A note on the passing of our brother, Jack Carthy

Peace and All Good!

During our recent National Council Meeting we learnt of the death of our brother, Jack Carthy.

Jack died on April 26 and was buried yesterday, April 30.  Please remember his dear soul in your prayers.

Jack and his late wife Mollie were staunch and faithful members of the Secular Franciscan Order in New Zealand, holding offices in their local and regional Fraternities; Mollie as Regional Minister, Jack was Treasurer of the Regional Fraternity until the last couple of years when his health prevented him from continuing in this service. Here in the National Fraternity of Oceania we were graced by Jack and Mollie's presence at many a National Chapter and National Council meeting.

Fraternally

Helen Britton on behalf of the SFO National Council

An anonymous sfo member has generously given a donation in memory of
Peter Keogh to sponsor two young people from a third world country

To attend World Youth Day and the Franciscan Youth Meeting
in Sydney in July 2008, SFO members from throughout Oceania
are encouraged to augment the anonymous donation for the
memorial through donations of their own.

Your donations may be forwarded direct to our National Treasurer:
Don Spongberg sfo
PO Box 290, Kogarah NSW 1485

Cheques should be made payable to:
Secular Franciscan Order Inc
indicating in the remittance advice that the moneys are for the
Peter Keogh Memorial

It would be appreciated if all donations reached the Treasurer no later
than 30 November 2007 in order that the plans for the Sponsorship may be put in place.

(The National Executive decided against holding the Raffle advertised in the
Pentecost Edition of the Oceania Newsletter)

“I See His Blood Upon the Rose”
by Joseph Mary Plunkett

I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.

I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice—and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.

All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.

Reflections on the SFO Rule
ANYONE INTERESTED IN ORDERING A NEW BOOK COMPILED BY FR NORBERT PITTORINO OFM

Fr Nobert has recently completed this book and he is hoping to have it published. In order to assist him in this
endeavour he wishes to estimate the number he needs to have printed (as you know with printing, the larger the
number of prints the cheaper it becomes). This book would be helpful both for initial and ongoing formation and a
wonderful aid to any fraternity. Listed below is the Table of Contents of the book which gives you an idea of what
it contains. The Chapters are not long – mostly two A4 pages. If you are interested in placing an order please
contact Fr Norbert direct at: npittorino@franciscans.org.au or at his postal address: Franciscan Friary, 21 Adele
St, Kedron Qld 4031

A LETTER FROM OUR NATIONAL MINISTER

Dear sisters and brothers,

Peace and all that is good!

I wish to open my letter this Edition with the words of the hymn by Marty Haugen,

Who Will Speak?

“Who will speak for the poor and the broken?
Who will speak for the peoples oppressed?
Who will speak so their voice will be heard?
Oh, who will speak if you don’t?

Who will speak if you don’t?
Who will speak if you don’t?
Who will speak so their voice will be heard?
Oh, who will speak if you don’t?  (Refrain)

Who will speak for the ones who are voiceless,
Speak the truth in the places of power?
Who will speak so their voice will be heard?
Oh, who will speak if you don’t?

Who will speak for the children of violence?
Who will speak for the women abused?
Who will speak so their voice will be heard?
Oh, who will speak if you don’t?

Who will speak for the shunned and the outcast?
Who will speak for all people with AIDS?
Who will speak so their voice will be heard?
Oh, who will speak if you don’t?

Who will work for the thousands of homeless?
Who will work in the ghettos and streets?
Who will work so their voice will be heard?
Oh, who will work if you don’t?

Who will care for the plants and the creatures?
Who will care for the land and the sea?
Who will work so their voice will be heard?
Oh, who will work if you don’t?

I heard these words for the first time shortly after I had returned from the Franciscans International Meeting in Bangkok, 2 – 5 July 2006, and to me they seemed to encapsulate so aptly the aims of Franciscans International and,  in particular, the purpose of our meeting of Franciscan Leaders in the Asia-Pacific Region, namely the consideration of the establishment of an office of Franciscans International in Bangkok. 

