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WINTER 2017 VOL. 22, NO. 1The Wayof St. FrancisIn theFootstepsof SaintJuníperoSerra, OFMTHE FRANCISCAN FRIARS PROVINCE OF SAINT BARBARA
insideThe Way of Saint FrancisWINTER 2017, Vol. 22, No. 1on the coverDetail of the sculpture of Fray Junípero Serra that stands outside of theMission San Jose on Mission Blvd. in Fremont, California. There are scoresof statues of Father Serra identical to the one pictured here at many ofthe missions and at other locations in California. The gifted sculptorcommissioned to do these works was Dale Smith. Created in the early1990’s, these life-sized statues were funded by the William H. HannonFoundation as part of Mr. Hannon’s deep, abiding interest in Father Serra.Mr. Hannon hoped these sculptures would inspire interest in Father Serraand the efforts to have him declared a saint by the Catholic Church.In the Footsteps ofSaint Junípero Serra, OFMFEATURESD E PA RT M E N T S10 franciscan thoughts456891826Retracing the Pilgrim Steps of SaintJunípero Serra OFM14 friar profileIMAGE: Glenn Nagel / Dreamstime.comArt Direction and DesignPaul Tokmakian Graphic DesignPublisherVery Reverend David Gaa, OFMProvincial MinisterContributorsFather Daniel Barica, OFMFather Dan Lackie, OFMMr. Tuan Anh NguyenMs. Joanne RomeoFather Warren Rouse, OFMMs. Barbara StrickerFather Charles Talley, OFMBrother Keith Douglass Warner, OFMEditorFather Dan Lackie, OFMEditorial StaffMr. Kevin MurrayFather Dan Lackie, OFMFather Charles Talley, OFMThe Way of St. Francis is published by the Franciscan Friars of California, Inc. It is a free magazine tothose who provide their time, treasure, and talent to friars in the Province of Saint Barbara. The friarswelcome your comments concerning The Way of St. Francis. You can contact the friars at FranciscanFriars of California, Inc., 1500 34th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 or via email at TheWay@sbofm.org.The Way of St. Francis is owned and published by The Franciscan Friars of California, Inc. Copyright2017. The Franciscan Friars of California, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can bereproduced without the written consent of the Franciscan Friars of California, Inc.“God has Plans for Us and God IsIn Charge.” Friar Alberto Villafan inGuadalupe, Arizona16 featured essayChristmas Giving20 community profiledear friendsby the waysnapshotthe worddonor profilecreative spiritat lastMeet the Franciscan “God Squad”in Guaymas, Mexico24 guest reflectionSerra’s Majorca & The Pearl of Faith2010Prayer, Fraternity, Joy, Service6 The Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Barbaraare members of a Roman Catholic religious order, from a diversity ofbackgrounds and cultures, dedicated to serving the poor and promotingjustice, peace, care of creation, and reconciliation in the joyful andprophetic spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.Have a comment or suggestion?Let us know by sending an email toTheWay@sbofm.org2www.sbfranciscans.orgWINTER 2017 The WayThe Way WINTER 2017
dear friends by the wayJANUARYPeace And All Good!As we put together this issue, we were very mindfulthat Saint Junípero Serra has been with us in hisnew official capacity for just over one year. It’s beengood to revisit memories connected to the officialcelebrations of September 2015—so many inspiring moments!—but it’salso been good to return to the questions about culture and discipleshipwhich the celebration sparked.Recently, when I asked one of our friar historians what’s stayed withhim in the year since the canonization, he suggested this line of inquiry:“How do we answer the call to witness to Christ in the midst of structuresand a culture which are imperfect?” It occurred to me that that thisquestion takes on new meaning as Washington, DC prepares for anotherhighly charged and controversial celebration, this one involving theinstallation of a new president. Saint Junípero was an 18th centurySpanish missionary; we’re 21st century citizens of the United