Vocation Directors:
Johnpaul Cafiero, O.F.M. jp2oz@aol.com		Jack Carnaghi, O.F.M. ofmbro@yahoo.com

Statement of Beliefs: We believe that as followers of St. Francis of Assisi in this modern time, we are "lesser brothers" called to be centered in Christ with the Gospels as our Rule of Life. We believe that fidelity to our calling is expressed in loyalty to the mission of Jesus continued in His Church, in a spirit of prayer and contemplation, with a special love for the poor, and reverence for all God's creation. We believe that we are called to fraternity, to share a life of joy and peace, to draw our inspiration from the cross of Jesus, and to be renewed continually through our celebration of Eucharist. Statement of Purpose: Our mission is to permeate our society with Gospel values. We are to be instruments of change and heralds of peace in a broken world, serving all people, especially the poor and marginalized, through reconciliation and healing. Our mission is to try to respond to the needs of the Church in fidelity to our Franciscan ideals. Statement of Commitment: Rejecting greed, manipulation, and consumerism, we commit ourselves to a lifestyle that effectively witnesses the Gospel values of simplicity, joy and brotherhood. We commit ourselves to forward the evangelizing mission of the Church for our day with primacy of concern for issues of justice and the rights of minorities, the poor, the homeless and refugees. We commit ourselves to a readiness to relinquish ministries that can be provided for by others, in order to respond to more urgent needs consonant with our Franciscan charism and the demands of ministry. We commit ourselves to the development of the laity in order to call forth their gifts and talents toward a greater participation in leadership roles in both Church and society. We commit ourselves to a genuine Christian formation of our friars as well as the people we serve, sensitive to cultural identities and values, rooting out prejudice in all its forms. Ministries: Missions: -- We minister to many different people at home and abroad through the Franciscan Missionary Union. In our home and foreign missions -- especially Brazil, Zaire, China and Alaska -- we bring education, spiritual guidance, and encouragement to thousands from all races and nationalities. The Disadvantaged: -- We have three hundred and forty men striving to live the Franciscan ideal within our province. We minister to the poor and the outcast, the homeless, the hungry, the ex-offender, the prostitute, and people with HIV/AIDS through such programs as TAU House in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Franciscan Outreach Programs in Chicago, Illinois; and the Franciscan Connection in St. Louis, Missouri. Parish: -- Currently we serve in the parishes of twenty dioceses scattered throughout twelve states. In these parishes we minister through the sacraments, the Rite of Christian Initiation, counseling, lay leadership development, and many more parish ministries. Education: -- We have a long and proud tradition of providing quality Catholic education through Padua Franciscan High School in Cleveland, Ohio; Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago, Illinois; and Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. In these environments the student receives a quality education with an emphasis on Christian values. A Variety of Ministries: -- Besides the preceding ministries, our friars are active as chaplains in colleges and universities, hospitals, prisons, nursing homes and religious houses, and for the military. Some friars serve the brotherhood as our superiors and administrators; others repair what breaks. And yes, we also bless animals. Our friars are artists musicians, lawyers, doctors and Spiritual Assistants for the Secular Franciscan Order. Following the desire of St. Francis, our friars are encouraged to use their many skills and gifts to minister in the Church and to serve the human family in many different ways. Friar Initial Formation: Those who choose to join us enter our initial formation program. Becoming a Franciscan is a process of discerning God's call and grace. Initial formation combines the wisdom of our 800-year history with training of the highest caliber to meet the demands of today's Church. Currently we have formation houses in Joliet, Illinois; San Antonio, Texas; Cedar Lake, Indiana; and Chicago, Illinois

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