Those Franciscans Leaders who met in Bangkok in July 2006 agreed unanimously for the opening of an office for Franciscans International in Bangkok (regional headquarters of the United Nations in Asia and the Pacific) and collectively assumed responsibility for the project. The decision is to be implemented in three phases, as follows:

1. A skilled and experienced project officer will be sought from within the region to work with Franciscans International in Geneva in order to master human rights mechanisms and coordinate the project's establishment in Bangkok and will be assisted by an intern from the region; 

2. The Asia project coordinator will recruit two Franciscans from Asia/Oceania and one local administrative assistant to find an office, housing and establish contacts with Franciscans in Asia and Oceania;

3. The staff will engage in advocacy at the UN and run training programs in Bangkok and in the field, throughout the region.

All participants at the assembly were asked to pledge an amount from their Order or Congregation for the running of the Bangkok Office for the next three years with their pledges to be made by 15 September 2006.  We were asked for an annual pledge for three years commencing with the year 2007.  The estimated yearly cost of running the Office is 100,000 Euros.  At our National Executive Meeting held on 8 July 2006 the Executive agreed to pledge $1,000 a year for the next three years.

By supporting this project our members and fraternities can in a tangible way heed the words of Marty Haugen when he writes: “Who will speak for the ones who are voiceless? Speak the truth in the places of power? Who will speak so their voice will be heard? Oh, who will speak if you don’t?” I suggest that your donations be sent with your  National Levy.

My loving wishes for the Feast of our Father Francis on October 4 and as our mother Clare wrote:  “May the Lord be with you always and, wherever you are, may you be with Him always.  Amen.”

Your sister,

Helen Britton
National Minister SFO - Oceania

Mrs. Clare Murphy sfo

The SFO National Executive set up an SFO National Inquirers Committee on 9 July 2005. The members of the Committee were Helen Jarick, Dick See and Carl Schafer OFM. The Committee drew up Guidelines for the Care of Inquirers after their meeting on 19 January 2006. The SFO National Council, meeting at Kensington on 29 April 2006, adopted the Guidelines.

The SFO National Executive, meeting at Kellyville on 8 July 2006, discussed the Care of Inquirers, in particular, "Catholics who are interested in being Secular Franciscans but who cannot attend the meetings of a local fraternity because of distance or illness or some other reason. They need to receive Franciscan formation by themselves or with others, from an appointed Secular Franciscan contact" (Guidelines, p.3).

The meeting at Kellyville took special note of the section in the Guidelines that refers to the National Executive. The meeting designated Carl Schafer OFM as the Spiritual Assistant to work with a National Carer. The members nominated persons suitable to be National Carer and asked Fr Carl to inquire. Clare Murphy of Toronto Fraternity generously accepted nomination to be National Carer and was appointed later by the National Executive.

The National Carer and Spiritual Assistant have contacted each Regional Executive to ensure that they appoint a Regional Carer who may not necessarily be a person elected by the Regional Chapter. They were asked to send their replies to Clare Murphy.

The National Executive has adopted the guidelines for the "Friends of St Francis" approved by the Presidency of the International Council in 1996. The National Executive, especially through the National Carer and Spiritual Assistant, will organize "Friends of St Francis" at the national level for those, whether Catholic or not, who cannot belong to a local SFO Fraternity. The members, whether solo or in groups, should feel that they are dear friends of St Francis and that they belong to the wider Franciscan Family.

The National Executive will decide on a programme of formation for "Friends". The National Carer will communicate the programme to the Regional Carers and ensure that the programme is followed, while asking for feedback and improvements.

The National Carer and Spiritual Assistant drew the attention of the Regional Executives to the following section on page 4 of the Guidelines for the Care of Inquirers:

"(2) The Regional Executive needs to appoint a Regional Carer. The Regional Carer should put Catholic Inquirers and Catholic "Friends" in touch with an SFO local Fraternity who will maintain at least postal correspondence with them.

"The Regional Carer should put immobile Inquirers in touch with a local Fraternity who can visit them and provide some Franciscan formation and literature. If there is no local Fraternity nearby, the Regional Executive, through the Regional Carer, should provide Franciscan information and formation for these immobile people."

The Regional Carer is expected to draw the attention of the local Fraternity Councils to the following section on page 4 of the Guidelines for the Care of Inquirers:

"(3) The local Fraternity Council should appoint a local Carer. The local Fraternity Carer should maintain contact with the Inquirers and "Friends" at least by correspondence on St Francis feast day and perhaps at Christmas or Easter, and ask them whether they wish to receive material such as the Oceania Newsletter, the regional newsletter, the Monthly Spiritual Message, or the news sheet of the local Fraternity. The local Carer should distribute any material that is requested."

