 18, 2017 | 0 Comments

In following Christ, the pope said, “we are all called to be poor, to strip ourselves of our egos; and to do this we must learn how to be with the poor, to share with those who lack basic necessities, to touch the flesh of Christ!

read more

Recent #FriarFriday Reflections

#FriarFriday – Reconsidering the Habit

by | Jun 10, 2017 | 6 Comments

The distinctive external symbol of Franciscans friars is the iconic brown habit – the tunic, hood and white cord with three knots. When someone sees someone in the habit, they know immediately that that person is a Franciscan friar.

read more

Recent #FriarFriday Reflections

#FriarFriday – Reconsidering the Habit

by | Jun 10, 2017 | 6 Comments

The distinctive external symbol of Franciscans friars is the iconic brown habit – the tunic, hood and white cord with three knots. When someone sees someone in the habit, they know immediately that that person is a Franciscan friar.

read more

News from the OFM English-speaking Conference

ofm.org posts

Sacred Heart Province elects new leadership team

by | Jun 23, 2017 | 0 Comments

ENGLISH SPEAKING CONFERENCE | ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR                                                                                                                               Thomas S. Washburn, OFMPO Box 61128  • New Bedford, Massachusetts 02746 • exec@escofm.org ...

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Leadership elected for ABVM Province

by | Jun 7, 2017 | 0 Comments

Provincial Minister James GannonRACINE, WISCONSIN - The members of the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary gathered in Provincial Chapter from June 4-8 at Siena Reteat Center here.  During the Chapter, delegates elected a new leadership team for the...

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Friars make mission trip to Cuba

by | Jun 1, 2017 | 0 Comments

6/1/2017 0 Comments By Jim McIntosh, OFM HAVANA, CUBA – A group of eight U.S. Franciscan friars visited Cuba as part of a mission trip April 22-29, 2017. The friars visited the city of Havana and the towns of Remedios and Trinidad. Friars David Convertino OFM, John...

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Eastern Canadian Province elects new leadership

by | May 16, 2017 | 0 Comments

QUEBEC, CANADA - During their Provincial Chapter taking place this week, the Province of St. Joseph in Eastern Canada elected the following friars to serve the fraternity in leadership:   MINISTER PROVINCIAL: Pierre Charland, OFM. Pierre previously served as Vicar...

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US Franciscans speak out against Muslim ban

by | May 11, 2017 | 0 Comments

By Maria HayesThe Franciscan Friars of the United States have joined a coalition of individuals and organizations of diverse religions in filing an amicus brief challenging the federal administration’s March 6 executive order on immigration, arguing that it...

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Discussing New Forms of Franciscan Life

by | Apr 22, 2017 | 0 Comments

THIS ORIGINALLY APPEARED  AT USFRANCISCANS.ORGBy Jim McIntosh, OFM​CHICAGO – A group of solemnly professed friars, ranging in age from their early 30s to mid-80s, met here recently to discuss the General Secretariat for Missions and Evangelization’s...

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Conference holds Spring meeting in Ireland

by | Apr 10, 2017 | 0 Comments

ENGLISH SPEAKING CONFERENCE | ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR                                                                                                                               Thomas S. Washburn, OFMPO Box 61128  • New Bedford, Massachusetts 02746 • exec@escofm.org ...

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Sacred Heart Province elects new leadership team

by | Jun 23, 2017 | 0 Comments

ENGLISH SPEAKING CONFERENCE | ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR                                                                                                                               Thomas S. Washburn, OFMPO Box 61128  • New Bedford, Massachusetts 02746 • exec@escofm.org ...

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Leadership elected for ABVM Province

by | Jun 7, 2017 | 0 Comments

Provincial Minister James GannonRACINE, WISCONSIN - The members of the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary gathered in Provincial Chapter from June 4-8 at Siena Reteat Center here.  During the Chapter, delegates elected a new leadership team for the...

read more

Friars make mission trip to Cuba

by | Jun 1, 2017 | 0 Comments

6/1/2017 0 Comments By Jim McIntosh, OFM HAVANA, CUBA – A group of eight U.S. Franciscan friars visited Cuba as part of a mission trip April 22-29, 2017. The friars visited the city of Havana and the towns of Remedios and Trinidad. Friars David Convertino OFM, John...

