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National
Minister’s Communications
Circulars
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Date : 16.04.07
Circular NP/27/07
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Date : March 1,2007
Circular NP/25/07
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Date : 23/01/07
Circular NP/24/2007
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Date :
Circular NP 26/07
SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF INDIA
Circular NP
26/07
Date :
Subject : The National Chapter, report of the Nat. Council
dated 17/02/07 etc.
To
The Regional Ministers,
The Regional Vice Ministers,
The Regional Spiritual assistants,
The National Councillors & The International Councillor.
Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers & Sisters,
Loving Greetings of Peace & Joy!
Through this circular I wish to clarify a few matters.
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Delegates to
the National Elective Chapter May 2007 :
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The
Regional delegates to the Chapter are the Minister
and the Vice Minister
only. If one or the other cannot come, he/she may be
substituted by any of
the elected members of the council.
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Irinjalakuda
Region alone was given a temporary exception to the rule
of division and hence there will be three
delegates from this region, namely the Minister, Vice
Minister & National delegate. The Minister & Vice
Minister can be substituted as stated above. No other
delegates are permitted from this region.
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The National
Council held on 17/02/07 decided not to accept visitors
at this Chapter.
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The
Registration form (inscription cum identity) have been
sent. To some regions only one form was sent by
mistake. We are now enclosing form again for the regions
that have not responded so far. The last date for
returning the forms duly filled with photo pasted is
31st March 2007.
The Regional Spiritual Assistants too are requested to
send their forms by 31st March 2007.(no photo
required).
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The Annual
Report forms too will have to be sent by 31st March.
Area representatives have to amalgamate them into
one and will have to present it at the Chapter. So,
please do cooperate.
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Fr. Rocky D’
Cunha, the National Sp. Asst. had sent a demographic
survey form to all the Regional ministers with
copy to the Regional Spiritual Assistants.
Please send this form duly filled and post it directly
to him by 31st March 2007.
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Annual
contribution to the National council has not been
cleared by many regions in spite of many reminders
from the National Treasurer and me. The National Council
had also requested every region for an additional
contribution of Rs.500/- per region for the Chapter.
Both the amounts together should be sent to the National
Treasurer by 31st March .
A participation fee of Rs.100/- from all the delegates,
except the spiritual Assistants, will have to be paid at
the time of registration of the Chapter.
I request your cooperation because we do not have much
commitment from the Provincials except the OFM
Provincial and the Conventual Provincial. We
ourselves will have to bear our burden.
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MATTERS FROM
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL :
The National Council met on 17th February at Assisi
Shanti Kendra, Karukutty.
The following members attended the council.
The National Spiritual Assistants Frs. Rocky D’ Cunha &
Ferdinand Melappilly, Nat. Minister, Vice
Minister, secretary, Formator, Treasurer and National
Councillors Br. Augustine Joseph & Sr. Mini Thomas and
the International Councillor.
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The
council took up the suggestions of the Agenda
Committee of the Chapter and finalized the
same. It will be sent to the delegates in due
course.
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The
Council was told of the minor changes proposed by
the international councilor in the amended portion
of the national statutes. It was decided to forward
the same to CIOFS for final approval.
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The
proposed draft for the registration of a Charitable
Trust for SFO India was referred to a select
committee to study and present at the National
Chapter.
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The
Penang SFO Congress will be attended by Fr. Rocky
and the Nat. Minister only as others have withdrawn
their names due to financial and other problems. The
delegates in this case had to bear their own travel
and boarding expenses.
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The
Council also drafted the duties and functions of the
National Councillors and discussed further
amendments to the Nat. Statutes. These will come up
in the Chapter for approval.
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The
Council appointed moderators for the different
sessions of the chapter, translators and
recording secretaries.
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As the
copies of the English “Rule, Gen. Constitutions and
the Ritual” were getting over, it was decided
to reprint the same with the additions of Statutes
of the international fraternity, the statutes for
spiritual and pastoral assistance to SFO and the
National Statutes of India.
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It was
decided to enlighten the chapter on St. Elizabeth of
Hungary and encourage the fraternities to
celebrate the 800th birth centuary of the
patroness of the SFO in a worthy manner.
Please pray for
a holy celebration of the elective chapter. With much love,
Your brother
& servant
John P. Fernandez
National Minister SFO, India.