The National Carer and Spiritual Assistant exhorted the Regional and local Carers to:

(a) reply to Inquirers immediately. Provide the address and phone number of the Minister of a suitable local Fraternity.

(b) refer Inquirers to information about St Francis and Franciscan literature. There may be calls for information about the SFO. The twelve promotion pamphlets, as well as "Do You Want to Live the Gospel?", "Living the Rule" and "Come As You Are" may interest Inquirers even if they cannot join a local Fraternity.

(c) ask their Regional or local Fraternity to budget for any expenses that they have incurred as Carers.

May the Lord Jesus bless every effort that we make to share our Franciscan vocation, charism and Family with those who want to follow Him in the footsteps of St Francis, but who cannot join a local Fraternity.

Fr Carl Schafer OFM

Sponsorship:

The Franciscan Schools Australia is sponsored by the Missionary Franciscan Sisters (Kedron) in collaboration with Franciscan Leaders

Purpose: The purpose of Franciscan Schools Australia is:

a. to assist in the sharing of resources, both human and material, in order to enrich Franciscan Spirituality within the schools.

b. to introduce Secondary/High Schools to Franciscan Youth Intemational in order to involve them in the work of Franciscans International.

We need to support our Franciscan Schools Australia (FSA) in whatever ways we can. Students from these schools could well be the future of Third Order Secular groups as well as future Franciscan Religious as well as people who have a love of things Franciscan, including peace, justice and care for the environment.

The FSA WEB address is: www.fsa.asn.au Please check this out and see how you can support this initiative by volunteering to attend/speak at school patron/s feast days etc.
Or you may contact Sr Pauline Robinson mfic PO. Box 1100 Stafford Q.4053

E-mail: paulinernfic@big.net.au

Project Adoption is a charity of the Secular Franciscan Order in Oceania under the auspices of its National Executive.  It is the only charity that we, personally, as Secular Franciscans, are asked to support.  At present Project Adoption assists about 150 Indian families at the rate of $A5.00 per month, per family.

These people are the poorest of the poor, and live in one of the most populous of the world’s nations.  The amount that Project Adoption, through your support, is able to give families is less than a drop in the ocean.  They are dependent upon what little is given to them due to meagre earnings, i.e. abject poverty, hardship, unemployment, sickness, too many mouths to feed and the lack of Centrelink (or the Indian equivalent thereof) handouts, as we know them.  We, in our affluence, tend to overlook their plight.

Previously, in this newsletter, I have touched on how Project Adoption came into being.  It was an initiative of the Secular Franciscan Order, begun in Canada and the USA to help impoverished Seculars in Southern India.  It was subsequently extended to help any poor families in the Franciscan Apostolate in two Catholic dioceses there.

It was taken up in Australia on Australia Day 1971, and so celebrates 35 years of establishment this year.  Two Victorian Seculars Tony O’Shea and Vince Caruana began its administration; then Nancy Treacy from Waverley Fraternity took on the challenge for more than twelve years, and then passed it on to Joe Davis, also of Waverley Fraternity, to administer.  Joe, who is carer of his 96 year old mother, herself a Secular, has passed it on to me.  All these Seculars have given yeoman service to the Order, unheralded and unthanked, and to whom our heartfelt thanks are due.

Despite their best efforts donations have declined due to death, old age and forgetfulness of sponsors.  To counter this decline more sponsors are required to maintain the pittance that is presently being sent.  Thus a new membership drive is called for during 2006/2007.

Fraternity members taking individual family sponsorships would ease the burden, and ensure the continuance of this worthwhile charity.  At $A5.00 per month, this amounts to $A60.00 per annum, fully tax deductible, which should not cause hardship to anyone.  As well each fraternity could sponsor a family as a fraternity outreach.

In the early 1970s $A5.00 per family was being forwarded to the Franciscan Family Apostolate in India.  It is surely an indictment that nearly 40 years later we are still sending the same amount per family, despite the galloping inflation that has occurred, that would, by now, have certainly eroded this amount.

