The Secular Franciscan Home Page: http://secularfranciscans.org The Important "IF"s of Being a Franciscan

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The Important "IF"s of Being a Franciscan

(Article taken from Franciscan Communications Newsletter: Sacred Heart Fraternity, Eureka, MO by Fr. Val Schott OFM)

If you attend the monthly fraternity meetings...be on time.
If you're a professed member...wear your Tau Cross.
If you enjoy the refreshments...help clean up afterward.
If it is your turn to bring food... bring it or ask someone else to take your turn.
If you have room in your car...pick up another member.
If you have a "Liturgy of the Hours" book...pray it daily (or pray any of the other liturgical prayers approved by the Franciscan Order.
If someone looks sad, neglected or lonely...give him or her some attention.
If a member has done something special...show your appreciation.
If you hand in your alms envelope...let part of it represent your last month's sacrifices.
If you take out a book from your fraternity library...bring it back the next month.
If you are not sure of the contents of the Rule or Constitutions...study them. These are your guidelines to be a Franciscan.
If volunteers are needed...volunteer. A successful fraternity's one in which all members work and cooperate according to their abilities.
If you disagree with some suggestions...charitably express your own opinion, hold no grudge and accept the decision of the majority.