ST. ALPHONSA FRATERNITY APRIL 2015 NEWSLETTER
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Are we truly people of Penance?
As Brothers and Sisters of Penance do we really live this vocation we have been called to? Just
this week I was in my daughter’s class helping them to make sacrifice bracelets, with the idea
that the children would try to make 10 sacrifices per day. A sacrifice is nothing more than an
act of love. Sacrifice =Love. The more I sacrifice, the more love I have within me. Sacrifice also
= Happiness. Our society teaches us the more I get what I want and the more I get my way, the
happier I will be. But we know that is not true. The more I give up for God and others, the
more I deny myself of pleasures, riches, power, comfort and fame, the happier I become. I can
make a sacrifice by getting out of bed on time, by saying my rosary and prayers devoutly, by
letting others go first: at the grocery store, on the freeway, or even in the confession line etc..,
to stop eating when I am satisfied before I am getting full, to hold my tongue around the most
difficult for me to deal with, or even to treat those same people better than I treat myself, or
to smile and encourage someone when I feel like lashing out, etc...
This reminds me of 2 different friends of mine who were on the verge of divorce. One even
held the papers in her hand, ready to be signed. After both of them made a commitment that
no matter what the (undeserving) spouse did, they would commit to make 10 sacrifices of love
for them each day. Some days were most difficult, and many days they failed. But they kept
pursuing this plan. I am happy to say that 2 years later they are both happily married. Happier
than they ever were!. One of them said "I always wanted a good marriage but I never had the
tools, now I do". I remember her also saying when she first started out making sacrifices for her
spouse; “I don't know if this will save my marriage, but I do know that I feel a whole lot better
than I did." Sacrifice has a power all its own.
May Our Lord, Our Blessed Mother, St. Francis and St. Clare, intercede for us to pursue our
vocation of Penance, our vocation of Love, our vocation of sacrifice, that we have been called
to.
United in Prayer,
Jean
Meeting Minutes Sunday, March 29, 2015 1:30-4:00 pm – Epiphany Catholic Church, Coon
Rapids, MN
Present: Fr. John Bauer, Kathy Weissman, Donna Green, Shirlann Biser, Gordon and Teresa
Walker, Teresa Isenor, Mark & Patti Urick, Jim Malisheski
Absent: Stephanie Percic, Rick Dzurik, Jerry Swanson, Jean McGinty, Ellen Drasin, Irene
Brandenburg, Ray and Jeanette Schelonka, Laurie Lacina
Candidates Present: Cathy Hills, Fr. John Bauer, Janet Uhlir,
Candidates Absent: Gloria Haluptzok,
Visitors: Carol Schiebold from the San Damiano Fraternity in Elk River who turned in her
request for transfer to St Alphonsa.
We began with Adoration for 30 minutes from 1:30 to 2:00.
We opened the meeting with song, “Were You There?” and prayed the “Our Father” for Br.
Rick. Jim Malisheski said the prayer for priests.
Teresa Walker led us in opening prayer from the Ritual. The reading was done by Mark.
Teresa lead the spirituality exercise this day with the Franciscan Stations of the Cross by
Theresa Baker, OFS. Each person present in turn read one of the stations. The station were
followed by the prayer for priests said by Jim Malisheski.
We then said the Beggar’s prayer and passed the beggar bag.
Business:
The business meeting was opened with a discussion of ideas that members had come up with
during the month regarding apostolates. Teresa W. suggested that it might be useful for each
of us to ask our parish pastors to include a Hail Mary at the end of the prayers of the faithful for
the intention of peace in the world. Shirlann B. offered that daily intercessory prayer at our
parishes would be good, perhaps with some sort of take-away such as a rosary, medal,
scapular, or holy card. First Saturday Immaculate Heart of Mary devotions would be a good
idea also, said Shirlann. Carol Schiebold told of her business which in part collects old rosaries
and rosary parts for recycling as new rosaries. Teresa W. indicated that we would table the
ideas for now and revisit the subject next month with our minister present.
The membership examined the idea of “tee-shirts” for the fraternity and quickly rejected the
notion in favor of the TAU as a way to reflect our commitment to living the Gospel Life.
Teresa suggested that we explore the idea of drinking only water on one full day to raise
awareness of how many people in the world today are without water for bathing, drinking and
cooking.
Teresa also reminded all that the Regional Spring Gathering will be held April 11 th in Little
Falls. Cost is $25.00 by April 1st and $30.00 at the door.
Treasurer’s Report: Effective February 28, 2015 the Fraternity’s balance is $961.35.
We said the Beggar Bag Prayer and offered congratulations to Ellen D. who is doing such a great
job with her work on the Newsletter.
