Building a More Fraternal and Evangelical World...One Cookie at a Time

Don Watkins, OFS, describes how the Secular Franciscans of the St. Irenaeus Fraternity sent a powerful message about gun violence.

What does it mean to build a more fraternal and evangelical world? How do Secular Franciscans respond to everyday problems and situations that arise in our lives? 

John and Anita Dutcher are both professed Secular Franciscans of the St. Irenaeus Fraternity in West Clarksville, N.Y. At a recent fraternity gathering they shared how deeply they had been affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy a year ago, especially because they had lost a close relative to a gun death. At the time the two of them were making gingerbread cookies. When former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, also a victim of gun violence, asked everyone to “do something,” they decided to share the cookies, decorated as children either killed or affected by the violence, with their legislators along with a message calling for responsible handling of guns and gun safety.

On Feb. 16, at Mt. Irenaeus, after Mass and brunch, Secular Franciscans gathered to make cookies and decorate them for this purpose.

Cookies provide the perfect metaphor for articulating a pro-life issue as sensitive as gun violence has become in our society. These boy and girl cookies represent the many children who have been exposed to misuse of firearms, those whose lives were lost and those who were able to survive.            

The boys and girls with the black sashes represent those children who have survived. They grieve for their friends who will never again play or open their eyes. The little girl is trimmed in green for life, hope and joy. The boys and girls with closed eyes are trimmed in red, white and blue. Their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness has been denied. They are now with God.

Boxes of six such cookies are mailed to federal and state officials reminding them of their responsibility for action concerning the sale of weapons. Cookies have traveled as far as Denver, Colo., California, Florida and New York City. 

Decorating the cookies turned out to be a community event as students from nearby Houghton College, St. Bonaventure University, and visitors to Mt. Irenaeus all participated in the decoration and packaging of the cookies. 

Each gingerbread cookie, after trimming, is zipped into a clear plastic bag with a note tucked into the reverse side, encouraging owners to abide by their responsibility to keep their weapons locked away, with ammunition locked away elsewhere. In addition, to make sure that only healthy and stable people are given access to those weapons. A serious right-to-life issue was brought to light, lives were changed and conversion took place around this powerful issue in a way that invited everyone to think of how they could help families and children.

More information about how you can share this ministry can be obtained by contacting John and Anita by email at AnitaDutcher@earthlink.net or by writing a letter to Mt. Irenaeus, PO Box 100, West Clarksville, New York 14786.

Reading the Book of Creation Overnight

 Br. Kevin Kriso, ofm, reflects on a recent overnight focused on creation.

A blanket of snow from a late winter storm beautifully magnified the light of a full moon a few weeks ago at a new Mountain overnight for St. Bonaventure University students. The overnight was based on St. Bonaventure of Bornareggio's important book, "The Soul's Journey into God."

In this book Bonaventure writes that God speaks to us through two books - the Book of Holy Scripture and the Book of Creation. When we spend time out of doors considering God's beautiful, rich and busy universe - the Book of Creation - we can understand so much about God, its Creator.

We Christians believe that God is a community of persons - a Trinity - and that the love that is generated through the Trinity is what brings all of us and everything into being.

Surely you have seen a beautiful sunset or rainbow or flower or fresh snowfall or even the birth of a child and just stood back and said, "Wow!" That is God speaking to us through the book of Creation. The only appropriate response to the "Wow" is to then be moved to love and to care - for all of our brothers and sisters human, animal, plant, mineral.

God loves all that God made.

One of our ways to love God is to love God's creation. Our students came away from the overnight with plans to take care of our earthly home and to take more time to just say to God, "Wow" and "Thank you."

Learning is Eternal

Br. Kevin Kriso, ofm, reflects on a recent evening hosting local high school seniors at the Mountain.

In mid-January, Mt. Irenaeus hosted an overnight for the senior class of Archbishop Walsh Academy in Olean. It may come as a surprise to many that the Mountain has a ministry beyond St. Bonaventure University or even that the Mountain is a separate entity from the university. While it is true that a large portion of our interactions are connected to Bona's, we also have a vibrant ministry in collaboration with churches in the area and beyond. Indeed, from our earliest days, we hoped the Mountain would be a spiritual resource for local churches.

The Archbishop Walsh students are a wonderful, thoughtful group of people striving like the rest of us to find their places in the world. Our time with them reminded me not to fall into a way of thinking that older people can sometimes have about younger people. If we are not careful, we older people can think that younger people are not as "finished" as we are; that younger people somehow need to grow more or learn more before we can take them seriously. 

However, the reality is everyone, including ourselves, are who we are supposed to be at this moment. So many people live for the then instead of enjoying the now. We believe a false notion that there is a far off, magical "someday" when we will be all finished, will have no more growing pains and will have arrived. 

But something more exciting is true. There is always more to learn. Even the oldest of us can still be students. Indeed the people whom I know who are perpetually young are the ones who keep learning and stay open to excitement.

Hopefully the Archbishop Walsh students will always remain students, even as they finish school, find jobs, raise children and pay bills. Life is exciting and forever new.

The Mountain Meets the Bronx on Feb. 12

Directions to Rose Hill campus

Christmas Eve at the Mountain

Erica Fleischman Roethel offers a glance into her family's tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve at the Mountain

It is with sweet anticipation each December 24 that my family and I prepare for our favorite trip of the year to the Mountain.    

Recalling Christmas Eve 2012, I can still remember how my senses were awakened that night beginning with the drive from home to West Clarksville. It began with the abundant snowfall that made our drive to the Mountain unique that night.   Making the turn off County Route 1, the snow-packed roads led us on our way with a quiet stillness as we drove along what is usually a ride full of sounds of the car bumping over rocks and potholes. The packed snow created a soft, almost gliding effect.  In the twilight I noticed the snowy powder that hung like frosting on the evergreen trees taking my breath away.

As we made our way past the House of Peace with its welcome glow, we made the final climb to Holy Peace Chapel, where the warmth of light drew us in. As we entered into this place that has become so dear to me over the years, this place where all are welcome, we were greeted by the lovely sight and fragrance of fresh-cut evergreen boughs laid lovingly throughout the chapel.  A sea of friendly faces, including our beloved Mountain friars, basked in candlelight seated in peaceful merriment before us. 

A feeling of coming home is present … this place, this Mountain that so many refer to as “like-home.”  We found our seats and settled in for a treat. Each of us making the trek that night, including my friend Mary, her son Ryan and her parents, were right where we were meant to be.  

Christmas Eve at the Mountain has become one of my favorite family traditions. Recalling the many familiar faces that share in this tradition, I’m reminded that we are all one family.   As we gather this Christmas season at the Mountain, in the Valley and beyond, may the peace, joy and good news of Christmas be with each of you!