Regional Minister’s Message

While this picture is not the prettiest,it certainly struck me right in theheart. My first reaction? “I have toremember to spend a LOT MORE timethanking God for all of my blessings,even those moments that elicitthoughts of “perfect joy!”

I am thankful, mostly, for our DearLord in the Eucharist and the privilegeof receiving Him daily. I am thankfulfor the last three years and all of thebeautiful times I have spent with oursisters and brothers across our Regionand our Nation.

I am thankful for all who have made itpossible for us who have our Order,our Region and our local Fraternities.

I recently saw an email from someonewho talked about the differentseasons in our life and the journeys onwhich our dear Lord sends us. Heprepares us and anticipates ourneeds.

If you have never been blessed toserve on the Regional Council, Iwould ask that you give yourself theopportunity to spend time with ourbrothers and sisters in this capacity.Our Chapter of Elections will be heldJuly 19th – 21st in San Antonio and aswith our local elections, nominationswill be accepted from the floor.

This is a very special year for ourRegion. On Sunday, October 20th, wewill celebrate our 25th Anniversary as aRegion. Has it really been 25 years?

I can remember the work of GeorgeIrving III, OFS as he worked tirelessly tocontact every Fraternity in the stateand put us on the path to beingrecognized as a Region.

Thank you to our past RegionalMinisters, George, Oscar, Clare, Deliaand Josh. Without your service, wewould not be here today!

I have been greatly blessed these last 3years. My thanks to everyone in ourRegion and especially the RegionalExecutive Council for your lovingservice to all of us.

Peace and every Blessing, dear Sistersand Brothers!

Patsy Cueva Philipps, ofs

In this Issue:

Spiritual Assistant’s Corner - Mass and the Eucharist Pg. 2

From our Formation Director –Franciscans in Texas Pg. 3

JPIC Corner –Justin Estep Pg. 4

Fiesta Franciscana 2019 Pg. 5

Fraternity Spotlights Pg. 6

Chapter of Elections Pg. 10

Los Tres Companeros Regional CouncilMinister……………………………………………… Patsy Cueva Philipps, OFSVice-Minister ……………………………………… Jorge Sosing, OFSFormation Director…………………………….. Tom Howard, OFSSecretary ……………………………………………. Ron Martinez, OFSTreasurer Norma Patricia Carranza, OFSRegional Spiritual Assistants ………………. Manuel Cortez, OFS

Br. Tim Unser, OFM, Conv.Angelo Councilor & FY&YA Coordinator Teresa Adames, OFSAngelo Alternate Councilor ……………….. Carmine Esposito, OFS Leo Councilor ……………………………………… Susan Bacak, OFSLeo Alternate Councilor ……………........... Janie Rios, OFSRufino Councilor ………………………………… Dolores Boswell, OFSRufino Alternate ………………………………… Azalia Perez, OFSRegional Canonist …….………………………. Fr. Jack Hopka, OFSJPIC Coordinator ………………………………… Lynn Freeman, OFS

Los Tres Companeros/The Three Companions Region Paz y Bien Newsletter Spring 2019

25 years

Los Tres Companeros / The Three Companions Region

1994 – October 20 - 2019

WEBSITE: lostrescompaneros.org EMAIL: ltcregion.ofs@gmail.com

Spiritual Assistant’s Corner

A Catechism of Franciscan Spiritualityby Friar Fidel Aizpurua, OFM Cap., Friar Fidelpoints to the fact the Mass and the Eucharistwas in a difficult state at the time of SaintFrancis. Examples, to celebrate more than oneMass a day was against Church Law. Somepriests said several Masses a day in order to getmore stipends. They were careful to consumethe consecrated host and wine at one of theseMasses to evade the Church Law. Some priestslet the sacristies go to rack and ruin. The faithfuldid not receive Communion very often. Therewere some priests who said Mass while leadingimmoral lives. Those who suffered the most,during this period of history, were the faithfulwho were attending Mass less and less. Andknowing very little about the meaning of Masswhich was said in Latin. This was the conditionof the Church which Francis grew up in.

