January | February 2022

Charism of the Order
by Fr. Dennis Kriz, OSM,
National Assistant

At this time when we celebrate the Feast of the Seven Holy Founders of the Order of the Servants of Mary on February 17th, it’s perhaps valuable to reflect a little on the Charism of our Order.
For us, the Servants of Mary, our Charism is embedded in our very name: We were created in Community by the Seven Holy Founders, to Serve in the manner of and taking inspiration from Mary
In the oldest Icons of Mary and Jesus, we have Mary holding and pointing with her hand to Jesus, and Jesus in turn has his hand upright in blessing of both Mary and the people (the Church) contemplating the icon. We too are called to both care for Jesus in the Church and to point to him, present him to the world.
At the wedding of Cana, Mary told Jesus’ disciples: “Do whatever he tells you.” Still in recent memory, a Servite General Chapter published an entire document by that name, instructing us to serve the people of the world today in the way Jesus tells us.
In times of uncertainty and division, let us be sources of assurance to the people we meet that Jesus remains with us and that we have an advocate in Mary who cares for the well-being of all of us. Perhaps we ourselves may not be able to turn water into wine. However, we can all make this world and our lives happier for all.
UNIFAS-USA Update
by Sue Weigand, OSSM
The new Executive Council was announced at the UNIFAS-USA Assembly meeting in October. The slate of new officers are:

Susan Weigand, OSSM, President (1st term)
Barbara Thomalla, OSM, Secretary (2nd term)
Deborah Nunes, OSSM, Treasurer (2nd term)
Lisa Sheridan, OSM, Member at Large (1st term)
Arnaldo Sanchez, OSM, Member at Large (1st term)

One of the Council’s first tasks will be to plan for the first-ever virtual Joint UNIFAS/OSSM Conference scheduled to take place in October of 2022. More information will be made available as it evolves.
My Brother, St. Peregrine
by Theresa Orozco, OSSM
Have you ever had someone in your family as a teacher? My father was my high school math and biology teacher. In math, I earned a D from my Dad and in biology I earned a much better grade but embarrassingly perspired in human anatomy. 
As Servites, we have some of the most wonderful teachers in our family and one of them is St. Peregrine. We know him as the saint of service, prayer, devotion to Our Lady, and love of others, especially the poor, and of course the cancer saint. 
With St. Peregrine as my brother, I again feel this intimacy of knowing my teacher. During this time of my Dad’s cancer, my brother teaches me we are not alone. The journey together is the healing. We are on the same path at different stages. Today I hold my Dad’s hands and pray with him and one day my hands will be held by someone in prayer too. 
St. Peregrine and I were called to the same charism. He is my brother and my teacher. I am grateful for all of you, my brothers and sisters, and for all the prayers you have shared with me for my Dad – Thank you.
 
Child Jesus School, Petite-Goave, Haiti
Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM
We wish to express our sincerest gratitude to all Secular Order Communities, Secular Servites and other friends and supporters for their generous response of prayers and donations to help those affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti on August 14, 2021. There was extensive damage to the roads, bridges, places of business and many houses were destroyed or badly damaged. Thank you to everyone that has provided the funds so that we could assist some 50 families of the Child Jesus School children as well as members of the local OSSM fraternity in a time of great need. Fr. Marc Claudy Magloire visited the homes of the families to assess their needs and met with parents and with Secular Order members.  Fr. Magloire commented that these visits to the homes have been challenging and revealing. But, unlike visits from local politicians, these visits resulted in the direct and personal distribution of funds, some items were purchased and distributed among those most in need. Thank you to all who have so generously responded to our sisters and brothers in need.
On December 23, 2021, Fr. Magloire organized a Christmas celebration with the children, their parents and family members, the faculty and staff and some members of the Servite Secular Order. It has become an annual event of Child Jesus School: a celebration of the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After the celebration, all the children, faculty and staff enjoyed their Christmas break until January 10, 2022.
On Sunday, January 16, at the Sunday 9:00AM Children's Mass, at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, 15 of the Child Jesus School students received their First Holy Communion. The date for First Holy Communion is always designated by the local Pastor. There were 25 children who began their catechetical preparation for First Holy Communion. 20 of them succeeded in concluding the necessary preparation program. Finally on the day of the First Holy Communion, 15 boys and girls received the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time! Let us keep them in our prayers and they experience the joy of their relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. Of course, the joy of the First Communion Day would not be complete without a celebration for the new Communicants and their family members! Fr. Magloire, with the assistance of the faculty and staff, assured that the children celebrated this very special and memorable day in their lives.
We, finally, would like to thank all Secular Servites, all Servite Secular Order communities, and all the friends of Child Jesus School for their continued support and encouragement. We are grateful for every donation received. We encourage you to, please, continue to send your donations for the monthly regular expenses for the functioning of the school. It is our attempt to provide a basic elementary education to poor and needy children of Petit-Goave, Haiti. Thank you for your support to Child Jesus School.
On-Going Formation
by Theresa Orozco, OSSM
Thank you to all who participated in the pandemic-inspired OSSM On-Going Formation. We were able to continue to gather as community and share in formation across the USA through technology. Our English and Spanish formations were brought to us by many volunteers sharing with us the Servite way of prayer, history, community engagement, and mission. The sessions are all recorded for future formation. The English and Spanish videos are mostly 10 – 20 minutes long and all of the video sessions have English and Spanish resource documents.
For those who participated in all of the sessions you will receive a certificate of accomplishment along with an invitation to discuss future online sessions for those who seek to know more about the Secular Order Servants of Mary.
We will be sending out a survey for all who participated. We are grateful for your feedback. Your feedback is necessary for future online endeavors as the spirit calls us into this sacred space.
 