Address: Paceline, Puthanvayal, Tillery, Kollam – 691001,
Kerala.
Telephone Numbers: 0474 – 2742630 / 2762205
Mobile Number: 09895121117
Email: fistindialacim@yahoo.co.in
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SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF INDIA
Date : March
1,2007
Circular NP/25/07
The Regional Ministers
The Regional Vice Ministers
The Regional Spiritual Assistants
The National Councillors
The International Councillor
Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers & Sisters,
Subject : Convocation of the National Elective Chapter
2007
In accordance
with the General Constitutions 67/2 a, I , John Pacelli
Fernandez, National Minister of SFO India, do hereby convoke
the next triennial National Elective Chapter of the Order to
be held at Assisi Shanti Kendra, Karukutty, Ernakulam Distt,
Kerala, from 11 to 13 May 2007. The Chapter will commence at
2.00 P.M. on 11th May with registration and will close on
13th May at about 3.00 P.M.
I request all the above addressed official delegates to be
present at the National Chapter and make it a success.
With kind regards,
Yours Fraternally,
John P. Fernandez.
National Minister SFO, India.
Address:
Paceline, Puthanvayal, Tillery, Kollam – 691001, Kerala.
Telephone Numbers: 0474 – 2742630 / 2762205
Mobile Number: 09895121117
Email: fistindialacim@yahoo.co.in
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SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF INDIA
23/01/07
Circular NP/24/2007
The Regional
Ministers
The Regional Spiritual Assistants
The National Councillors
The Provincials.
Subject : Canonical establishment of local fraternities,
Chapter 2007 etc.
Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers & Sisters,
Loving fraternal greetings !
By the merciful love of the Father, we have crossed over
from 2006 to 2007 into a new year of harvesting new heavenly
blessings and abundant earthly peace.
I. Canonical Establishment :
I wish to remind that all our local fraternities need to
be canonically established. SFO Rule 21 says “ The local
fraternity is to be established canonically.”
In the General constitutions Art.46 we read about the
practice of the rule “ The canonical establishment of a
local fraternity belongs to the competent religious major
superior at the request of the brothers and sisters
concerned with the prior consultation and collaboration of
the council of the higher level to which the new fraternity
will be related according to the national statutes. The
written consent of the local Ordinary is necessary for
canonical establishment of a fraternity outside the houses
or churches of the Franciscan religious First Order or the
TOR. For the valid (canonical) establishment of a local
fraternity, at least five perpetually professed members are
required.”
Canon Law 312/2 states “ The written consent of the diocesan
Bishop is required for the valid establishment of an
association or branch of an association in the diocese ,
even through it is done in virtue of an apostolic
privilege”.
We are aware of the fact that the SFO is a public
association in the church (General Cons. Art 1/5; Canon 116;
301/3; 312;313) established by the apostolic privilege of
the Holy See(canon 312/1/i).
When the proforma for the annual report was sent to the
regions many brethren enquired as to what was canonical
establishment. I do hope from the above it is clear. There
are hardly any fraternities which are canonically
established.
Hence I request the regional office bearers along with the
spiritual assistants take immediate steps to remedy the
situation which was neglected so far.
Action to be taken:
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The office
bearers of each local fraternity will check whether it
is canonically established. There should be
official document by the Provincial concerned.
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Each
Regional Fraternity in India along with the Spiritual
Asst. will write officially to the Bishop of the
diocese requesting him permission for the canonical
establishment of all the existing local fraternities in
accordance with canon 312 , provided there are at least
5 permanently professed members. Permission has to be
obtained in writing not oral which should be preserved
with the Regional Minister and a copy is to be given to
the Spiritual Asst.
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In cases of
fraternities attached to a Franciscan monastery, in
consultation with the regional council write to
the Provincial to canonically establish the same,
provided there are at least 5 permanently professed
members in the same fraternity.
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In parishes
which are not under a Franciscan monastery, the local
fraternity in consultation with the regional
council should request the Parish Priest to write to the
Provincial concerned for the canonical establishment of
the fraternity, provided there are at least 5
permanently professed members.
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The
Provincial after receiving the request will issue
official decrees canonically establishing each
particular local fraternity. The decree should be read
the Church and in the fraternities and recorded in the
minutes book.
