Brother Pat Groves O.F.M., is remembered by his brothers as a friar who followed the beat of his own drum. He was an artist, writer and musician known for his calm presence, gentle ways and dedicated service. After twenty-five years of being a friar, Pat decided to leave the friars but continued to live a life of simplicity. Twenty-five years later, Pat rejoined his brothers. He lived in the St Elizabeth friary and later at Old Mission San Luis Rey where he died in 2020. Below is a beautiful piece of music he created called, Lady Clare’s Farewell and a watercolor with an eastern influence. To see more of his art and writings, click on this link. http://www.patgroves.com

The mission of San Damiano Retreat is to provide a peaceful environment of natural beauty where spiritual renewal and growth may be sought by people of all faiths and backgrounds In the Spirit of St Francis and St Clare, and guided by the Franciscan traditions of joy, hospitality, compassion, peace, and simplicity. They offer contemporary, challenging retreats and programs in response to the changing needs of God’s people. They serve diverse groups including Jewish women, the Hispanic community, the Archdiocese, and many 12-step groups. To learn more, watch this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-sXev_OPMw

This month we feature the drawings of Farit Alvare. Farit is a security guard at St. Francis Center in Los Angeles. Originally from Peru, Farit says his art reflects his mood. “If I am happy, my art reflects that.” These drawings are submissions for a mural St. Francis Center is planning. Read the interview below to learn more about Farit.

Where did your inspiration for this mural come from?
I wanted to convey everything that St. Francis has given to me and the community. St. Francis center has been a source of love and life to all. It has been a gift from God, and a constant reminder to love thy neighbor.

What are your hopes for someone who comes across this mural?
I want to emit emotions such as joy, tranquility, peace, happiness, and most importantly hospitality.

What positive impact has St. Francis Center made on you?
St. Francis Center has given me the opportunity to carry out two meaningful things that I hold of great significance. The first being able to provide protection and security to our guests and staff. The second is gifting me the ability to help those in need.

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Farit is not the only artist at St Francis Center. David Cho, a local LA Artist and guest of St. Francis Center is also artistically gifted. David has been an artist for 30 years. He works in many mediums including hand-drawing and digital art.

Having guests who share their gifts with us makes it clear that the “giving” goes both ways. We share our gifts of food, showers, spiritual companionship and our guests share their gifts from art and stories to volunteering and companioning others.

We are doubly blessed!

Millennials are changing our culture in profound ways. One is their adoption and promotion of the sharing economy, sometimes described as the circular economy”. Chances are you are already participating in it. If you have used a car sharing app like Uber or a home sharing app like Airbnb, or clothes sharing service like Rent the Runway, you have participated in the sharing economy. If you have given a friend a loan or borrowed your neighbors bundt pan instead of buying your own new one, you are participating in the sharing economy. Professor Godelik, in his (2017). Millennials and the sharing economy project: Lessons from a ‘buy nothing new, share everything month’ project, describes it “as adopting a new mindset in which access to goods and services is seen as more valuable than ownership of them.

That mindset is very Franciscan. I first learned about it from a friar who told me that the tag sewn into his collar was that of another friar who had passed on. “We live by this idea, he said, of sine proprio. It means that we live without possessing. We don’t consider the things we have as “ours”. Rather they are for our use when we need them but meant to be given or shared with others when they need them. Everything is a gift from God, he said, so we share our gifts and receive gifts from others.”

Today, we would describe that as a circular, or sharing, mindset. St. Francis made this point in the rule he wrote back in the 13th century. The first sentence reads, “The rule and life of the lesser brothers is this: To observe the holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience without anything of our own…”

Franciscan beliefs are not exclusive to Franciscans. Millennials who are, and who are not affiliated with us, are leading a cultural shift that expands our duty to care for creation and promotes a life of “not possessing,” Of course I am generalizing, and not every individual millennial feels this way (and many dislike the term millennial). However, those that do may be in the best position to carry this element of the Franciscan Movement forward.

