Please don't let our "bright, new lights" be hidden under the bushel basket!
Secular Franciscans
passionate about serving others
By Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@stlouisreview.com
Image by Lisa A. Johnston
Pure joy is in Debbie Schisler's voice.
Since childhood, Schisler
knew in her heart she wanted to help others. That carried over into
adulthood. And next week, the 53-year-old wife and mother of five will
make an even stronger commitment to that way of life as she is professed
as a member of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Schisler, a parishioner at
Immaculate Conception in Arnold, is one of five individuals who will
make their profession as Secular Franciscans next week as members of the
St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity in Oakville. They formally will become
part of a larger community of Franciscans that pledge to live the
Gospel message, following in the ways of St. Francis of Assisi. The
saint exemplified virtues including obedience, charity, humility,
poverty, simplicity and wisdom.
Secular Franciscans are
individuals who live as married or single laypeople. They can also be
diocesan priests and permanent deacons. They strive to live the virtues
of St. Francis by using their individuals gifts, given by the Holy
Spirit, within their families, workplaces and even parish life,
according to formation director Rita Baughman.
Baughman said that there are
many examples of those who wish to become Secular Franciscans. "We have
young people, senior citizens. People like the simplicity, the
deepening of the spirituality we try to emphasize. St. Francis had many
dimensions, so people are attracted for different reasons." She stressed
the main requirement for someone joining the community is a love for
the saint and a desire to live their lives in his spirit.
Schisler was exposed to the
Franciscan way of life at an early age. Her father's youngest brother
was a Franciscan priest.
"I just loved his
lifestyle," she recalled. "He just seemed so free and loving."
She also recalled a simple
memory from her own childhood, a time she shared her crayons with a
fellow classmate, only to be chastised by other children for doing so.
"I thought, 'Isn't that what
we're supposed to do?'"
Schisler knew she wanted to
spend the rest of her life helping others, but it wasn't until about
four years ago, when an aunt died, that she recognized that there was a
community of Catholics living the life she already had.
That aunt, buried in a brown
habit, was a member of the Secular Franciscans. "I didn't know anything
about them before that. So I started searching on the Internet about
Secular Franciscans."
Prior to their profession,
Secular Franciscans undergo formation, which generally takes about three
years, sometimes longer, depending on the individual, said Baughman.
There are several stages, including an orientation, which offers
individuals an introduction to the community; inquiry, a formal period
of initiation to learn more about the Franciscan way of life at a deeper
level; and candidacy, a final period of initiation and immersion to
prepare for the permanent commitment as a Franciscan.
After their profession,
Secular Franciscans continue their formation through monthly group
meetings. They also are involved in several apostolates, including
assistance to the Poor Clare Sisters, participating in local
fund-raising efforts, helping with the Franciscan Connection, a ministry
that provides outreach to the poor, and teaching school children about
the life of St. Francis.
While she was going through
formation, Schisler said she was seeking a "set of rules -- something
that was black and white." But instead, she developed an understanding
that the commitment was more about emphasizing a way of life and not so
much about following rules. "I learned that being a Franciscan is living
with dignity while helping others to live with dignity."
Schisler said Baughman
explained to her that "when you profess, you become part of a community
of support. That's what drew me to this."
After profession, it will be
life as usual for Schisler. During the week, she babysits for her three
grandchildren. She also serves as a second-grade PSR teacher at
Immaculate Conception, a role she has had for the past two decades. She
volunteers as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and
participates in a small faith-sharing community at the parish. She
especially enjoys working with PSR students at a time when they receive
the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Communion.
The difference is that being
a Franciscan "formally will hold me accountable," she said. "It will
make my everyday living more conscious of it."
"This is an ongoing
conversion," said Baughman. "It doesn't just stop at profession. We're
constantly striving to become more Franciscan in our manners, in our
mindset and in our lifestyle."
Profession
Five Catholics will profess
as members of the Secular Franciscan Order next week. They include Suzee
Irwin, Epiphany Parish in South St. Louis; Debbie Schisler, Mimi
Siebert and Beverly Tedeschi, all of Immaculate Conception Parish in
Arnold; and Deacon John Wainscott of St. Justin Martyr Parish in Sunset
Hills.
All are welcome to attend
the Mass and profession, especially those interested in becoming a
member of the Secular Franciscans.
member of the Secular Franciscans.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 9
WHERE:
Poor Clare Monastery, 200 Marycrest Drive in Oakville
Poor Clare Monastery, 200 Marycrest Drive in Oakville
INFO: To
learn more about the Secular Franciscans, call Sherry Stevenson at (314)
487-5058 or e-mail her at sherrysfo@yahoo.com [2]
learn more about the Secular Franciscans, call Sherry Stevenson at (314)
487-5058 or e-mail her at sherrysfo@yahoo.com [2]
ON THE WEB:
www.nafra-sfo.org [3]
www.nafra-sfo.org [3]
Secular Franciscans
The following are current
statistics on the Secular Franciscans in the United States:
* 14,722 professed members
* 2,143 members currently in
formation
* 674 Secular Franciscan
fraternities, with an additional 80 that are emerging
* There are 11 fraternities
and 209 professed members in the St. Clare Region, which includes St.
Louis, Oakville, Normandy, O’Fallon, Cape Girardeau, Mo.,
Boonville/Jefferson City, Mo., Rolla, Mo., Springfield, Mo., Belleville,
Ill., Granite City, Ill., and Evansville, Ind.
* The Secular Franciscans
are part of the Third Order of St. Francis, which was founded by the
saint in 1221. It includes members who form fraternities as well as
isolated tertiaries, hermits and pilgrims. Franciscans of the First
Order include the Friars (priests and brothers), both Capuchin and
Oblates, and was founded by St. Francis in 1209. The Second Order
includes the Poor Clares, monasteries of cloistered women religious who
profess the rule of St. Clare. The foundation for that community was
created in 1212.
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