Secular Orders active in the Archdiocese of Anchorage

The Secular Franciscans

The Secular Franciscan Order (formerly called the Third Order of St. Francis) is the lay people's branch of the world-wide Franciscan Family.

The Secular Franciscan Order follows the Rule of St. Francis and their twofold task is: to tell the world about salvation by God and to help make a person's faith, hope and love grow stronger and deeper.

The local 3rd Order Franciscans, about 19 members, meet the 2nd Saturday of each month, 10:30 AM to about 12:30 - 1 PM at St. Andrew's in Eagle River. Their meetings generally end with an optional potluck. They have members from South Anchorage to up in the Mat-Su Valley. The Formation Program is about 2 years long, and generally meets for an hour before the regular monthly meeting.

The current Formation Director is Jackie Palmer, member of St. Michael Parish, Palmer. Jackie can be contacted by phone at 907 745-3168 or gjplmr@mtaonline.net.

The current Sister Minister (Superior) of the Community is Jackie Palmer SFO, member of St. Michaels Parish, Palmer. Jackie can be contacted by phone at 745-3168 or email: giplmr@mtaonline.net

The current Spiritual Advisor for the Franciscan Community is Cathy Adler, SFO
home phone 745-0273, Cell phone 775-0845 and email: adlers@gci.net

Secular Order Discalced Carmelites

The local community of Secular Order Discalced Carmelites was founded July 16, 2003 and blessed by Rev. Patrick Sugrue, OCD, Provincial Delegate for the Secular Order. The local community has 3 professed members and one postulant The Order members meet the 3rd Monday of the month at St. Patrick's Church, 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm. at the John Paul II Spirituality Center which is the stand alone building at the north entrance to St. Patrick's premises.

The daily duties of a Secular Carmelite include on half-hour of meditation or solitary prayer daily, recitation of some of the Hours from the Divine Office, observance of some of the obligations of the Carmelite feasts and attendance at daily Mass as often as possible. Secular Carmelites ordinarily belong to a group formed on the local level. For these established groups there are monthly meetings.

The local group’s patron is OUR LADY OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN and is part of the USA Western Arizona -California Province. The provincial delegate in San Jose, California for the Western Province is Father Patrick Sugrue, OCD whose email address is frpsugrue@familink.net

The local group president and formation director is Phyllis Shepherd whose email address is juris83@yahoo.com For more information contact Phyllis.