Francis loved the Mass and the Eucharist. Hetried to receive the Eucharist as often as hecould. Many of his important decisions in lifewere connected with the Mass and Eucharist.Examples, Francis conversion (1 Celano 22);conversion of his first companions (1 Celano24); celebration of the Christmas crib at Greccio(1 Celano 84). Francis received frequently theEucharist at a time when this was notencouraged (2 Celano 201). Francis also enjoyedreceiving the Eucharist under both species, thepractice to which he often refers in his letters.(Letter to the Entire Order 6).

Francis had the most reverence for priests andthe Sacrament of Holy Orders. Francis believedthat only a priest could celebrate Mass and thepower of the priesthood did not depend on hispersonal morality. Francis made this very clearin his Testament (Testament 8-11). Francisalways encouraged his brothers to say Mass andreceive the Eucharist, and continued to instructthem on the Eucharist and the Mass. Francissent a series of Eucharistic Letters to help in thecampaign for eucharistic renewal which PopeHonorius III had called for in his Bull SaneCum Olim in 1219. Francis worked in helpingto ‘repair’ the Church by faithfully following thePope’s directions. In the Legend ofPerugia (LP 18), we read how careful he was inministry of cleaning and sweeping the churches.

In his second Letter to the faithful, Francis madeclear that the Eucharist was not only of thespecies of bread and wine, but also of the holywords that changed them into the Body andBlood of Jesus. For Francis, everything isimportant in the sacramental mystery.

Why is the Mass so important? Through theMass we learn the meaning of the Passion, Deathand Resurrection of Christ and realize how greatour debt is to Him. Through the Mass we are ableto see clearly what the Gospels means in teachingthat Christ died for us. Each day of our lives wecan be reminded of this.

What we learn from the Mass and the Eucharist,is that we must also bear the cross with Jesus. Itis through the Mass we are able to know Christand deepen our relationship with Him. InFrancis’ second letter to the faithful he bringsthis idea to mind (2 EP Fid 2-14). Through Jesus’act of redemption, Francis discovered that hislife has a meaning which it had lacked before.Jesus’ death on the cross brings meaning to all ofour lives.

Francis felt the responsibility to pass on thisknowledge he had received from God. And to tellthat God has made Himself accessible to us bysending His Son Jesus to die on the cross.Francis discovered this through the Mass andEucharist. (2 EpFid 15-18). Through thisdiscovery Christ’s Redemption becomes personalto every believer. This brings us to an importantquestion, as followers of Saint Francis how canwe help to increase the devotion to the Eucharistand love for the Mass in this modern daily life?

Brother Tim Unser, OFM Conv.

Regional Spiritual Assistant

MASS AND THE EUCHARIST

FRANCISCAN SPIRITUALITY, FIDEL AIZPURUA, OFM CAP.

From Our Formation Director Paz y Bien Newsletter Spring 2019

Many of you are familiar with the early history of the Franciscans in Texas. They began with missions early in the 17th century. However, do you know the rest of the story?

The first mission in Texas was founded in 1632near the present-day San Angelo. TheseFranciscan missionaries were part of the Provinceof Santo Evangelio in Mexico City. In 1810,Mexico won its independence from Spain.Fourteen years later, Friar José Antonio Díaz deLeón, the Franciscan friar in charge of suchthings, transferred ownership of the Texasmissions still operating at that time to the secularauthorities of the newly-independent Mexicoand the friars left. The Franciscan presence inTexas ended.

After the transfer of ownership to the secularMexican authorities, the missions wentunattended and deteriorated into ruins. WhenTexas gained its independence from Mexico in1836, the Congress of the Republic of Texasconveyed the “ecclesiastical” properties to theBishop of Galveston and his successors. WhenSan Antonio became a Diocese in 1874,ownership was passed to the first Bishop of SanAntonio, Anthony Dominic Pellicer. Upon thedeath of Bishop Pellicer in 1881, Pope Leo XIIInamed John Claude Neraz as his successor.

Here is where it gets really interesting!

In the closing years of the episcopacy of BishopNeraz, a subtle campaign was originated amongthe laity to invite the Franciscans to return toTexas and take charge of the old missions aroundSan Antonio. The primary driver behind thiscampaign was Francis J. Bowen, a SecularFranciscan! He was the president of the “III OrderConfraternity” which met at the downtown SanAntonio parish of St. Joseph.

