C I O F S LIST

FRANCISCAN YOUTH * GIFRA * JUFRA * FRANYOUTH

First gathering of S.F.O. Assistants in "Cono del sur" in South America

Franciscan Youth: are those young people who want to follow Jesus in the way of Francis and Clare. I have advised Friars, Sisters, and Secular Franciscans to remember that the group is (1) for young people from adolescence to maturity, (2) who want to center their lives on Jesus, (3) pray together and have fun together, and (4) learn to help the poor (powerless people) no matter how or where they encounter them.

The Secular Franciscan Order: is committed to helping Franciscan Youth in their vocational journey, and in fact young Franciscans are urged to consider the SFO Rule as an inspirational document. Secular Franciscan Fraternities are to help FranYouth Fraternities interact with each other at all levels, including the international. IF YOU WANT TO FORM A FRATERNITY OF FRANCISCAN YOUTH WHERE YOU LIVE THE GOSPEL: Start it! Contact the National Fraternity of Franciscan Youth closest to you, and the SFO next level of Fraternity.
EMAIL CONTACTS: CIOFS@CIOFS.ORG (http://www.ciofs.org) Secfran@ofm.org

The first Encuentro of S.F.O. Assistants was organized by the Conference of National Assistants in Argentina. The Conference members are Marcos Sanchez, OFMCap., Pedro Audet Fabre, OFM (for the three OFM Provinces), and Martin Pablo Bitzer, OFMConv. It was held May 25-26, 1998, for all three levels of Assistants: local, regional, and national. The event was also open to Assistants and Animators of the S.F.O. in neighboring countries.

The Encuentro's objective was to know in a better way the Statutes for Spiritual and Pastoral Assistance to the Secular Franciscans and other documents on this theme, to improve our assistance to our Secular Franciscan brothers and sisters. In both days of the Encounter, 35 Brothers were present, of whom 24 were OFM, 4 OFMConventuals, and 4 OFMCappuchins. Also present were the National Ministers of the SFO and Franciscan Youth in Argentina, and also the former National Minister serving as secretary. Of the 35 participants, 2 were from Chile, 2 from Paraguay, 2 from Uruguay, and the other 28 from Argentina. The Minister Provincial of the OFM Province of St. Michael, Brother Reinaldo Agretti, was present for the whole Encounter. And the Capuchin Minister Provincial came to celebrate one of the Masses.

On the first day, in the morning, the theme was "Lights and Shadows in the Service of Assistance," and in the afternoon we dealt with the "Challenges and Responsibilities in Assistance to the S.F.O." The second day was dedicated to a specific study of the Statutes for Assistance to the S.F.O., with a reading and study discussion in work groups in the morning and a general session in the afternoon to share observations and comments which had arisen in the group work. At the end of the Encounter it was observed that it had transcended the borders of Argentina, so it should really be called the First Encounter of Assistants of South America.

Among the motions from the Work Groups: To have this kind of Encounter at least every two years. That every Province should organize meetings with their SFO Assistants of all levels. To use the local and provincial chapters to emphasize the importance of "vital reciprocity" which must exist between the Friars and the S.F.O.

Suggestions for themes for future Encounters: Development of National Statutes for Assistants. History of the S.F.O. in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. In-depth study of the Rule and Constitutions of the S.F.O. Remembering that in October, 1988 the First Gathering of the Franciscan Family of Argentina will be held, the conclusions formed at that Encounter could be studied by the next Assistants Gathering.

With the joy of having gathered with Brothers from the different Obediences and different countries, united with the same interest in working for our Secular Franciscan Brothers and Sisters, we had a truly fraternal farewell with each other.