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News from the General Curia in Rome

ofm.org posts

Antonianum Rector and Vice Rector Reconfirmed

by | Jun 21, 2017 | 0 Comments

21 Jun Antonianum Rector and Vice Rector Reconfirmed Posted on June 21, 2017 in Formation, News by Alvin Te, OFM A celebration in honor of the Rector of the Pontifical University Antonianum (PUA), Sr. Mary Melone SFA, and Vice Rector, Br. Agustín Hernández OFM, was...

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4 Friars from razed Franciscan house profess vows

by | Jun 9, 2017 | 0 Comments

09 Jun 4 Friars from razed Franciscan house profess vows Posted on June 9, 2017 in News by Alvin Te, OFM “Indeed this is literally what it means to live without anything of my own”. This sentiment from postulant Jaymar Escoltor after a fire recently razed the...

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Antonianum Rector and Vice Rector Reconfirmed

by | Jun 21, 2017 | 0 Comments

21 Jun Antonianum Rector and Vice Rector Reconfirmed Posted on June 21, 2017 in Formation, News by Alvin Te, OFM A celebration in honor of the Rector of the Pontifical University Antonianum (PUA), Sr. Mary Melone SFA, and Vice Rector, Br. Agustín Hernández OFM, was...

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Local US Franciscan News

Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province shared St Francis Inn Ministries's photo.

13 hours ago

Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province

It’s not summer until St. Francis Inn hosts its annual block party! This year, the Inn served a chicken dinner to 516 guests. Many stayed for several hours of music and dancing after the meal. Thank you to the volunteers and benefactors who make this possible.

For more photos, visit the Inn on Instagram: @st_francis_innWe served our Sunday meal outdoors on this beautiful June day. Today was our annual Block Party for the guests. This has been a great summer event for us since 1990. We served chicken dinner to 516 guests. After the meal was over many people stayed for a couple of hours of music and dancing. We had entertainment and games for the children. The DJ for the event was our Franciscan brother Patrick Tuttle from Greenville, South Carolina. We are very grateful to our volunteers and benefactors for making this annual event possible for our guests. ... See MoreSee Less

It’s not summer until St. Francis Inn hosts its annual block party! This year, the Inn served a chicken dinner to 516 guests. Many stayed for several hours of music and dancing after the meal. Thank you to the volunteers and benefactors who make this possible. For more photos, visit the Inn on Instagram: @st_francis_inn
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SW Franciscans

18 hours ago

SW Franciscans

THAT NUN FROM DUBUQUE HAS A MESSAGE ON HEALTH CARE
By Richelle Friedman

[ note: The following op-ed was published Sunday in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. ]

I recently ran into Senator Charles Grassley in the U.S. Capitol. Senator Grassley and I have known each other for years. He refers to me as “that nun from Dubuque.”

Senator Grassley and I have always had a cordial relationship, but on this day I was not feeling particularly charitable toward him. I had just seen a news story on Iowa Public Radio’s website in which Grassley defended the secrecy with which GOP senators are trying to push through health care repeal.

There have been no hearings, no public testimony, no amendments, and no debate on the bill. Even Grassley said he had not seen it.

Grassley tried to justify the GOP’s closed-door sessions by claiming that, in 2010, then-Senate-majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, acted secretly to push through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

This is not true. I know, because I was in Washington working for passage of the ACA. Senator Grassley was a member of the “Gang of Six” – three Republican and three Democratic senators – who spent months negotiating health care legislation. Ultimately, their work was in vain because no compromise was reached. Every Republican, included Grassley, voted against passage of the ACA, even though thousands of Iowans benefited from its passage.

The ACA helped 150,000 lower-income Iowans gain health care coverage through the Medicaid expansion and helped 45,000 moderate-income Iowans pay premiums on their private insurance policies. It also provided key consumer protections, outlawing the practice of denying treatment for pre-existing conditions, banning annual or lifetime caps on benefits, and ensuring that certain essentials were part of any health insurance plan, such as doctors’ services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drug coverage, prenatal and infant care, mental health services, and more.

