DAY 1: Gathering opens with mass celebrated by Santa Fe Archbishop Michael Sheenan and the presentation of the Peace Award.

DAY 3 (Part I): Session, group photo, views of facility, readying for afternoon away.
DAY 3 (Part II): Group photo, waiting for bus to go sightseeing, Santa Fe scenes, Cathedral, restaurant.

DAY 4: .Morning prayer, sessions & committee reports, Mass celebrated by Friar Kevin Queally, TOR; and an evening social featuring lively entertainment by a mariachi band, Mariachi Nuevo Sonido.

DAY 5: Morning prayer, session reports, Chapter of Elections, Mass with joyous installation of National Executive Council, evening social with Mexican-style dancers.

U.S. Order Has New Leaders: Bello Is Nat'l Minister

Peace Award goes to African water project leader.

General Vice Minister: Chapter Is 'Sacred Time'

Renew and Evangelize, Fr. Ivan Urges

Order Condemns Persecution in Pakistan

Chapter of Elections as It Happened

Vice Minister General Doug Clorey opened the Chapter of Elections at 1:30 p.m. Albuquerque time (3:30 Eastern Time) Oct. 24., spending time explaining the election process.

The gathering sang a song calling on the Holy Spirit. Then there was a reading from the writings of St. Francis.

Clorey prayed from the SFO Ritual, and asked the names of nominees for national minister to be read. There were no other nominations from the floor. Then he allowed each nominee to take a minute to introduce himself/herself. The nominees are: Teresa Baker, Delia Banchs, Deacon Tom Bello, Elaine Hedtke, Clare McCluggage, Kathy Taormina.

Ballots were counted and distributed to the 38 voting members of the National Council, which includes regional ministers (or their delegates) and national officers.

No one received an absolute majority vote of 20, so the body proceeded to a second round of balloting. Wtih no one getting an absolute majority on the second ballot, the voting went into a third round with just the top two vote-getters: Elaine Hedtke and Tom Bello.

Deacon Tom Bello is the new national minister of the U.S. Secular Franciscan Order. Bello, national vice-minister for the past three years, is a deacon assigned to St. James Church in Church Falls, VA, and a resident of McLean, VA.

Balloting proceeded to the position of vice minister. Nominees are: Clare McCluggage, Kathy Taormina. and Elaine Hedtke.

Elaine Hedtke is the new national vice minister. She hails from Port Angeles, WA, and has been serving as regional minister for Trubadors of Peace Region (which encompasses Washington, Northwest Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska).

The first round of balloting for the office of secretary resulted in no absolute majority for any of the nominees: Kathy Taormina, Vickie Klick, Mike Reidy, Jan Parker, Mary Ann Lenzi and Cecilia Majan.

Jan Parker of O'Fallon, MO has been elected secretary. She has been serving as regional minister for St. Clare Region (encompassing most of Missouri, southern Illinois and the southern tip of Indiana).

The vote for treasurer resulted in Dennis Ross being elected for a third term as national treasurer. He hails from Mentor, OH.

After a short break, balloting proceeded to the first office of national councilor. There was no absolute majority on the first round.

Mary Bittner won the second round as the first national councilor. She hails from Ypsilanti, MI, and has served as regional minister of Divine Mercy Region.

Voting for the 2nd national councilor went into a second round of balloting after no one received an absolute majority vote. Voting went into a third round with the two top vote-getters on the ballot: Michelle Kim and Arturo Villareal.

Michelle Kim was elected the second national councilor. She hails from Scarsdale, NY.

Arturo Villareal was elected the third national councilor on the first round of balloting. He hails from El Paso, TX, and has been serving as vice minister of Empress of the Americas Region.

The position of international councilor went into balloting, with Anne Mulqueen and Mary Stronach as nominees.

Anne Mulqueen was re-elected international councilor. She hails from Baltimore, MD.

The final position being voted on is that of substitute international councilor (with other elective officers being candidates). There was no absolute majority in the first round.

Michelle Kim was elected substitute international councilor.