Friar Supplier Barbecue

The young, dynamically orthodox, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and their co-order the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, are one of the reasons I am so hopeful about the future of the Catholic Church. I am fortunate to belong to a large organization of laymen who contribute to their food supply as well as their missions in Haiti, and Honduras. We have an annual barbecue at the home of Joan and Charlie Moran, a lovely couple who run the Suppliers. The volleyball, sharing and music are topped off by participation in evening prayer with the Friars. The peace that pervaded the formerly boisterous crowd of 435 was edifying, and gave us a taste of the beauty of their prayer life.

I was thrilled to meet friends, both new and old. Mayra and Regina, in matching striped outfits, spent some time getting to know us, and will be sharing their amazing story in my book on Catholic mothers. Sr. Mairead has a special relationship with Christina. Sister has just come back from a long trip to the new house they have established in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On her return trip, she was interviewed by Fr. Francis Mary on Life on the Rock. She said, "I was very nervous, Fr. Francis didn't tell us what he was going to ask us!" I saw the show, and Sister Mairead did wonderfully, the joy in her face says it all.

Go to Causa Nostrae Laetitiae to read about my conversation with Fr. Andrew Apostoli.