Our country, and Iowa in particular, needs a robust health care system. The ACA can be improved. We read, for example, about health insurance companies leaving the Iowa marketplace, in part, because the current Administration has not provided assurance that they will continue to receive the cost-sharing subsidies in the ACA.

Given the complexity of health care, debate over health care changes should be open and transparent, not secret. No new legislation should leave Iowans worse off than they are now, which would happen under the bill passed by the House and now under consideration by the Senate

The proposed cuts to Medicaid are a direct attack on the interests of the people of Iowa. Medicaid enables 634,000 Iowans to receive comprehensive, affordable health care including 90,000 Iowans with disabilities, 15,600 babies, and 46,000 Iowa seniors who get health care through Medicaid including nursing home care and services that help them live at home. The federal government covers 57 percent of Iowa’s Medicaid costs.

Under the health care legislation already approved by the House, the cuts to Iowa’s federal Medicaid budget would begin this fall, and would quickly drop by almost 20 percent by 2018 and 33 percent by 2026. How will Iowa replace the lost dollars? How many Iowans will lose access to health care? How many will die as a result because they could not get preventative treatment or the CAT scan or mammogram they need?

The proposed cuts to Medicaid are not an effort to improve Iowa’s health care system. Rather, they are a key part of the plan to pass large tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Perversely, we could end up with a system where fewer Iowans are covered by health insurance than before the ACA was enacted.

Tough questions deserve open and thoughtful consideration, and Senator Grassley should help provide solutions. This nun from Dubuque demands no less.

[Friedman is a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Dubuque and serves as the Director of Public Policy at the Coalition on Human Needs in Washington, D.C.] ... See MoreSee Less

THAT NUN FROM DUBUQUE HAS A MESSAGE ON HEALTH CARE By Richelle Friedman[ note: The following op-ed was published Sunday in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. ]I recently ran into Senator Charles Grassley in the U.S. Capitol. Senator Grassley and I have known each other for years. He refers to me as “that nun from Dubuque.”Senator Grassley and I have always had a cordial relationship, but on this day I was not feeling particularly charitable toward him. I had just seen a news story on Iowa Public Radio’s website in which Grassley defended the secrecy with which GOP senators are trying to push through health care repeal.There have been no hearings, no public testimony, no amendments, and no debate on the bill. Even Grassley said he had not seen it.Grassley tried to justify the GOP’s closed-door sessions by claiming that, in 2010, then-Senate-majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, acted secretly to push through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).This is not true. I know, because I was in Washington working for passage of the ACA. Senator Grassley was a member of the “Gang of Six” – three Republican and three Democratic senators – who spent months negotiating health care legislation. Ultimately, their work was in vain because no compromise was reached. Every Republican, included Grassley, voted against passage of the ACA, even though thousands of Iowans benefited from its passage.The ACA helped 150,000 lower-income Iowans gain health care coverage through the Medicaid expansion and helped 45,000 moderate-income Iowans pay premiums on their private insurance policies. It also provided key consumer protections, outlawing the practice of denying treatment for pre-existing conditions, banning annual or lifetime caps on benefits, and ensuring that certain essentials were part of any health insurance plan, such as doctors’ services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drug coverage, prenatal and infant care, mental health services, and more.Our country, and Iowa in particular, needs a robust health care system. The ACA can be improved. We read, for example, about health insurance companies leaving the Iowa marketplace, in part, because the current Administration has not provided assurance that they will continue to receive the cost-sharing subsidies in the ACA.Given the complexity of health care, debate over health care changes should be open and transparent, not secret. No new legislation should leave Iowans worse off than they are now, which would happen under the bill passed by the House and now under consideration by the SenateThe proposed cuts to Medicaid are a direct attack on the interests of the people of Iowa. Medicaid enables 634,000 Iowans to receive comprehensive, affordable health care including 90,000 Iowans with disabilities, 15,600 babies, and 46,000 Iowa seniors who get health care through Medicaid including nursing home care and services that help them live at home. The federal government covers 57 percent of Iowa’s Medicaid costs.Under the health care legislation already approved by the House, the cuts to Iowa’s federal Medicaid budget would begin this fall, and would quickly drop by almost 20 percent by 2018 and 33 percent by 2026. How will Iowa replace the lost dollars? How many Iowans will lose access to health care? How many will die as a result because they could not get preventative treatment or the CAT scan or mammogram they need?The proposed cuts to Medicaid are not an effort to improve Iowa’s health care system. Rather, they are a key part of the plan to pass large tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Perversely, we could end up with a system where fewer Iowans are covered by health insurance than before the ACA was enacted.Tough questions deserve open and thoughtful consideration, and Senator Grassley should help provide solutions. This nun from Dubuque demands no less.[Friedman is a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Dubuque and serves as the Director of Public Policy at the Coalition on Human Needs in Washington, D.C.]
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Franciscan Monastery

