Fraternity Gatherings & Celebrations
Fourth Sunday of each month (except June and December) at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 11401 Leesville Rd., Raleigh, NC 27613, and via Zoom.
2026 meetings are: February 22, March 22, April 26, May 24, (no meeting in June because of profession ceremony), July 26, August 23, September 27, October 25, and November 22.
St. Michael’s Lent
Please join us for St. Michael’s Lent. A mini-Lent that St. Francis observed. Practice fasting/sacrifice and prayer to grow closer to God. Our first meeting will be on August 16th, Sunday at 7:00 PM. See link below.
We will use the following format for our time together.
1. Prayer to St. Michael
2. Read short Scripture or Writing of St. Francis – Discuss. If you have the Ritual of the Secular Franciscan Order book, 2024 version, please have it with you for the Zoom meetings.
3. Share/Discuss how each of us is practicing St. Michael’s Lent – fasting, sacrifice, prayer, almsgiving?
4. Closing prayer – State intentions. Chaplet of St Michael or other prayer.
Mercedes Cooley is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: St Michael’s Lent. We will meet on the following 4 Sundays
Time: 7 p.m.
Dates: Aug. 16, Aug. 30, Sept. 6, and Sept. 20.
We will not meet on August 23 – Padre Pio Gathering Sunday, Sept. 13, ARG meeting, and Sept 27 – Padre Pio GatheringJoin Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81407480897?pwd=VJp1NdAwmaonXvk2LEdtrRbgVnngFb.1
Traveling Mass Group, Sunday Aug. 16
In August, the fraternity will begin monthly pilgrimages to Sunday Mass at churches in our area. The first one will be at 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Aug. 16, at St. Raphael the Archangel Church, 5801 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609. Anne Evangelista is the organizer.
Special Franciscan Exhibit, Aug. 26-Feb. 7
The Walters Museum in Baltimore, MD, houses the Book of Gospels that St. Francis and two of his followers (Bernard of Quintavalle and Peter of Catania) consulted three times in succession when determining God’s plan for the Order. It is not usually on display.
The Walters Museum (https://thewalters.org/exhibitions/st-francis-2026/) will offer a Special Franciscan Exhibit, including a public display of this Missal, from August 26, 2026 through February 7, 2027, in honor of the Jubilee Year of St. Francis.
Fall Picnic Saturday, Sept. 5
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, Buehler Shelter, Bond Park, Cary. Bring a dish to share.
Transitus, Saturday, Oct. 3
St. Francis of Assisi Church will host the annual Transitus at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. This will be a special commemoration of the 800th anniversary of Francis’s death. Stay tuned for how you can help.
Beyond Formation | Fraternity Community Service
Oak City Cares | Fourth Saturdays
3 p.m. – 5 p.m., 1430 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC 27601
Donations of food, time, and fellowship with the men and women who are served through Oak City Cares. The fraternity typically provides support by preparing (at home), bringing it to the center and serving a hot meal, along with tea and water, fruit and other food, as needed.
Brown Bag Ministry
The next Brown Bag Ministry will be August 15th! Sign up to donate money, food, or come and enjoy an hour or two making bag lunches and delivering them to our neighbors at the Durham senior living apartments: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A44AFA92F4-64561278-july#/
This is a great opportunity for everyone, especially those who may not be able to participate at Oak City Cares. We have five slots for $15 donations for sandwiches, 10 slots to donate specific food, and we need 4 volunteers on the morning of Aug 15th at St Francis to assemble and then drive to Durham and deliver the lunches. It is fun and rewarding
Padre Pio Fraternity 