la pobrecita · franciscan reflection on “the lion king ... edition, as elements of franciscan...

Lady Poverty Region Executive Council

Minister

Pat Serotkin, OFS

Vice Minister Kathy Barton, OFS

Treasurer

Brian Stevens, OFS

Formation Director Mary Nelson, OFS

Secretary

Eileen Mantz, OFS

Spiritual Assistants Fr. Chris Panagoplos, TOR Fr. John Pavlik, OFM Cap

Cluster Councilors

Michele McFadden, OFS Theresa Mummert, OFS Denise McCarthy, OFS Mary Lou Brown, OFS

Communications Newsletter Editor Database Editor

Eileen Mantz, OFS

Webmaster Stephen Sawscak, OFS

Www.ladypovertyregion.org

La Pobrecita

Dates to Remember- November 24 Commemoration of All the Deceased of the Seraphic Order May 29-31, 2020 Lady Poverty Region Chapter/Retreat

Newsletter of Lady Poverty Region of the Order of Franciscan Seculars November 2019

Volume 22, Issue 4

National Fraternity Chapter Report and Statement 2-3

Formation, Formation, Formation 4-5

How We Journey Is How We Arrive 6

Calling All Secretaries 7

Fraternity News 8-12

Franciscan Reflection on “The Lion King” 13

Obituaries 14-16

November Masses for the Deceased Franciscans 17

Puzzle & Pathway to Profession 18

Inside this issue:

La Pobrec i ta Volume 22, Issue 4

See Christ

Be Christ Share the Vision!

NAFRA CHAPTER 2019 October 15-20 Corpus Christi, Texas

By Pat Serotkin, OFS

I just returned recently from the 2019 Annual Chapter of the Secular Franciscan Order-USA at the Pax Christi

Retreat Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. This chapter was hosted by three regions – Our Lady of Guadalupe,

Empress of the Americas Region, St. Joan of Arc Region, and Los Tres Companeros Region. It was a wonder-

ful six days of fellowship, hard work, and Franciscan joy! We started off on Tuesday morning, October 15

with Bishop William Michael Mulvey, who prepared the way for the 2019 National Chapter meeting by cele-

brating Mass at the Jesus Christ Our Peace Chapel in Corpus Christi. Later on, there was a session for new

ministers, dinner, welcome and general introductions, and fellowship.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we began our days with an

early Mass (7:00 a.m.) and then it was on to breakfast and a full

schedule of business mixed with formation, prayer, and social

time. Friday afternoon was devoted to a service project - filling

drawstring backpacks filled with hygiene items and other sup-

plies to aid some 1,000 refugees being released from detention

centers in Laredo, McAllen and San Antonio.

On Friday evening, we celebrated the Rite of Remembrance,

where we honor all of our members who have passed on to eter-

nal life since our last chapter, followed by a Holy Hour in the

beautiful Pax Christi Chapel. On Saturday, our last day together,

we concluded our business and formation, had a wonderful

roundtable sharing, and celebrated Eucharist together before

dinner, more fellowship, and farewells.

Two important products of our Chapter that were developed collaboratively were:

• choosing a theme for 2020, which is: “Journey Together in Love and Compassion”

• and, writing the annual Chapter Statement, which is as follows:


OFS-USA NATIONAL CHAPTER 2019 STATEMENT

We, the members of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order, gathered for our Annual

Chapter at the Pax Christi Liturgical Retreat Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, October 15-20, 2019. Approxi-

mately 80 leaders and observers were present, representing over 12,000 members throughout the United

States, including Guam.

The human family today is beset with violence and division. Good people fear and distrust one another.

Many of us struggle to see the bright spots amid so much suffering. It is easy to fall into a sense that

things aren’t getting better, but we live by a story that shows they can.

In medieval Italy, there were once two idealistic young people named Francis and Clare. Their world was

filled with violence, turmoil and upheaval. The city-states were at war, the nobles and the merchant class

at odds, and civil and church authorities were also in conflict. Francis and Clare of Assisi were in the midst

of this fire but were not burned. They chose to lead a Christ-centered life and practiced it with fidelity,

providing a visible counterpoint to the values of their age, an alternative-lived experience of love and

peace. People were drawn to their simple Gospel life, and society changed for the better.

As Secular Franciscans, we are committed to follow Christ in the footsteps of Saint Francis. The Rule of the

Secular Franciscan Order calls us to be “bearers of peace…, and to seek out ways of unity and fraternal

harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the divine seed in everyone and in the transforming

power of love and pardon.” We are called to be “messengers of perfect joy and hope to others.” (Art. 19)

It has been said there is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.

