'Q' Congress Set for August 2022

The 20th Quinquennial Congress is set for Aug. 3-7, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Registration opens Aug. 1, 2021. The keynote speakers are:

• Fr. David B. Couturier, OFM Cap. 
• Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv.
• Doug and Marion Clorey, OFS
• Tim and Kathy Taormina, OFS
• Lori Hinker, OFS

20th 'Q' Postponed Due to Covid-19 Concerns

 The 20th Quinquennial Congress, scheduled to be held in Phoenix in August 2021, is now postponed due to pandemic-related concerns. 

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.