States ofAmerica. Sainthood, whether or not it’s official, is all about the grace topractice virtue. Generosity, perseverance, and partnership are a few ofthe practices we hope to inspire with this volume of The Way.In fact, partnership is reflected in the pages that follow in the goodwork of the very talented Father Charles Talley OFM, the newest memberof The Way editorial team. Without Charles’ skills and perseverance, thisissue would not have made it to print. Recently appointed Communications Director of the Province of St. Barbara, Charles came to the friars,as many readers will know, with many years experience as a professionalwriter and editor. Many will also know first-hand his creative gifts asa preacher and pastor. In the light of Saint Junípero Serra’s example ofnever going it alone, the presence of Charles as a creative partner offersa starting point in grappling with the important question posed above:“How do we answer the call to witness to Christ in turbulent times?”We hope you find some comfort in the stories that follow. Father Dan Lackie, OFMEditor69th Annual Men’sRetreat: “Francis of Assisi:Gospel Merchant”1/20–22 St. Francis RetreatSan Juan Bautista CAFEBRUARYAsh Wednesday MiniRetreatMen’s Retreat:“Discovering the KingdomWithin”3/1 San Luis Rey RetreatOceanside CA2/2–2/5 or 3/3–3/5 SerraRetreat, Malibu CASister Carol Quinlivan, CSJ& Father Michael Doherty,OFM.More Information:Brother Bob Barbato, OFMCap. Explore Francis’ lifeas a “Gospel Merchant”and reflect on how we arecalled to spread the goodnews of Christ in our worldtoday.310-456-6631More Information:Carole Whittaker, PhD andGloria Cuevas-BarnettDeepen your capacity to receive the grace of the HolySpirit; share teachings,practices, prayer and ritualin quiet reflection andconversation.stfrancisretreat.com or call831-623-4234Women’s SpiritualityRetreat2/10–2/12 FranciscanRenewal CenterScottsdale AZMore Information:480-948-7460 ext. 132Hispanic Women’sRetreat: “Discovering theKingdom Within”2/17–2/19 Serra Retreat,Malibu CAFranciscan SpiritualityRetreat: “PerformingOrdinary Things inExtraordinary Ways”1/27–29 San DamianoRetreat, DanvilleFather Joe Chinnici, OFMThis retreat will examine“the contemplative gaze” ofSt. Francis of AssisiSister Ines Telles, CSJ, andFather Ray Tintle, OFMMore Information:310-456-6631MARCHAsh Wednesday Day ofRenewal3/1 San Damiano Retreat,DanvilleFather Larry Dolan, OFMPrepare to enter the sacredliturgical season of LentLight lunch included;please bring your bibleMore Information:www.sanluisrey.org or760-757-3659Lenten Taize Service3/8–4/5 (Wednesdays)7:00–8:00pm San DamianoRetreat, DanvilleSan Damiano staff andfriends.More Information: sandamiano.org call: 925-837-9141The Holy Spirit in theSpirituality of SaintFrancis3/17–3/19 FranciscanRenewal CenterScottsdale AZFather Steven McMichael,OFM, Conv, Ret. Explorethe dynamic and transformative role of the HolySpirit in the writings andspirituality of St. Francis ofAssisi.More Information:480.948.7460 ext. 1328th Annual Spring intoSerenity Retreat: AWeekend for Women inAl Anon3/17–3/19 San Luis ReyRetreat, Oceanside CAMore Information:More Information:Includes meetings, yoga,and a writing workshop—all optional.sandamiano.org or call925-837-9141sandamiano.org call: 925837-9141760-757-3659Father Ken Laverone, OFMMore Information:ORIGINAL PHOTO BY Peter Jordon photo 20144WINTER 2017 The WayThe Way WINTER 20175
snapshotCanonization of St. Junípero Serra, OFMSeptember 23, 2015Basilica of the National Shrine of theImmaculate Conception Washington, DCPhoto taken by Friar Alvin Te, OFMThe Pope and the Friars: Who said what?Among friars and friends in the Province of St. Barbara, the most talked aboutphoto connected to the canonization of Franciscan Saint Junípero Serra wasthis one of Pope Francis greeting several friars. Father Giovangiuseppe Califano,OFM, from Assisi Province is seen shaking hands with Pope Francis. Second inline to greet the Holy Father is former Vicar Provincial Ken Laverone, OFM, followed by former Provincial