With those who care about justice and compassion, we commit ourselves to provide that counterpoint to

the violence and division of this age. We gain momentum with the collective power of prayer, courageous

initiatives for justice, and the lived experience of our community of love. Together, let us shine a new

light of peace, one bright enough to be seen from the furthest and darkest corners.

This is a beautiful statement, one that we all are called to live by. It embodies our Rule, and calls us to

action. Thus, I encourage us all to “journey together in love and compassion” into 2020, and truly be-

come “messengers of perfect joy and hope to others.”

May the Lord give you

peace – and JOY!

Formation, Formation, Formation by Mary Nelson, OFS


From our Rule, Article 19: Mindful that they are bearers of peace which must be built up unceasingly, they

should seek out ways of unity and fraternal harmony through dialogue, trusting in the presence of the di-

vine seed in everyone and in the transforming power of love and pardon. Messengers of perfect joy in every

circumstance, they should strive to bring joy and hope to others. Since they are immersed in the resurrec-

tion of Christ, which gives true meaning to Sister Death, let them serenely tend toward the ultimate en-

counter with the Father.

In our General Constitutions, Article 23.3: To preserve peace in the family, the brothers and sisters should,

in due time, make a last will and testament for disposition of their goods.

And under the heading of Messengers of Joy and Hope, Article 26:

1. Even in suffering, Francis experienced confidence and joy from: --the experience of the fatherhood of

God; --the invincible faith of rising with Christ to eternal life; --the experience of being able to meet and

praise the Creator in the universal fraternity of all creatures.

Following the Gospel, Secular Franciscans affirm their hope and their joy in living. They make a contribution

to counter widespread distress and pessimism, preparing a better future.

2. In the fraternity, the brothers and sisters should promote mutual understanding and they should see to it

that the atmosphere of their meetings is welcoming and that it reflects joy. They should encourage one an-

other for the good.

From these three articles listed above, there are two areas of ongoing formation that I offer to you this

edition, as elements of Franciscan life that have recently touched my heart.

First, the recent celebration of the Transitus of St Francis is an opportunity for us to contemplate and an-

ticipate that detachment as we confidently go forward into eternal life as the “communion of saints.” I

have to admit that in my personal meditations of our Rule and Constitutions, I typically “skim” rather

quickly over the sections that encourage us to prepare for our own meeting with Sister Death. Yes, I fre-

quently quote St Francis’ statement that “this second death will do us no harm.” I also undertake the

practical aspects of updating wills and advanced directives, (and I encourage you to give time and effort

into this necessary practical endeavor as well.)

Our Erie diocese has a Mass of Remembrance each November, in which the names of all the deceased re-

ligious in our diocese, including Secular Franciscans, are read aloud. I encourage you to attend if you have

the opportunity in your diocese, or to institute a special ceremony in your fraternity or cluster. Those who

attend the annual regional gathering participate in remembering our deceased each year in a special cere-

mony at Mass. It should give us great comfort, because we Franciscans are truly “Resurrection people,”

and we are called to live out our vocation in all of St Francis’ directives to us.

And the second insight addresses Article 26 of the Constitutions quoted above. Our local fraternity for-

mation director, Chris Zurawski, instituted a new, short (10 minutes) activity that we will incorporate into

our fraternity gatherings over the next few months. Because we gather from at least five different parish-

es, we do not always have the opportunity to really “know” what is going on in the lives of our brothers

and sisters in our 14-member fraternity. So we will be paired into a different “dyad” each month, in which


two fraternity members will talk face-to-face to share current joys and sorrows each may be encountering,

and we will therefore “encourage each other for the good.” The pessimism and distress that is rampant in

our world today, not only in our individual lives, but especially in political and environmental arenas, can

only be overcome with the joyful mutual love and care that we demonstrate for each other. So consider

such an activity in your fraternity. And as always, please feel free to contact me if you have questions or

concerns about formation.

Important Formation News!

As you know from reading previous formation and REC news, your National and Regional servant leaders

have been working in Formation Visioning workshops over the past two years, and are now ready to

“unveil” exciting preparations on a “monumental project” which will update and renew our formation

texts! The FUN manual will move to the background, to serve as a resource for two NEW texts to be used

for initial formation. (The Franciscan Journey will eventually be set aside.) One of the new texts will com-

bine material for Orientation and Inquiry, and a second separate text will include chapters for Candidacy.

