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About the St. Francis Fraternity in Hackensack, NJ
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December 28, 2020Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings of Peace and Joy.
St. Francis Fraternity is very glad to share glad tidings to all of you.
St. Francis Fraternity was founded in 1926 as an Italian-speaking fraternity with the first three professions taking place in April of 1927. The Capuchin Franciscan Friars of Stigmata Province have always served as Spiritual Assistants to the fraternity. Today, we are a diverse community: young and old; women and men; English, Italian and Spanish-speaking.
This year Fr. Prem Kumar Garapati, Capuchin, Vicar of St. Francis of Assisi Friary in Hackensack, was invited to be the Spiritual Assistant.
The members of St. Francis Fraternity come together at St. Francis Parish, 50 Lodi Street, Hackensack, NJ on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Church Hall.
Each month we join as a Secular Franciscan fraternity in a form of Liturgical Prayer--either Mass or the Liturgy of the Hours. We have talks and programs presented by our members, our Spiritual Assistant and various guest speakers.
Our Apostolates include collecting hats, scarves and gloves for the homeless in winter, donations of toys and necessities to the Transitional (Mother and Child) Shelter in Hackensack, and collecting school supplies for the Southwest Missions in the summer and fall.
Our Fraternity sponsors the Apostolate of Prayer for St. Francis Parish and for Our Lady of the Angels Regional Fraternity. All intentions submitted and the prayer "Rebuild My Church" to inspire those who have left the church to return are remembered in prayer each month by our members.
As the Scripture says: For everything there is a season.
A time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)
As we know this is the time of Covid-19.Covid-19 has shaken societies, cities, countries and the whole world at large. During these difficult times we are challenged to live in the spirit of St. Francis, by sharing and caring. We are encouraged to join our minds and hearts to pray for one another and for our brothers and sisters all over the world.
During this Pandemic we are not able to meet in person but still we are able to come together on Zoom on the second Thursday of every month. In September, for ongoing formation, we had a talk about the Stigmata of St. Francis for reflection in preparation for the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, our Seraphic Father. On October 13th, the fraternity was extremely happy to celebrate the Rite of Permanent Commitment (Profession) for one of our members who had been preparing for three years. We also celebrated the Rite of Admission for three candidates who will be professed sometime in the fall of 2021.At our December Zoom gathering, we had an Advent talk on Zoom in preparation for Christmas.
I am so excited to be a missionary to the United States. I am blessed and enriched to live with my Capuchin Friars. To be a missionary in this difficult time of Covid-19 is really a challenge and a change. As St. Paul Says: “I can do everything through Christ; who strengthens me”. (Phil 4:13) I am able to learn the languages, culture and different activities through the help and support of my brothers and sisters in the parish, fraternity and in the Province at large. I am also deeply delighted to be the Spiritual Assistant to St Francis Fraternity. The fraternity gives me joy and happiness to live the spirit of St. Francis.
Let us continue to walk together with the spirit of St Francis.
