From Brother Craig

Greetings to my fellow the People of God in the Archdiocese of Anchorage,

World Day for Consecrated Life was celebrated this year 2007 on the weekend of February 3rd & 4th. It is a day to thank God for the manifold service provided by those in consecrated life. Further, it is a day to learn more about the vocation of consecrated life in the Church. In addition, it is a day to pray for vocations to the consecrated life. And finally, it is a day to consider ways of encouraging men and women to be open to the call from God to the consecrated life.

At this time in the Archdiocese, I know of two major forms of the consecrated life who provided service. The first form is generally well known by their public vows and the title of "Sister" in the Orders or Congregations of Women Religious, and the titles of "Father" and "Brother" in the Orders or Congregations of Men Religious. The second form of consecrated life which is less well known probably due to the private nature of their vows are now known as Secular Orders, formerly Third Orders. I know of two currently active Secular Orders in our Archdiocese the Secular Franciscan Order and the Secular Order Discalced Carmelites. Attached and below is the current information I have from their local leaders.

Thank you for all you do to encourage and support consecrated life in our Archdiocese.

Your brother in Christ,

Bro. Craig Bonham, OMI
Vocation Office: 907-297-7774

Secular Orders active in the Archdiocese of Anchorage as of January 2007

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 Ilo Shields, member of St. Michael Parish, Palmer. Ilo can be contacted by phone at (907) 746-5324 or by e-mail at: bobnilo@mtaonline.net

The current Sister Minister (Superior) of the Community is Karen Widmer, member of Sacred Heart Parish, Wasilla. Karen can be contacted by phone at (907) 373-7390.

The current Spiritual Advisor for the Franciscan Community is Sr. Camilla Menting, SSSF, home phone: 694-8087, work phone: 694-2170, and e-mail: cmenting@matoline.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.