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| Friar Henry Madigan |
“The central act of Francis was to respond to the word of
God,” Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv., reminded four candidates at the Rite of
Profession on May 20 at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church. Like the apostles, “Francis and companions received a call
to extend the word of Christ and the love of God.”
Likewise, he said, those being professed as Secular
Franciscans are accepting the call to bring Christ and the Gospels into their
everyday lives.
It signifies “an inner change, which brings us to a reality
of Christ” never experienced before.
“I congratulate you” for making yourselves “a gift not only
to the church, but to God.”
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| Robert Mickey, Cynthia Barres, Bill McMyler, Ana Pereira |
Then, with Father Henry officially witnessing for the Roman
Catholic Church, Roberta Mickey, OFS, Cynthia Barres, OFS, Bill McMyler, OFS,
and Ana Pereira, OFS, took turns professing their commitment to the Secular
Franciscan Order while kneeling before Fraternity Minister Katie Koscinski,
OFS, in front of the altar.
Some 55 family members, friends and other Secular
Franciscans were than asked to come up and individually congratulate the newly
professed.
Father Henry presided at the mass, with Fr. Richard Dellos,
pastor, and Fr. Mark Pasik of St. Mark’s Church concelebrating.
Providing musical accompaniment were:
• parish music director Andrew Siuta as organist.
• Joachim Nelson on the flute.
• Christine Mickey on the viola.
• Jason Rickey on the trumpet.
A reception in the parish center provided
a festive conclusion to the day.
As Fraternity Secretary Marsha Kistner, OFS, put it:
“Today the Secular Franciscan Order was excited and humbled
to admit four new members to the Order.”