Be assured that almost 100% of donations is given directly to the Indian families.  The only overheads incurred are postage and stationery, and these are kept to a minimum.  Any additional money you can afford, over and above the sponsorship money, to be applied against these administration costs would be gratefully accepted.

St Francis of Assisi was the father of the poor.

“This richest poor man ……….was deeply troubled whenever he saw one of the poor insulted or heard a curse hurled at any creature”.  Celano 1 Ch 28)
May this inspire you to give.

All enquiries should be forwarded to Cath Spongberg sfo at:

PO Box 290
Kogarah  NSW  1485
Phone:  (02) 9553 4005
Fax:  (02) 9553 4767
Email:  cathspongberg@gmail.com

Sue Casey sfo, National Formator overlooking St Francis’ Basilica, Assisi

In March this year I joined together with people from 16 countries to attend the first International Course for Formators.  Of the 8 days of the course all but one were spent attending lectures.  On our day off the group went on pilgrimage to Assisi, where we celebrated Mass at the tomb of St Francis and renewed our Profession. 

We visited Santa Chiara, San Damiano and St Mary of the Angels. 
Words are inadequate to express how I felt to be able to pray before the cruxific that spoke to Francis and to kneel in the Portciuncula where Clare committed her life to God.  I felt I had come home.

These days in Rome and Assisi were some of the most grace filled days of my life and I will always feel grateful to have had such an amazing experience.  It is hoped that the material from the course will become available for everyone, but for the moment I would like to share some thoughts on our Franciscan vocation.

One of the most enlightening things we heard was that we receive our vocation in the womb.  Just reflect on that.  I think sometimes, we think that we have chosen this life, but that isn't so. God has chosen us and we were Franciscan before we ever came into being.

God has gifted us with our vocation.  The gift is given freely and simply requires a response.  Christian life is all about call and response and there are many ways of being Christian, but for each of us the call has been quite specific. 

We have been called to follow Francis and Clare and in that call God has given us all we need to live the life.  We have the freedom to say no to the call, but when we say yes God gives us the grace we need

Reflecting on this had a great impact on me.  Of course, I have always said, "I am called to this life", but I was really struck by this in a new way.  God has looked past all the weakness and pettiness of my human nature and seen something of Francis and Clare in me.  This is the life God wants for me, this is what God asks of me and of each of us and when we say yes, we are saying yes to God and God will give us all the graces we need.   

In one of the lectures we were told "God has trusted us with our vocation."  What a wonderful thought that is.  We all know how good it feels when someone trusts us, or when an animal trusts us and feels safe with us.  How amazing to think that God trusts us with our vocation.  We all fail at times to live our vocation well, but the very best part of us wants to live it perfectly.  God sees that and trusts us with this very precious gift.  

Francis and Clare lived their vocation and changed the world around them, with God's grace let each of us do the same.

Susan Casey sfo
National Formator

Book Review -
Greyfriars Review
Following Francis: - a Catechism of Franciscan Spirituality
Volume 17 2003 Supplement
Fidel Aizpurua, ofm cap

This is a good book for formation. 
Part 1 - Francis's Life
Part 2 - Writings
Part 3 - Spirituality

Lk 13: 10-13
                                                                                                             “And he was teaching in their synagogue on their sabbath. And behold there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. And she was bowed together: neither could she look upwards at all. Whom when Jesus saw, he called her unto him and said to her: Woman, thou art delivered from thy infirmity.  And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight and glorified God.”
Picture before your eyes this woman bent double for 18 years - that means probably all her youth.

Who is this woman?  What is her identity?

An insignificant woman behind the grill of synagogue - bent double, her vision limited to the narrow horizons around her feet….  She is neither young nor beautiful. She is definitely not the one to attract men’s attention, we may say.  BUT she caught the attention of Jesus.

Who is this woman today?  Let’s probe into her identity in the context of the Asia Pacific region. This woman in the Gospel  brings to our mind  the many women especially in developing countries  carrying an invisible  load over them - kept suppressed and oppressed  for centuries  by the demonic burdens of patriarchy which the many  unfortunate women  are forced  to carry and mill around life,  with their limited vision.

The woman in the Gospel brings to our mind the many widows - old women, young women and girl children who do not  possess the power of money, education, social status, high caste etc….