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The
Provincial can also delegate his power to any other
Friar in responsible position to issue the decree.
Details of the delegation should be recorded in such
cases.
In case any one
needs any more clarifications, kindly consult Very Rev.
Fr.Rocky D’Cunha OFM Cap., the president of the conference
of the Nat. Sp. Asst. in India. We are enclosing a sample
copy of application to the Provincial by the Parish Priest.
I do hope before the elective chapter of May 2007 all our
local fraternities will be established canonically.
II. Preparation to the elective Chapter 2007:
In preparation to the National elective chapter(11,12,13
May 2007 at Assisi Shanti Kendra, Karukutty near Angamali,
Ernakulam Distt. of Kerala) I had sent out in November 2006
Registration form to be attached with photo. So far we have
received only 26 forms out of nearly 80 regions in India.
There was also a form to file annual regional report. We
have received so far only 13 forms .
I am quite disappointed with the response of the regional
office bearers. I do want to see the same enthusiasm in
working for the order what I saw in the regional elective
chapters.
If any one does not follow English please take help from
others, especially, the Spiritual assistants.
The National council is meeting at Karukutty on 17th
February. We might put a last ultimatum to the regions to
send the names of the delegates to the chapter, for the
submission of annual report, clearance of the dues to the
National council and sending the participation fees.
III. Area wise Formation Programmes:
Those areas which have not completed 2 formation
programmes for regional leaders are requested to
complete the same before 31st March 2007 and send report to
the National Council. Kerala Latin area has completed its
2nd formation programme.
IV. Please pray for the following impending events:
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For the
success of 2007 National elective chapter.
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Pending
regional elections in Goa, Maharashtra and Bihar
Jharkhand(&Assam)
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Association
of Franciscan families India - general body meeting 5-8
March 2007, Bhagalpur – Bihar.
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Board of
Dirctors meeting of the Franciscans International at New
York
15-18 March 2007
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Asia Pacific
SFO Congress, Penang, Malaysia: 24-30 March 2007. This
is being attended also by Fr. Rocky & Br. S.V.
Singarayar, the National Formator.
Elections in Goa
& Maharashtra are being held this month. Bihar - Jharkhand
election is going to be held in March 2007.
Assam election is expected be held in September 2007.
I will be out from 26th February till about the 2nd of
April. In any case of emergency kindly contact Br. F.M.A.
Joseph, the national vice minister(Ph.0422-6560731).
On behalf of the entire National Fraternity of India I offer
my hearty condolences to Br. F.M.A Joseph who lost his dear
wife recently. May her noble soul rest in peace!
V. The terms President - Vice President :
International Presidency councilor who was dealing
with the amendments to our National Statutes, has advised us
to stop the usage of the terms of President and Vice
President to be replaced by the terms Minister & Vice
Minister at all levels since the terms President & Vice
President do not reflect the spirit of the Rule & the Gen.
Constitutions.
Hereafter we shall use the terms local Minister & Vice
Minister, Regional Minister & Vice Minister, National
Minister & Vice Minister & General Minister & General Vice
Minister.
I humbly request your prayers for me and the National
Council. Please pray that we may get dedicated, Spirit
filled and capable National office bearers in the coming
elections. Please pray also for Sr. Encarnacion Del Pozo ,
our General Minister and Very Rev. Fr. Irudaya Samy OFM Cap.
General Asst. that they may be able to come and lead us in
the elective chapter.
With much love,
Your Brother & Servant,
John P. Fernandez.
National Minister SFO India.
Address: Paceline, Puthanvayal, Tillery, Kollam – 691001,
Kerala.
Telephone Numbers: 0474 – 2742630 / 2762205
Mobile Number: 09895121117
Email: fistindialacim@yahoo.co.in
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SECULAR
FRANCISCAN ORDER
National council of India
16.04.07
Circular NP/27/07
To
The
Regional Ministers,
The Regional Sp. Assistants,
The National Councillors,
The International Councillor
Sub:National Chapter 2007
Dear Rev. Fathers, sisters & brothers,
Loving Greetings !
The Chapter is at hand ! This is probably the last circular
before the present National Council winds up its functions –
although this may not be the last communication from me.
