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THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PROVINCE • Summer 2013 • VOLUME 7, NUMBER 1
We celebrate the feast of St. Anthony on June 13. See why he is the Patron of Tuesdays, page 5.
I hope your summer is off to a good start. Last month, I took a trip to Negril, Jamaica to visit
my brother, Jim. Although it was a wonderful trip, it was also a stark reminder of the hardships
missionaries can face on a regular basis.
Jim and Fr. Bernard live in a no frills house without air conditioning… and it gets really hot
in Jamaica. A recent drought has caused the water pressure, when there is pressure, to be so
low that the showers won’t work. Jim has not had a shower in months. I was introduced to the
“Bucket Bath” while I was there. It’s pretty simple; you fill up the bucket and clean up the best
you can. When I got back to Cincinnati, a shower was the first thing on my agenda. It’s amazFr. John
ing all we take for granted in the USA.
A parishioner bought the friars a 650 gallon water storage tank. A platform will be built to
hold the tank which will be connected to the water system. And the most important part is a small water pump
to fill the tank and to move water into the house. One problem solved! Hating cold showers, Jim’s next project is
heating some water.
Despite such hardships, the great work continues. I visited the St. Anthony’s Kitchen and was pleased to see
that the number of children at the Kitchen in the middle of the day was down drastically from my visit one and
two years ago. The kids were in school where they belong.
The Get Kids to School Program now transports 25 kids to school and back home each day. Forty children
come to the Kitchen for breakfast each morning in
uniform before going to school.
I also was able to help out with the monthly Food
Distribution to the elderly and shut-ins. We visited
40 families. To say that the dirt roads getting there
were difficult is an understatement.
These programs are your gifts at work. I thank you
for allowing this partnership to continue.
Fondly,
Fr. John Bok, O.F.M., Friar Works Co-Director
Would you like
to learn more
about becoming
a friar?
Visit
www.franciscan.org/vocations
or email Fr. Don at
sjbvocations@franciscan.org
Students eating breakfast before school.
This van is used to transport 25 kids to school and back home each day.
by Joanne M. Queenan
Geraldine Biffle, An Every Day Hero
Thank goodness for cell phones. That seems to
be the only way you will catch up with Geraldine
Biffle. I caught her as she was leaving the bus stop
after a day’s work supporting the church programs
and street ministry that operate out of St. Aloysius
Parish in Detroit, Michigan. She works closely with
Br. Michael Radomski, O.F.M. Geraldine has been a
faithful volunteer for 30 years and has given of herself nearly full-time since she retired 14 years ago.
Geraldine and Br. Michael are part of a mutual
admiration society. “She really is a hero!” says
Br. Michael. He described Geraldine as a “dynamo,
industrious and self giving!” She does so much and
has done it
for so many
years!”
Geraldine
describes
Br. Michael and Geraldine
Br. Michael
as “down to earth — he really understands the homeless and
they love him for it.”
Geraldine also teaches Level I preschool religion since
completing Ecumenical training in the Catechetical Program. She is
Simplify your life
working toward her Level 2 and 3 certifications.
with our estate
At 70 years old, she works intensely with the Street Ministry Program
which targets the homeless in the area. Br. Michael and Geraldine know
planning organizer
where the homeless people are now, and go directly to their little commuFew ordinary tasks express the
nities which are many times uncomfortable and unsafe places like under
Franciscan virtues of simplicity
plazas and cold, damp hideaways.
On the day of this interview, ten people were displaced from their
and self-sufficiency better
ramshackle living quarters. They notified the parish to make sure the
than creating an effective
team knew they wouldn’t be in their previous spot to receive program
estate plan. Simplify your life
support. People who live the marginal homeless lifestyle spend their nights
and the lives of those you love
in stairwells, hallways, cars, under bushes and huddling on loading docks
by requesting our free estate
— anywhere they can be out of the elements and feel somewhat safe.
planning organizer, available
Each day of Geraldine’s week is dedicated to a facet of service to the
in hard copy or a computerhomeless. One day a week, she puts together sandwiches, deodorant,
friendly version.
socks, underwear, water, applesauce, and a bag of cookies or candy bar.
Next day, Mass comes first, then the distribution of 200 bags stuffed with
similar items. The following day a neighborhood service organization gets
clothing, socks and hygiene items. Once a month they give out treat bags.
The most recent special bags honored Easter and included colored eggs,
soup, sandwiches and candy.
Geraldine is just as involved with her own big family, some of whom
have been dealing with unemployment themselves. She has five adult
children, 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is preparing
to join the lay Franciscan fraternity. She also loves to bowl and is quite
the competitor.
Geraldine summed up her street ministry work with the poor and
homeless stating “Everyone responds positively when treated with dignity.
They are all God’s children. There’s no difference between us. We pray
with them when they ask us. We try to give them a few of the basic things
missing in their lives and enrich them when we can, like when we took
them to a Tigers game. Oh, what a treat! They had such a good time!