Minister Mel Jurisich, OFM (far right). Father Ken andFather Mel played a prominent role not only in the celebration, but also in the6WINTER 2017 The Waycompilation and delivery of all the documentation required by the Roman Curiaand the Congregation of the Causes of Saints as part of the canonization process. Musing on the photo recently, Father Mel remained tight-lipped about hisexchange with Pope Francis. Instead, he proposed that viewers ponder the question for themselves: What exactly did Father Mel say to the Pope, and what doyou think the Pope said to him in response? Any guesses?The Way WINTER 20177
the worddonor profileThe Many Faces of IdolsA Pilgrimage to a Legacyby Father Warren Rouse, OFMOld Testament stories were writtendown, they were handed from onegeneration to the next orally. Theoriginal lessons were preserved,but frequently details were embellished to make the story moreexciting. So the story of the GoldenCalf: “We do not know what happened to this man Moses, who ledus out of Egypt,” the Israeliteswhine, “so make us some gods tolead us (Ex: 2:1).” Aaron collectstheir jewelry and silverware andtosses it all into a fire: “He took theearrings, melted them, poured thegold into a mold, and made a goldbull-calf.” For the moment they arecontent: “Israel, this is our god, wholed us out of Egypt!”Shortly afterwards, however,Moses, stone tablets under his arms,races down the hillside post-hastebecause the Lord has told him:“ your people, whom you led outof Egypt, have sinned and rejectedme.” Aaron’s alibi was that thepeople were upset; that he actedout of innocence: “I threw the ornaments into the fire and out camethis bull-calf!” While the ancientslaughed at this lame excuse, themoral of the story retains its gravity. The great national flaw of thepeople was their tendency to strayrepeatedly from the one, true God.Our own response is probablyon the smug side: “I know I’m notperfect, but at least I don’t worship any pagan gods!” Perhapsefore the great JOANNE ROMeO 2017Bby Father Dan Lackie, OFMthat is not altogether true! In ourhearts and in our daily life, arethere not secret idols and altars?How about the altar dedicated toresentment? Or consumerism? Orenvy? Or any number of “ gods”whom we ashamedly cherish?Our human nature is a virtualfactory of idols. What to do? First,accept yourself as a flawed person.We are imperfect; we need to acceptthat. Second, don’t allow yourselfto be discouraged by your imperfections! St. Bernard of Clairvauxencourages us: “ Turn aside from. . anxious reflection on your own progress, and escape to the easier paths ofremembering the good things whichGod has done; . . . you will find reliefby turning your attention to God.”Yes, we, like the Israelites, oftenhave our own cherished idols. Butthe Lord has promised: “I will be yourGod, and you will be my people.” Father Warren Rouse, OFM, holds advanced degrees in music and liturgical studies. He has written close to 200 articles for The Way magazine.A former pastor, teacher, and retreat director, heedits the Province newsletter, WestFriars, and isthe author of Words of Wisdom. He lives at SerraRetreat in Malibu, California.frwarren@serraretreat.comFounded by Junípero Serra in July, 1771, Mission San Antonio dePadua today is a place of prayer, retreat, and sacred encounter formany a pilgrim visitor.Ftheir wayto the priesthood have a newsupporter who named his goal insimple terms:“You can’t solve the world’sproblems. I picked the one thingclosest to my heart. I want to helpFranciscans survive and grow.” Thedonor’s gift establishes a dedicatedfund supporting the education andformation of friar candidates inperpetuity.The donor, who asked thathis name not be used in this article, grew up in a small town inCalifornia’s San Joaquin Valley. Hesays he could not have predictedhe would one day become part ofthe Franciscan family. His parentswere Protestant, and his motherhad strong reservations about theriar candidates onCatholic Church. “It was my sisterwho encouraged me to learn moreabout