THIRD ORDER - the TSSF European Province Website

Christopher John SSF, Korean Franciscan
Brotherhood
News from Alnmouth
Bob Langley, Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, writes that
despite the small number of Brothers, just under
3,000 overnight and 3,800 day visitors from various
religious and community groups stayed at the Friary
in 2002. Bob invites people to show their support in
prayer and by financial donations.
Over 50 years in the Order
Congratulations to Miss Dorothy Cummins of the
Newcastle Area who was professed as a tertiary in
1951. Over the years she has been involved in
every aspect of Third Order life. She still likes to
keep up with events and new members of the Order.
Prayer is still the focus of her life and simplicity the
hallmark of her lifestyle.
Environmental matters
Revd John Smith has agreed to be the spokesman
on environmental matters for the
Cumbria/Lancashire Area. John is very passionate
and well informed on such matters and for some
years has acted as the Convenor for the
Environmental Group in the Carlisle Diocese. His
contact number is 016977 41114.
Jenny Bate, Area Secretary for Cumbria/Lancashire
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The Pilgrims of St. Francis
invite you to join them in 2003
The International Chapter at Wardreques
near St Omer, 7 – 9 June 2003
The International Pilgrimage in the
Netherlands starting and finishing near
Velzen – Driehuis, 20km west of Amsterdam
28 July – 5 August 2003
The National (UK) Chapter at Exmouth,
24 – 26 May 2003
The National Pilgrimage from Romsey to
Winchester, 23 - 30 August 2003
For further information regarding costs and a
booking form: Stephen Isitt, National Publicity
Officer PSF,
25 Renfrew Court, Allfrey Road, Eastbourne BN22
7SZ. Tel 01323 739434
In times of War
“In such complex times and amidst various political
stances and opinions about strategies it is often
difficult to know exactly how to pray and how to
focus our efforts. We are reminded by the Apostle
Paul that ‘the (Holy) Spirit helps us in our weakness,
for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that
very Spirit intercedes with sighs to deep for words…’
(Romans 8:26). I urge us all to pray in the Holy
Spirit at this critical time in our history.
“And as we pray we may be led by the Spirit to
continue to hold before our leaders the need for just
actions as they work to resolve international conflict.
Such may also be the fruit of our prayer”
Extract from a letter from Masud Ibn Syedullah
TSSF Minister Provincial, Third Order, American
Province.
Separate interest groups?
When I was a parish priest in south London in the
1970s I sometimes thought, O Lord, another churchy
meeting. In fact what I was preparing for was a
meeting of the Third Order! It felt as though I was
getting ready for yet another meeting like the one the
night before and like the one tomorrow. I never said
this to anyone, I just carried on carrying on. Now
that I am retired and Minister Provincial, perhaps I
should air what I thought all those years ago. I know
now that other ordained members of the Order have
felt the same. The other day I met an ex-tertiary
who told me that he had finally left the Order
because he could no longer cope with Third Order
meetings that felt just like the meetings he had to
have in his parish and community all the time. Of
course we need to be committed to our local group
but what do we do about this quite widely held view?
I would like to know because the Third Order has a
large number of parish clergy who may well think as
I did. Or they may think quite differently. There is
room in the Order for different ways of being a
tertiary. Some want and need to be solitary, some
need to be contemplative, some need to think and
study, some need to join a praise and worship group.
All those expressions are part of Franciscan
experience and history. People are vastly different,
our ways of being human are different, our ways of
praying are different, our needs are different. I
rejoice that it is so. I am deeply saddened when I
hear that members of the Order have sought release
from their vows because they think there is no room
for them in the Third Order as it is presently
structured.
Perhaps from time to time, there could be a
gathering of ordained members of the Order for
instance, simply to consider together how most
creatively to be tertiaries and also ordained? There
could be other similar gatherings for those with other
concerns. This could be for a day in central
locations around the country. If we are to be
heralds of the Great King, it seems to me that we
should look at some of these issues.
Richard Bird,
April 2003 2