We are working on doing that again this year!”
Thank you Geraldine for all you do for God’s people. You are our
everyday hero.
To receive your organizer,
contact Colleen Cushard
at 513-721-4700 or at
ccushard@franciscan.org.
Or download the organizer at
www.stanthony.org
by going to Estate Planning
Help under Support the Friars.
Once you have met your
obligations to yourself and
those you love, consider
remembering The Franciscans
of St. John the Baptist Province
in your estate plan.
Family Dinner at St. Francis Seraph
I
n study after study, the
positive benefits of sitting down
to family meals have been
demonstrated for children of all
ages. Among the benefits are better grades, healthier eating habits,
closer relationships to parents and
siblings, a feeling of belonging,
and resilience in the face of life’s
problems. A National Center on
Addiction and Substance Abuse
study found that the more often
kids eat dinner with their families,
the less likely they are to smoke,
drink or use drugs.
These outcomes gave St. Francis
Seraph Ministries the idea and motivation for the new Family Dinner
Program in Over-the-Rhine.
“The St. Francis Seraph (SFS)
Soup Kitchen has been providing
meals to area residents since the
1980s but the guests are mostly
adults. This was a great way to
expand our dinner ministry to
families, too,” said Jane Rega,
Executive Director for SFS.
The Family Dinner Program
serves a nutritious meal in a
pleasant setting. Each family
makes a commitment to meeting
on Tuesday evenings for six weeks.
Tables are set by a family member
using a diagram. Each table has a
small vase of fresh flowers, china
plates (not paper) and silverware.
Sr. Phyllis Kemper, O.S.U., R.N.,
and Sr. Mary Jennings, C.D.P.
lead the program. They both have
health, nutrition and culinary
backgrounds. With the help of
volunteers, they have created
an environment favorable to
nurturing family relationships.
The evening begins with a prayer
of gratitude by Larry Shearer, a
pastor at Vineyard Community
Church in suburban Cincinnati.
He met Jane Rega through involvement in Over-the-Rhine’s Faith
Alliance Group.
Volunteers help prepare healthy
foods that kids actually like.
One night there were vegetarian
lettuce wraps, ground turkey tacos,
rice and beans, fruit and a low fat
dessert of yogurt, cool whip and
strawberries. One boy told
volunteer Barb Coyle that he’d
never eaten turkey tacos but he
really liked them and would like
them again!
Once finished, the kids had
some play time and the adults
learned about portion sizes as
Sr. Phyllis touched on obesity and
diabetes. Last week, the group
learned about kitchen safety.
Single mother Waikysha said she
could not believe what a nice night
it was to sit down and actually
have conversations about their day.
Through the small lessons of
table manners, kids learn to share
and think of others. By just saying
“please” and “thank you,” we are
recognizing the humanity of our
brothers and sisters.
Housed in the Canticle Café
(St. Francis Seraph Parish Hall),
the Family Dinner Program can
only serve four to five families
each six-week cycle.
“It’s a challenge to
do everything in one
room” according to
Sr. Mary. “When the
weather is good, we
can take the children
outside after dinner.
That gives us some time
to talk with the parents
about nutrition, meal
planning, and the other
topics that are important for bringing what
they learn here home.”
The hope is that
families will be able
to prepare tasty
nutritious food,
join the diversity of
A happy diner!
people who cook and share recipes,
benefit from the wisdom of elders
and make mealtimes a special time
for their families.
For more information, contact
Sr. Mary Jennings, C.D.P., Canticle
Café Director, c/o St. Francis
Seraph Ministries at 513 549-0542
or mjennings@sfsministries.org.
Table setting items include a diagram on
how to place dishes and silverware.
Families enjoing dinner together.
Patron of Tuesdays
W
hy is Tuesday designated as St. Anthony’s
day? It was on Tuesday, June 13, 1231, the
day of the transfer of St. Anthony’s body
to Padua and burial in the chapel of Our Lady,
that innumerable miracles were wrought at his
tomb, as though God Almighty wanted to open the
floodgates of His graces. All the sick who gathered
and implored his intercession, were healed and
made whole. At once, the people of Padua began to
dedicate Tuesday to St. Anthony, and this practice
quickly spread throughout the Catholic world.
by Joanne M. Queenan
St. Anthony, by lending his ear to countless petitions,
has shown his pleasure in this devotion and
Br. Giovanni (Gio) Reid, O.F.M.
the
Holy
Father has given full approbation to it.
has served the homeless and poor for the
Many
loyal
devotees make a Novena petitionlast 14 years as the Executive Director of
ing
a
request,
and
after receiving the favor, another
the expansive Shreveport, Louisiana
Novena
in
thanksgiving.
Some perform a special
Christian Service Program.
act
of
penance
or
charity
on Tuesday.
