Franciscans reaching into the secular community

Clare McClean4 December 2012 On Saturday August 11, some members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) joined the Capuchin friars and Kilbirnie parishoners to celebrate St Clare’s feast day and…

Clare McClean
4 December 2012

altOn Saturday August 11, some members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) joined the Capuchin friars and Kilbirnie parishoners to celebrate St Clare’s feast day and welcome two new members.

Bernadette Hyland was professed having completed her formation and Yvonne D’Souza was received into the Order and will now enter a time of formation.

Secular Franciscans were previously known as the Third Order of St Francis.

The OFS Franciscans is a way of life, approved by the Church, for men and women and also diocesan priests, who are not committed to a religious congregation.

They are called to take an active part in the mission of Christ to bring the good news of salvation to the world.

Secular Franciscans commit themselves to a life in Christ, calling for a positive effort to promote gospel attitudes in the world.

They are united to each other in fraternities through which they develop a sense of direction according to the gospel spirit of St Francis of Assisi.

The process of discernment through which an individual may discover a vocation in the secular Franciscan life evolves in three phases: an enquiry phase, followed by admission to the candidacy and finally profession.

For more information, contact Vonnie Nunns on (04) 938-9811.

Image: Those caught by the camera after the Mass are Fr Gregory Lakra, Vonnie Nunns, Fr Matthew Clerkin, Joy Peffers, Clare McClean, Bernadette Hyland, Yvonne D’Souza and Ray Sifflett.