There will be an accompanying resource guide for formators. “Rather than filling our candidates with infor-

mation, our goal is to provide a resource that will assist them in the transformative process and the discern-

ment of their vocation.”

The FUN manual will be updated with new sections on prayer, Scripture, our Rule and Constitutions; certain

other FUN chapters will be rewritten, emphasizing a user-friendly book, with questions for discussion and

ideas for practical application. “The opening chapters (Orientation and Inquiry) will help those desiring to

become part of the Order to discover who we are as Catholics and as Franciscans,” and to “encourage our

inquirers to begin to think, pray and identify as Franciscans.” The text on Candidacy will focus on how the

Rule and Constitutions “affect the way we live our lives in the world and the Church today.” Additional

chapters will focus on how “Secular Franciscans inform our family life, youth, our role as servant leaders

and the way we treat one another, and how we evangelize those we encounter in our families, work, and

social environments.”

Diane Menditto, Chair of the National Formation Commission, states: “We hope that formators and minis-

ters will be as excited about this project as we are. We know that good formation is the answer to many of

our challenges, and will bring strength and joy to the Order. Please keep all those working on this project in

your prayers.”

So to the formators and members of Lady Poverty Region, please join me in keeping the Formation Com-

mission in prayer, so that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit leads to a successful outcome in renewing our

formation process in the US!

How We Journey Is How We Arrive by Father Christopher, T.O.R.


Profession in the Secular Franciscan Order A vocation to the Secular Franciscan Order is a gift, a gift of God, animated by His holy and life-giving Spirit. We progress through this gift, and a moment comes when one makes a Profession. It is by God’s grace that we have come to this moment. It allows one to profess our love for the Beloved in a public way, dedicating oneself to service of God’s Kingdom. Goodness and holiness will happen because the Spirit gives gifts to each per-son and assists each in using them well. The power we need to do this comes from God and leads us to become more and more who we are created to be. It’s called “grace,” the energy of God in our lives, the loving presence of the Divine. Grace forms us into a community—the People of God—and by profession, into fraternity—the Secular Franciscan Order. Franciscans, secular and religious, live in the world. The Lord Jesus encourages those who wish to follow Him, and especially us, not to be “of the world.” When St Francis speaks of “the world,” he is not referring to the temporal realities in which people live but, rather, to the mentality and organiza-tion of these realities that are based on values that are not in conformity with the Gospel. In the same way, living in the world implies a daily conversion from a style of life that is contrary to the Gospel and not allowing oneself to be absorbed by this life style. Power and violence, the world that Francis and Clare experienced, exhorted their followers then, as well as us now, to seek alternatives to unjust and inequitable social structures. A simple and humble life style does not run after individual honor, riches, and personal fulfillment. It is this world, one which is contrary to the love of God and the values of the Gospel, that Franciscans are called to be creators of alternatives. The Franciscan always searches for ways that are different from the ones pro-posed by “the world.”

The grace of Profession, a gift of the Holy Spirit, strengthens and reminds the Franciscan not to conform to the ways of the world. That said, Franciscans must live in the world and enter fully into the hopes and worries of the world in which they live, as Francis did. The Franciscan takes on the challenges that present him/herself and ac-cept all the is good in the world of these present times. The Franciscan must be a per-son of his/her era. Francis and Clare were people of their time, influenced by their cul-ture, but always transcending worldly ideals in favor of the Gospel life. Living and witnessing to the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order corresponds to

the Lord’s command, exhorting us to be salt and light of the world.

Calling All Secretaries

How’s it going for you all?? Summer is over and Fall

is setting in and it’s time to increase our dose of Vita-

min D3, we spend too much time in the dark. A little

Vitamin Sea would be lovely too, just to avoid a case

of the “grumpies”. Did anybody work too hard, too

long, this summer, like a Ninja? I sure did and am

looking forward to winter, hopefully hibernation will

help.

I sent out the database spreadsheets to all of you, hopefully you will be able to review it and send it back to

me before Christmas. This will make it easier for the ministers to get the census done and sent in on time.

The spreadsheets are looking really good, thanks to all of your hard work, it should be piece of cake this

year. Make sure you include your inquirers and candidates, I may not have all of their information yet.

It’s time to start preparing for the Cluster Workshops, hopefully in March and April/May. Do you have any

particular topics you’d like us to prepare? Last year we focused on Record Keeping as in Annual Report ties

to database, member status tracking is the Secretaries job, member status ties to Treasury/Fair Share,

member status ties to Formation. Mary Nelson, OFS Regional Formation Director gave us a lot of food for

thought about quality Initial and Ongoing Formation.