Through a series of contacts with the Order,Bowen eventually convinced the FranciscanProvince of Cincinnati to agree to send friars toSan Antonio. However, Bishop Neraz was havingnone of that. He asked Bowen why he was talkingso much to the Franciscans and trying to buttinto the Bishop’s business. And, when theProvincial formally asked Neraz for permission towork in San Antonio, the Bishop said that hispriests were opposed to such “an invasion” andrejected the request. It seemed the issue wasdead.

However, Bowen was undeterred by thisrejection. For the next 30 years, he continued toorganize the laity of San Antonio, includingSecular Franciscans, to keep the vision of a returnof the friars alive. Through his efforts, in the late1920’s the Provincial for the Franciscan Provinceof St. Louis-Chicago, now the Sacred HeartProvince, asked for permission to work in the SanAntonio Archdiocese (it was made anArchdiocese in 1926). By 1930, the Archbishop atthe time, Arthur Jerome Drossaerts, foundhimself in a dilemma wherein two Franciscanprovinces were in competition with one another.Eventually the Cincinnati Province dropped outof the competition and the Archbishop warmedto the idea of having the Franciscans return.

Finally, in 1931, after receiving permission fromthe Vatican as required by Canon law and uponreceiving a formal invitation from ArchbishopDrossaerts, the Friars of the Sacred HeartProvince came back to Texas. After forty years ofpersistence of a dedicated Secular Franciscan,Francis Bowen, the Franciscans returned toTexas!

Tom Howard, ofsApril 26, 2019

Justin Estep, director of Immigration LegalServices for Catholic Charities of Central Texaswill speak to us at this year’s Regional Chapter.

Immigration Legal Services now helpingCitizenship-seekers from Office in MarbleFalls - From DailyTrib.com - JENNIFER FIERRO

Undocumented people living in the United Statesand wanting to start the process of becomingcitizens often turn to notarios publicos. In LatinAmerica, notarios publicos are trained legalprofessionals, similar to attorneys.

In the United States, however, people posing asnotarios publicos are often less than ethical.

“(Notarios publicos) might be very knowledgeablein the law but are engaged in unauthorizedpractices,” said Justin Estep, director ofImmigration Legal Services for Catholic Charitiesof Central Texas.

Then, these people disappear, leaving the personseeking citizenship in a more difficult situation,Estep said.

Catholic Charities of Central Texas createdImmigration Legal Services to help people obtaincitizenship without dealing with questionablenotarios publicos. The organization, which covers25 counties in Central Texas and focuses onimmigration and legal services, opened an officein the T.Q. Brown Community Resource Center,1016 Broadway in Marble Falls.

A bilingual service, Immigration Legal Servicesprovided more than 1,700 consultations and itsservices were retained by about 900 peopleduring its last fiscal year.

Estep said the organization will represent “anyonewith any type of immigration (issue) exceptemployment-based.”

That includes family, marriage, naturalization,tourist visas, and Deferred Action for ChildhoodArrivals. It does not offer defense in the instanceof removal from the country, the director added.

He said that many of the people who need theservices aren’t living in Austin. Most have to driveat least two hours or more to see them. Thatmeans taking a day off from work and budgetingthe cost of gas and food.

To make it easier for people, the organization isspending time in cities the size of Marble Falls,forming partnerships for office space such as withthe T.Q. Brown Community Resource Center.

“Our overall goal over the next five years is thatno one has to go more than forty-five minutes toreach our diocese (for immigration help),” Estepsaid.

Reaching that goal also means adding moreattorneys over the next five years, he said.

First is the objective at hand: helping those whowant to legally stay in the United States find away. “We want to encourage folks to come seeus,” he said. “We’re licensed attorneys andexperts in these areas. You might have animmigration pathway. Please call us.”

Los Tres Companeros Website Have you checked out our website lately? We work to update it periodically with information from

across the region.The NEWS section events, Seasonal Prayers and other news that touches our Region.

The DOCUMENTS section has various documents that can be downloaded.The MAIN PAGE has a link to the current TAU-USA and the Paz y Bien newsletters!

If you want the website translated into Spanish or Tagalog, go to the bottom of the home page and select the language you prefer!