The woman in the Gospel reminds us of the many women reeling under poverty, gender discrimination, illiteracy - powerless and voiceless:-

women abandoned by husbands and parents because she has HIV/ TB/ Leprosy;
women who are harassed for dowry;
women who are harassed for not giving birth to baby boys;
pushed into prostitution due to poverty or religious customs;
women who are raped. Who are rejected by the society as unwed mothers;
physically and mentally tortured daily by drunken husbands and sons;
women cursing themselves for having born as women;
women denied of education and good food only because they are born as girls.
who are forced to get married at a tender age;
who are forced to kill their newborn daughters because they are not boys, and are a financial burden to the family;
women who are struggling for a square meal a day.
who starve, while feeding their husbands and children…;

This woman in the Gospel in an out-cast, is a nobody in front of the hierarchical church establishment. She does not belong to the privileged class of “sons of Abraham”.

But the eyes of Jesus fell on this unfortunate “daughter of Abraham” among the large crowd. And giving a shock to the whole congregation in the synagogue, something unimaginable happened there.  He called her to the front - to the sacred place.
Before anyone could grasp what was happening, His word was spoken- “WOMAN YOU ARE FREE”.  He didn’t say,  “I am healing you”. He said, “You are Free”. – free from the load of oppressive structures  of the society and of the church, free from the narrow vision that was  crippling her down - free to enjoy the gift of this beautiful creation. Yes, the woman did just that.  She straightened up and she saw the face of God.

For her the Magnificat was meaningful. She sang the Magnificat.

You and me too stand in need of liberation from our inward looking, narrow, bent-down attitudes.

A letter from our National Minister

My dear sisters and brothers,

Happy Pentecost to you all!

From the Preface of Francis and Clare  - The Complete Works written by John Vaughn, ofm it reads 'That Francis was indeed a man possessed of the Spirit of the Lord is revealed in everything he wrote: admonitions, letters, rules; and in many a spoken word, when for example, in a moment of exaltation, or perhaps of desolation, he came to see that the true Minister General of the Order is the Holy Spirit (cf. Thomas of Celano, Second Life of Saint Francis, n. 193) whosepresence and action in them all the friars must ever desire and show by their response to His guidance (Later Rule, X. 8).

It follows that the writings of Saint Francis are in reality instruments of the Spirit for all his sons and daughters, and indeed for all who would deepen their Christian vocation .  For all, not only the friars, clerics, and sisters, but likewise our brothers and sisters in Christ the world over, a deeper knowledge of the words and the writings of Francis under the guidance of the Spirit will go far toward our dally renewal in the ways of the Lord as we seek to walk with Francis in the footsteps of Christ. "Brothers, let us begin!"

From the writings of Pope John Paul 11 (Prayers and Devotions - 365 Daily Meditations) we read: "Who Is the Holy Spirit?" He is God himself. The third Person of the Blessed Tfinity. He is sent to each of us by the Father and the Son. He is their gift and remains constantly with us. He abides in us.

The clearest description of the work of the Holy Spirit has been given by Saint Paul, who said that the Spirit produces "love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity" (Gal 5.22). Qualities such as these are ideal in every walk of life and in all circumstances: at home, with your teachers and friends; in the factory or at the university, with all the people you meet.

The Prophet Isaiah also attributed special gifts to the Holy Spirit: "a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord     (Is 11.2). Saint Paul is right in saying: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's lead" (Gal 5:25).

With gifts and qualities such as these we are equal to any task and capable of overcoming any difficulties. Yet our lives remain our own, and the Spirit acts on each of us differently. in harmony with our individual personality and the characteristics we have inherited from our parents and from the upbringing received in our homes.

Because he is so near to us, yet so unobtrusive, we should turn to the Holy Spirit instinctively in all our needs and ask Him for his guidance and help. The Spirit comes to help us In our weakness. What more could be done for us? What more can we expect of God than that?"

I conclude this message with the Prayer from from Evening Prayer II for Pentecost Sunday:

Lord God
You sanctify your Church in
every race and nation
by the mystery we celebrate
on this day.
pour out the gifts of the
Holy Spirit on all mankind,
and fulfil now in the hearts
of your faithful
what you have accomplished
when the Gospel was first
preached on earth.
we make our prayer through
Our Lord
Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen

With sisterly love,
Helen Britton
National Minister

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On April 6th, 2006, we have finally accomplished a long lasting dream: that the International Council may have a headquarters from where it might be able to achieve its service to the International Fraternity.  It is a very simple headquarters, it is a modest apartment in a Rome suburb, with good transportation to the center of Rome.

