Formation Program

St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity
Formation Program

Beginning in June, interested individuals are interviewed by the Director of Formation. All of the appropriate documents are gathered. As part of the discernment process, each individual is invited to attend our summer gatherings and regular fraternity meetings or participate in one way or another in our Apostolic life such as the Flea Market or Special Ladies projects.

Classes begin in September and meet each month on the day of our general fraternity meeting. Classes are held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The formation classes then attend the 11:15 a.m. Liturgy with the rest of the Fraternity and participate in our fraternity meetings which include a Social, Business Meeting, Ongoing Formation, and Spiritual Life.

To help our new Inquirers become familiar with our Fraternity, a Formation Class Social is held in September. Each Inquirer, their Sponsor, Class Facilitators, and Council members are encouraged to attend.

Each individual in formation is assigned a professed member as a sponsor who walks through the formation process with the Inquirer or Candidate for the entire formation period. The individual in formation and their sponsor meet at least once each month. If a sponsor is unable to meet with their Inquirer or Candidate for any reason, a member of the Council will meet with that individual.

There are two facilitators for each level of classes.

Each class has their own Day of Recollection before moving up to the next level.

We welcome new Inquires during a Ceremony of Introduction and Welcoming at our general Fraternity meeting. At the Rite of Admission the Inquire expresses the desire to enter the Secular Franciscan Order before the whole community. Profession, or permanent commitment to the Gospel Life, is celebrated at Liturgy after completing 27 months of formation.

“Catch Me a Rainbow Too” is used for formation. Each individual is also encouraged to read other Franciscan books from our library or other documents of the SFO.

We join the First and Third Order Regular in renewing our commitment on April 16th each year.

St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity, Brant Beach, NJ

The Secular Franciscan Order, or SFO, is an Order of Catholic men and women who, attracted to the person and charism of Saint Francis, recognize that they are called by God, the Holy Spirit, to profess the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order, and so to "follow Christ in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi" (Rule, Article 1).

The Saint Francis of Assisi Fraternity
4700 Long Beach Boulevard
Long Beach Township, New Jersey 08008-3926
usually meets the 1st Sunday of each month in the church hall
We gather for 11:15 a.m. mass followed by
Social, Business Meeting, On-Going Formation and Spiritual Life

We invite you to meet us and discern whether you are called by the Spirit of God

Minister
Maryann Barrek, SFO
marjimoflbi@aol.com

Vice Minister
MaryPat Berndt, SFO

Mommaberndt@comcast.net

Secretary
Margaret (Mickey) Kolbe, SFO
Pooric@msn.com

Treasurer
Ronald Faillace, SFO
Ronaldfaillace@hotmail.com

Formation Director
Barbara Horwath, SFO
Bhorwath243@comcast.net

Spiritual Assistant
Fr. Stephen Kluge, OFM
skluge@stfrancislbi.org

Councilor-At-Large
Phyllis Walker, SFO
PW712@aim.com

Councilor-At-Large
Sharon DeSipio, SFO

sdesipio@stfrancislbi.org


Saint Francis of Assisi Fraternity
Brant Beach, New Jersey

Mission Statement

In the spirit of St. Francis
we, the Secular Franciscans
of Saint Francis of Assisi Fraternity,
are called to live the Gospel
of Our Lord, Jesus Christ
in the world.

Trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit,
we use our God given talents
to promote reverence
and care for all life.
We also use these same gifts
to promote respect
and care for our environment.

We seek to share with others
our gift of Franciscan hospitality.
Likewise, we share with all people
God’s gift of our earth
and the awareness
of responsible stewardship.

Filled with passion
and the goodness of God,
we move forward.

Welcome

Welcome sisters and brothers to our home on the web.
Peace,
Maryann Barrek/sfo
Minister