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SFO International Council - Quarterly edition |
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CONSTITUTION OF NEW NATIONAL FRATERNITY IN UKRAINE Encarnación del Pozo, ofs From May 31st through June 3rd, 2007, the General Minister, Encarnación del Pozo, together with Wihelmina Visser-Pelsma, Presidency Councilor, (German language), and General Assistant, Fr. Ivan Matic, OFM., representing the Conference of the General Assistants, have officially constituted the national Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order at Ukraine. The constitution of this Fraternity had been formally requested by the provisional Ukraine National Council and subsequently approved by the CIOFS Presidency during its February 2007 meeting. The Constitution Decree of this National Fraternity was handed over to the new elected National Minister and International Councilor, Mrs. Nila Belokón during the celebration of the Eucharist. This new national Fraternity counts with 33 official erected local fraternities and 6 emerging ones, with 941 perpetual professed members. They receive spiritual assistance from the OFM (six fraternities), OFMConv. (2 fraternities), OFMCap. (7 fraternities), 5 fraternities are attended by Diocesan priests. 13 Fraternities do not count with a permanent spiritual assistance. The provisional national Council has been organizing different formation encounters for years before coming to the present constitution of the national fraternity. They have counted so far with the invaluable support of the Poland national council, as well as the accompaniment of Wihelmina Visser-Pelsma, CIOFS Presidency Councilor, all whom have been essential for consolidating this Project. This National Fraternity has an important number of brothers and sisters coming from the previous stage when the communist domination was ruling the country. They have preserved their patrimony; not only the Franciscan spirituality but they have also been depositaries and transmitters of the Christian faith. These brothers and sisters, have physically given out this testimony to the new vocations. We may say with no doubt, that this National Fraternity counts with brothers and sisters who are ecclesial and socially engaged. Ostropol Evangelic School It is important to mention the Ostropol Evangelic School, under the coordination and guidance of the National Council. This school gives catechist and evangelization courses to more than 700 adults per year. The school is supported by three local fraternities, some of which are consecrated members (Art. 36 of the GGCC), who live in small and austere houses which are presently been remodeled. These brothers and sisters share their professional activities with this formation activity. Most of their income comes from their laboring at farms. They are also re-building a house which has been donated to them. Some of the people attending the formation courses live at this very simple house, while getting ready for a mission “ad-gentes”. This Project is worthy of our attention and follow up, including our financial support, in order for them to complete restoration of the evangelic house. With minimum personal donations and even some from the Franciscan Family, this Project could surely be completed. Fr. Jury and Fr. Casimir are responsible for the spiritual assistance of the formation house. The School also has a Chapel which is a cult center for all citizens. Liturgy is celebrated whenever the Assistants are present. From my experience with these brothers and sisters from Ukraine, I should point out the following:
Sharing our lives with our brothers and sisters from Ukraine, has been a significant impact on our lives due to the beauty and authenticity of their Christian and Franciscan life. We invite all our brothers and sisters around the World to support this new reality of the Order with our prayer and public demonstration of our happiness.
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