The moment has come to assume the responsibility among all of us, members of the Secular Franciscan Order to make financial contributions to be able to carry on the signed commitment of paying for our head quarters in a six year loan. Some of you have already contributed but I am sure you will continue supporting this need. We trust that all brothers and sisters share the responsibility on his/her own as on behalf of those who are not able to bear it in a fair sharing of goods. Thank you in advance and let's have the courage to fulfill our dream! We need you all!

We will place on our Website current information on the outcome of our new headquarters.

Encarnacion del Pozo
Minister General SFO

BEATIFIED SUNDAY,
HAILED AS FRIEND TO THE POOR,
MODEL OF OPENESS TO RELIGIOUS LIFE
Vatican City, Nov. 07, 2005 (CNA) -

On Sunday, in the cathedral of Vicenza, Italy, Third Order lay Franciscan, Eurosia Fabris, also known as "Mother Rosa", was pronounced Blessed, thus completing her next major step on the path to sainthood.

Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins C.M.E, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, performed the rite for beatification in the name of Pope Benedict and according to new norms laid out by the Holy Father.

Eurosia Fabris was the mother of nine children, three of them became priests.

Despite the lack of financial means during her life, the newly Blessed Fabris (1866-1932) spent much of her life helping the poor and providing a home to children orphaned by World War I

She was the daughter of agricultural workers, and left school after just two years of primary education in order to help her parents at their work in the home and the fields.

Despite her lack of formal education, she learned to read and write, one of her favorite books being "Eternal Maxims" by St. Alphonsus Liguori. She married Cario Barban, a widower with three daughters, by whom she had nine children, three of whom became priests.

Her cause for beat`ification was taken up in 1975, and in 2004, a miracle was officially recognized as having come through her intervention; she is said to have healed a sick woman thought by doctors to be beyond recovery.

Bishop Cesare Nosiglia of Vicenza, who co-presided with Cardinal Martins in the Beatification said in his homily, that "Mother Rosa represents a model of sanctity accessible to everyone---"

He said that "as a wife and mother she lived, with the commitment of evangelical simplicity, ... a daily family life, acceping its pains and suffering in the constant search for the will of God."

The bishop also noted that the many religious vocations which came out of Blessed Fabris' family would today, be considered as a cause for concern in many households.

For Eurosia, however, "the joy of seeing her children take the path of consecrated life ... was a source of consolation," he said.

FOR THE JOY OF SABAH

GO TO THE REGIONAL SITE FOR SINGAPORE-SABBAH

FOR STIGMATA OF SAINT FRANCIS

On 2nd March 2006 we received the news that Fr. Alban had passed away whilst visiting Kedron in Brisbane for the Jubilee of his beloved Padua College.

For many of us this was a time of mixed emotions. Firstly great sadness at the loss of our brother and friend and secondly, one of joy, in knowing that Alban had gone to meet his brother, Francis of Assisi, and to face his Father whom he had served faithfully for over fifty years as a Franciscan Priest.

I had the honour and the pleasure of working very closely with Father Alban from 1990 until 1998 when he was appointed and worked as the National Spiritual Assistant to the Secular Franciscan Order for the OFM obedience. In those eight or nine years Alban not only worked at the National level but threw himself faithfully into serving the Order at all levels in Oceania , Regional and

Local as well as being for me a great help and spiritual adviser at the International level . Father Alban's time and talent was always available to any of us that requested it. His love of the Secular Order shone through as a beacon and he was ever ready to do the extra things that make Spiritual Assistance just that more meaningful to the Secular Leaders and the local members and Isolated members of the SFO.

Alban reached every corner of our Order in Oceania, and in doing so encouraged me to go with him and to visit the ordinary secular Franciscans, wherever they might be or whoever they were. He had the ability to reach out to people and make a personal contact with them to make them feel part of the Franciscan Family.

