Zagreb, January 4th, 2009

To all National Councils of YouFra

and all National Councils of SFO

Dear brothers and sisters,

May Lord give you peace!

You would be aware that the 12th SFO General Chapter and 5th SFO Elective Chapter were held in Budapest, Hungary from November 15th to 22^nd, 2008. We thank you for your prayers, especially during this period, as a new Presidency of CIOFS was elected with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

We are writing to inform you of the new representatives of the Franciscan Youth (YouFra) at international level.

As you may know, according to the Franciscan Youth International Regulation, approved at the first YouFra International Assembly on July 5, 2007 in Barcelona, and endorsed by the Presidency of CIOFS on November 17, 2007 in Assisi, a YouFra International Coordination Team was established for the first time in our history. According to Article 13 of these International Regulations, the YouFra International Coordination Team is composed of:

- the CIOFS Presidency Councillor responsible for Franciscan Youth, who is also responsible for coordinating the team;

- the YouFra International Councillors;

- a Fraternal Animator appointed by the CIOFS Presidency; and

- a General Assistant appointed by the Conference of General Assistants (CAS).

The services outlined in Article 14 of this same Regulation – namely, those of the Vice-coordinator, the Responsible for Formation, Secretary, Treasurer, the Responsible for Communications, the Animator of Franciscan Children and Adolescent Groups – are divided among the YouFra International Councillors.

The following is a list of the members of the YouFra International Coordination Team and the services that they have accepted to perform, with the help of God. This list will help to give you a better idea of who is involved, and facilitate contacts so as to improve overall communications, one of the five priority areas that the General Chapter identified for the next six years.

Members of the YouFra Coordination Team are:

- Ana Fruk (Croatia) – the CIOFS Presidency Councillor and Team Coordinator

(frukica@gmail.com)

- Anna Sowinska (Poland) – Vice-Coordinator

(sowinska@gmail.com; pik_mf@o2.pl)

- Alfonso Filippone (Italy) – Responsible for Formation

(alfonsofilippone@inwind.it)

- Ana Catarina Santos (Portugal) – Secretary

(anarsantos8@gmail.com)

- Garlene Grace Hernandez (Philippines) – Treasurer

(garlenegracehernandez@yahoo.com)

- Anderson Moura (Brasil) – Responsible for Communication

(mourajufra@gmail.com)

- Elizabeth Castro (Mexico) – Animator of Franciscan Children and Adolescent Groups

(bettypumas@hotmail.com)

- Lucy Almirañez (Philippines) – Fraternal Animator appointed by the CIOFS Presidency

(lucy_sfo@yahoo.com.ph)

- Fr. Ivan Matić – General Assistant appointed by the CAS

(imatic@ofm.org)

This is the first time in our history that Franciscan Youth has had an International Coordination Team. For this reason, we are grateful to God for the service of our brother Xavi Ramos from Spain, the outgoing CIOFS Presidency Councillor responsible for YouFra. We are equally grateful for those who helped him in his service, and thus supported our efforts which led to this historical moment of establishing the first YouFra International Coordination Team.

We place ourselves at your service and ask for your prayers so that our work and growth in the future may always be for the good of Franciscan Youth, as well as for the entire Franciscan family.

Fraternal regards,

Encarnation del Pozo, General Minister SFO

Ana Fruk, CIOFS Presidency councillor YouFra International Team Coordinator