by Br. Bob Roddy, OFM Conv.

(Editor’s Note: Br. Bob is blogging about Chapter – for more please visit blog.franciscanretreats.net)

About 25 Friars from our Province are attending the second session of our provincial chapter at our Retreat House, Holy Cross Retreat and Spirituality Center, in Mesilla Park, New Mexico.

Chapter is a term used to refer to formal meetings of the Friars. In days past, a chapter of The Rule was read at these gatherings, and the term, “Chapter,” came to connote an official gathering of the Friars. We hold chapters on the local level once a month, but every four years our province elects delegates to attend this important gathering.

Friar John Stowe, Vicar Provincial, presides at the opening Mass of the Holy Spirit on Monday. The large painting behind the crucifix is called a retablo.

This second phase of Chapter officially began with the Mass of the Holy Spirit in the small chapel. After the Liturgy, the Friar-delegates gathered in the Large Conference Room to begin the Second Session of Provincial Chapter. After some announcements from the local Guardian and Retreat Director, Fr. Tom Smith, the delegates were welcomed by Minister Provincial, Fr. Jim Kent, who outlined the course of the next four, very busy days.

The first task that we are addressing are suggested revisions to our province’s strategic plan.  This work takes place in small working groups which are scattered throughout the Retreat Center campus. Work in small groups will continue through Tuesday lunch.

Friars Fred Pasche, Bob Baxter, Paul Clark, Joe West, Randy Kin, and John Bamman – one of the four working groups that are tasked with revising our province strategic plan. (Br. Bob is part of this group but he is the photographer.)

We have been blessed with some much-needed rain while we have been here. The cloud formations have been quite dramatic.