We, the REC have ideas, but your input is a great treasure to us. We will begin prepara-

tions for the Chapter next year. I hope to see all of you there, it will be a RETREAT, so

start clearing your calendar for May 29-31, 2020.


St Francis & Br. Leo

Congratulations to

Minister: George Soros, OFS; Vice-Minister: Teia Barger, OFS; Secre-tary: Mary Frances Krachkowski, OFS; Treasurer: Rachel Hogan, OFS; Formation Director: Jack Kalchthalea, OFS; Councilors: Sally Home, OFS, Mary Dutcher, OFS, and Marilyn Kosloski, OFS

The election presider was Regional Councilor Theresa Mummert, OFS, and Regional Vice Minister Kathy Barton, OFS served as secretary of the election, and Fr. Lester Knoll, OFM Cap., Holy Spirit spiritual as-sistant, served as ecclesial witness.

Holy Spirit Fraternity Election

St. Clare Fraternity New JPIC & Retreat


St. Clare Fraternity gladly announces our new JPIC Coordinator, is Nick Lorenzo, OFS, the gentleman standing front right. He has or-ganized a monthly Rosary at his home for the end of the Opioid Addiction infesting our country and the world.

Our Franciscan Fraternity was asked to join at his place monthly to recite the Rosary to Our Mother. Each month the group grows because we are now going to begin to invite our friends to join us. Frank McSteen, OFS, standing on the left front of the planta-tion, leads us . Then Nick and his wife Annette graciously fed us and we had a beautiful Franciscan gathering and fellowship.

The surroundings lend itself to a truly Francis time. How St. Francis would have loved the trees and birds, etc. as we pray this special rosary outdoors. Nick has brought us together not just as Francis-

cans, but as an entity to introduce the Franciscan charism to our friends. We ask that all keep us in your prayers as we journey to do our part to end this terrible epidemic infesting our world.

Amazing Retreat on Monday Sept.9, 2019 at Loretto Friary. Morning Speaker Fr. Christopher and afternoon speak-er Br.John Paul. Fr. Christopher spoke on Perfect Joy and Br. John Paul spoke on the vocations of Franciscan Brothers. Fr. Terry Adams had Holy Hour and Benediction at the end of the day and Br. Tripka joined us for the day. It was wonderfully informative and spiritually rewarding. We walked away never doubting in Christocentric-

CHRIST MUST BE IN THE CENTER.

Front Left: Frank McSteen and Right-Nick Lorenzo

Brown Bag Pilgrimage

Alverno Retreat

September 7th was a beautiful day to travel to Steubenville,

OH to enjoy a day together and we were blessed with the

presence of members from St. Clare, Portiuncula, St. Bona-

venture, Mary, Queen of Franciscans, Holy Cross, Immaculate

Heart of Mary, Stigmata, San Damiano, Sts. Louis & Elizabeth,

St. Francis of Assisi (Pitt), St. Elizabeth, St Anthony

(Uniontown), St. Anthony (Johnstown), and Alverno . We began with an impressive Mass with many young

adults attending, leading and singing, it was beautiful. Then we were graced with a talk from Br. Daniel Marie

Klimek, spoke about St. Francis not being a hippie, dancing in the woods but was dedicated to Christ in the

Eucharist, his devotions to the Blessed Virgin and deep con-

templative prayer; the following week he was ordained a

deacon. Lunch was light hearted followed by free time walks

around the Portiuncula and shrines. Many went to the

bookstore for those hard to find items, we prayed the Fran-

ciscan Crown Rosary in the Christ the King Chapel, then de-

parted for home. Plans for next year will begin soon.

Alverno Fraternity annual retreat at Villa Maria Retreat Center was on September

13-15, 2019. Fr. Mike Greb, OFM Cap spoke during the two “conferences”. The

First Conference was “Clare Our sister”, the name “Clare” means light. St. Clare lets

the light shine through her and she learned form St. Francis

to follow Jesus as perfectly as possible. She also wanted to

follow St. Francis’ spirit, he was her “soul mate”.. Th Sec-

ond Conference was “St. Clare an the Cross”. Focus on the cross as you would on

someone you love you make their life more important than your own. When we

pray we ought to keep our mind focused on Christ on the Cross and be with Christ in

that moment. Then we can help others to carry their cross. Clare had an intense love for the poor. Keep in

mind that our goal is salvation, we must be people of the light and of hope.


Fr. Mike Greb, OFM Cap.

