“Preach the Gospel Always, If necessary use words.”

"Preach the Gospel Always, If necessary use words."

St. Francis of Assisi

Creating Miracles

John Riehman-Murphy

FrancisCorps2

Its been 11 years since I started my year as a FrancisCorps volunteer. I guess FrancisCorps for me

was my version of "going West," it was a far away place where I would have unforgettable experiences

with people I never met before. The great thing about FrancisCorps that's different from a lot of

other volunteer experiences is the strong community setting. FrancisCorps isn't just a volunteer

organization, FrancisCorps is a community of people working together to make the world around it

better. From the Franciscan Friars who sponsor the organization, the refugees at the Northside CYO

"As a FrancisCorps member you give your time and effort for a

and Asian Apostalate, the mentally challenged at the L'Arche community, the homeless and poor at Northside Ministries, the women at the Dorothy Day House, the alumnae, and the countless others who support

cause you believe in, but you receive friends who share the same values as you and will support you

the volunteers with prayers, food for potluck dinners, guidance, and friendship. As a FrancisCorps member you give your time and effort for a cause you believe in, but you receive friends who share the same values as you and will support you in your service.

in your service.

Cont'd on page 8

A Life Changing Experience

I lived in Syracuse, N.Y., for just one year, but that one year has made me who I am today. It has been

three years since I moved in to the lovely Court Street house and became part of FCX, but not a day

goes by when I am not reminded of my experience. In that one year, I learned what it means to be

part of a community, recognized where my passions lie, and the value of sharing a meal together with loved ones.

This past year has been a difficult and exciting one for me, as I had many life changes. I finished grad school, earned a masters degree, moved back home, and became a mother. With all these changes, it was through the support and prayers provided by the FrancisCorps community, that I was able to keep pushing

"In that one year, I learned what it means to be part of a community, recognized where

Ashlee Downing

FrancisCorps10

through. The FrancisCorps community does not end when you finish your year of service. In fact, it grows as you become part of a much larger family. This sense of community is one of a kind. From the volunteers, to the FrancisCorps families, to the

Cont'd on page 8

my passions lie, and the value of sharing a meal together with loved ones.

Contact Us

FrancisCorps

P.O. Box 11166

Friar Richard Riccioli, OFM Conv. Mr. Jordan Differding

Syracuse, NY 13218

Director

Assistant Director

315.426.0481

friarrick@

jordan@



December 2011 Newsletter | 2



"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future"

(Jeremiah 29:11)

"OH HOLY MOTHER OF GOD; we are going to die!"

That's what came out of my mouth as I watched the image of the Doppler radar on the weather channel. She was coming right at us. I was referring to Hurricane Irene. We were in the midst of the FrancisCorps Orientation retreat on the Jersey Shore when the news came to us that the hurricane was heading toward us. All I could think of were the volunteers ... and their parents who had entrusted their children to us. What a mess. "We need to get out of here!"

My first time running the Orientation for FrancisCorps seemed to have been fraught with challenges. I had just moved to Syracuse, New York after having spent 10 years as a parish priest in Toronto, Ontario. The friars had asked me to take up the mantle of my brother and friend Bro. Jim Moore who had founded and directed FrancisCorps for 13 years. It was an awesome responsibility but I accepted. I was also joined by Jordan Differding who, after a year as a volunteer in Costa Rica, and because of a special donation was hired as Assistant Director of FrancisCorps to assist with this transition. (It takes two of us to replace Bro Jim!) The choice to accept the mission of FrancisCorps

was easy because I believe in FrancisCorps. I believe that it's an amazing way for the friars (and fellow Franciscan sisters and Seculars) to share the Spirit of Assisi, the values of Francis and Clare and to form young women and men for leadership in society and in the Church.

But like I said above, the transition was not entirely smooth ? lots of drama! A few days before starting the Orientation Retreat for the newest 13th group of volunteers (we affectionately call them FC13) I went to do laundry and prepare my suitcase for the trip. Much to my surprise, some good friar had left bleach in the washing machine... and yes my shorts and shirts were all ruined. The next day, a thoughtful neighbour at the friary seemed to have needed the GPS in my car more than I did and so broke the window and took it! Then, when we finally began the retreat at Alverna Heights Retreat Centre outside of Syracuse, the East Coast experienced its strongest earthquake since World War II! "Ok, God. Are you sending me a sign here?"

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No. In fact the sign from God was not in those events. It was found in the faces and hearts of our volunteers. I was, I am, so humbled by the generosity, faith, dedication and enthusiasm of these 11 young adults who are FC13. They have set aside a year of their lives to serve the poor in Syracuse and Costa Rica. Family and friends have been left behind. Loans were deferred. Graduate school and careers put on hold. The usual comforts and privileges set aside. All of this was done in faith... faith that God had something greater in store for them... beyond what ordinary sight could envision.

So, in fact my little trials and tribulations were rather trite compared to what our volunteers were doing. In fact my bleached clothes were replaced (JC Penny had a clearance!), I got an even better GPS and my car was repaired very quickly. We didn't even feel the earthquake at Alverna and the hurricane hurdling towards us... well after we relocated the Orientation Retreat back to Syracuse, we missed it completely; although many of our neighbours in the North East were terribly affected by it.

I have learned from our volunteers' example to trust in God. God will provide. Every year FrancisCorps trusts in God and on the generosity of friends to continue it's mission. It's through donations that we are able to recruit, train and support our volunteers who in turn make such a difference for neglected and hungry children, for the homeless, for people with disabilities and for the marginalized in society.