Sharing rather than buying can have a big impact. For example, consider the impact of wearing clothes longer or donating them to others who will wear them rather than buy something new. Scientific American reports that “Research by Waste and Resources Action Program (WRAP), a sustainability advisory group in England, “shows extending the average life of clothes by just three months of active use per item would lead to a 5 to 10 percent reduction in each [item’s] carbon, water and waste footprints,”

Companies have taken this trend seriously. Besides the 100’s of sharing companies that have emerged, like Camp in my Garden and Fivver, established companies are adapting. Just yesterday I received a postcard from REI announcing that they will accept used gear. Their encouragement: “…feel good about participating in the circular economy…”

Bill Short, Franciscan scholar and Dean of our Franciscan School of Theology uses the image of an open hand to describe this Franciscan way of life. When your hand is open it can both give and receive. Millennials seem to intuitively understand that. I am grateful they are spreading the word.

To learn more about the Franciscan Movement explore the lectures and classes offered by our Franciscan School of Theology at www.fst.edu

Introducing St. Anthony Foundation

Catholic Social Teachings remind us that, “The person is not only sacred but also social,” and that we have “a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.”

As a community, all the ministries of the Province of St. Barbara share a mission and a desire for the common good. Yet, many of us aren’t familiar with our sister ministries. So, each month we will highlight one ministry in an effort to increase awareness, appreciation and collaboration.

For as in one body we have many members,
and the members do not all have the same function,
so we, though many, are one body in Christ,
and individually members one of another.

Romans 12:4-5

Introducing St. Anthony Foundation (SAF)

Seven decades ago, Franciscan Friar Fr. Alfred Boeddeker had a vision of uniting vulnerable populations in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. His vision became a reality on October 4, 1950 as he opened the doors of St. Anthony’s Dining Room. The first day our Dining Room opened, Fr. Alfred expected to serve 150 meals to low-income and homeless Guests. He ended up serving 400. Today, in that same Franciscan spirit, SAF serves over 3000 hot, nutritious meal every day, provides healthcare to more than 4600 patients, provides digital justice through a computer lab, free clothing program and supports many through its addiction recovery program. SAF relies heavily on volunteers This touching video allows you to see SAF from their perspectives.

Black History Month provides another opportunity for us to understand the history, experiences, thoughts and feelings of our African American sisters and brothers. It encourages us to reflect on the past, but as importantly, on how we will participate in the creation of a more relationship-oriented and just future.

Sister Irma Dillard, RSCJ is a social activist dedicated to educating and empowering the voiceless to find their voices and take direct action for justice. She is a Change Management Consultant working with not-for-profits, unions, and parishes. She is a friend of the friars, a fan of the Franciscan movement, and has graciously agreed to share her reflection on Black History Month 2021.

Sister Irma’s Reflection on Black History Month 2021

1969 was a good year to be young, gifted and black!

Black History Month was first proposed by black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University, Ohio in February 1969: a celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S history.

The 60’s were a very tumultuous time! The Black Power Movement (1966) was gaining momentum.

I chose not to attend another Catholic school. I attended a predominately black high school here in Northern California. It was there I was able to righteously be fully black— no need to assimilate.

In 1968, we walked out of classes and took over the administration building. Our demands: more Black teachers, Black administrators, Black Studies, and a library including books by Black and other authors of color. With pride, energy and determination we fought for legitimacy, authenticity, equality, freedom, justice and the right to an equal education. We spent 2 nights & 3 ½ days occupying that space during negotiations.

1969 was a good year. We read what was happening at Kent State. 90% of our demands were met. I knew it was time that we black folks be recognized for the achievements and contributions since our forced arrival in America— in mathematics, the sciences, literature, music, technology, etc. Our ancestors were more than just slaves! We were more than musicians and athletes! It was past time for us to be proud black people—unashamed and unapologetic!

“To Be Young Gifted and Black” hit the airways on KSOL and everyone began singing this powerful song. We sang it every single day. My high school WAS black history—the past brought to life and the continued making of history. Posters and quotes of black achievement decorated the halls and classrooms. We finally had a more accurate curriculum and because of Kent State we also celebrated Black History Month for the first time!