2 days ago

Franciscan Monastery

The countdown is on! Enter the Franciscan Monastery​'s photo contest by June 30. Get inspired by this past entry & see contest details at myfranciscan.org/photo-contest. ... See MoreSee Less

The countdown is on! Enter the Franciscan Monastery​s photo contest by June 30. Get inspired by this past entry & see contest details at myfranciscan.org/photo-contest.
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Jennifer Overbeck Flores

2 days ago

Jennifer Overbeck Flores

Farewell to the Franciscans who served on Galveston Island for the last 37 years. Your service was definitely appreciated and your presence will be missed. ... See MoreSee Less

Farewell to the Franciscans who served on Galveston Island for the last 37 years. Your service was definitely appreciated and your presence will be missed.
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Thank you Jennifer. God bless you!

Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

3 days ago

Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

Our baptizer’s birthday - With his June 24 feast day today, you may be wondering: Why would a group of friars based in Cincinnati choose St. John the Baptist as their patron? The answer is simple. It was Archbishop John Baptist Purcell who in 1844 recruited friars from Europe’s Tyrol to serve German-speaking immigrants in Cincinnati. When missionary friars created a Franciscan entity – a “custos”, and later a “province” – they named it for the Archbishop and the biblical baptizer.
Statue of St. John the Baptist in the courtyard of St. Francis Seraph friary in Cincinnati. ... See MoreSee Less

Our baptizer’s birthday - With his June 24 feast day today, you may be wondering: Why would a group of friars based in Cincinnati choose St. John the Baptist as their patron? The answer is simple. It was Archbishop John Baptist Purcell who in 1844 recruited friars from Europe’s Tyrol to serve German-speaking immigrants in Cincinnati. When missionary friars created a Franciscan entity – a “custos”, and later a “province” – they named it for the Archbishop and the biblical baptizer. Statue of St. John the Baptist in the courtyard of St. Francis Seraph friary in Cincinnati.
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Happy Feast Day !

May I please share this post?

Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province added 8 new photos.

3 days ago

Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province

Province Chapter - 2017

The friars of Sacred Heart Province announce the election of the leadership team for the next three years, elected at the Province Chapter of 2017 in St. Charles, Missouri.

Provincial Minister - Fr. Thomas Nairn, O.F.M.
Provincial Vicar - Fr. John Eaton, O.F.M.

Provincial Council:

Fr. Jerry Bleem, O.F.M.
Fr. Bill Burton, O.F.M.
Bro. Douglas Collins, O.F.M.
Fr. Duc Pham, O.F.M.
Fr. Dennis Schafer, O.F.M.
Bro. Michael Ward, O.F.M. ... See MoreSee Less

Province Chapter - 2017The friars of Sacred Heart Province announce the election of the leadership team for the next three years, elected at the Province Chapter of 2017 in St. Charles, Missouri.Provincial Minister - Fr. Thomas Nairn, O.F.M. Provincial Vicar - Fr. John Eaton, O.F.M.Provincial Council:Fr. Jerry Bleem, O.F.M. Fr. Bill Burton, O.F.M. Bro. Douglas Collins, O.F.M. Fr. Duc Pham, O.F.M. Fr. Dennis Schafer, O.F.M. Bro. Michael Ward, O.F.M.
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Great job guys..

Congratulations to all!

Congratulations.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and dedicated servants.

Blessings on you

Prayers to all

Congratulations and God bless you all!!!!

Congratulations Father John!!