None of this can happen unless we take care of very ordinary needs like feeding the volunteers in Costa Rica or providing a van for the Syracuse house. This year we had to replace the van our volunteers use. Bro. Jim was able to get a new one for $19,000. Well, now the van fund is empty. We need to begin to replenish it. I'm not going to worry about it but instead remember the words of the prophet Jeremiah. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

This season of Advent is very much a time of hope. We hope in a God who loves us so much that God comes to use as one of us. God comes to us today through the love, presence and caring we show to one another. I pray and hope that as you prepare for Christmas you will also remember our FrancisCorps volunteers and the people they serve. May God bless you and your families during this Holy Season!

Peace,

Friar Rick

FrancisCorps At A Glance

Definition: FrancisCorps

[fran?-sis-kohr] 1. n. A young-adult lay franciscan volunteer experience. // 2. n. A community committed to sharing meals, prayer and love daily. // 3. v. Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words (St. Francis of Assisi).

Our Mission:

FrancisCorps volunteers draw on the spirituality of Saints Francis and Saint Clare and their life together in community to reach out to the poor and marginalized in Gospel service.

Our Vision:

FrancisCorps volunteers will apply their experience of service, community and the values of Francis and Clare of Assisi to their careers, relationships and community, and so help build a more just, peaceful and fraternal society.

Who we are: ? We are recent college graduates (or have related experience) ? We have committed to FrancisCorps for one year ? We live simply in community with other volunteers ? We serve the poor in Syracuse, NY and San Jos?, Costa Rica ? We share a meal, pray and share our lives together daily ? We grow through retreats, workshops and training ? We strive to follow the example of Saints Francis

and Clare of Assisi

Costa Rica Placements: ? promoting social justice at a Franciscan school ? mentoring at-risk teenage girls in a high school ? assisting blind, deaf and mentally challenged children ? caring for needy children in a day-care ? supporting children in palliative care and their families

Syracuse Placements: ? assisting refugees ? sharing community with adults with disabilities at L'Arche ? feeding the hungry at a food pantry ? assisting at a free legal/medical clinic ? leading afterschool programs for disadvantaged children ? tutoring youth



December 2011 Newsletter | 4

A Year of Transition but Legacy Continues Strong ...

Greetings to you all from FrancisCorps here in Syracuse and a long distance "Hola" from those down in Costa Rica.

With the fall of the leaves, the arrival of Sister Coldness and the excitement of the holiday seasons approaching, it's that time of the year to warm all your hearts with what's going on with FrancisCorps and the wonderful 13th year we have among us all.

With a few minor changes in the FrancisCorps experience, the legacy continues full force ahead. Before you all start to plan your trip to visit us (wink, wink), I should inform you of some of those changes so you can find us. First of all, recalculate your GPS's to Catawba street as we have relocated the FC office to our new home closer to Assumption Church. Once you park your car on the even side of the street... or odd depending on the day as we don't want you to get a ticket, come knock on our door. You will be greeted by two new faces: one is better looking than the other but we will let you decide which is which! As many of

you might know, Friar Rick Riccioli is in the driver's seat and I, Jordan Differding, am co-piloting right beside him. You might even be lucky enough to run into Brother Jim as he has returned from Rome and Assisi but will soon be off again to New Mexico for 100 days in the desert. So now that you all know where and who we are, we will have the coffee pot brewing anxiously awaiting your visit! Please feel free to stop in anytime!

Also, we have 11 new changes to the program that you will all read about in the next couple pages. I am going to build the suspense and not tell you what those changes are but I can guarantee they are 11 phenomenal additions that have provided great energy and enthusiasm to this years experience. They are the main drive behind what we do and I cannot express how well they have gelled together and have started to make their mark on our FrancisCorps Family.

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For me, it has been a year of transition just moving from the role of volunteer to an actually full-time work experience. This real life grown up gig is not too bad after all! There are some difficult times like not coming home to smell Arroz con Pollo cooking on the stove or waking up to a fresh brew of Costa Rican coffee made by one of my amazing roommates. With those downs though there are some real ups to the job as well. I absolutely love the traveling and going school-to-school recruiting for FrancisCorps 14 and being able to share my story and experience with anyone I can. The feeling of passing on an experience that many of us have shared is one of the most rewarding aspects of this job. It was even better when some of you great Alums have come to help us out... so a shout out thanks to you all as well! We have gotten some really good responses from what seem like good quality students who have the fervor and ambition to serve. Send an extra prayer up to Sts. Francis and Clare for a little extra push towards FrancisCorps.

By the time you all read this, we will be finished with the recruiting fairs and back into the office. With our Costa Rican Toucan on the wall and some music to liven up a rather dull winter day, Rick and I are always making the tedious office work a little more fun. We have to keep the energy of FC flowing throughout our office as well right? Finally, the last highlight is the opportunity to act as a co-minister for this year's volunteers. The invitation to join in on their journey or having supper with them is a privilege most do not get to experience, in which I feel very fortunate!

Ok, so I think you all might be half asleep right now so I will do as St. Francis did and stop using words and more actions. You are all in my thoughts and prayers and we ask the same here in the FC office, for our Syracuse and Costa Rican Volunteers and lastly for the greater FrancisCorps Family. We are off to a great start and with your help it will continue throughout the year. Thank you all for that continued support!

Paz y Bien!

Jordan Differding

P.S. The coffee is still brewing... see you all soon hopefully!

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