The sacred words of Nina Simone were alive:

To be young, gifted and black
Oh, what a lovely precious dream
To be young, gifted and black
Open your heart to what I mean
In the whole world you know
There are a million boys and girls
Who are young, gifted and black
And that’s a fact!

Black History Month! Black History is American History! It is World History!
Black History has to be incorporated fully into the American story!

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Sister Irma Dillard, RSCJ is a social activist dedicated to educating and empowering the voiceless to find their voices and take direct action for justice. She is a Change Management Consultant working with not-for-profits, unions, and parishes. With degrees in psychology and counseling, religious studies, and communications, Sister Irma has spent 40 years working with youth and their families, including juvenile offender programs, single mothers’ support groups, and serving three San Francisco parishes doing staff development, diversity training, and facilitating staff and parish retreats. Sister Irma has been and continues to be with the people in the streets, participating in Black Lives Matter, DC Women’s March, Fight for $15, Poor People’s Campaign, Rise for Climate, People’s Townhall SF, DACA/Dreamers and No Ban, No Wall. She is a leader in her religious congregation’s reparations to the descendants of the estimated 150 persons enslaved by her religious order in Louisiana.

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“To Be Young Gifted and Black” sung by Nina Simone and released in 1969. The song was also featured on her 1970 album Black Gold and was considered an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. The title and opening line of the song come from Lorraine Hansberry’s autobiographical play, To Be Young, Gifted and Black: Lorraine Hansberry in Her Own Words, 1957. It is a play about the life of American writer Lorraine Hansberry, adapted from her own writings. Lorraine died in 1965 at the age of 34.

Nina then wrote the “To Be Young Gifted and Black” for children in memory of her late friend Lorraine Hansberry.

1976 Ford decreed Black History Month a national observance.

Carol Sanger
Knitter and Secretary of the Board,
Franciscan Renewal Center

Some 60 years ago, my mother taught me to knit. I think she’d hoped it would occupy my hands which were running faster than my mouth back then. By college, I had enough basic technique to make a sweater. After dozens of sweaters, and afghans, dolls and baby clothes, knitting had become my door to humility, patience and the importance of practice. My hands learned to knit without thought commands. I learned there are no mistakes, only lapses in attention, and that there is always more to learn.

When I knit a garment – for you, as an example – I think only of you. I consider how the color will look next to your skin, the shape that will flatter your figure, the ease of care. And I allow myself to be carried back to other garments I have made like that – for the boyfriend who didn’t last, my father who died, my granddaughter who will drag it around during her toddler years before giving it away.

Typically, I make my own patterns, choose my own colors and then improvise as I go along. This baby blanket for my granddaughter is an example, but I think her mother has put it away for safekeeping. I’d rather see it out, being used, with a few stains, maybe a little grape juice.

Last winter, I signed on to knit 50 8” x 8” squares as part of the Violet Protest, a collaborative knitting project of Phoenix artist Ann Morton. Fiber artists from all over the country are contributing their handmade squares using red and blue (symbols of differing ideologies) which from a distance pixilate to violet. Each square bears the name of the artist and a heartfelt intention focused on our core values as a nation: respect for the other, citizenship, compromise, compassion, creativity, candor, courage, compromise among among others. The Phoenix Art Museum will display them this Spring before going to Washington DC where 50 squares will be hand delivered to each member of the House and Senate. Do the math – yup, 26,750 squares! http://www.violetprotest.com/

This is one of the ways knitting connects me to knitters and crocheters around the world. (Knitters use 2 needles, crocheters use 1 hook.) We are one body not bound by culture or politics, but by this other thing we do. I want my life to be useful. I want my love for this world to have physical form. Looping stitches through stitches to become fabric to hold my love for its intended – family, friend or stranger – until the day comes when the sweater or afghan cradles the old bones of an old dog and all that love spills freely out into the world.

You can see how this works, can’t you?

Click on the image below to view the knitting video.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Mathew 5: 14-16

Gifts, gifts, gifts – we are surrounded by them! I am not talking about the ones with bows. I’m talking about the ones we were born with – the ones given to us by God. The one’s we are implored to “let shine.”