Chapel at Villa Maria

Visitations:

Padre Pio, conducted by Regional Minister Pat Serotkin, OFS and Regional Spiritual Assistant Fr. Christopher

Panagoplos, TOR

Mary, Queen of Angels, conducted by Regional Minister Pat Serotkin, OFS and Regional Spiritual Assistant Fr. John

Pavlik, OFM Cap.

St Alphonsus, conducted by Regional Minister Pat Serotkin, OFS and Regional Spiritual Assistant Fr. Christopher

Panagoplos, TOR

On October 3rd the St. Alphonsus Fraternity celebrated their first public transitus of St. Francis of Assisi. To their surprise Fr. Tom Betz came to help celebrate with them. The transitus was held at the St. Alphonsus church in Wheeling with the gracious help of Fr. Arul Anthony. It was a beautiful candlelit evening with 38 people in attendance. Thank you to everyone who helped and attended this service.

St. Alphonsus Transitus

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity participated in several Pro-Life

events in September and October 2019. 40 Days for life held a Holy Mass at Epipha-

ny Church followed by a Eucharistic Procession through Pittsburgh to Planned

Parenthood where Exorcism Prayers, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy & Hymns

were prayed.

We also attended the 86th Eucharistic Rosary March at

Epiphany Church with Holy Mass, Eucharistic Procession and

blessing of Pittsburgh by Aux. Bishop William Waltersheid.

Our Lady of Fatima was processed by the Blue Army Guard.

Steubenville Diocese held their 7 Day Rosary Congress at Holy

Family Church. We attended the opening ceremony and talk

by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC. Pittsburgh Diocese held their 7

Day Rosary Congress at St. Stanislaus Parish with 24/7 Eucha-

ristic Adoration. We prayed during the 6-7:00pm hour.


Holy Cross Fundraiser

Canticles of the Son

Holy Cross Fraternity of the Order of Franciscan Secu-

lars in Crawford County concluded its annual fundraiser

on October 4th, The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The

fundraiser is conducted annually at all churches in

Crawford County and all monies raised will be used for

a Student Faith Award in the spring of 2020. The win-

ners were Mary Lou Kessler of Our Lady Queen of the

Americas in Conneaut Lake, PA and Brenda Muller of

Our Lady of Lourdes in Cochranton, PA. Mary Lou won

a musical olive wood creche from the Bethlehem Chris-

tian Families Mission and Brenda received a Kindle Fire

7. Brenda was unable to be present for the presenta-

tion as she was in Indiana, this photo shows Mary Lou

seated on left, Kathy Barton, OFS and Fr. David Carter

inside Our Lady Queen of the Americas.

Members of Canticles of the Son with items and icons representing St Clare at their August ongoing formation. Mary Nelson, OFS, and Chris Zurawski, OFS, partic-ipated in nationwide Climate Strike on September 20 in Erie PA. They are also animators for Global Catholic Climate Movement, and provide parish programming based on Laudato Si.

Pat Jaworski, OFS, with newly ordained Fr Tage Danielson, OFM Cap., after his Mass of Thanksgiving September 29, 2019. Pat’s sons grew up with Tage, who is also from Wa-terford, PA.



San Damiano

The San Damiano Fraternity spon-sored a retreat at Alvernia Retreat Center in Somerset the weekend of September 20-22. We enjoyed the company of three other fraterni-ties. We had representatives from Alverno in Conway, St. Augustine in Pittsburgh and Saturday a large group from Padre Pio in Cumber-land, Md. joined us. It was a beau-tiful weekend with wonderful Fran-ciscan joy. We are so grateful to Father Mark Carter, our Capuchin Spiritual Assistant, for donating so much of his time to nourishing our souls with the theme of "Building the Kingdom of God."

Our two candidates, Kimberly Yakelis and Erin Zeigler, who will be pro-fessed May 1, 2020, planned the Transitus Prayer Service for after Mass for our October fraternity gathering. The first photo is Kim and Erin be-fore the altar. The second and third is Erin, then Kim venerating the relic of St. Francis. We are so blessed to have these two 'youngsters' in candi-dacy who have so much to offer with their many gifts. Father Mark Carter, our spiritual assistant, celebrated Mass. The new pastor of St. Mary of Lourdes, Father Daniel Ulishney, concele-brated, and is very supportive to our SFO fraternity. Father Dan even got up on a ladder and put the San Damiano Crucifix in place for our celebration! Kim and Erin

Franciscan Reflection on “The Lion King” by Josette Baker, OFS


Sunday, along with my Franciscan sister Celia (Immaculate Heart of Mary Fraternity), I took the T to

the Bennedum Theatre for the final performance of The Lion King. Although the costumes were spectacu-

lar, it was the story that moved my heart. Throughout the stage performance, I recognized Franciscan

themes, virtues (and the lack of them) in the many characters headlining this Disney creation.