Congratulations to all!

Inspiring friars!

Congratulations Father John

Huge shoutout to Fr. Duc and Fr. Jerry! They were so amazing during our volunteer year in Cicero ❤️

May the Spirit be with you during the next 3 years

Many blessings, my brothers! Does this mean my Franciscan Outreach buddies (Doug, Duc, and Mike! )might be moving to St. Louis ??

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

My prayerful support brothers, ....

Best province in the Americas!

Congratulations Tom!

Hey, Tom, congratulations!

The order is obviously very wise! Congratulations, Tom.

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Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

4 days ago

Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

Immerse yourself in Jesus’ Sacred Heart with “Healing Promises: The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart” by Anne Costa

Christ’s fidelity to the promises He offers through the Sacred Heart devotion is perhaps the best kept secret of our faith in these times. Journey to the center of His Heart, where His promises are real and his message will always be: You are not alone. You are loved!

Read a free sample: http://bit.ly/2twDQJT ... See MoreSee Less

Immerse yourself in Jesus’ Sacred Heart with “Healing Promises: The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart” by Anne CostaChrist’s fidelity to the promises He offers through the Sacred Heart devotion is perhaps the best kept secret of our faith in these times. Journey to the center of His Heart, where His promises are real and his message will always be: You are not alone. You are loved!Read a free sample: http://bit.ly/2twDQJT
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SW Franciscans

4 days ago

SW Franciscans

Sunday's Gospel begins with Jesus telling his disciples (that's me and you) these three words: "Fear no one." Then he uses the refrain, "Do not be afraid." "Do not be afraid."

We hear the news of drastic events in our world. We wonder who to believe in our government. We find ourselves living in families that--darn it--just aren't perfect...We see hateful graffiti painted on buildings. We watch homeless folks who look so forlorn and abandoned. "Do not be afraid." "Do not be afraid."

The next paragraph is a quote from a famous person. Put your hand over the last paragraph on the screen, so you can read the quote without knowing the source. Ask yourself when this was written, and does it apply to your experience today. After reading the quote, sit still with it for a bit before lifting your hand and reading the last paragraph...

'This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any person or number of people...re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem.'

Now that you have reflected on this quote, does it correspond to Jesus telling you to fear no one? Does it empower you to hope and to take action--moving fear into love? Amazingly, it was written over 150 years ago. By Walt Whitman, in his preface to "Leaves of Grass," in 1855. The struggle continues. Don't give up. Don't be afraid.
_________

'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.' Mk 16:15

..... peace..... Bro. Mark...... "Franciscans for Justice" ... See MoreSee Less

Sundays Gospel begins with Jesus telling his disciples (thats me and you) these three words: Fear no one. Then he uses the refrain, Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. We hear the news of drastic events in our world. We wonder who to believe in our government. We find ourselves living in families that--darn it--just arent perfect...We see hateful graffiti painted on buildings. We watch homeless folks who look so forlorn and abandoned. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. The next paragraph is a quote from a famous person. Put your hand over the last paragraph on the screen, so you can read the quote without knowing the source. Ask yourself when this was written, and does it apply to your experience today. After reading the quote, sit still with it for a bit before lifting your hand and reading the last paragraph... This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any person or number of people...re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem. Now that you have reflected on this quote, does it correspond to Jesus telling you to fear no one? Does it empower you to hope and to take action--moving fear into love? Amazingly, it was written over 150 years ago. By Walt Whitman, in his preface to Leaves of Grass, in 1855. The struggle continues. Dont give up. Dont be afraid. _________Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mk 16:15..... peace..... Bro. Mark...... Franciscans for Justice
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Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province updated their cover photo.

5 days ago

Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

Have you read the latest News from the Friars? You can read Fr. Alex Katz's article about Franciscan pilgrimages to the Holy Land and much more here:
http://bit.ly/2rGrmOd ... See MoreSee Less

Have you read the latest News from the Friars? You can read Fr. Alex Katzs article about Franciscan pilgrimages to the Holy Land and much more here: http://bit.ly/2rGrmOd
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Pax et Bonum! Dear Brothers and fellow Friars!

Local US Franciscan News

Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province shared St Francis Inn Ministries's photo.