Artistic gifts shine particularly bright during Advent. We are surrounded by the beauty of trees decorated with exquisitely crafted ornaments, whole neighborhoods skillfully decorated with lights, beautiful songs like O’ Emmanuel and Holy Night written to help us prepare for, and rejoice in, the birth of Jesus. Homemade Christmas cards and beautifully carved nativities made in imitation of the first nativity created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.

Do you have an artistic gift? Are you a musician, artist, poet, photographer, sculptor, knitter, mural painter, or writer? Many of our community
members are, and we want to encourage them to let their light shine by sharing their work.

SHARING YOUR GIFTS

The first artist to share his work is George Dooley, the Province’s CFO. Not all math whizzes possess artistic gifts, but George is as talented with music as he is with numbers. His songwriting group recently gave a homework assignment to write a holiday song. George is sharing his “homework” in this holiday song entitled “A Prayer for Peace”. He agreed to develop the attached video to share the message during this blessed season. We hope you enjoy it.

Meet George Dooley!

George is the Chief Financial Officer for the Province of Saint Barbara. He has been in that role for about three years and is also serving on the Board of Directors for the CASA and the St Francis Center. He previously served on the Board of the St Anthony Foundation.

George’s roots as a musician/singer/songwriter go back to his college days where he was the lead guitarist and singer for the folk mass group at his college known as “the God Squad”. Thankfully, they have since changed their name to the Trinity Singers! The weekly mass at the college became so popular that the local Bishop attended to hear what all the fuss was about, and then asked the group to tour other parishes in the state to spread the joy. An avid Miami Dolphin fan, during that time, he also (reluctantly) played guitar and sang at a mass for the rival New England Patriots before all their home games (only because they gave him free press pass tickets!). He has continued to follow his musical passions while raising identical twin daughters and recently celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary with his lovely wife Dawn.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR ARTISTIC GIFTS!

This is the first of our new segment to showcase the artistic talents of our Province-wide family. We encourage you to share your art, sculpture, writing, photography, painting, knitting, music or other artistic talents. Please reach out to Kathleen Flanagan, Executive Director, Office of Mission Integration and Ministry Support at kathleen@sbofm.org to share your art.

If you are connected to social media, you are probably already aware of the “Recreate Art Challenge”. Museums everywhere are encouraging people to pick a piece of art and then recreate it using items, and with people, in their household. For example:

This series caught my eye because it is done by the same woman, and for many people, it captures their progressive experience of Covid. At first, she is full of energy, in time, she is seated and looking a little tired, and eventually she is just exhausted by the whole thing! Yet, many people taking up this challenge have commented on how life affirming it is and how it has injected fun and energy at a time when theirs had been waning.

What has art got to do with our Catholic, Franciscan Identity? A lot! The Catholic Church has always valued artistic expression. St. Francis loved and wrote poetry. He played instruments and sang. The Churches appreciation for art and other cultural endeavors even extends to Catholic Social Teachings regarding Work and Just Wages. (What! You didn’t know we had social teachings. Well, you are in for a big surprise.)

A Just wage is the legitimate fruit of work. To refuse or withhold it can be a grave injustice. In determining fair pay both the needs and the contributions of each person must be taken into account. ‘Remuneration for work should guarantee man the opportunity to provide a dignified livelihood for himself and his family on the material, social, cultural, and spiritual level, taking into account the role and the productivity of each, the state of the business, and the common good.’ Agreement between the parties is not sufficient to justify morally the amount to be received in wages.”
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2434

Work relates to the inherent dignity of each and every individual. We believe that a dignified life includes work, but also leisure time to engage in social, cultural and spiritual practices (like recreating the last supper by Leonardo Da Vinci in your dining room).

Pope Frances, in his recent encyclical, Fratelli tutti, put it this way:
In a genuinely developed society, work is an essential dimension of social life, for it is not only a means of earning one’s daily bread, but also of personal growth, the building of healthy relationships, self- expression and the exchange of gifts. Work gives us a sense of shared responsibility for the development of the world, and ultimately, for our life as a people.