The storyline concerns the “circle of life” in a jungle setting and the delicate balance necessary to pro-

tect God’s creation. Scar, the villain, due to his own pride, sibling envy and powerful desire to be the Lion

King, attempts to destroy this environmental balance. He murders his brother, Lion King Mufasa, and en-

forces a policy of overhunting to feed the hyenas. As a result, the beauty and balance of the environment

is destroyed. Sound familiar?

Simba, the son of King Mufasa, and heir to the throne, is a disobedient cub. His own pride and curiosity

introduce much sorrow in his life. Believing Scar’s poor council that he, Simba, is responsible for his fa-

ther’s death by his negligence, he leaves his family taking up residence in a distant jungle territory. There,

he meets up with some delightful and fun loving friends whose philosophy is “No Worries”, in local lan-

guage “Hakuna Matata.” Reminds me of that song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!”

Throughout, this delightful story that charms both adults and children alike, is Zazu, the colorful red-

billed hornbill dodo bird and the Lion Kings majordomo. He begrudgingly is assigned to be caregiver to

young Simba along with his other important responsibilities. Zuzu’s virtue of loyalty is evident throughout

the story spiced and diced with his refreshing sense of humor. I found his character admirable and virtu-

ous during crisis situations.

Perhaps the most moving moment in this production is when Simba, now an adult lion, realizes

that he doesn’t know who he is or his mission in life. (Way too much Hakuna Matata!) It is the chattering

monkey, Rifiki, who forces Simba to silently look at his reflection in a pond where he sees his father and

finally understands both who he is, the Lion King, and his mission to return home to protect the family and

land he loves. This scene represented to me the universal need for silent reflection with our father in

heaven especially when life gets difficult. Also, it brought to mind St. Clare’s letter to Agnes requesting

her “to gaze into the mirror of eternity.”

The Lion King held many examples of Franciscan Spirituality for me: Environmental Protection,

obedience to our rule and the commandments, and pursuit and practice of the virtues, the blessing of hu-

mor and more. Ongoing formation is a part of our day to day experiences and this one was a gem!

William "Pap" Kunis, 87, of Cumberland, went home to be with the Lord and his loving wife, Myrna, on

Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.

Born on Sept. 11, 1931, in Lonaconing, he was the son of the late Nondis Sabers. In addition to his moth-

er, he was preceded in death by his wife, Myrna; his son, William "Rusty" Kunis and wife, Sue (Unis) Hille-

brecht; great-granddaughter, Haley House; and brothers, Frank Bishop and wife, Marge, Jack Kunis and wife, Frances, and

Carmen Bishop.

Bill retired from CSX Transportation. He was an avid Fort Hill football and band fan. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and

spending time at the beach. He loved watching his grandchildren and supporting them at their various sporting events. He

also liked watching softball and going to the bowling alley. Bill enjoyed spreading the word of God, he was a member of

Padre Pio Fraternity in the Order of Franciscan Seculars and was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Our Lady of the

Mountains Parish. He was the most loving dad and pap that anyone could ever wish for.

Bill is survived by his children, Ronnie Kunis and wife, Danielle, Pamela Butler and husband, Fannor, and Timmy Kunis and

wife, Brenda; friends of the family, Mike Weaver, Gary and Debbie McKinley; brother, Terry Sabers and wife, Alice, and Joe

Bishop and wife, Millie; sister, Delores Dick; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; as

well as several nieces and nephews.

Bill's family gave thanks to his grandchildren, Timmy, Jermey, and Rusty and girlfriends, as well as neighbors, Norma

McDaniel, Lenny Bennett, and Roger and Darlene Hall for all of the help and care they provided to him over the years.

Family and friends were received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Ave., Cumberland, on Monday, July 29,

2019, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 300 E. Oldtown

Road, Cumberland, on Monday, July 29, 2019, at 1 p.m.

