St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity Bulletin
Vol. 12 No. 5   May 20, 2007

Minister's message
by Tammy

You have a new council in place. The new slate of officers is:

Tammy-Minister, Maria Hamilton-Vice Minister, Kathy-Secretary, Mona-Treasurer, Virginia-Formation Director, Tom-Councilor at Large

A big "Thank You" to Kim as our outgoing Minister for a job well done. Thank you, Kim, Doris, LaRayne and Rose for your time and service to the Fraternity.

A lot has happened already as your newly elected Minister. Several of us traveled to Brown's Valley for the profession of seven new members in their forming fraternity (see separate article and pictures), and we held our first council meeting to plan the upcoming months. I have learned that I will be attending a Regional Minister's retreat on the first weekend of June (as will Kim and Tom in their regional capacity).

Those of us who attended mass prior to Council felt that today's homily particularly pertained to us. Fr. Anthony referenced in his sermon that one who is elected or appointed to a position must not just look at it as having a title and/or its privileges but that responsibilities must be met. Whether elected members of Council or fraternity members in general, we all have a duty to each other and the community around us to live up to the responsibilities of being Secular Franciscans. Just as in a family we each play a role, the secular family is and should be the same way with each of us committing ourselves to the needs of the fraternity. When elected, I announced that I would be delegating, and because we all make up fraternity, please be involved and participate. We should be willing in whatever way we can to assist. Because our fraternity is hosting Fall regional gathering, we will have extra work and will need extra help in the next few months from the fraternity at large.

I was not looking to be elected as Minister at this point in time, but the Holy Spirit had other ideas! I am willing to serve the fraternity to the best of my ability. Because my life is already very busy, I will be prayerfully be asking for the wisdom, guidance, energy and patience to make the transition.