Formation
Shirlann assigned chapter nine for next month and Conclusions for May. We will also discuss
what we have learned as a result of studying this book.
Gordon requested that members examine if they can offer some help to Shirlann in the
execution of our Formation program.
Shirlann led formation, discussing the four questions at the end of chapter 8, “Imitation:
Becoming What We Love”, from Franciscan Prayer.
She challenged the group to take away a challenge to publicly witness to Christ this month.
Teresa closed the meeting with prayer from the Ritual.
We then enjoyed hospitality and refreshments.
JPIC
We continue to encouraged all members to pray for our Priests and bring donations for the
food shelf at Epiphany.
Peace,
Teresa
FORMATION –April 2015--Shirlann Biser
Prayer Intentions:
For Cece’s mother who is in hospice
Mallory – complete treatment
For my sons (Jared & Connor) especially Jared who has a birthday next Saturday April 4 th
For deeper conversion children and grandchildren
That the Lord would send Christian people into the lives of my children – they are so broken
Stephanie Biser – outpouring of the Holy Spirit at her Confirmation on May 9 th
Brooke Malisheski – to find a job
Please pray for my upcoming talk on the Blessed Mother in April – Patti U.
Please pray for conversion of our sons and daughter-in-laws. Mark & Patti U.
Healing for Michael and Jacob
For priests who have chains around their hearts.
For the teachers/students piloting the Children of the Eucharist program that their hearts are
open and they are led by the Holy Spirit and Our Blessed Mother.
For all Catholic schools to teach the truth.
Please pray for our Priests, Seminarians and for vocations to the Priesthood!
Prayers for the sick for healing and care givers
Healing and conversion for children and continued protection and healing for grandchildren.
For Connor, Jared, Mary and all of our children that they can open their hearts completely to
God’s love, healing, guidance and protection.
That God would direct all of our vocations and our children’s vocations.
For families conversion to love and mercy of Jesus. In thanksgiving for healing that has already
come about.
For my sons and family and kids.
For deep conversion of Mark.
For all of my grandchildren.
For the gift of true penance.
For healing in all families, so all families will take time to pray together.
For people who are in danger from ISIS.
Let us pray for holiness in families, marriages and Priesthood and for more vocations to
consecrated lives.
Let us pray for the mentally ill, for strength and support in their afflictions.
Let us pray for those who have left the Catholic church.
Prayers for our veterans and soldiers – may they be guided in their journey on behalf of our
freedom. May our Lord heal their minds and bodies, strengthen their families.
For Pope Francis and peace in the Middle East.
All people who have mental illness, addictions homeless and alone.
Ellen – that the Lord would expedite my annulment and give wisdom and truth to my assigned
advocate and the Roman Rota.
Prayers for our new council and Fraternity growth
Trisha Swanson for healing /cure of her fourth stage lung cancer
Seminarians at SJV
Priests for protection of their prayer lives and for the graces they need the most.
Ellen's brother in law Jim - prayers for sobriety
For those suffering religious persecution throughout the world
*2015 Calendar
***All Dates in bold are required attendance by our Rule :)
April 22nd Wed. Council Meeting
April 26 Sun. Meeting
May 20th Wed. Council Meeting
May 17/24 Sun. Meeting?
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 13th Feast of St. Anthony of Padua
June 24 Wed. 5:30 Council Meeting
June 28 Sun. 1:25pm Meeting
July 22 Wed. 5:30pm Council Meeting
July 26 Sun. 1:25pm Meeting
July 28th Feast of St. Alphonsa
August 2nd The Portiuncula Indulgence
August 11th Feast of St. Clare
August 15th Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 22nd Immaculate Heart of Mary
August 25th St. Louis King and Patron of the Third Order
August 26 Wed. 5:30 Council Meeting
August 27th Feast of the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 30 Sun. 1:25pm Meeting
September 8th Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sept. 12th Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
Sept. 14th Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sept. 15th our Lady of Sorrows
September 17th Sacred Stigmata of our Holy Father Francis
Sept. 23 Wed. 5:30pm Council Meeting
Sept. 27th Sun. 1:25pm Meeting and Region Visitation
Sept. 29th Feast of St. Michael the Archangel
October 4th Feast of St. Francis
October 10th Canonical Establishment...:)
October 21 Wed. 5:30pm Council Meeting
October 25th Sun. 1:25pm Meeting
November Retreat TBD Saturday November 13/21?
November 5th Begin annual Consecration to Jesus Through Mary***
November 19th St. Elizabeth of Hungary Patron of the Third Order
November 25th Wed. Council Meeting
November 29th Sun 1:25pm Meeting
December 8th Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Consecration Day
December Christmas Party TBD