SKDR Youth News

WHAT IS FRANCISCAN YOUTH?

(Youth - Ages 14 to 17~Young Adults Ages 18 to 26)
The Franciscan Youth/Young Adults (FYYA) are young people who feel called by the Holy Spirit to deepen their own vocation to share the experience of the Christian life in fraternity in the light of the message of St. Francis of Assisi, deepening their own vocation within the context of the Secular Franciscan Order.

The FYYA has a specific organization, period of formation and teaching methods adequate for the
needs of the world of youth according to the existing realities in the various countries.

VOCATIONAL JOURNEY INFORMATION

The FYYA deepen their personal vocation in the light of the message of Saint Francis by an itinerary of progressive formation. The whole itinerary will be focusing on vocational discernment. This vocational journey will normally consist of the following periods:

(1) Initiation - This is a period of seeking, of making contact, of approaching, of welcome, which ends with the decision to begin the period of formation for the pledge in the FYYA. The length of this period depends on the personal situation of each candidate and on the FYYA fraternity, usually between three to six months. The age may vary, but the minimum age to enter the Franciscan Youth is 14, and the minimum age to enter the Franciscan Young Adults is 18. (The Celebration of Initiation is celebrated prior to the beginning of the next period of formation.

(2) Formation for the promise in the FYYA - This is a period of formation and full integration of the candidates into the life of the fraternity. At the end of this period, they confirm this option with a personal promise before God and in the presence of the brothers and sisters, most appropriately during a Eucharistic Celebration. The minimum length of this period is one year. It belongs to the local Council of the FYYA to admit the candidates to the pledge. (The Pledge, also known as the "Feast of Yes" is celebrated at the conclusion of this formation.)

(3) Deepening one's vocation - This is a period of verification of the vocation, in which the young person grasps and deepens the values composing Franciscan spirituality and its mission in the Church and in society. This period comes to a conclusion at the age of 26.

(4) Passing over to the SFO - The members of the FYYA who wish to make profession in the SFO shall satisfy the requirements of the Rule, the Constitutions and the Ritual of the SFO (Const. 96, 4). The vocational journey of the FYYA may lead to the SFO.

Saint Katherine Drexel Region is dedicated to the nurturing of our youth. We try and foster the spirit and charism of St. Francis by leading the youth in works of charity, environmental awareness, love of neighbor and self, and evangelization by means of example. Franciscan Youth are called to be messengers of St. Francis, carrying within them the peace and joy of Christ. They are the best kept secret of the Church.

This is a video of Franciscan Youth in action.

MISSION STATEMENT
of the Youth/Young Adult Commission of the
Secular Franciscan Order of the U.S.A.

The mission of the Franciscan Youth/Young Adult Commission of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States of America is to bring the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the youth of America. Inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi and guided by the General Constitutions of the SFO (articles 96, 97) and reminded by the Rule of the SFO, article 24, “To foster community among members, the council should organize regular and frequent meetings of the community as well as meeting with other Franciscan groups, especially youth groups; the Commission is called to inspire, motivate and assist the fostering and development of Young Franciscan groups at the Regional and Local Fraternity Levels, and to share the Franciscan charism with all youths whom we encounter.

Sacred Scripture speaks to the spirit of young people:

"The word of the Lord came to me thus: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.' 'Ah, Lord God!' I said, 'I know not how to speak; I am too young.' But the Lord answered me, 'Say not, 'I am too young.' To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. Then the Lord extended his hand and touched my mouth, saying, 'See, I place my words in your mouth!' (Jeremiah 1:4-9)

And St. Paul writes to young Timothy:

'Let not anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.' (1 Timothy 4:12).

GOALS

Goal 1: To motivate and encourage Regional and Local Fraternities to be mindful of the importance of youth in the Franciscan family.

Goal 2: To introduce the Catholic Youth of America, and other interested young people, to St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

Goal 3: To show the connection between the Gospel of Jesus and the life of St. Francis in the reality of everyday living.

Goal 4: To provide the necessary resources to assist the fraternities in the formation of youth groups, and to foster sensitivity toward cultural and geographical differences.

Goal 5: To be the connecting link between the National Executive Council and the Franciscan Youth within the United States and worldwide.

Approved March 18, 2004

Hello Brothers and Sisters in Sts. Francis and Clare,

I want to share with you an awesome opportunity for penance, Charity, and support of our Franciscan Youth this Lent - it's called the H2O Project. It's a Franciscan Youth fundraiser to help create clean water for youth and their families.

THE PROBLEM: Women and children in countries like Tanzania and Honduras have to walk 2 hours each way to fetch water that is unclean back to their families. Because of this they have no time or energy left for education or small business, and many of them DIE. The water is contaminated and it causes 1 child to die every 15 seconds. That's 8.000 a day … and that is just the children.

THE SOLUTION: Make a commitment to take the H2O Project challenge for 2 weeks. We ask your Fraternity members to sacrifice during Lent and for these 2 weeks to only drink water. All the money that you would have spent on drinks such as coffee, soda, juice, etc., will go towards drilling deep wells for clean water. This year, the H2O Project donations will be aiding the Sister Water Project of the Franciscan Sisters of Dubuque Iowa, who are actively working on water projects in Tanzania and Honduras.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Place in a jar all of your sacrifices and give it to the Treasurer of your Fraternity, who can write a check to NAFRA (on the “Memo” portion of the check, please note the name of your Fraternity (if it isn’t already on the face of your check) and St. Katharine Drexel Region). All checks should be mailed to our National Youth Commission Chair at the following address:

Kathy Taormina,SFO
920 Whitney Drive
Apple Valley, MN 55124

Just think - your Fraternity can help in the process of saving lives and creating clean water for our sisters and brothers in need by digging deep wells near their homes. If you decide to accept this challenge please email Kathy at kltsfo@frontiernet.net, with a copy to me, GRAHAVEN4@aol.com, to let us know you’ve accepted the challenge. When you e-mail Kathy, please provide her with the name of your Fraternity and our Region.

You can receive more information at www.franciscanyouth.usa.com; click onto H2O 2008, where you will find a link to www.theh2oproject.o2008rg/video windowsmedia.html, a 5.5 minute impact video which is sure to motivate and challenge you and the members of your Fraternity to participate.

This is also an incredible opportunity to share your Secular Franciscan vocation by inviting the members of your parish community, the Principals of the catholic schools in your area, and your parish CCD programs to participate. I thank you all in advance for sharing this opportunity with your Fraternities and I look forward to spreading the Gospel in Charity with each of you by this wonderful challenge and support of our Youth.

Although it’s a sacrifice to give up milk, coffee, soda, juice, and other beverages for 2 weeks, just remember that your sacrifice will be contributing toward changing someone’s life forever. Take the challenge start fasting...start saving....and save the children!

I look forward to visiting your Fraternities, meeting each of you, and speaking to you on behalf of our Franciscan Youth.

If anyone has any question or would like to request a visit please contact me at GRAYHAVENS4 @aol.com.

Pax et Bonum,
Dawn Rusinko SFO
(Regional Youth Commission Chair)

For further information on Franciscan Youth you can contact me, Dawn Rusinko, SFO, at Grayhavens4@aol.com. You can also check out our National website at Franciscanyouthusa.com.