On first taking up the job as National Assistant Alban said that he wanted his job to be one that was shared with his brothers in the Capuchin and Conventual fraternities. He saw that happen as friars from each Obedience took on Pastoral responsibility for whatever Fraternity or group requested assistance. We visited many Isolated groups and made sure that they received Franciscan Formation and were connected to a local fraternity who would take the responsibility of encouraging and assisting them in the Secular Franciscan Lifestyle. Alban also loved his Secular Franciscan Sisters and Brothers in New Zealand, Singapore and Sabah. Father was loved by these people and when he was able to visit them you could see that love returned to him one hundredfold. On many occasions I saw Alban welcomed like royalty into homes and communities right around Oceania. He was able to work with Religious and Diocesan priests and Communities of Religious Sisters to take the Franciscan story to the Seculars. Father Alban's interests were not just with Franciscans, but with all people. He will be remembered right throughout the Church in Oceania and Malaysia.  He will be fondly remembered by many families and people for his goodness and kindness to us and his great understanding of the problems that we all face in our lives. Father Alban's family will be remembered by us as we pray for the repose of his soul. His sister Joan and his late brother Alan and their families have lost a very special person, so let us keep them also in our prayers . Finally the Order of Friars Minor has lost a true and wonderful brother who served them in so many ways over his long Religious life with dignity and acceptance and with much joy.

May Father Alban Mitchell's soul rest in peace and may his example continue to shine throughout the Franciscan Family of Oceania . Thank you Alban and may God Bless you with Eternal Life .

Peter Keogh (former International Councillor and National Minister SFO)

Letter to the Editor,

With reference to the article "Just a Suggestion" in the Christmas 2005 edition of the Oceania Newsletter, I would like to tell all readers about the practice at funerals of St Paschal's Fraternity, Box Hill, Victoria. The following prayer was written by the late Friar Maurice West, ofm in 1975 when he was Spiritual Assistant at St Paschal's.

The Franciscan Prayer for the Deceased said after the "Prayer after Communion" (usually it is included in the Mass Booklet).

Celebrant: (deceased's name) was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order for (?) Years. The members of the Secular Franciscan Order invite you to join them in the following prayer:

All
 God, our creator,
 we are reminded by the words of St Francis, our Founder,
that we should pray for the dead.
As we come to bury our Brother/Sister today,
keep us ever mindful of our Franciscan family bond of love.
Help us to be true to our Christian Vocation in this life
and at peace with all people.
Give our Brother/Sister eternal rest and peace with you.
May he/she and all our Franciscan Brothers and Sisters who have been called by Sister Death enjoy forever the blessedness of your heavenly Peace.
We ask you this through Jesus, the Lord.
Amen.

The Fraternity also had a scapular made and it is 'placed across the coffin by the Minister before Mass begins and removed as the coffin leaves the Church. Worked on one end of the scapular is the "Tau Cross" and on the other "My God and my All". The scapular is 36 inches long and brown in colour.

Other Fraternities might like to follow this custom.

Fraternally,

Mollie O'Meara St Paschal's Fraternity

A CONVERSATION WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FR. JOHN QUIGLEY OFM

Franciscans International, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) at the United Nations(UN), is the first common ministry of the Franciscan family. John Quigley, OFM was appointed Executive Director in November 2004.

What is Franciscans International?
Franciscans International is an organisation built on the prayer, aspirations and work of thousands of Franciscans throughout the world who work to stop the suffering of the poor and marginalised.  Much of this suffering and injustice is a result of decisions made by economic and political leaders.   Therefore, we have established a strong Franciscan presence at the United Nations in order to have a voice at the international level.  Also, we inform and mobilise the  various parts of the Franciscan family to work together in our three areas of common concern:  the poor, creation and peace.

Why is a Franciscan Presence necessary at the UN?
Our sisters and brothers have deep practical knowledge from their daily experiences in over 140 countries.  We need to be at the international level, to insist that our grassroots testimonies are heard and to inform national and  international policies that will affect our people. Our General Consultative    Status at the United Nations as a Non - Governmental Organisation (NGO) gives us opportunities to actively       participate within UN forums.

The UN has mixed publicity in the Press these days – is this really a productive        forum?
The UN is an imperfect bureaucracy where change is slow and agreement is difficult.  Yet, even with its weaknesses, the UN is an institution in our globalising world where international laws are being formulated and monitored.     International corporations   regularly enter into these      discussions to protect their    interests.  We, too, need to be there to speak on behalf of our concerns:  peace, the poor and the environment.

