Hawaii’s secular Franciscans elected new officers for a three-year term Aug. 25 in Kona on the Big Island and afterward celebrated with a Mass of thanksgiving in St. Michael Church.
Two national officers from the mainland attended — national Secular Franciscan minister Patrick Mendes and national spiritual assistant Franciscan Brother Bob Brady.
Here are the results of the elections:
Regional minister: Joanne Kahaloa, SFO (St. Joseph Fraternity, Hilo)
Regional vice minister: Beverly Titmus, SFO (St. Joseph Fraternity, Hilo)
Regional secretary: Ron Drum, SFO (Maria O Maluhia Fraternity, Maui)
Regional treasurer: Sharon Paopao, SFO (St. Joseph Fraternity, Hilo)
Regional formation director: Dan Thompson, SFO (Maria O Maluhia Fraternity, Maui)
After St. Francis of Assisi founded his community of friars and St. Clare of Assisi followed his example with the Second Order of the Poor Clare Nuns, he established the “third order,” known today as the Secular Franciscans, for lay men and women, giving them a Rule by which to follow the Gospel’s directives.
Today, more than 30,000 members form 1,200 Franciscan fraternities in the United States. The entire global Franciscan Family is comprised of nearly one million people who live out the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, and being poor, meek and merciful witnesses of the Gospel.
Hawaii has four Fraternities — Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Honaunau and Maui — and emerging fraternities on Oahu and Kauai.
For further information, call regional minister Joanne Kahaloa at (808) 961-2726.