Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is with great pleasure that I announce that on January 11th, five members of Morning Star Chapter of the BSP of the Twin Cities, and a member of Our Mother of Divine Mercy Chapter from Austin, Minnesota, pledged to live the life of the BSP Rule before Archbishop Harry J. Flynn in his private chapel at the chancery office of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The five members of Morning Star Chapter were Bruce and Michele Fahey, Paul and Donna Beery and Dolores Bichsel. Winifred Ferguson from Our Mother of Divine Mercy Chapter, Austin, MN, also pledged. Rebecca Manness and Dorothy Winczewski of Coon Rapids, also members of the Association but from Our Lady of Sorrows Chapter in Coon Rapids, witnessed the ceremony.

All of the individuals who pledged are also professed members of the Secular Franciscan Order, although this is not a requirement of membership in the BSP.

Four of the people, including Bruce and Michele Fahey, Dolores Bichsel and Winifred Ferguson, pledged to live the Rule for the rest of their life. The other two individuals pledging, Paul and Donna Beery, pledged to live the Rule for the next year. The Archbishop himself presided over the entire event with great dignity and many salutary and supportive words. In his comments to those present the Archbishop stated 'how wonderful it is to see lay people pledge to live the Gospel more perfectly'. The pledging ceremony was followed by a brunch and reception that the Archbishop himself sponsored. There were more than 20 guests and family members present. Please celebrate our joy!

Excerpts from the 2003 BSP Newsletter