Franciscans International does not fund Humanitarian Projects.  How does the      organisation help people?
Humanitarian projects address basic, urgent needs.  This help is extremely important.    Sometimes, though, the root of these problems goes beyond national borders to international economic and  political decisions.   Franciscans International works through UN bodies to affect international policies and laws to the advantage of the more vulnerable members of the human family.

What are your successes?
We have had success in amending the language of  international standards.  Through persistent advocacy, these standards will grow into international laws that will   protect the poor.  We have been successful in creating strong networks including   governments and international organisations.  These  networks allow us to pool  information and strengthen our voice on issues with which we are concerned.  Over the past six years, more than 200 Franciscans have come to us to participate in human rights training.  These formational workshops  empower grassroots  Franciscans and equip them with the procedures to take action against injustice within their own communities.  We have also been invited to eight different countries to hold formational programmes on human rights issues such as trafficking and contemporary forms of slavery. This involvement indicates that our expertise is recognised and also that such training is   understood as important and effective.

What is ‘Advocacy’ in a   Franciscan context?
In its simplest terms, advocacy is the “active support of a cause.”  In our context, the cause is “for and with the poorest” – those whose civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights are being violated.
How is Franciscans International’s workorganised?
In November 2004, there were some major developments in our  organisational structure.  Now, our work of advocacy and animation is organised into three departments:  Advocacy, Development and Communications.  We have two international offices:  one in New York where our advocacy department follows the UN’s work on peace,  security and women’s issues, and our office in Geneva where the advocacy department works with the UN mechanisms for the      promotion and protection of human rights.  As Executive Director of Franciscans International, I supervise the work of the  departments.  I report to the Chief Financial Officer and to the International Board of Directors (IBD), appointed by the six major superiors in Rome (CFF).

How is Franciscans  International Funded?
Franciscans International is not funded by the United Nations, but is entirely supported by the freewill offerings of Franciscan communities, our friends and partners.  Currently, we are working to reach outside of the Franciscan family for additional finances as our projects mature.

What percentage of your funding is actually spent on programmes and services?
In 2005 approximately 80% of our income will be spent on programmes and 20% on overhead expenses.

What are your hopes for Franciscans International’s future?
This is a special moment in Franciscan history where members of the Franciscan family – religious, lay brothers and sisters, Catholic and Anglican – are actively choosing to work together to care for the poor, and for creation as peacemakers. Currently, we have a strong record of work at the United Nations in the area of human rights, which is a practical way to care for the poor.  My hope is that over the next two years, we will develop and strengthen our peacemaking and environmental advocacy networks, building on our success within the field of human rights.  Also, I hope that we will continue to bring Franciscans of goodwill from developed and developing countries to work as interns on our initiatives.  Our internship programme has helped form over 40 young people in social justice and Franciscan ideals.  These volunteers bring new ideas and a youthful energy to Franciscans International.

John Quigley, OFM was born in 1945 in London, Ontario (Canada).  He has been a Franciscan of St. John the Baptist Province since 1964 and an ordained priest since 1974.  He earned an MA in Theology at the University of Dayton.  He was the director of the JPIC office for the Order of Friars Minor in Rome (1988-97).  Since 1997, he has been the director of the Franciscans International office in Geneva.  In November 2004, he began a three-year term as Executive Director of Franciscans International.

In 1982, Sr Elizabeth Cameron (Iowa, USA) and Fr Dionysius Mintoff (Valetta, Malta) simultaneously  proposed the idea that there should be a Franciscan presence and voice at the United Nations.  An inter - Franciscan committee developed the mandate and vision of the organisation and in 1989, ‘Franciscans   International’  was  recognised as an NGO by the UN Department of Public Information (DPI).  In 1995, Franciscans International was granted Category Number One Status with the UN Economic and Social Council.  In 1999, a new Charter that defines the  vision, mission and  structure of Franciscans International was approved by the six major superiors of the Conference of the Franciscan Family in Rome.

Franciscans International website:
  www.FranciscansInternational.org

The Oceania Newsletter is produced by the National Council of the Secular Franciscan Order in Oceania.

Editor: Helen Britton

Correspondence to:

Helen Britton
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Mornington Victoria 3931
AUSTRALIA