Q concludes in a burst of joy

The 19th Q concluded with a burst of Franciscan joy, as National Minister Jan Parker, OFS, left the audience cheering and laughing as she belted out a special rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I will survive” – except that her lyrics changed it to “We’ve been revived.”

OFS testimonials at the Q

Using a smartphone videocam, National Vocation Committee Chair Jane DeRose-Bamman recorded testimonials about the Franciscan vocation.

Some 50 Quinquennial Congress attendees participated!

See the testimonials at YouTube.com/secularfranciscans.

Fear not in joy and love (day 4)

Overcoming fear and recognizing the love of God within us. Those two things can fuel something greater in the Franciscan vocation, suggests National JPIC Chair Carolyn Townes, OFS, a featured speaker on the final day of the Quinquennial Congress on Sunday, July 3.

She asked the “Q” attendees – now up to 620 – what Christ’s greatest comandment was.

“Love God and love your neighbor as yourself,” the audience echoed in several variations.

'Good News' should prod us (day 4)

The Gospel is the good news. But for whom?

It can comfort the afflicted. But it can also afflict the comfortable – those who need to be nudged out of their comfort zone in order to better respond to the call of the Gospel.

That’s how Franciscan Father Dan Horan introduced his final and third keynote presentation Sunday, July 3, at the Quinquennial Congress.

He noted that his topic of Racism and Xenophobia may surely make some uncomfortable.

Br. Keith shouts Franciscan gems (day 3)

Keith Warner, OFM, stood at the podium and proclaimed: “‘Laudato Si’ is the most Franciscan papal encyclical ever!”

“Yeah!” the Quinquennial Congress audience murmured in reply.

Brother Keith raised his voice and repeated that statement. “Yeah!” the crowd exclaimed. Then the friar shouted: “ ‘Laudato Si’ is the most Franciscan papal encyclical EVER!” “YEAH!” the audience shouted back.

Thus began Brother Keith’s featured presentation on an encyclical riddled with Franciscan gems.

Fr. Dan on violence, peacemaking (day 3)

Fr. Dan Horan, OFM, began his second Quinquennial Congress presentation Saturday, July 2, by pointing to the Canticle of the Sun. It perhaps was a culminating expression of Francis’ journey from violence to peacemaking.

Francis dreamed of being a warrior knight, but was slapped with the reality of becoming a prisoner of war. His life changed, and eventually he started on a path of discovering and living the Gospel, and becoming a peacemaker.

Blessing Bags for homeless, families (day 2)

A stunned Sr. Connie

Hundreds of homeless and struggling families in St. Louis are getting a special “blessing”, thanks to the 19th Quinquennial Congress’ Blessing Bag Project. Franciscan Sister Connie Probst, St. Anthony Food Pantry director, was shocked at the size of the donation.

Q Co-Chair Kate Kleinart put it this way:

“We’re leaving St. Louis a little better than we found it.”

Attendees prepared bags of goodies and personal care items to give to the homeless and struggling families. The products were donated by Secular Franciscans across the country as well as by a few companies.

Fr. Lester: You need to have impact (Day 2)

When it comes to serving others – such as in a soup kitchen – “it’s not so much what you do, but how you do it.”

In other words, it’s about building relationships, noted Capuchin Friar Lester Bach, a featured presenter on Day 2 of the Quinquennial Congress.

Fr. Dan focuses on creation, poverty (Day 2)

Keynoter Fr. Dan Horan, OFM, took the Quinquennial Congress throng – now up to 595 attendees – on a journey of “mercy and minority” in the Franciscan tradition Friday, July 1. He delved into “creation and poverty” – recognizing, as all Franciscans are called to do, a universal kinship with all of creation, and coming to understand the reality of Franciscan poverty as something more, as something holding richer depth than the simple phrase of “being poor in spirit.”

Priest author shares his dream (Day 1)

Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, was in the midst of a personal crisis when St. Anthony Messenger Press asked him to write a book about St. Francis of Assisi. He couldn’t, he thought. Besides, he was extremely busy teaching and carrying out other duties. Then the editor told him he would be taking time off and going to Assisi.

A sound of awe murmured through the audience at the Quinquennial Congress Thursday evening (June 30).

“That’s the same thing I said,” he responded to the crowd. Of course, he told the editor, “yes!”