National Minister Tom Bello, SFO, and National Spiritual Assistant Lester Bach, OFM Cap., will be the official visitors for the Regional Chapter scheduled for April 27-29 at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, NY, Regional Minister Mary Frances Charsky, SFO, announced.

Every fraternity is required to send a delegate (either the minister or his/her representative) to conduct the business of the order and receive information to take back to the local fraternity, she noted.

"The chapter will be a Franciscan family gathering," Mary Frances said. "We look forward to being inspired by on-going formation sessions, by our sharing as brothers and sisters, and by the open dialogue with our national visitors."

Deacon Tom, as head of the 13,500 member order in the U.S., will be the fraternal visitor. Father Lester, author of a number of spiritual and formation books, will be the pastoral visitor, representing the First Orders and the church.

Because of the richness of coming together in chapter, she noted, fraternities are invited to send as many representatives and spouses as they like (delegate, observers and guests).

To register, download, fill out and mail the registration form.

Registration fee is $205, covering meals, room and handouts.
Send registration, with payment made out to Secular Franciscan Order BKTR Fraternity, no later than March 24, to: Kim Marks, SFO, 11 East Rouen Drive, Cheektowaga, NY  14227. Her e-mail is marks@bktr.org.