Duties of the Minister - StMaryOfTheAngels

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Duties of the Minister

The Council

ROLE OF MINISTER

The minister together with the council is chiefly responsible for animating and guiding the fraternity (Art.21)

Every fraternity mirrors the vibrancy and zeal of the minister.

As animator and guide the minister is both a servant and leader. In other words the minister is not above, nor superior to, his Franciscan brothers and sisters. Rather, they are his/her equals. She/he should be open at all times to their suggestions and recommendations, listen to their complaints and praises, overlook their weaknesses and emphasize their strengths.

The minister presides over the fraternity and conducts the meetings of the council and fraternity.

Must be able to:

communicate
prepare an agenda
synthesize the comments of others
to handle difficult situations with tact and prudence

As leader and animator the minister must also exhibit both in word and action a profound commitment to the gospel and to the franciscan way of life.
The minister must bring about among the members of the fraternity a greater awareness of the regional, national and international fraternities of the SFO. ( Members are not confined to membership in a local fraternity alone; they re members of the entire Franciscan family throughout the world with whom they are intimately connected).No fraternity exists in a vacuum. It is part of a larger movement and needs to maintain good relationship with other SFO groups.

Encourage participation or attendance in local, regional, & national workshops, retreats, and events (like the Quinquennial Congress) to stay connected with the rest of the SFOs in our region and in the nation.
Communication with the councils of higher levels and with other local fraternities is important.

The minister or his/her delegate is the one who receives new members and accepts their final commitment to gospel living in the SFO. Organize, prepare for the initial, inquiry and profession ceremonies of candidates with the assistance of the formation director and Spiritual Assistant.
The minister, together with the formation director oversee the initial and ongoing formation
Consult frequently the Spiritual Assistant to assist the Seculars in acquiring and deepening the spirit of St. Francis.