Catholicism.”After graduating from high schoolin 1942, he followed his sister toU.C. Berkeley. While pursuing studies in chemistry, he discoveredthe Catholic Newman Center andwas eventually baptized while anundergraduate.After a transfer to theMassachusetts Institute ofTechnology (MIT) to pursue studies in physical chemistry, activeduty in the Army Reserve interrupted his academic career. Afterservice in South Korea, he completed his undergraduate degreeat MIT and went on to earn a Ph.D.from Harvard. His career eventually led him to PerkinElmer, acontinued on page 238WINTER 2017 The WayThe Way WINTER 20179
franciscan thoughtsRetracing the PilgrimSteps of Saint JuníperoSerra OFMBy Brother Keith Douglass Warner OFM(opposite) The church of Nuestra Señora de la Luz atTancoyol.(above) Detail of the façade.SwhenPope Francis mentioned—seemingly in passing—that he would canonize BlessedJunípero Serra during his visit tothe United States in 2015, I wastaken aback. Why Serra? Whynow? But I have since reflectedon what Pope Francis was proposing, and have come to viewJunípero’s life as an important case study in faithfulnessfor us all. After all, he left his native Majorca to go to Mexico, where, for a while, he joined an apostolic college, akind of training center for missionaries. Then, Serra spenta decade among the indigenous people of the Sierra Gordaof Mexico before setting out for Alta California. I sharedwith my good friend, Brother James Lockman, OFM, mylong dormant interest in visiting the Franciscan missionsof the Sierra Gorda where Serra had served. Together, wemade plans to visit the area together last winter.everal years ago ,The “Serra” missions are located inthe state of Querétaro, in a rural areaof about 8 hours north of MexicoCity by car. They are all situatedalong a 3500-foot high ridge whichone reaches only after negotiatinga treacherous road reputed to havemore than 630 curves! These fivechurch buildings all have astonishing facades. And they most certainlyreflect the vision of faith, communityand culture that guided Serra andhis companions in their ministryThe Way WINTER 2017there. The mission churches reflecta blending of cultures and traditions. Their structure is definitelyEuropean, and the saints and theirstories depicted on the façades areidentifiably Catholic—with strongFranciscan themes. But the artwork also reflects the sensibilitiesof the indigenous Pame people. Thefacades are realized in red, yellow,and orange—colors readily derivedfrom local minerals. Animals considered sacred by the indigenous11
(above) The author (red cap), with Brother James Lockman, OFM and guide José DarioLedesma Gracia, who bears Pame ancestry. (below) the façade of the church of San Franciscodel Valle de Tilaco at Landa. (opposite) Depiction of John Duns Scotus on the ceiling of thechurch at Landa.people—such as the rabbit andjaguar—are present as well. Termed“Mestizo Baroque”, this style ofdecoration shows the culture andconfident “hand” of the local people.Images of saints Peter and Paul,Francis, and Dominic grace severalof these facades. The figures areoften surrounded by local plants-—maize, cacao, and nochebuena(poinsettia)—and other native embellishments. The blending of thesediverse cultural elements certainlyreflects Serra’s personal vision forevangelization. He wanted his brothers to live the Gospel with respectfor local culture and traditions,while at the same time attempting to construct a utopia built uponFranciscan values. He insisted hisconfreres learn local languages andexperience local reality—includinghunger—right alongside the people.I was surprised to discover theprominence given to (Blessed) John12Duns Scotus, the most famous ofFranciscan philosophers. In fact,Serra had studied his thought, andphilosophy while still a seminaryprofessor in Majorca. Scotus taughtWINTER 2017 The Waythat we are good because we aremade in the image of God. In theFranciscan-Scotistic vision, all people and cultures are understood tobear an image of God. This appearsto have