A Golden Jubilarian, Br. Giovanni is from
According
to
legend,
there
was a noble and pious
St. Bernard, a suburb of Cincinnati, OH. He was one
couple
who
lived
in
Bologna
about
the year 1617
of 11 children. Br. Gio decided in middle school that
who
were
childless.
One
day,
the
lonely
and disaphe wanted to spend his life serving God. With his
pointed
wife
took
her
troubles
to
St.
Anthony
and
mother’s guidance he turned to the life of
asked
him
to
intercede
for
her
with
God.
Later,
St. Francis and found someone to emulate.
St. Anthony appeared to her in her sleep and told
At the Christian Service Program, the Hospitality
her to visit his picture in the Franciscan Church
House soup kitchen meets the needs of basic human
for nine straight Tuesdays and to receive the sacrahunger. The Transitional Living program provides
ments, after which time her prayers would be heard.
separate housing for 15 men and 15 women. People
The woman did this, and, in due time, bore a child.
who reside there may be struggling with addictions,
But the child was badly deformed — a further test
recently released from prison or a hospital, or dealof the parents’ faith. The sorrowing mother took
ing with mental illness. Clients can stay there up to
her baby to
three years while working on the impediments to
St. Anthony’s
their independence. Each has a case manager. Br.
alter and
Dan Barrett, O.F.M. and Br. Andrew Stettler, O.F.M.
begged him
oversee the day-to-day operations.
to complete
The work is challenging. The complex needs of
her happithis population require tenacity and tenderness.
ness by curing
Br. Gio is fortunately blessed with both.
her child.
When he finishes his day, Br. Gio takes comfort
Touching the
in some of the more exciting things his team has
baby to the
accomplished. There are 12 staff and six volunteers
alter stone,
to keep the projects moving. Revving up a telethon
all trace of
in the town of 218,000 for the benefit of the soup
the deformity
kitchen and other programs is a yearly event. The
immediately
cable-TV fundraising effort gleaned $83,000 last
disappeared.
year. “We have honorable donors who keep their
These favors
promises to donate to our project, it’s always been
and
countless
like that,” he noted. These funds help support all
others
like
four of the programs including the Clothing Store
them
account
where there is no charge and people can choose
for the crowds
items they like. The Learning Center prepares people
who faithfor job searching and work. This continuum of serfully attend
vices helps clients flow through the system, building
the Tuesday
skills and confidence to the point when they are
St. Anthony
ready to leave the protective shelter of the Christian
Novena at our
Service Program.
Shrine and
When given the chance, Br. Giovanni tries to
every
steal away to his wood working tools and “build
Franciscan
something.” If he can’t make something new,
Church.
“fixing something” will suffice.
The Novena at the National Shrine of St. Anthony
5
By Colleen Cushard
In July 2008, my friend Paul from St. Anthony Messenger and I were privileged to be
recipients of a grant to go on a pilgrimage to Assisi to learn about the life of St. Francis.
I met Paul at the airport. Our check-in went smoothly and we proceeded to the gate. So far, so good.
After a few plane changes and what seemed like forever, we were finally in Rome. When we went to
retrieve our luggage, mine rolled off but we waited and waited for Paul’s. No luggage. It was lost. He was
told that they would have to bring it to him once they located it.
Not the best news, but it was not going to ruin our trip. We met up with the rest of the pilgrims and
took the chartered bus to Assisi. A day goes by and Paul checks with the airlines to see if they have located
his luggage. The response from the airline was no. That continues daily. Lucky for Paul, there were some
great people on the pilgrimage that gave him a few shirts and some personal items to get by. He washed his
clothes daily.
On the day we were to return to Cincinnati, Paul still had no luggage. Our flight home had a layover in
Chicago. Paul got a call that they found his luggage.
Paul said “I don’t get it. Where in the heck has that luggage been? You did not do anything different
than I did.” Oh, but I did, I told Paul. I had my St. Anthony luggage tag attached to my
bag and said a little prayer to St. Anthony before I turned it over to the airlines.
I gave Paul a luggage tag when we got back. He now faithfully secures
his St. Anthony luggage tag and says a little prayer before each trip.
No problems since. Coincidence, I think not! Thank you
St. Anthony.
Monthly Giving
Consider joining the group of people already committed to
monthly giving by having your gift automatically charged to your credit
card every month. For more information or to sign up, call 513-721-4700,
visit www.stanthony.org or fill out the form below. Send the form to:
Friar Works, 1615 Vine Street, Ste 1, Cincinnati, OH 45202-6492
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Vision Statement
The friars of St. John the
Baptist Province are members
of the Order of Friars Minor, a
Franciscan brotherhood founded
in the 13th century by St. Francis
of Assisi. We serve the People of
God as Catholic brothers and
priests, devoting our lives to the
search for God in a communal
life of poverty, prayer, and
service to others.
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The Franciscan Friars,
Province of St. John the Baptist
1615 Vine Street, Ste 1
Cincinnati, OH 45202-6492
513 721-4700
friarworks@franciscan.org
www.franciscan.org
www.stanthony.org