Bulletin

Christmas and Redemption

– Fr. Barry Brunsman ofm

Each time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are reminded that our salvation is through the life, death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus came and became one of us to save us.  But that’s usually not enough for many of us left-brained, Western influenced people.  We want to know “when” we were saved -- we want the exact moment!!!

By the eleventh century, our western theology placed “that moment” at the crucifixion when Jesus died on the cross.  But other strains of the tradition put it at the Annunciation, The Birth of Jesus, His presentation in the Temple (“I must be about my father’s business…), at the Baptism by John when the heavens opened, in the Garden of Olives when he accepted the will of his Father, the Resurrection or the Ascension.

Our Franciscan Tradition, principally from John Duns Scotus, looks at things a little differently.  With Scotus, we believe that when God created human beings, it was such an awesome creation that God chose to share in that humanity.  At that moment when Mary accepted God’s offer, the Divine touched humanity and all humanity was redeemed.

So thoroughly is the Divine intertwined with all humanity that Jesus can say “Whatever you do to the least, you do unto Me.”  Karl Rahner and other theologians have also commented on the inseparability of the Divine and the human because of the Christ event in our history.

So when you think of Christmas, and the Annunciation, be reminded that you are celebrating the fact that God so loved the beauty of creation that God chose to share in that creation.  Incarnation is the miracle of all miracles and the cause of our Christian Joy and Salvation.  Alleluia!

The Rebuilding Has Begun!!!

Has anyone ever asked you: “Do you want the Good News or the Bad News first?”  Well, this is one of those situations – and I’ll start with the Good!

The Definitorium (our Board of Directors), following the request of our Advisory Committee, has authorized us to move ahead into rebuilding the St. Francis Center.  We have gathered sufficient funding to do the immediate site preparation, lay the pad and construct the shell of the center.  By the time you read this the work will be well underway, and weather permitting, concrete may be pumping soon!

So what’s the Bad News?  We still need to raise additional funding to complete the inside of the building and satisfy all the needs to occupy the structure – about $2 Million.  (See the article on the back cover of this issue.)  We do believe that the funding will be there and are working with Fundraising counsel to achieve that end.

In many ways this reminds me of some of the tension in the Gospels about using our talents wisely or foolishly.  We have the story of the master who gave individuals 10, 5 and 1 talent and tells of what happens when individuals used their talents properly.  There is also the parable of the Lilies of the Field and God’s unending providence.  But balance those with the parable of man about to build a tower, but had insufficient funds to complete the project; he was judged foolish.  It’s at this juncture, I think: “Yes, Lord, I believe; please help my unbelief!”

That belief is buoyed by the fact that since September an additional $250,000 has been raised – and this is before the major solicitation efforts of our Advisory Board and Administration!  So even in this uncertain economy, there are those with the means and the belief in the needs we face.

It’s time to move beyond the temporary measures which have carried us through two years of recovery and put in place space appropriate to the ministry that thrives here at St. Francis Retreat!!!  It’s time to steadily move ahead – and we will with your help….

Meeting Multiple Challenges

Challenge #1:  As Father Barry noted, Construction Has Finally Begun!  We have gathered sufficient funding to do the site preparation and build the shell of the St. Francis Center.  But we face a significant challenge still.

The building budget breaks out the costs this way:

            Site and Exterior Costs             $4,562,145

            Interior Costs                                         1,853,712

            Total Project Budget                               6,415,857

We have engaged the services of Netzel Asso

ciates, Inc. to see us through this next phase of our fundraising and to help us establish an ongoing development office to see to our long-term needs.  Our hope is that we will have the commitments in time to seamlessly move into completion of the interior in May, 2009 (the anticipated completion date for the shell.) 

For the May

date to happen, XL Construction needs to know that we have the cash and pledges by February.  (I’m learning a lot about construction flow

Bottom line:  We need your tax deductible gifts and pledges of support now so that we can complete what we have begun and open the doors by the Feast of St. Francis in October, 2009.  Various gifting options including 3 to 5 year pledges and stock transfers are available and we will gladly work out the details to your advantage. 

Challenge 2:  Our annual Christmas Appeal had been used in the past to help keep prices down and also tend to some of the capital projects so necessary given the age of our facilities.  Over the past few years we have directed those funds toward the new building while still attempting to meet all of those other needs.  The exterior of most of our buildings have been repainted recently and we have added a beautiful patio in front of the fireside lounge. 

We still have bathrooms to upgrade, guest rooms to paint and 101 other items on the “to do” list. So this year we are asking how you would like us to apply your contribution – simply check the appropriate box on the reply envelope.  And thank you so much for supporting the ministry here at St. Francis Retreat.

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO BRING YOUR GROUP FOR TRAINING, PLANNING, TEAM BUILDING, OR JUST TAKING TIME OUT FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION?

MANY LOCAL CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN COMING TO ST. FRANCIS FOR YEARS. THEY HAVE DISCOVERED THE VALUE OF BEING OFF-SITE FOR THEIR CONFERENCES AND RETURN TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WE INVITE YOU TO CONSIDER USING WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER TO YOUR ADVANTAGE .

*CONFERENCE ROOM(S) ARE AVAILABLE FOR 5—150 PEOPLE

*OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS: 135 BEDS, MOSTLY SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS WITH BATH

*MEALS

*TV/VCR, OVERHEAD PROJECTOR(S), FLIP CHARTS ARE ALSO AVILABLE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE RETREAT COORDINATOR

Peace, Joy and Happiness to you!

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