Ministry of the Telephone 1-800 Francis There are many people searching for information about the Secular Franciscan Order. What is it? Is it for me? There are those who are looking for a fraternity that might be close to them. Some have moved away from their local fraternity and now are looking for another fraternity nearer to them. They do not know where to go to get answers to their questions. In 1994 the National Minister of the United States, Richard Morton SFO, was aware that there was need for a telephone number where anyone could call free of charge and get an informed answer about the Order. In addition they could be directed to a fraternity near them. He requested a dedicated telephone number from the phone company and was delighted when the request for the number "1-800 Francis" was granted. The Secular Franciscan Order in the United States now has an opportunity to serve those who need accurate and updated information about the Order and the fraternities in our country. At first Richard answered the telephone calls himself but he soon discovered that there were so many calls that his service as national minister limited the time he could give to answering them. In 1995, at Richard’s suggestion I was appointed to the new service of Vocation Minister for the United States. I then became the one who answered the telephone number "I-800 Francis." I reply by sending two different letters. One is sent to the inquirer with a copy of our Rule, a brochure explaining the Order and the name and phone number of the local minister of the fraternity nearest to them. The other letter is sent to the local minister with the information about the request and the phone number of the person inquiring. Today, the website for the National Fraternity of the United States publishes the number and an e-mail address that anyone can use to contact me for information. Messages are left on my answering machine or at the website and I can answer them when convenient. Since the 800 Francis telephone line was installed at my home, inquiries into the SFO by way of that number and the e-mail address have passed the 11,000 number. The average number of inquiries is 1,000 a year. If I am given a proper e-mail address the responses are sent by return e-mail. This saves stamps and stationary. The other responses are sent by regular mail to the inquirer and to the local minister. I have received calls from all over the United States, some from Canada, a few from other countries, one from as far as Turkey. Often I am asked the question: "If you get so many requests why are there not more Secular Franciscans?" There are several reasons for this: Some people are just curious about the Order. More Secular Franciscans have died than have been received into the Order Some inquirers did not find what they were looking for in the local fraternity. After investigation, inquirers recognize they do not have a vocation to the SFO. This service is a labor of love and I am blessed and honored to perform it. Marie Amore, SFO Vocation Minister, National Fraternity, USA
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