The Society of St Francis: Province of the Divine Compassion

the current Franciscan Angles has been posted this weekFrangles September 2011

Workshop and Ecumenical Prayer Service lead by brothers of the Taizé Community, France.

Workshop: venue and time TBA

Ecumenical Evening Prayer: Saturday 17 Sept 2011, 7 pm, St John’s Cathedral Anne St Brisbane.

Every week thousands of young people flock to the tiny village of Taizé in France to spend a week with a small community of brothers founded by Br Roger. Br Roger founded a community of hope, reconciliation and hospitality to all regardless of creed, culture or language. The brothers welcomed refugees and prisoners of war as well as orphaned children to their small community during WW2. Later many people visited the tiny community of brothers. The brothers responded by developing a style of contemplative prayer which would aid people from all denominations, and none, to meet and worship God together. Taizé has been visited by Popes, Ecumenical Patriarchs of the Eastern Churches, Archbishops of Canterbury, and leaders of many Protestant denominations. The music from Taizé is used in worship in many countries around the world and has inspired many to see God for the first time or in a new and personal way. This Ecumenical prayer service will be led by Br Ghislain and Br Matthew from the Taizé community. Come and experience this beautiful style of worship and meet God in a new and embracing way through prayer and song.

For further information contact Br Nathan-James SSF

At a recent meeting of the brothers of the (now former) Australia / New Zealand Province, Chapter resolved to adopt a new name for the province. The province will now be known as the Province of the Divine Compassion.

Over the last few years the province has expanded with brothers now living and ministering in Korea and Sri Lanka. The former Korean Franciscan Brotherhood was recently received into membership in the Society of St Francis – now with two life professed brothers and two novices. Br Lionel returned to his home in Sri Lanka and is nurturing interest in Franciscan charism there.

The name change was needed to reflect the growth in the province outside of Australia and New Zealand. The choice of Divine Compassion has its links back to the early days of the formation of Anglican Franciscan religious life. One of the communities that formed the Society of St Francis as the Society of the Divine Compassion.

Br Stephen David n/ssf - Compass: Late Vocations

The ABC Compass programme recently aired a piece on late (or perhaps rather delayed) vocations. Br Stephen David n/ssf who recently joined us as a novice was one of the people interviewed for the programme. The following programme summary is taken from the Compass website.

Compass explores the modern day appeal of religious life by following the personal journeys of three Australians who take up a vocation later in life.

A late vocation is a trend that harks back to medieval times when special religious orders were established for widows, men returning from battle and older people wishing to devote their later years to a spiritual life. Today, many people follow a calling after they have lived out a career-based vocation. In this program Compass meets a former Catholic nun who has just been ordained an Anglican priest; a former naval officer training to be a Franciscan brother; and, a former lawyer and federal politician who is now a Catholic priest. While maturity gives them some advantages, they also face unique challenges.

Story producer: Dina Volaric

You can view the programme on the Compass website

Franciscan Angles March 2011

Please pray for Brother Bart who is to make his Life Profession in The Society of St Francis on Thursday 5th May 2011 at 6pm.

The Life Profession will take place at the St Philip’s Anglican Church, 115 Cornwall St , Annerley.

Br Clark Berge SFF Visits FI Geneva

Franciscans International (FI) was very pleased to welcome Br. Clark Berge, SSF to its Geneva office, 27-29th April. Br Clark is the Minister General of the Society of Saint Francis (SSF), an Anglican Franciscan community of first order Brothers. The SSF has five provinces around the world, with missions in Zimbabwe, USA, England, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and the Solomon Islands. They pursue their ministry through a variety of programmes that include interfaith dialogue, eco-sustainability, migrant issues and development.

“I am here to get to know FI, meet you all, and see your operation. I want to discover ways in which we can collaborate more deeply and how I, as an Anglican Franciscan, can help to facilitate the Anglican voice through FI” said Br. Clark. “There are so many places around the world where we have unique experience, particularly in Melanesia. What we have to offer is important and timely and yet, given the constraints and the circumstances of communication and education, it is very difficult to tap it. Consequently, I am trying to learn how FI works and how I can unlock what my brothers and sisters have to offer” he continued.

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Franciscan Scholar Sr Ilea Delio

The Franciscan Federation of Australia cordially invites you to attend the following workshops by visiting Franciscan Scholar Sr Ilia Delio.

Ilia Delio is a Franciscan Sister of Washington, DC. She holds a doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and a doctorate in Historical Theology from Fordham University. She has written extensively in the area of Franciscan theology, with a particular emphasis on the theology of Bonaventure. Her books include The Humility of God, Care for Creation and Christ in Evolution. She lectures nationally and internationally in Franciscan theology/spirituality with a particular focus on integrating Franciscan theology and contemporary questions. As Director of the Franciscan Center at the Union, she organizes the Franciscan lecture series and the annual Franciscan symposium. She is a member of the Commission for the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition that is sponsored by the English Speaking Conference of Friars Minor.

Brisbane Seminars with Sr Ilea.

Saturday, 9 May 2009. Kedron Parish Hall Turner Road, Kedron.

Morning tea provided at 10.00am

10.30am – 12.15 Franciscan Christology and Bonaventure (including question time)

BYO LUNCH – Tea and coffee provided

1.15 – 2.45pm Franciscan Women Mystics: Clare and Angelia of Foligno (including question time)

Monday, 11 May 2009. Mt Alvernia College, “Assisi Room” Cremorne Road Kedron.
3.30.pm-5.00pm What does it mean to live the Gospel in the 21st Century World?

Tuesday, 12 May 2009. Padua College Auditorium. Turner Road, Kedron.
3.30pm – 5.00pm Contemplation in a World of Action: The Franciscan Way

Contact Person: Sr Pauline Robinson mfic. Phone: (07) 3350 5117 E:mail probinson@mficaust.org.au

Br Nathan-James and the Community of St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church Mt Gravatt invite you to attend a workshop and service on Praying with Songs of Prayer from Taizé.

Sunday May 10 (2.30 pm – 8.30 pm)
1357 Logan Road
(cnr Mountain Street)
Mt. Gravatt 4122

(you are invited to attend all or part of the program)

2.30 – 5.30 pm: Worskhop
5.30 pm – 6.30 pm: Meal Fellowship (RSVPs would be appreciated for catering purposes)
7 pm Contemplative Prayer Service using Songs of Prayer from Taizé

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Br James Andrew made his first profession in vows on the Feast of St Michael & All Angels, 29th September 2008.

Jesus heard his unique vocation declared to him through a voice from heaven at his baptism, but I think most people find their vocation in life more often through human contacts than through voices from heaven.

Brothers from Brisbane, Stroud and Sydney, gathered to celebrate with Br James Andrew as he made his first profession in vows within the Society of St Francis.

The community of St Philip’s and friends of brother James Andrew gathered for the celebration on the Feast of St Michael and All Angels.

Br Bruce-Paul (novice guardian) presided at the Mass with Br Alfred-BoonKong (minister provincial) officiating the profession. Br William offered a stiring and reflective sermon.

Br William spoke of his own sense of vocation into the Franciscan community. He said that vocation is not always a great epiphany; often it is through simple contact with others. He reminded us that all are called by God, through the Holy Spirit to our own unique life in Christ. He added that this is not often in the context of religious life, that most people have made some form of commitment to God and are stepping out in faith. Read the rest of Br William’s sermon. james-profession