Our Franciscan worldview is that we are co-creators with God in the development of the world. In the spirit of being co-creators, I put out this challenge in hope that it will reduce the Covid fatigue we may feel and that it may enliven our creative side.

The Challenge:  Choose a piece of art and recreate it by yourself, with your family or with you coworkers (in masks, of course). Send it in to Kathleen@sbofm.org and I will post them on the mission integration website for all to see!

If you need inspiration, consider the art below. May your creative juices flow!

NOTE: My apologies for not providing credits for most of the artwork and recreations of artwork displayed in this document. Artists deserve to be recognized. In this case, these were copied from the internet and didn’t have any attributions, or did, but they didn’t actually copy over when I pasted them to my photos.

Every morning Mark Benson gets out of bed, brushes his teeth, puts on his running shoes and heads out the door for a 3-mile run. He’s done this for years, in Chicago, New York, California. It is often the best part of his day. “I like being alone, seeing what is going on in my neighborhood, hearing the birds.”

Shola Richards doesn’t run in the mornings, he doesn’t even walk alone in his neighborhood. Here’s why. “Twice a day, I walk my dog Ace around my neighborhood with one, or both, of my girls. I would be scared to death to take these walks without my girls and my dog. In fact, in the four years living in my house, I have never taken a walk around my neighborhood alone (and probably never will).

When I’m walking down the street holding my young daughter’s hand and walking my sweet fluffy dog, I’m just a loving dad and pet owner taking a break from the joylessness of crisis homeschooling. But without them by my side, almost instantly, I morph into a threat in the eyes of some white folks. Instead of being a loving dad to two little girls, unfortunately, all that some people can see is a 6’2” athletically-built black man in a cloth mask who is walking around in a place where he doesn’t belong (even though, I’m still the same guy who just wants to take a walk through his neighborhood). It’s equal parts exhausting and depressing to feel like I can’t walk around outside alone, for fear of being targeted.”

Shola’s experience is a revelation to many white people. It elicits strong emotions of compassion, guilt, and anger, but the biggest revelation for many is how few black and brown people they actually know. So, how do we respond? There is a moment in St. Francis life that illuminates one path forward.

In the 5th century Muslims controlled Jerusalem. The Catholic Church responded by going to war to overtake them and bring Jerusalem back into their control. St. Francis went in a different direction – he encouraged others not to fight in the Crusade, and when they ignored his advice, he decided to go to the Sultan’s camp to meet him himself. It was a dangerous choice. Christians knew very little about the Muslim faith or customs, but the popular narrative characterized them as a violent enemy. Francis was walking into a war zone. What gave him the desire and confidence to meet Sultan Mal-al-Kamil? Perhaps it was his belief that we are all brothers and sisters to one another, each created by the same God. Perhaps, this was one way he lived out that belief.

Francis’ approach to Sultan Malek-al-Kamil, was as a brother. Upon entering Muslim territory, Francis was captured, beaten and brought to the Sultan. Francis remained in the Sultan’s quarters for weeks. What they talked about is unknown, but records exist describing their time together as respectful, brotherly and peaceful. They displayed curiosity and openness toward one another.

Francis returned home a changed man. The encounter, including being present and respectful with those he did not know and did not understand, interacting with the Sultan, observing the Muslim habit of stopping to pray five times a day, and sharing meals all influenced Francis. He amended the rule he wrote for his brothers, so that any brother that felt called to go be with Muslims should be allowed to do so. Later, he wrote a prayer called The Praises of God that is very similar to the Islam prayer, The 99 Beautiful Names of God.

Francis’ visit to Sultan Mal-al-Kamil didn’t put an end to the Crusades, it may not have changed others, but it changed Francis. It also broadened and enlightened the Franciscan perspective that social justice begins (but does not end) with individuals entering into respectful, peaceful encounters with one another – so that they, like Francis, may be changed.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do I know individuals of color within my community? What have I learned from those relationships?
2. What leadership positions do people of color hold in your ministry and on your board?
3. How does your ministry encourage and facilitate person-to-person interactions with people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds?
4. In what ways does your ministry support or advocate for racial justice?
5. How has your ministry responded to racial injustice?