Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region

Minister’s Message

Ellen Ferrone, OFS
BSSF
Regional Minister

Hearts full of thanksgiving and anticipation. . . . . .

‘Tis the season to reflect on all the blessings received; ’tis also the season of anticipation for what is to come.

What a wonderful way to prepare for the birth of our Savior.

What am I grateful for?

I am grateful for the gift of faith and am blessed to have received the call to be a Secular Franciscan. The call to the OFS way of life has deepened my relationship with God. The generosity and love of our sisters and brothers inspire me to be a better person every day. This leads to my thanksgiving for all of you, as I’m privileged to witness all the amazing things you accomplish. Following our father Francis, gospel to life and life to gospel:

• The prayer requests to help those in need. We know that they give so much comfort. We also know that with the great distances in our region and the inability to be close to those we pray for, our prayers connect us.
• The outreach and ministries to those on the margins. Continuous support of fraternal energy, individual energy, resources, supplies, smiles, and laughter.
• The dedication of our formation teams to form so many in our Franciscan spirituality and spread the joy, love and hope of the gospel.
• The leadership of our councils. you take on so much and enrich everyone’s lives.
• The spiritual guidance and nurturing from our spiritual assistants. To the fraternities you serve directly and to those you travel to and visit for visitations and elections.
• The BSSF Regional Executive Council, your enthusiasm, problem-solving, and loving approach to all we do.

The list goes on……

What am I anticipating?

• The birth of our Savior, the one who fills us with hope. The one who keeps us grounded in prayer—the one who loves us unconditionally.
• The joy in knowing that each one of us is inspired to live this life. Love and serve each other and all who feel they are on the margins—the life of Gospel to Life and Life to Gospel.

Wishing you and your families abundant peace and joy this holiday season and New Year. 

Yours faithfully,

Ellen

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Taking a Stand Against the Death Penalty

By Allison Salerno OFS, Regional JPIC Animator, and David Cruz-Uribe OFS, Regional MCC Animator

The Rule of our order tells us Secular Franciscans that, “especially in the field of public life, they should make definite choices in harmony with their faith” (Art. 15).  We can do so both individually and collectively.   In this spirit, the Brothers and Sisters of St. Francis Region recently signed an open letter to President Biden, calling on him to commute the death sentences of all the men and women currently on federal death row.  This letter, organized by Death Penalty Action, is in response to the announced plans by President-Elect Trump to resume federal executions and to “empty” death row.   Hundreds of organizations, including some Catholic groups, churches and religious orders, have signed this letter.

By joining them, the Region is furthering Catholic teaching, which is opposed to the death penalty.  As the Catechism states, “the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person’, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide” (par. 2267).

Read the open letter.

Learn more about Catholic opposition to the death penalty, visit the site of the Catholic Mobilizing Network Against the Death Penalty, a group founded with the support of the USCCB.

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