St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity Bulletin
Vol. 12 No. 6   June and July 2007

From our spiritual assistant
Bro. John A Kerr, T.O.R.

Dear sisters and brothers,

May God give you peace.

As you know if you were at the last meeting on May 20th, I am stepping down as spiritual assistant to the St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity. Fr. Terrence has accepted the role and, as I write, is on his way to join other spiritual assistants in the region along with the regional executive council at Christ the King Retreat House in Buffalo.

It has been a wonderful experience for me to be your spiritual assistant these past couple of years. I hope that I have helped to nurture the fraternity in some way. Getting to know some of you for the first time and others better will not be forgotten. You have imparted your love and faith in our Franciscan charism and no time or activity can erase it. Also, I am not going anywhere so we will continue seeing each other at various functions. I am always open to talking with you about any aspect of our Franciscan life.

When I first came to St. Bridget’s I told you about my past experiences with the Secular Franciscans. My years as a young friar in the Bronx were enlightened by the zeal and dedication of the newly emerging fraternity there. In fact, they were the ones who kept the Franciscan flame alive on the tough streets when all of the friars and finally myself had departed. In Key West, I was not challenged by poverty as much as apathy and once again the SFO fraternity there, to which I became spiritual assistant, was a great support. I am grateful that both of these communities still exist despite the fact that no friars or sisters are with them.

What makes me proudest is seeing the Secular Franciscan Order thrive in a more independent manner. I’d like to think interdependent with the religious communities is the relationship now. You have taken leadership of your membership and your purpose whereas before there was much more dependence upon “Father or Brother or Sister ____” running the show. With the humility of our seraphic father Francis, both the secular and religious show that they care for and need each other

Having worked with Kim and her council and now seeing how Tammy and her council are moving forward, I have no doubt this interdependent relationship will continue to grow. Growing new leadership among the fraternity excites me as much as deepening the Franciscan charism. I think Francis knew this as he let go of his leadership while believing God would move others as God had touched him.

I believe each of you in your own way leads and reveals the values of our Franciscan life to all those with whom you encounter. As you greet them, I leave you with Francis’ words: “May God give you peace.”

Your brother,

John, TOR