Monday, September 29, 2014

Happy Birthday to Br. Ivan Michael ....

Br. Ivan with Br. Pio Murat for small get together in Ivans honor 
Our new member had the privilege to celebrate his birthday in Curia. He celebrated the mass and preached short but meaningful homily. We wished him in the afternoon. The Guardian spoke few words of appreciation about him He is the assistant General Secretary. He plays music in the church for our Mass and prayers. He is nice and very fraternal too. May God bless him.
I too was wished on the Occasion of the feast of St. Michael. The Guardian gave me a precious gift and prayed for me. May God bless his generosity. 
Now that the general council is over, some of us have started moving to our areas.....some are here since there are meetings taking place.
Today we also had the privilege of having all four General spiritual assistants of OFS who came for a meeting and also to give sendoff to Br. Ammanuel who is elected as the provincial.

 Francis our new OFS spiritual assistant


 The friars and guest all enjoying some snacks

Guardian speaking few words of appreciation for Ivan......

I thank God, Parish Priest, Parents and God parents for naming me "MICHAEL"




A day of gratitude for me. This morning with emotions i remembered my Parish priests, loving parents and God parents who baptized, gave me life and brought me to the church. Each one has touched my life and made me feel that i was wanted and loved. My parents though poor did everything possible to bring me up according to Catholic faith. They took all the trouble to teach 5 siblings and give them all that a Catholic family could give their children "FAITH". My God parents are still alive and they keep praying for me. They are proud that one of their godchildren have become a priest. They feel proud to see me every year when i visit them.
St. Michael has been my protector and inspiration. Every day when i wake up i call on him and ask his protection during the day. I feel his presence in all the moments of my life. I never sit in flight without invoking his help and intercession, I feel his presence when i have to take tough and difficult decisions. He guides me in my search for God and truth. I love st. Michael..........
The legends including him in the Christian tradition stems primarily from the story of his fight with the dragon in the BOOK of the Revelation
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was there a place for them found any more in heaven."

Sunday, September 28, 2014

One More celebration for Church and Civil Authorities

 Friars, priests, laity and religious gathering for the third and final celebration of the renovated General Curia. The number was smaller than the first two celebration. They were all invited to express our gratitude for all that they have done for the smooth completion of the work.


 Br. Jean in meditation.....
 Sister General of Capuchin sisters in Rome....doing the reading for the prayer service
 The General Minister of the OFM preached a short homily ......


 Pio and Francisco with the prayer book for prayer service.....

 It was all prepared and kept ready for the guests.......


The guests are coming out from the hall where they were shown a video film on the work of the General Curia
 Br. Gianpiero was with us......
 We blessed the food and a warm welcoming words by the general Minister


 Friars and guests all join in for the prayer before the meal....

 Br. Luis, who organized the celebration especially the food....is planning about serving the meal....
Br. Raffaele never stops smiling.....Jose Carlos joins him.....
The table is laid and our Cook Claudia .....serving a special meat prepared by him

 Vicario is happy with the company of the sisters......

 General and Vicario is distributing the souvenirs to the guests....
 Sergio too is contended to be with a sister.....
 Hugo with one of the architects and his wife....

After the guests left, some of us who were involved in serving began to eat....we laughed, joked and fooled one another...oh, how wonderful it is to be here in Curia

Friday, September 26, 2014

Local Chapter of the Fraternity

We in Curia are very faithful in celebrating the Local Chapter every second month. Every one longs and waits anxiously with hopes and expectations of good things and decisions. This time once again all the members were present for the chapter in the newly renovated house. The hall with modern facilities is very conducive and accommodative for a local chapter.
We evaluated our stay in the curia for last two months and the brothers came out with concrete suggestions to improve our fraternal life.
We also had election for the house council and Br. Jose Carlos was elected as the fourth house councilor. 
Then the house economo announced certain things about the finances of the fraternity.
Br. General Minister made known certain decisions taken in our General council to the fraternity members.
The Guardian had some more informations to communicate which he did it very fraternally. 

 New Member Br. Francis for Cameroon as General Spiritual assistant to OFS
 Jose and Mark like to be photographed....
 Carlo Calloni is back to Curia......
They are working together always so why sit also together....that is the secret of their success
 Clayton needs some eye wash...??????
 We Four awesome friars.....
 I am not alone but Joachim is always there .....
 Ivan our new member with Padre Spirituale Raffaele
 We are all ready for the local chapter.....

Its a good feeling to be a member of the house council....

General Minister, Br. Mauro, communicating certain important decisions taken in general council meeting.