May 2016

We had a wonderful meeting on May 14th with more details below.  Your input and feedback for this newsletter are very much appreciated, and feel free to submit ideas, stories, links, and photos.  

Pax Et Bonum, John

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Franciscan News

1) Laudato Si Week - A Global Celebration of the Ecyclical's 1st Anniversary June 12-19

Website--could be an idea for a future event with resources here from the Global Catholic Climate Movement

2) Planning for the Feast of St. Francis?  Resources coming from The Catholic Climate Covenant -- Website

3) The Crucifix of San Damiano returns to the place where it spoke to Francis (US Franciscans)

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Meeting notes - May 14, 2016

1) Opening Prayers 

2) Discussion about planning for the 2nd Annual Virginia Gathering on July 30th

• Mt. LaVerna is hosting this event and we will need everyone's help.

• Registration and more details are now posted to the Regional Website

• We will be helping to organize the food -- continental breakfast and lunch (Carl has BBQ caterer, and we should also look into vegetarian options)

• Sheila and Youth minister will be helping lead music

• Fr. Gregory will celebrating Mass

• Two great speakers including our regional spiritual assistant Brother Michael Meza, O.F.M. Cap.

3) Secretary's Report:  John joined meeting via videoconference -- first time trying Google Hangouts -- with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to save the sacred land in Powhatan, Virginia of St. Katharine Drexel.  Please sign the petition to Save Belmead.

John's Blog

The Catholic Virginian

4) Treasury Report:

Donation of $250 to John Clem to attend the Quinquennial Congress

5) Carl is contacting a person who may be able to lead our Fall Retreat

 

Fraternity Milestones:

Birthdays:

• Sheila Herlihy - May 8th (Mother's Day)

• No June Birthdays

Profession Anniversaries:

• Gail Barber - 9 years

• Helga Fallis - 9 years

• Phil Clem - 12 years

• Gary Cook - 15 years

• Elizabeth Eilers-Adams - 35 years

Remembrance for those who have gone before us:

• Mary Benza, O.F.S. 

Graduation

• Congrats to Rebecca Gallant on her graduation from Mary Baldwin College

Upcoming Dates:

• May 24th - Christ Rooms Meeting w/Casa Alma at Incarnation 7pm

• May 28th - Trader Joe's pick-up at 10am

• June 11th - Next Meeting at Shrine of St. Anthony - pilgrimage

• June 30 - July 4, 2016 - Quinquennial Meeting in St. Louis

• July 30th - Virginia Gathering of Secular Franciscans

• Saturday, October 8th -- Elections for officers (done every three years -- prayerfully consider)

• Saturday & Sunday October 22-23 - Annual Fraternity Retreat at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Crozet.

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Mercy in Action

Our fraternity is beginning a new work of mercy to help our parish food bank each month.  We will be making a monthly pick-up of food at Trader Joe's.  Sheila reports that this ministry is now serving 140 area families, who receive needed food each week.  On Saturday March 26th we filled-up 5 cars with food from their generous donation including many Easter flowers. Thanks for everyone's help.

NEXT PICK-UP:  Saturday, May 28th at 10am

Mount LaVerna Featured at MercyHour on May 23rd

Franciscan Social Media

I am honored to report that I have been invited to help with Franciscan Social Media at the national and international level:

1) I was invited to be a part of the NAFRA Social Media Committee and will be meeting with the group for the first time in St. Louis at the "Q".

2) I was invited to the be the manager of the "Secular Franciscans" Facebook page.  This Facebook page serves the English-speaking community worldwide and has twice as many members as NAFRA's Facebook page.  Members can join this page and post information that are about Franciscan spirituality and OFS activities.

Secular Franciscan Facebook Page

3) Carl and John are working to bring a training to our region about good uses of websites and documents for fraternity communications and management... more to come.

Thank you Mount LaVerna Fraternity for all of your support in helping me attend the Q in St. Louis.  Looking forward to sharing much about my pilgrimage.

Pax Et Bonum - John

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Prayer Wall on our fraternity website

Please check out our new Prayer Wall on our fraternity website:

• You can submit your prayers and view them on the prayer wall.

• Click on prayers to send message that they are prayed for.

• Submissions can also be made anonymously.

• You can check box to get a daily e-mail of how many people prayed for you.

Prayer Wall LINK

Prayer Wall Submissions LINK

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Please follow the wonderful daily reflections from Deacon Tom Bello, O.F.S. and other writers in our Franciscan Family at MercyHour.org

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Newsletter of the Mount LaVerna Fraternity from Charlottesville, Virginia

website:  peaceandallgood.org