News from the Council of Our Lady of the Pearl

ONGOING FORMATION: The Council wants to encourage everyone to take our formation book on Franciscan prayer to adoration and journal. (Franciscan Prayer by Ilia Delio, OSF, available at amazon.com for $10.36.)

TRANSITUS AND COME AND SEE. The Council decided to have the Transitus of Saint Francis on October 3, 2009. (The customary date is always October 3rd, prior to St. Francis’ feast day on October 4th.) It will be held at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of St. Augustine Seminary with a reception to follow. The public will be invited, including Regional fraternities as well as those who might be interested in Saint Francis or becoming Secular Franciscans, making the event also a ―Come and See. An invitation will be issued via the Gulf Pine newspaper, church bulletins, and other means.

ELECTIONS. Electrions will be scheduled soon (we hope in August).

REGIONAL MEETINGS: Regional meetings are scheduled the second Saturday of each quarter. The next two are October 10th and January 9th.

MAY CROWNING AT DUNBAR VILLAGE: We had a May Crowning for the residents at Dunbar Village. Also assisting was the Angel ministry from Our Lady of the Gulf. We had someone to play the piano and the Angels led the singing. A priest was also present. There were fresh flowers and prayers. Everyone was given an image of the Sacred Heart. All in all, the residents loved the visit and asked that we come again soon, not waiting until next year. A good ministry!!

Portiuncula: the Little Portion: Being Thought Insignificant And Unbalanced

Portiuncula: the Little Portion: Being Thought Insignificant And Unbalanced

Canonical Establishment for Our Lady of the Pearl

E-mail from Sister Fidelis

July 14, 2008

St. Fidelis writes in an e-mail about Hurricane Katrina and the white deer. Sister is referring to the story of the Miracle of the White Deer by Patty and posted on this blog. Sister's e-mail has been added to her web page on our web Our Lady of the Pearl.

Dear Scribe.

I was evacuated to the Golden Age Home in Welsh as I could not reach the Monastery in New Orleans, thru the kindness of the Carmelite Sisters. The authorities there gave me access to a computer. By some unexplainable e-mail fluke I heard of the White Deer. I took it as sign from Francis that My Pearls were under his protection and I was greatly comforted!! I have tried to put this on my page but I need your help. My name is old English for deer. A deer is a hart.

I never lost hope and in amid our suffering it was a great Joy!

Love
Your Sister Fidelis

Canonical Establishment

After a long wait of almost ten years and a hurricane or so, Our Lady of the Pearl has been approved for canonical establishment. The date of our canonical establishment is set for August 23, 2008. It will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Center, Pearlington, MS. Friends and family are invited.

St. Joseph Church was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina with only the steps remaining. The Center is towards the back of the grounds.

Archbishop Rodi Signs Official Documents for Canonical Establishment

The dream of Our Lady of the Pearl members for canonical establishment began before the first members were professed on October 17, 1999. This long and rigorous journey is coming to an end at last. Approval has been given by St. Teresa of Avila, our sponsoring fraternity in New Orleans, St. Joan of Arc Region and the Provincial Delegate of the OFM.

In the final step in the approval process for canonical establishment, members of Our Lady of Pearl met with Archbishop Thomas Rodi in Biloxi, Mississippi, on July 8, 2008. The Archbishop signed the official documents, also giving his approval. The canonical establishment and the Mass have been set for August 23rd.





Pictured above, sitting from left to right, Carol Heavey, SFO, Eileen Chapoton, SFO, Archbishop Thomas Rodi, and Bobbye Maggio, SFO. Standing from left to right, Bob Palmer, SFO, Ouida Tomlinson, SFO, Ann Seale, SFO, and Patty Palmer, SFO.

Miracle of the White Deer

by Patty O'Neil Palmer, SFO

I want to share a little miracle with all of you. It is a tiny part of the Katrina Stories we all experienced in 2005

On the afternoon of July 21, 2005, Bob and I were at home, at our farm. Outside of our bedroom window one can see our grotto of St. Francis. It was hot, as only the deep south can experience in July. I came inside to cool off and grab a short nap.

Bob woke me up. He was excited and told me to hurry and peek out the window. We both stood bewildered and dumbfounded at what we saw. There, in broad daylight, was a breathtaking snow-white doe, peacefully grazing near St.Francis. It wasn’t an albino because it had brown eyes.

I was not completely sure the deer was real. I’m still not. It was perfection in every way. Deer are never snow white. Wild deer never show themselves in the daytime, unless they are pets of some kind. Never, in 30 years, have deer been that close to my house. That was a Thursday.

On Saturday, July 23rd 2005, there was a Regional meeting. This meeting was special because national visitation was scheduled. I believe Father Loren Connell OFM attended. Much happened that day, so I am told. Our canonical establishment was delayed. We were heartbroken.

Yet the mystical, white deer continued to visit often, during the next days. We were overjoyed! Then, Bob and I briefly left the farm for a family reunion with his brothers. We returned mid-day August 27, 2005. You know the rest of the story. Katrina bore down on us all Monday, August 29, 2005.

Standing in the wreckage that was our home, I felt that nothing would ever be the same again. If I ever felt total despair, about my entire life, it was the last week of August 29, 2005.

Everything was gone. Our SFO community was scattered and homeless. My family, children and friends had to stay where they fled for safety. My home was uninhabitable. My daughter’s home was destroyed. Two sons were homeless. Grandchildren were in school in Alabama, not New Orleans. Bob had fallen from the roof, broken his leg and was helpless in a cast. Dear ones were reported dead or lost. It is the story we all share.

I never expected to see my mystery deer again. I was sure it probably perished in the storm. The deer, however, was seen again….luminous, white in its perfection. Yes, it was still alive. What Joy!

The day came when members of Our Lady of the Pearl were able to gather at Ann Seale`s to share our pain and receive strength from each other. This was the last time I saw the white deer.

Jeff felt it was the sign of new beginnings for the SFO. What I am sure of is that it was a miracle called hope sent to all from the lover, St. Francis and his best friend Jesus. This is why I need to share.