Warning: The following article contains repeated references to poetry.
If that didn’t put you off, you’re in for a treat. It comes in the form of a poem that flowed from a brainstorming session of nine friars from St. Clement’s and 17 freshman students from Roger Bacon High School.

This exercise in creativity was fueled by a grant from the Cincinnati-based Mayerson Foundation’s High School Community Service Program. For four years the foundation has funded a number of community projects at Bacon, according to Outreach Coordinator Barb Coyle. Last year with backing from the Mayersons, students created a mosaic of St. Francis in conjunction with kids from St. Francis Seraph School. The 250-pound work, fashioned from colorfully hand-painted tiles, hangs in the front lobby of the school. In previous years, the foundation has inspired the students to compose a song about outreach and create a quilt. It’s part of the Mayersons’ desire to promote community service in ways that inspire participation.

“This year we wanted to do something different,” says Barb, so English teacher Heather Bessler asked her freshmen students to write a piece about themselves. They then decided to “go to the friary to hook them up with friars so they could have time, one on one,” to talk about their backgrounds and collaborate on a writing project. David Crank agreed to coordinate the friars’ involvement, enlisting the participation of Alphonse Hoff, Bruno Kremp, Conrad Rebmann, Howard Hudepohl, Lou Bartko, Norbert Bertram, Paul Wild, Dominic Lococo and Martin Humphreys.

On April 26, a Wednesday, Heather took the kids out of school from 1 p.m. to 2:30 for a trip up the street to St. Clement’s. There they met the friars and local poet Pauletta Hansel, who would coordinate the brainstorming session. What they hoped to produce was a piece of poetry that would span the generations. “We thought this would be a neat way for kids to connect to an older generation who had given their lives to God,” says Barb. And in these days of fewer priests, “It would help the kids see them as someone who was once young and had similar interests—as real people like you and me.”

Initially, students and friars gathered in the rec room to form a circle. Pauletta passed around a “speaking stone” to encourage sharing, “and then she had them take some quiet time to write down everything they wanted.” She asked all of them to talk about their backgrounds—and not just in the context of places. “I am from Popsicles and penny candy, Latin Masses and chapel veils,” was one response that spoke more about origins than any location could. “It was very revealing” and sometimes poignant, Barb says, as when one of the students announced, “I am from a neighborhood of violence.”

Afterwards they paired off, two students to each friar, for face-to-face conversation. “They had 20 minutes to talk to the friar and learn about his life.” The funny thing is, “Going into the friary, the kids were really nervous,” Barb says. As the small group sharing proceeded, “They became relaxed and there was a lot of laughter.” When the session was over, “They didn’t want to stop talking.”

From the conversations and the writing, Pauletta composed the following poem. She later described the process as “a sacred experience for us all.” Listen for the voices of the friars; they come through loud and clear.

I am from the little wooden church where I was an altar boy.
I am from a first generation Italian couple,
so I can have empathy for my Mexican brothers and sisters.
I am a survivor of war and air raids.
I went from nothing to what I could earn.
Great things can come from great struggle.
Some say it can make you weak,
but I say it can make you stronger.
I am my sister’s older brother;
now I am working with old folks and becoming one myself,
living again in St. Bernard.
I wouldn’t change my life or trade it with anyone.
The world is full of miracles for hearts trained to see.

I am from hot summer days, sticky Kool-Aid lips,
from the cool summer nights going outside to catch fireflies,
nights thick with endless laughter and play.
I am from the tennis court that is basically my second home.
I am from sinking that long difficult putt.
I am from waking up in the morning and wanting to go back to sleep.
I am from applying myself so that I can be the best person I can be,
trying my best and working hard.
I am from a soul-loving school that takes care of all people.
I am from a beautiful mind.
I am from something I wouldn’t change if I could.
I am from a loving heart.
I am from an island named “Manhattan.”
I am from Czechoslovakia, Vienna, Rome,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Cincinnati.
I am from the Vatican, Sistine Chapel,
the temple on Race Street.
I am from numbers, blueprints, my journal.
Where I am from God is first, others are second, I am third,
but a short version is God is first and sports are second.
But life adds so many blessings.
I am from the calling of the waterfall
immediately, I come without stall.
I am from a community of Franciscans who support my journey
with Francis of Assisi.
Most of all, I am from the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am from a kind family,
a small family with big hearts.
I am from a large family and even larger get-togethers
from sad funerals but happy weddings
I am from friends as sisters and friends as cousins.
I am from an exotic culture which people don’t really know much about.
I am from a father who is strict, but soft,
from three older brothers who protect me like an army.
I am from the love of my friends.
I am from Roger Bacon where I learned to be the person I am today.
But most of all I am who I am—
I am a child of God.