Servites Gathering Together - UNIFAS-USA
by Sue Weigand, OSSM
On Saturday, January 29th UNIFAS-USA kicked off the first of its Gathering Together Series of Zoom Events with a pandemic-inspired discussion. We are grateful for those who gathered as a Servite family to share their prayer journey during this pandemic. It was also good to learn about the 49ers, and Green Bay Packer fans. Not to take away from the football commentary, we had one participant who shared that “I really enjoyed today. Tears almost came to my eyes by the end. People shared so simply and so heartfelt.” Several participants wanted a copy of the opening prayer so we reprinted it here in case you missed it.
 
(Shaker Song)
Prayer invites God's will to prevail in our lives.
Prayer might not bring water to parched fields,
nor mend a broken bridge, nor rebuild a ruined city.
But prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart,
rebuild a weakened will.
Who rise from prayer better persons, their prayer is answered.
So we too pray...
 
(Gospel of the Leaven)
O God, You are as near as
the very air we breathe,
yet farther than the farthermost star.
 
We yearn to reach You.
We seek the light and warmth of Your Presence.
Though we say You are near,
we are lonely and alone.
 
O let our desire be so strong
that it will tear the veil that keeps You from our sight!
Let Your light release our darkness,
and reveal the glory and joy of Your Presence.
 
As the fish gives himself to the sea,
as the bird gives herself to the air,
so may we give ourselves to You.
 
Servite Coalition for Justice Retreat 2012
Embodying Holy Mystery: One with Creation, Solidarity with Immigrants
 
Save the dates for the following Servites Gathering Together - UNIFAS-USA Zoom Events all scheduled on Saturdays at 10 am PT - 11 am MT - 12 noon CT - 1 pm ET, April 30th, July 30th, October 29th, and a very special New Year's Eve Livestream Event on December 31st.

Join the Newsletter Crew
The Communications Committee is responsible for maintaining the website, email and social media accounts; for producing the E-Newsletter approximately six times per year; for scheduling and maintaining the Secular Order’s Zoom account; and assisting the National Council with various communication pieces and brochures. The committee meets via Zoom every other month and keeps in touch with each other by email. There is presently an opening on the committee for anyone willing to serve. Volunteers should have some basic knowledge of computers but training as needed will be provided. It’s a fun and rewarding way to meet other Servites and make an impact by keeping the Secular Order up to date and informed. Please consider adding your talents to the group. Call Sue Weigand, OSSM, National Secretary, at (610) 310-9663 or send an email to sue.weigand@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Your help is needed as we try to reconnect with each other.
Servants of Mary, Faith Resources
This video, Chapter Four and the seventh in the series on the Legenda of the Servants of Mary continues to explore the origins of the Order. It reveals the Seven Holy Founders themselves. In just about ten minutes, it continues to explore through beautiful music and stunning artwork the origins of our Order, uniquely dedicated to Our Lady.

The next issue will feature Chapter Five, part 8 of the 20-part series. Videos range from 10-20 minutes each. Enjoy!