Living The Gospel

Open Wide The Door To Christ!

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!

Saint Francis of Assisi -1182-4 Oct 1226

The Third Order Founded by St.Francis of Assisi was composed of people who lived in the world.

There were people who wanted to follow Jesus and live the Gospel according to the style of Francis and Clare--but who were unable to because of circumstances in their life.

Over time some of these Brothers and Sister of Penance came to live together in convents and took vows. Today these Franciscans are known as
Third Order Regulars. The members of the Third Order who continued to live in the world have been known as Third Order Secular and, today,
(SFO)Secular Franciscan Order.

The Franciscans

The Franciscans were founded by St.Francis of Assisi and St.Claire of Assisi.
The Franciscan Orders Include, for Roman Catholics:
(1) the Friars Minor(Order of Friar Minor(OFM)
(2) Order of Friar Minor Capuchin(OFM Cap)
(3) Order of Friar Minor Conventional(OFM Conv)
(4) Poor Claires
(5) Third Order
(6) Angelicans Franciscans may join the
Society of St.Francis(TSSF)

The Mother Seton Franciscan Fraternity

Our little family is made up of daily communicants who met and became friendly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on our lunch hour during the week at "Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 7 State Street".
New York.

The mother Seton SFO Group is sponsored by the Saint Vianney Fraternity in Colonia, NJ following the Rule promulgated in 1978 by Pope Paul VI and the General Constitutions of 1990.

The group is made up of seven professed member who are Edward Monti, Philip Mustacchio, Richard Jackson, Fred Rassi, Paul Vastola, Michael Lopiano, Anthony Stucchio and Three observers (John Capriani, Renee Ivotorto, and Jeffrey Henricks)

We promote and encourage the development and spiritual growth of our members and observers by providing the opportunity to come together three Thursdays every month at 1:05pm-2:00pm
(1st, 3rd and 4th Thursday) for scripture study, intercessory prayer, Franciscan and Scriptural meditation or reflection, on-going formation, works of our various apostolates, and social interaction.

As of March 31, 2001, at Saint John Vianney Church, Colonia NJ.

Main Celebrant F. Richard Trezza, OFM
Co-Celebrant Fr. Martin Betances-Torres
Sponsor Fraternity: St. John Vianney Fraternity

Edward Monti, Paul Vastola, Michael Lopiano, Philip Mustacchio, Richard Jackson attended the "Rite of Profession Permanent Commitment to the Gospel Life" and were Professed into the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO)

To date our group is involved in various activities which enable us to serve the poor,needy and to embrace those in depair with prayer and guidance.

In addition, our activities are meant to preach the Gospel. We are striving to imitate St. Francis directive to preach the Gospel through the way we live and to use words only if we have to.

We are supported by and give thanks to the Pastor and Priests of Our Lady of the Rosary whom we seek guidance, counsel and instructions who are: Rev. Fr. Peter Meehan ,Pastor Rev Fr. Martin Betances, Parochial Vicar

Rev. Fr. Joseph O'Meara, our spiritual Advisor and connection to the First Order and Paul Dilena our Regional Minister for generously donating their time for this cause and we are truly indebt. And not to forgot our sponsoring fraternity: St. John of Vianney, Colonia N.J.

Activities That We Are Involved In

* Homeless shelter/Fund Raising we provide meals, financial aid clothes and other neccessities at various times throughout the year to The Catholic Worker as well as other shelters in the Tri-State area.

We raise funds for homeless shelters, single mother shelters, orphanages and people in need by way of raffles through corporate sponsors and by corporate sponsor donations in conjunction with volunteer work and special collections by group members.