Check out lostrescompaneros.com Regional Website for this year’s Fiesta Franciscana Registration form

Paz y Bien Newsletter Spring 2019

San Bonaventura Fraternity Canonical Establishment November 17, 2018

Paz y Bien Newsletter Spring 2019

Monte Alvernia Emerging Fraternity As of 3.30.2019

Paz y Bien Newsletter Spring 2019

St. Pio Fraternity – Huntsville, TexasAs of May 3, 2019

Welcome to our sisters and brother of St. Pio Fraternity - Huntsville, Texas

St Pio – Huntsville Council pictured with Br. Juniper Crouch, OFM

Paz y Bien Newsletter Spring 2019

Arms of St. Francis Canonical EstablishmentJune 23, 2019

Arms of St. Francis

You are cordially invited to attend the Canonical Establishment of

Arms of St. Francis Emerging Fraternity

Sunday, June 23, 2019

St. Anthony Catholic Church401 S Parker Ave Bryan, TX 77803

11:30 am

Paz y Bien Newsletter Spring 2019Regional Chapter of Elections 2019

Nominees

MinisterRobert Pine, OFSPatsy Philipps, OFS

Vice-Minister

Norma Patricia Carranza, OFSJorge Sosing, OFSCathy Pierce, OFS

Treasurer

Norma Patricia Carranza, OFSAbel Rios, OFS

Secretary

Shirley Atwood, OFSValerie Laubacher, OFS

Formation Director

Delia Banchs, OFSPaul Gonzalez, OFSAbel Rios, OFS

Angelo Portion Councilor

Teresa Adames, OFSDelia Banchs, OFSCarmine Esposito, OFS

Leo Portion Councilor

Valerie Arcemont, OFSSusan Bacak, OFSJanie Rios, OFSBertha Gonzalez, OFS

Rufino Portion Councilor

Azaliz Perez, OFSAmado, Cruz, OFS

Many thanks to Jorge Sosing, OFS, Nominating Committee Chair, all of the Portion Councilors who served on the Nominating Committee and all of the Nominees for their willingness to serve!

Elections will be held Saturday afternoon, July 20th . All are welcome to attend and if you would like to run for a Regional Council position, please join us and volunteer.

Novena to the Holy Spirit

The novena in honor of the Holy

Spirit is the oldest of all novenas

since it was first made at the

direction of Our Lord Himself

when He sent His apostles back

to Jerusalem to await the coming

of the Holy Spirit on the first

Pentecost. It is still the only

novena officially prescribed by

the Church. Addressed to the

Third Person of the Blessed

Trinity, it is a powerful plea for

the light and strength and love so

sorely needed by every Christian.

Please join us in praying the Novena to the Holy Spirit from July 11th – July 19th in preparation of our Elections. The Novena can be found in the NEWS section of our webpage

Visitor Participation at ChapterWe are finalizing accommodations for those who are required toattend the Regional Chapter of Elections. Once all of thosereservations are finalized, the remaining overnightaccommodations (double occupancy) will be available on a firstcome first served basis. Local Ministers will receive an emailwhen overnight accommodations are opened up to visitors.

All visitors needing meals, only, will be accommodated.Costs - Overnight & Meals $140

Meals (all weekend) $50 Meals for Saturday, only $30

Paz y Bien Newsletter Spring 2019Regional Chapter of Elections 2019

Los Tres Companeros / The Three Companions Region Ordo Franciscanus Sæcularis - 2019 Regional Chapter

July 19 - 21, 2019Oblate Renewal Center 5700 Blanco Road San Antonio, Texas 78216

Friday, July 19, 20194:00 pm Local Minister Arrival / get settled5:30 pm Week III Friday Evening Prayer Leo Portion Ministers and Councilors6:00 pm Supper 7:00 pm Evening ‘Event’

Saturday, July 20, 20197:30 am Week III Saturday Morning Prayer Angelo Portion Ministers & Councilors8:00 am Breakfast9:00 am Immigration – Justin Estep, Director of Immigration Legal Services CCCTX11:45 am Break12:00 pm Lunch1:00 pm Regional Meeting & Elections5:00 pm Mass 6:00 pm Supper, Fraternity Fellowship and Raffle

Sunday, July 21, 20197:30 am Week IV Sunday Morning Prayer Rufino Portion Ministers & Councilors8:00 am Breakfast9:00 am Dismissal11:00 am Check out

Council Turnover Meeting9:00 am – 11:00 am

See ChristBe ChristShare the Vision!