13 hours ago

Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province

It’s not summer until St. Francis Inn hosts its annual block party! This year, the Inn served a chicken dinner to 516 guests. Many stayed for several hours of music and dancing after the meal. Thank you to the volunteers and benefactors who make this possible.

For more photos, visit the Inn on Instagram: @st_francis_innWe served our Sunday meal outdoors on this beautiful June day. Today was our annual Block Party for the guests. This has been a great summer event for us since 1990. We served chicken dinner to 516 guests. After the meal was over many people stayed for a couple of hours of music and dancing. We had entertainment and games for the children. The DJ for the event was our Franciscan brother Patrick Tuttle from Greenville, South Carolina. We are very grateful to our volunteers and benefactors for making this annual event possible for our guests. ... See MoreSee Less

It’s not summer until St. Francis Inn hosts its annual block party! This year, the Inn served a chicken dinner to 516 guests. Many stayed for several hours of music and dancing after the meal. Thank you to the volunteers and benefactors who make this possible. For more photos, visit the Inn on Instagram: @st_francis_inn
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SW Franciscans

18 hours ago

SW Franciscans

THAT NUN FROM DUBUQUE HAS A MESSAGE ON HEALTH CARE
By Richelle Friedman

[ note: The following op-ed was published Sunday in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. ]

I recently ran into Senator Charles Grassley in the U.S. Capitol. Senator Grassley and I have known each other for years. He refers to me as “that nun from Dubuque.”

Senator Grassley and I have always had a cordial relationship, but on this day I was not feeling particularly charitable toward him. I had just seen a news story on Iowa Public Radio’s website in which Grassley defended the secrecy with which GOP senators are trying to push through health care repeal.

There have been no hearings, no public testimony, no amendments, and no debate on the bill. Even Grassley said he had not seen it.

Grassley tried to justify the GOP’s closed-door sessions by claiming that, in 2010, then-Senate-majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, acted secretly to push through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

This is not true. I know, because I was in Washington working for passage of the ACA. Senator Grassley was a member of the “Gang of Six” – three Republican and three Democratic senators – who spent months negotiating health care legislation. Ultimately, their work was in vain because no compromise was reached. Every Republican, included Grassley, voted against passage of the ACA, even though thousands of Iowans benefited from its passage.

The ACA helped 150,000 lower-income Iowans gain health care coverage through the Medicaid expansion and helped 45,000 moderate-income Iowans pay premiums on their private insurance policies. It also provided key consumer protections, outlawing the practice of denying treatment for pre-existing conditions, banning annual or lifetime caps on benefits, and ensuring that certain essentials were part of any health insurance plan, such as doctors’ services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drug coverage, prenatal and infant care, mental health services, and more.

Our country, and Iowa in particular, needs a robust health care system. The ACA can be improved. We read, for example, about health insurance companies leaving the Iowa marketplace, in part, because the current Administration has not provided assurance that they will continue to receive the cost-sharing subsidies in the ACA.

Given the complexity of health care, debate over health care changes should be open and transparent, not secret. No new legislation should leave Iowans worse off than they are now, which would happen under the bill passed by the House and now under consideration by the Senate

The proposed cuts to Medicaid are a direct attack on the interests of the people of Iowa. Medicaid enables 634,000 Iowans to receive comprehensive, affordable health care including 90,000 Iowans with disabilities, 15,600 babies, and 46,000 Iowa seniors who get health care through Medicaid including nursing home care and services that help them live at home. The federal government covers 57 percent of Iowa’s Medicaid costs.

Under the health care legislation already approved by the House, the cuts to Iowa’s federal Medicaid budget would begin this fall, and would quickly drop by almost 20 percent by 2018 and 33 percent by 2026. How will Iowa replace the lost dollars? How many Iowans will lose access to health care? How many will die as a result because they could not get preventative treatment or the CAT scan or mammogram they need?

The proposed cuts to Medicaid are not an effort to improve Iowa’s health care system. Rather, they are a key part of the plan to pass large tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Perversely, we could end up with a system where fewer Iowans are covered by health insurance than before the ACA was enacted.

