RALEIGH, N. C. — In continued celebration of, and concentration on, the Order’s 800th anniversary, the staff of the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi here participated in a day of formation on Aug. 19. Approximately 130 people attended, including friars, all pastoral staff, pre-school teachers/staff and kindergarten through eighth grade teachers/staff.
As has been the case in many staff gatherings this year, the focus of the day was on the Catholic faith, as lived out by St. Francis of Assisi. The day began with morning Mass celebrated by Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM.
During Mass and throughout the day, John discussed Franciscan spirituality and reminded participants that although it is sometimes easy to grow complacent in everyday work, we should be challenged and go from merely seeing to truly beholding life around us.
The day also included a discussion by William McConville, OFM, on the history of St. Francis and the Franciscan Order, a review of the mission statements of Holy Name Province and our parish by pastor Mark Reamer, OFM, and a review of the HNP vision statement by Julian Jagudilla, OFM.
The parish has four occasions every year where staff members gather as a group for “formation.”
Staff members have also had several other smaller meetings throughout the year — including a weeklong retreat — to focus on Franciscan spirituality, the 800th anniversary and Franciscan charism.
— Marc Kielty is coordinator of communications for St. Francis of Assisi Church in Raleigh. He can be reached at 919-847-8205 ext. 266.