OBITUARIES

William Kunis, OFS


Emelie Nezneski, OFS

Emilie Nezneski, 92, of Portage and Chesapeake, Va., passed away August 16, 2019. Born July 21, 1927 in

Morgantown, West Virginia, the daughter of Charles and Nellie (Batko) Pascovich. Deceased family mem-

bers include her parents and husband of 61 years, Edward Nezneski. She was a graduate of West Virginia

University High School, Morgantown, West Virginia. She attended Fairmont State University earning a

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She earned a Masters Degree from University Of Pitts-

burgh in Elementary Education with an emphasis in reading. Emilie was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Beta Epsilon

Chapter where she held numerous offices. She was a member of Alpha Alpha State Teachers honor society. She is a life

member of NEA and PSEA. Emilie began her teaching career at Hooversville High School. The remainder of her years of

teaching were spent in the Forest Hills School District where she was a mentor to many student teachers. Continuing her

passion for teaching she was an organizational leader for the South Central Chapter of 4-H. She was an active member of St.

Bartholomew Church serving as a Catechist, Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the St. Anne Society. Emily was also a

Permanently Professed Secular Franciscan and member of St. Elizabeth Fraternity. She was a person of great faith in our

Lord saying the rosary and many prayers daily. Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Celeste Lewis (Randall); Patrice

Downs and Lisa Nezneski; grandchildren, Kira, Adria, and Sonya Lewis; Alexander, Olivia, Evan and Zane Downs; and Ed-

ward and George Schatz; 2 great grandchildren; and one sibiling. Friends received from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, at the Serenko-

Claar Funeral Home, PC, Portage where Parastas was sung at 6 p.m. Divine Liturgy celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Ss. Peter

and Paul Byzantine Church, Portage. Father James Spontak. Entombment in Holy Name Mausoleum, Ebensburg. Online

condolences may be made at www.serenkoclaarfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution may be made to

the Chesapeake (Va) Regional Medical Center Chapel Renovation Campaign.

June Baker, OFS

June Dolores Baker, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 12, 2019 under the care of Country Club Manor and Charity Hospice. She was born in Detroit, MI, June 7, 1932. June was preceded in death by her parents Frank & Mary Baker and five siblings. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. June entered into religious life with the Sacramentine Sisters, a cloistered order in New York where she lived before taking leave to care for her ailing mother. After leaving the order, she came to Steubenville to earn a degree from Franciscan University. Before her retirement in 2009 she was the Director of the RCIA pro-gram at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Lindenhurst, NY. She was a member of Triumph of the Cross Catholic Church, the Covenant Community of God’s Love and the Secular Franciscan Fraternity, The Portiuncula Fraternity of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. She was Consecrated to a Life of Virginity of a Woman Living in the World by Bishop Jeffrey Monforton on April 8, 2013. A memorial Mass was held on Monday, August 19 at 10 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church with Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton and Rev. Thomas Nau presiding. Her final resting place is with her parents at Mt. Elliot Cemetery in Detroit, MI.

DIANE STEWART, OFS COMMENTS

June Baker was a very active member of our fraternity until she suffered a stroke in April, 2019. She served as member of our council for many years in the position of Minister, Vice Minister, Treasurer, and Ongoing Formation Leader. She was originally from Detroit, Michigan and professed in a fraternity that met at the friary where Blessed Solanus Casey lived at one time. She was blessed by him as a child and in recent years she helped to make the story of his life and his cause for sainthood know to our fraternity members and others. She often spoke of her favorite kind of prayer, "the sit down and shut up prayer"...adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. June will be remembered for her knowledge of her faith and willing-ness to share her faith with others and her persevering commitment to our fraternity even through physical challenges and limitations. We are grateful for all she gave to us through her service and example and pray that she will be granted eternal rest with the Lord.


Charles L. Schriver, 90, of Chippewa Township, died Saturday, September 21, 2019 in Heritage Valley Beaver. Born April 22, 1929 in New Brighton, he was the son of the late Aloysius and Minnie Petuch Schriver. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in World War II and also in the Korean War. He was an active member of St. Monica Parish and had been the Man of the Year by the Beaver County Ho-ly Name Society in 2010. He also received the Manifesting the Kingdom of God Award and was a member of the Portiuncula Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order. He retired from St. Joe Lead Compa-ny, then Fluor Corporation in Potter Township where had been an acid plant operator.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Martin Charles Schriver, and six sisters, Catherine Butsavich, Ruth Izenour, Dorothy Kayko, Sarah Schriver, Jean Ley, and Mildred Ondrusek.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Uebelacker Schriver, son Mark Schriver, four daughters and three sons-in-law, Marilyn and Robert Drewnowski, all of Chippewa Township, Lisa and David Sakmar, Jonestown, PA, Andrea and David Florentine, Brighton Township, Catherine Adams, Pittsburgh, 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Friends were received in the Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home, www.hillandkunselman.com, 3801 Fourth Ave., College Hill, Beaver Falls, where prayers were recited, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at noon in St. Monica Church, 116 Thorn-dale Drive, with Father Kim Schreck as celebrant. Private interment in St. Mary Cemetery.