St. Francis Bookshop is open in its spacious new digs at 8621 Winton Road (Finneytown area of Cincinnati). Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; closed Sundays. The bookshop phone numbers remain the same: 513-241-7304 and 800-241-8392. Watch for new developments on the website, www.stfrancisonline.com.

News from Vocation Director Fr. Don Miller: “In another effort to reach and to stay in touch with the young men who may be interested in joining our province, the Vocation Office has begun a web log (blog) on the Vocation pages on our provincial website. A blog is an electronic ‘journal’ or ‘diary’ which anyone can comment on and react to. Any written comments or reactions will be screened before they appear on the website. These additions, then, can also serve as fodder for further conversation.” For the next few weeks, Don will be writing about his trip to Canterbury to teach Moral Theology at the Franciscan International Studies Centre (May 22-June 9) and his short side trip to Assisi. “The blog may be reached through the Vocation section at our provincial website at www.franciscan.org/vocations or more directly at vocationvibes.franciscan.org. Comments and reactions from friars are welcome and encouraged.”

On April 10, Fr. Gregg Petri gave the blessing for a march in support of immigrants’ rights that drew about 1,000 people to downtown Peoria. The marchers focused attention on the contributions of Hispanic immigrants and called for changes in immigration policies. Gregg is director of Hispanic ministry at St. Mary’s Parish in Bloomington, Ill.

On that same topic: Fr. Fred Link was one of more than 50 Franciscan priests, brothers, sisters and secular lay people who signed a letter calling for “the immediate passage of humane and comprehensive immigration reform legislation.” The letter was sent to every member of the United States Senate, which is now debating immigration reform. This is reportedly the largest number of religious leaders ever to sign a joint statement as members of the U.S. Franciscan Family. The letter is posted on the Take Action page of the JPIC section of our provincial website, www.franciscan.org.

As a thank-you for more than nine years of assistance, St. John Vianney Parish in Pittsburgh is hosting a farewell Mass and reception for the friars from the House of Evangelization who will be moving on to new ministries. The Mass is at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3. “We are working with parishioners to help them through the transition as they assume more responsibility for the parish food pantry and home visits,” says Bro. Tom Gerchak. “Our pastor, Frank Almade, will also be reassigned at the beginning of June into the diocesan office as Secretary for Ministerial Leadership and Vicar for Clergy. I am grateful for the tremendous support we have received from him, pastoral associate Josette Baker, the Secular Franciscans here, and the people of St. John Vianney Parish.” Tom will depart for Jamaica in July. His missioning ceremony is 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at St. Clement’s.

The Catholic Spirit (Diocese of Austin) illustrated a story on reconciliation (March issue) with a photo of Fr. Curt Lanzrath giving absolution to a parishioner during confession.

Four years after its publication, The Lord Is the Spirit was reviewed in detail by the Liber Annuus of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem. The reviewer of the volume (it was dedicated to Fr. Bernie Schneider’s work in Japan and edited by Fr. Pat McCloskey) starts out with, “This somewhat peculiar book departs from the general norms followed in miscellanies in honor of biblical scholars,” then writes at length about the various chapters. They note in particular, “The reader is intrigued by the Japanese characters in the titles of the biblical books, as well as by numerous photos that portray Bernie with his unmistakable smile and in various moments of his industrious and fruitful life. …Our hearty congratulations to all who have been engaged in the realization of this volume. …This book can be of help to all who look for instruction and inspiration by reflecting on the faith that ‘the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom’ and every other spiritual gift.” Save the dates: The next Interprovincial Convocation will take place June 18-22, 2007, in Racine, Wis. The theme is “Restructuring.” Meetings will be held at the Marriott Hotel.