Chapter and Trivia

Jul 11

Let me begin with Chapter as it has nothing to do with trivia. St. Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism and author of the very influential Rule of Saint Benedict, first coined the term “chapter” to mean the meeting of religious men. In the 6th Century, he directed his monks to start their daily assemblies with the reading of a section or “chapter” of the rule. Over time the phrase began to shift from referring to the text to the actual meeting itself. Those familiar with the ancient medieval monasteries will recall that each monastery had a chapter house or chapter hall where these meetings would have taken place.

Although as Franciscan Friars, we are not monks [they are cloistered and do not leave the monastery] we have adopted the Benediction tradition and refer to our meetings as “chapters.” We have House Chapters, Provincial Chapters, and General Chapters. The first is simply a meeting of the local community. The second, Provincial Chapter, is when all the friars of a particular Province gather to meet. The third is when the Minister General, who lives in Rome, meets with the provincials [the friars who leads each province] and delegate [s] from each province throughout the world. The General Chapter is typically held in Assisi.

After the Sunday Masses this weekend, July 12, Fr. Matt and I will be heading to St. Louis, Missouri for the Provincial Chapter of the friars of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Fr. Kevin has agreed to stay home and take care of things while Matt and are in meetings all day. Who do you think got the better part in that deal? ;o)

Actually, the five days of meeting will be a wonderful time for the brothers to come together, to pray together, as well as discuss our lives and ministry together. At this Chapter we will also be electing a new Provincial and a new six-person Provincial Council. We meet in Chapter every three years but typically elect a provincial every six years. There is always more excitement when there is an election of a new provincial.
Fr. Matt and I will return on Friday, July 17th so we, Fr. Kevin, and our guest presiders, will be ready for the weekend Masses and Confessions.

I ask that you pray for us and all the friars of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province during this important time in the life of our province. Know that we were certainly be praying for you during this time as well.

As for the Trivia, although it is still a week and a half away the St. Francis Youth Ministry will once again host a Teen Trivia Night. This year it will be on July 22nd at 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM in the St. Francis Church Hall in Brant Beach. Admission is free and we have some wonderful prizes for the winners but most of all it is an exciting time for our teens to gather, have fun while they enjoy each other’s company, and play a great game of trivia. Mark your calendar! Let your children or grandchildren know that St. Francis is going to be the place to be on Wednesday, July 22nd!

In addition to Teen Trivia Night, St. Francis Young Adult Ministry hosts a Bible Study for young adults on the first Thursday of each month. This month’s gathering will be at 6:00 PM in the Family Faith Formation Meeting Room on the 2nd floor of the St. Francis Center. If you’re a young adult and would like to explore your faith, pray with peers, and grow in your relationship with Christ, come on over on the 1st Thursday of the month.

May God continue to bless all of us with Peace and All Good.