Secular Franciscan Order
St. Clare of Assisi
Fraternity, Coquitlam
Four Members of our Fraternity will make
their profession into the order on February 18 at St. Clare’ parish church at
the 5 p.m. Mass.
Bill Brow, Louise Edwards, Margaret Ross-Arbeider
and Ofelia Estranda have completed 2 years of formation and are now ready to
make their Profession.
The fraternity now has 14 professed members,
7 candidates and 5 enquirers. We meet on the 1st Thursday of each
month at St. Clare’s Rectory, 1320Johnson St. Coquitlam, anyone who is
interested in the Secular Franciscan Order is welcome to attend our meetings, or
contact Walter or June Harris at 604-939-2116.
Submitted by Walter Harris secretary
What's in a name?
What do Dante, Giotto, Michelangelo, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Joan of Arc, Ferdinand and
Isabella of Spain, Christopher Columbus, St. Thomas More, Giovanni Pierluigi da
Palestrina, Franz Liszt, Charles Gounod, André and Marie Ampère, Michael Faraday, Louis Pasteur,
John Michael Talbot, Arlo Guthrie Sebastian Temple
Karen Amiar, Hélène Brooks, Lorne Brooks, Pauline Brow, Terry Egan, Nina Egan,
Nedra Spani and Erin Lasko.all have in common? -- All Members of the Secular Franciscan Order!
Do you hear Him call?
Do you want to draw nearer to God? Become more Christ-like? Perhaps you have
a vocation to a secular order like ours, the Secular Franciscan Order. We are an association of men and women, married and single, who live and work
in the world. We follow a way of life that is faithful to the original "Rule" written by St. Francis of Assisi. If you would like to have more
information.please contact us:
Walter or June Harris 939-2116
Terry or Anne McLaughlin 941-0601
Marion Waugh 931-4873
History and Origin
St. Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226), the son of a
wealthy merchant in Assisi, Italy, was a fun-loving youth who longed to be a rich and famous knight. God however called him to put aside his dreams of wealth and glory and find Jesus Christ in the Gospel, the poor and suffering. Francis became a mendicant preacher who spread the Gospel message of God's love and peace to all he met through his words and actions.
In 1209, Francis established the First Order of the Franciscan
family (Order of Friars Minor) for men. Later, with Lady Clare of Assisi, he founded the Second Order (Poor Clares).
Finally, in 1221 he instituted the Third Order (Secular
Franciscans) for men and women who were unable to leave their homes, families, or work to follow Christ in the footsteps of
St. Francis.
The Secular Franciscans are an association of men and women
– married and single – who live and work in the world. They follow a way of life that is faithful to the original Rule written by St. Francis of Assisi, but which has been adapted to
today’s circumstances.
Members of this Order find direction, inspiration, encouragement and support to live more fully the gospel message
within a fraternal community of Secular Franciscans.
Well-known members include Dante, Christopher Columbus, Louis Pasteur, Boy’s Town Fr. Flanagan, Pope John
XXIII and Thomas Merton.
There are several Fraternities in the Lower Mainland, the largest one is the Fraternity of St. Francis of Assisi who meet at the
parish Church of St Francis of Assisi in Vancouver.
A new Fraternity has recently been established at St. Clare's parish.
For more information, contact Walter or June Harris at 939-2116.