shaped the approach ofJunípero and his companions. Thefriars worked with the people,encouraging them to “weave” theirown love of nature into the churchesthey built. Needless to say, suchrespect was not widely practicedduring the mid-1700s.Statues of Junípero Serra adornthe area about the Franciscan shrineof the Miraculous Holy Cross in oldcolonial Querétaro as well. MexicanFranciscan friars consider JuníperoSerra to be their saint as well, sincehe spent so many years evangelizing the region. Ironically, a plaqueon one statue even celebratesJunípero as a “civilizer” of indigenous people. Today, the idea of“civilizing” people of another cultureThe Way WINTER 2017makes one wince. But it is unfair tojudge the past by the values thatwe hold today. The people of histime recognized Junípero as compassionate, loving and inclusive.I returned from our pilgrimage to Querétaro deeply movedby the material marks left behindby Saint Junípero Serra and hiscompanions, and by the way he iscelebrated even today in Mexico.Not content with just crossing theAtlantic, he journeyed first to SierraGorda and then to present-dayCalifornia. He was a Franciscanwho, as Pope Francis urges ustoday, was willing to “move to themargins”, embracing with love allthose whom he encountered. Brother Keith Douglass Warner is Senior Director,Education and Action Research at the MillerCenter for Social Entrepreneurship, Santa ClaraUniversity (Santa Clara, California).13
Ifriar profilet ’ s 7 o ’c l o c k on a Saturday morning—another muggy day inPhoenix. Father Alberto has been up since 5 for his run and breakfast before work. It’s going to be busy: a morning retreat with 40 choirmembers, followed by a chat with Deacon Santino Berasconi before ascheduled baptism. Then, a quick lunch with his associate, Father LouisKhoury, at nearby Rosita’s café. Next, another baptism followed by a 3pmwedding, followed by a quick rest, some phone calls, and prep work forthe 7pm Vigil Mass. Dinner will get squeezed in there somewhere. Withluck, Alberto will be home by 9 pm. Peter Jordon photo 2017 Father Alberto Villafan Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Guadalupe, Arizona“GOD HAS PLANSFOR US AND GODI S I N C H A R G E.”By Father Charles Talley, OFMWelcome to theboth St. Francislife of FranciscanParish (LosFather AlbertoAngeles) andVillafan, pasmore recentlytor at the 100at St. Elizabethyear-old churchParish (Oakland)and parish offor six yearsOur Lady ofprior to his curGuadaluperent post. Father(Guadalupe,Louis, whoArizona). Albertoassists Alberto,had been hereis a nativejust six weeksof Amman,when I first visJordan, andited last August,was ordainedbut he alreadyat the parish onOur Lady of Guadalupe Church, Guadalupe, AZhad a handle onOctober 22—thethings and some definite ideas offirst ordination in its history. Thewhat he would like to do, and howparish was founded by Friar Luciushe would like to do them: “Poco áZittier, who helped the indigenouspoco. One step at a time. I want toYaqui people of northern Mexicoget to know the people and secureescape persecution by securingtheir trust first. That’s the mostthem land for a reservation andimportant thing. I’m happy movinghelping them to immigrate. Thefrom the ground up—starting rightFranciscan presence in the area hasaway while I am still new and thecontinued uninterrupted ever since.people are most open to fresh ideas.” Most recently, Friar Joseph (Joe)Father Alberto, age 50, is aBaur retired from his ministry herenative of Chavinda, Michoachan,after nearly 30 years of service.Mexico. After immigrating to the“I guess this is my honeymoonUnited States, he studied in the ESL period,” Alberto reflects. “But I have(English as a Second Language)to say I am so happy right now andprogram of the Province beforeI really enjoy every minute of it.”entering postulancy (early formaHe has a special love of liturgy andti
Al Anon 3/17–3/19 San Luis Rey Retreat, Oceanside CA Includes meetings, yoga, and a writing workshop —all optional. More Information: 760-757-3659 The Way