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Delegates
to the Chapter :
Out of a total of 160 voting members 109 have so far
responded ( the national Councillors too are required to
send the registration of form)
Out of 39 spiritual Assistants including the 4 National
Sp. Assistants 16 have responded so far. When the forms
are delayed a lot of strain is put on the organizers,
especially those in charge of accommodation and food.
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Enclosed
documents are :
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Agenda
of the Chapter
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Special
assignments
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Notice
to the Sp. Assistants about their meeting with the
General Minister & General Assistant on 11th morning
at 10.00 A.M.
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Notice
to the National Councillors about the Council
meeting on 10th starting at 10.00 A.M. – all the
meetings are at the Chapter venue
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Fraternal
& Pastoral Visitation :
All of us are happy to know that our dear General
Minister Sr. Encarnacion Del Pozo is coming for the
Chapter . She will arrive at Nedumbassery airprt,
Kochi, at 8.00 A.M. on 10th morning by Qatar Airways
from Spain. All those who can make it please be at the
airport to accord a loving and warm welcome to her by
offering flowers, bouquets or garlands (lay leaders and
Sp. Assts from Ernakulam & Trissur Distts could join)
Fr. Irudaya Samy OFM Cap., the General Assistant is now
the President of the Conference of the General
Assistants in Rome. Remember he is from India , he . is
our own. This most lovable priest is the pride of India.
He is also making the official Pastoral visitation to
the National Fraternity of India. We are certainly going
to be blessed by their presence and guidance. He also
will join us at the airport to receive our General.
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Public
reception :
We have also arranged a public reception to the
General Minister and the General Assistant on
Sunday 13th May at 4.00 P.M. at the venue of the
Chapter. I request and solicit all the regional office
bearers and Sp. Assts, especially from Ernakulam &
Trissur Districts to make plans to bring maximum number
of SFO members for this function. Members from other
districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu (like Coimbatore)
also should join. The International fraternity of the
SFO appreciates the recent developments of SFO in India.
It should be a suitable reception to both of them.
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Financial
support for the Chapter & the National Council.
I remind you brothers and sisters please clear all
your dues to the National Council and pay an extra Rs.
500 from each region for the chapter. Do not forget to
pay Rs. 100 each at the time of registration.( I have
received Rs 200 from Trichy Region for this. Thanks.)
Please send all the money to the Treasurer, Br. Walter
Mascarenhas.
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Route to
Karukutty:
Those coming by Train : The closest Railway Station
is ANGAMALI. Karukutty is about 4 kms from the station.
Come out of the Station and take local bus to Karukutty
proceeding to Chalakkudy – Trissur direction. You
may also take auto. Pay 35- 50 Rs. Assisi Shanti Kendra
is on N.H. 47. You will see the Board on the right side
of the road. Proceed through the small lane. If someone
happens to get down at Alwaye, proceed by bus to
Karukutty by buses going to Chalakkudy or Truissur. If
some one gets down at Trissur or Chalakkudy, take bus to
Angamali – Alwaye route and get down at Karukutty. See
the Board on the left side of the road and proceed
through the lane.
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Other
matters:
I spent a week in New york attending the Board
meeting of the Franciscans International. It was a
very useful meeting. After that I visited Penang in
Malaysia to attend the weeklong Asia- Oceania SFO
Congress. Fr. Rocky too was present for this meeting.
Our General Minister, Vice Genral Minister,Lucy
Almiranez, the International Presidency Councillor for
Asia Oceania region, all the General Assistants and SFO
leaders & Sp. Assitants from 14 countries of the region
participated in the Congress. More than any thing else
it was a Franciscan Family get together with deepest
bond of fraternal love.
I am leaving for Bhagalpur on 17th April to inaugurate
the new regional fraternity of BIHAR- JHARKHAND
after the elections. I will be back on 25th.
Please continue to pray for a genuinely spiritual
celebration of the Chapter. We should come prepared in a
spirit of fraternal affection for each other. Expect
great things from the Lord !
With Greetings of Peace & Joy!
Your brother & servant
John P. Fernandez
National Minister SFO India
Address:
Paceline, Puthanvayal, Tillery, Kollam – 691001, Kerala.
Telephone Numbers: 0474 – 2742630 / 2762205
Mobile Number: 09895121117
Email:
fistindialacim@yahoo.co.in
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