First 2 Keynoters: Bishop Stowe, Fr. Couturier

Bishop Stowe

Fr. David

The Q Committee announced the first two keynote speakers for the 2021 Congress.

They are Fr. David Couturier, OFM Cap, dean of the School of  Franciscan Studies at  Saint Bonaventure University, and Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv, of the Diocese of Lexington, KY.

'An Experience of a Lifetime'

Boasting a “Jubilee” theme, the 20th Quinquennial Congress in August 2021 celebrates the JUBILEE of the eighth centenary of the OFS and the 100th anniversary of the National Quinquennial Congresses, reported Q Committee Chair Susan Simeone, OFS.

“The ‘Q’ is an experience of a lifetime” for “our OFS brothers and sisters,” she noted.

She announced the official Q 2021 prayer:

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.