St. Maximillian Kolbe Franciscan Fraternity
St. Maximillian Kolbe Franciscan Fraternity
The St. Maximillian Kolbe Franciscan Fraternity is based at Marytown in Libertyville, Illinois. We usually meet at Marytown on the second Sunday of each month where we gather together to pray, for formation, fellowship, and of course amazing food.
The distinctive charism of Saint Maximilian Kolbe reflects unwavering commitment to self-sacrifice and love in the face of adversity. He exemplifies a profound devotion to serving others and to spreading the Living Gospel utilizing modern communications as a tool. His devotion to Our Lady fueled St. Kolbe’s ministry. He was a warrior and like Our Lady, he conquered through love.
Our Fraternity embodies our Franciscan Secular calling as a family, guided by the radical love exemplified by St. Maximilian Kolbe.
The St. Maximillian Kolbe Franciscan Fraternity is part of the Mother Cabrini Regional Fraternity of the Order of Franciscan Seculars which covers the Dioceses of Chicago, Joliet, and Rockford (Illinois, USA)
Who are Secular Franciscans?
“The Franciscan family, as one among many spiritual families raised up by the Holy Spirit in the Church, unites all members of the people of God — laity, religious, and priests — who recognize that they are called to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. In various ways and forms but in life-giving union with each other, they intend to make present the charism of their common Seraphic Father in the life and mission of the Church.” (Rule, Chapter 1, Article 1)
The Secular Franciscan Order (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis, OFS), formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis, is an official Order within the Catholic Church and was established by St. Francis of Assisi in 1221 for lay men and women wanting to follow his way of life.
Unlike religious brothers and sisters, those in secular orders (also known as third, tertiary, or lay orders) don’t remove themselves from the world but remain in it. Married or single Catholic women and men from all walks of life are able to join these orders, as are diocesan priests and deacons.
Franciscans strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Franciscan charism. Guided by the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, we are formed by the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Spiritual Assistant: Br. Don Thielsen, OFM Conv.
Conventional Minister: Sandra J. Kisel
Vice-Minister: Lee Salinas
Secretary: Karen Kasprzycki
Treasurer: Roger Gaura
Formation Director: Vickie Doyle
Infirmarian: Wendy Jacobsen, Assisted by Karen Verr
Councilor-at-Large: Steve Verr
Don Thielsen, OFM Conv.
Spiritual Assistant
Karen Kasprzycki
Secretary
Karen Verr
Co-Infirmarian
Sandra J. Kisel
Conventional Minister
Roger Gaura
Treasurer
Wendy Jacobsen
Co-Infirmarian
Lee Salinas
Conventional Vice Minister
Vickie Doyle
Formation Director
Steve Verr
Councilor-at-Large
In discerning to become a Franciscan, I did not really understand what it meant, but I felt an unavoidable nudging from the Holy Spirit and believe God called me.
The amazing gifts for the commitment have far surpassed anything I imagined might result. Besides the spiritual gifts, as we are formed by the Franciscan spirit, our entire lives becomes increasingly aligned with God’s design.