Tough questions deserve open and thoughtful consideration, and Senator Grassley should help provide solutions. This nun from Dubuque demands no less.

[Friedman is a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Dubuque and serves as the Director of Public Policy at the Coalition on Human Needs in Washington, D.C.] ... See MoreSee Less

THAT NUN FROM DUBUQUE HAS A MESSAGE ON HEALTH CARE By Richelle Friedman[ note: The following op-ed was published Sunday in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. ]I recently ran into Senator Charles Grassley in the U.S. Capitol. Senator Grassley and I have known each other for years. He refers to me as “that nun from Dubuque.”Senator Grassley and I have always had a cordial relationship, but on this day I was not feeling particularly charitable toward him. I had just seen a news story on Iowa Public Radio’s website in which Grassley defended the secrecy with which GOP senators are trying to push through health care repeal.There have been no hearings, no public testimony, no amendments, and no debate on the bill. Even Grassley said he had not seen it.Grassley tried to justify the GOP’s closed-door sessions by claiming that, in 2010, then-Senate-majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, acted secretly to push through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).This is not true. I know, because I was in Washington working for passage of the ACA. Senator Grassley was a member of the “Gang of Six” – three Republican and three Democratic senators – who spent months negotiating health care legislation. Ultimately, their work was in vain because no compromise was reached. Every Republican, included Grassley, voted against passage of the ACA, even though thousands of Iowans benefited from its passage.The ACA helped 150,000 lower-income Iowans gain health care coverage through the Medicaid expansion and helped 45,000 moderate-income Iowans pay premiums on their private insurance policies. It also provided key consumer protections, outlawing the practice of denying treatment for pre-existing conditions, banning annual or lifetime caps on benefits, and ensuring that certain essentials were part of any health insurance plan, such as doctors’ services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drug coverage, prenatal and infant care, mental health services, and more.Our country, and Iowa in particular, needs a robust health care system. The ACA can be improved. We read, for example, about health insurance companies leaving the Iowa marketplace, in part, because the current Administration has not provided assurance that they will continue to receive the cost-sharing subsidies in the ACA.Given the complexity of health care, debate over health care changes should be open and transparent, not secret. No new legislation should leave Iowans worse off than they are now, which would happen under the bill passed by the House and now under consideration by the SenateThe proposed cuts to Medicaid are a direct attack on the interests of the people of Iowa. Medicaid enables 634,000 Iowans to receive comprehensive, affordable health care including 90,000 Iowans with disabilities, 15,600 babies, and 46,000 Iowa seniors who get health care through Medicaid including nursing home care and services that help them live at home. The federal government covers 57 percent of Iowa’s Medicaid costs.Under the health care legislation already approved by the House, the cuts to Iowa’s federal Medicaid budget would begin this fall, and would quickly drop by almost 20 percent by 2018 and 33 percent by 2026. How will Iowa replace the lost dollars? How many Iowans will lose access to health care? How many will die as a result because they could not get preventative treatment or the CAT scan or mammogram they need?The proposed cuts to Medicaid are not an effort to improve Iowa’s health care system. Rather, they are a key part of the plan to pass large tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Perversely, we could end up with a system where fewer Iowans are covered by health insurance than before the ACA was enacted.Tough questions deserve open and thoughtful consideration, and Senator Grassley should help provide solutions. This nun from Dubuque demands no less.[Friedman is a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Dubuque and serves as the Director of Public Policy at the Coalition on Human Needs in Washington, D.C.]
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Franciscan Monastery

2 days ago

Franciscan Monastery

The countdown is on! Enter the Franciscan Monastery​'s photo contest by June 30. Get inspired by this past entry & see contest details at myfranciscan.org/photo-contest. ... See MoreSee Less

The countdown is on! Enter the Franciscan Monastery​s photo contest by June 30. Get inspired by this past entry & see contest details at myfranciscan.org/photo-contest.
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Jennifer Overbeck Flores

2 days ago

Jennifer Overbeck Flores

Farewell to the Franciscans who served on Galveston Island for the last 37 years. Your service was definitely appreciated and your presence will be missed. ... See MoreSee Less

Farewell to the Franciscans who served on Galveston Island for the last 37 years. Your service was definitely appreciated and your presence will be missed.
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Thank you Jennifer. God bless you!

Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

3 days ago

Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

Our baptizer’s birthday - With his June 24 feast day today, you may be wondering: Why would a group of friars based in Cincinnati choose St. John the Baptist as their patron? The answer is simple. It was Archbishop John Baptist Purcell who in 1844 recruited friars from Europe’s Tyrol to serve German-speaking immigrants in Cincinnati. When missionary friars created a Franciscan entity – a “custos”, and later a “province” – they named it for the Archbishop and the biblical baptizer.
Statue of St. John the Baptist in the courtyard of St. Francis Seraph friary in Cincinnati. ... See MoreSee Less

Our baptizer’s birthday - With his June 24 feast day today, you may be wondering: Why would a group of friars based in Cincinnati choose St. John the Baptist as their patron? The answer is simple. It was Archbishop John Baptist Purcell who in 1844 recruited friars from Europe’s Tyrol to serve German-speaking immigrants in Cincinnati. When missionary friars created a Franciscan entity – a “custos”, and later a “province” – they named it for the Archbishop and the biblical baptizer. Statue of St. John the Baptist in the courtyard of St. Francis Seraph friary in Cincinnati.
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Happy Feast Day !

May I please share this post?

Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province added 8 new photos.

3 days ago

Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province

Province Chapter - 2017

The friars of Sacred Heart Province announce the election of the leadership team for the next three years, elected at the Province Chapter of 2017 in St. Charles, Missouri.

Provincial Minister - Fr. Thomas Nairn, O.F.M.
Provincial Vicar - Fr. John Eaton, O.F.M.

Provincial Council:

Fr. Jerry Bleem, O.F.M.
Fr. Bill Burton, O.F.M.
Bro. Douglas Collins, O.F.M.
Fr. Duc Pham, O.F.M.
Fr. Dennis Schafer, O.F.M.
Bro. Michael Ward, O.F.M. ... See MoreSee Less

Province Chapter - 2017The friars of Sacred Heart Province announce the election of the leadership team for the next three years, elected at the Province Chapter of 2017 in St. Charles, Missouri.Provincial Minister - Fr. Thomas Nairn, O.F.M. Provincial Vicar - Fr. John Eaton, O.F.M.Provincial Council:Fr. Jerry Bleem, O.F.M. Fr. Bill Burton, O.F.M. Bro. Douglas Collins, O.F.M. Fr. Duc Pham, O.F.M. Fr. Dennis Schafer, O.F.M. Bro. Michael Ward, O.F.M.
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Great job guys..

Congratulations to all!

Congratulations.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and dedicated servants.

Blessings on you

Prayers to all

Congratulations and God bless you all!!!!

Congratulations Father John!!

Congratulations to all!

Inspiring friars!

Congratulations Father John

Huge shoutout to Fr. Duc and Fr. Jerry! They were so amazing during our volunteer year in Cicero ❤️

May the Spirit be with you during the next 3 years

Many blessings, my brothers! Does this mean my Franciscan Outreach buddies (Doug, Duc, and Mike! )might be moving to St. Louis ??

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

My prayerful support brothers, ....

Best province in the Americas!

Congratulations Tom!

Hey, Tom, congratulations!

The order is obviously very wise! Congratulations, Tom.

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Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

4 days ago

Franciscan Friars of St. John the Baptist Province

Immerse yourself in Jesus’ Sacred Heart with “Healing Promises: The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart” by Anne Costa

Christ’s fidelity to the promises He offers through the Sacred Heart devotion is perhaps the best kept secret of our faith in these times. Journey to the center of His Heart, where His promises are real and his message will always be: You are not alone. You are loved!

Read a free sample: http://bit.ly/2twDQJT ... See MoreSee Less

Immerse yourself in Jesus’ Sacred Heart with “Healing Promises: The Essential Guide to the Sacred Heart” by Anne CostaChrist’s fidelity to the promises He offers through the Sacred Heart devotion is perhaps the best kept secret of our faith in these times. Journey to the center of His Heart, where His promises are real and his message will always be: You are not alone. You are loved!Read a free sample: http://bit.ly/2twDQJT
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