The Veterans Honor Guard met at the church on Wednesday at 12:30 to conduct military honors.

Charles Schriver, OFS

Margaret Mary Albert, 88, of Butler went to her heavenly home peacefully on Thursday, August

8,2019 surrounded by her loving family. Born Aug. 6, 1931, in Butler, Margaret was a daughter of

the late George Smith and Helen Birchbickler.

Margaret's early years included working as a bookkeeper at Mellon National Bank. She met the love

of her life, LeRoy, and became a dedicated, loving, faithful wife, homemaker and mother for their

seven children, spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren over the past 65 years. Her life was

devoted to her husband and family.

Margaret loved spending time at their family cottage in Pymatuning. She and LeRoy visited many

shrines in honor of Mary, including a pilgrimage to Medjugorje. She published a book of spiritual

poetry. Margaret's parish family was Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church in Glade Mills. She

was a member of Mary, Queen of Franciscans Fraternity of the Third Order of Saint Francis.

Margaret married F. LeRoy Albert on Sept. 26, 1953. He preceded her in death on Dec. 3, 2016.

She is survived by her only sister, Sister Mary Ann Smith OSF; her seven children and their spouses, James (Nancy) Albert,

George (Brenda) Albert, Mary Lee (Tim) Marshall, Joe Albert, Judy (Jayme) Russo, Joyce (Bill) Knass all of Butler and John

(Amy) Albert of Saxonburg; 16 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and her stepfather,

George Schweinsberg, Margaret was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Smith, at age 7.

The family would like to thank Karen Frost for the special dedication and love she provided Margaret in her home. They are

also grateful to Newhaven Life Stories and Concordia Hospice nurses and staff for their warm and loving care.

ALBERT -

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. at Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Kevin Fazio

as celebrant. Burial followed at the mausoleum of Calvary Cemetery in Butler.

Cecelia Watson, OFS was born on February 24, 1935 and passed away on Satur-

day, August 31, 2019. Services were held on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, 11:00

am at the St. Joseph R. C. Church, with her brother Rev Vincent Stegman, CSSP

officiating. Cecelia was a devout Catholic and member of Mary, Queen of Fran-

ciscans Fraternity in the Order of Franciscan Seculars.

Eternal rest, grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May

she rest in Peace

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

Margaret May Albert, OFS

Cecilia Watson, OFS


http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/smith/


2 Corinthians 4:14—5:1

What is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters: Knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more peo-ple may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, alt-hough our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all com-parison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent,

should be destroyed, we have a building from

God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in

heaven.

The Gospel of the Lord!

Praise be to you Lord Jesus Christ

Franciscan Deceased Members

November 2018 to November 2019 Ms. Stella A. Abell, OFS 05/28/2019

Margaret Albert, OFS 08/8/2019

June Baker, OFS 08/12/2019

Whitney Breslin, OFS 11/06/2018

Ms. Mary Catherine Demsko, OFS 11/16/2018

Mrs. Elizabeth Hudak, OFS 11/7/2018

Mr. William Kunis, OFS 7/25/2019

Alverna Lober, OFS 12/14/2018

Ms. Emilie Nezneski, OFS 08/16/2019

Ms. Bernice Rittner, OFS 04/03/2019

Ms., Esther Ryan, OFS 12/25/2018

Charles L. Schriver, OFS 9/21/2019

Mr. George Voyer, OFS 01/15/2019

Cecelia Watson, OFS 08/31/2019

November 24 Commemoration of All the Deceased of the Seraphic Order

November 24 is a dedicated day of prayer for Francis-cans, it is a Memorial for the Commemoration of All the Deceased of the Seraphic Order. Liturgy of the Hours Proper Offices of Franciscan Saints: Everything as in the Office for the Dead, 1475, except for the fol-lowing prayer:

Lord, God, you are the glory of believers and the life of the just. Your Son redeemed us by dying and rising to life again. Since our departed brothers, sisters, rela-tives and benefactors believed in the mystery of our resurrection, let them share the joys and blessings of the life to come.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen

Please pray for these deceased Secular Franciscans who have died since November 2018 until the present: (we would typically ring a bell after each name).

Newsletter of Lady Poverty Region of the Order of Franciscan Seculars

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