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Posted By Teresa Redder, on April 26th, 2026 On Sunday, April 26, 2026, Saint John the Evangelist Fraternity held a Chapter of Elections at St. John the Evangelist Parish Center in Philadelphia, PA. The presider was Teresa Redder, OFS (Regional Minister) and the ecclesial witness (delegate) was Fr. John McCloskey, OFM Cap.
It is such a great joy to see the election of two newly professed members (Adriano and Victor) to the Fraternity Council with a great desire to serve the Lord with gladness.
We give thanks to God for all of these newly elected servant leaders of this local fraternity. May God continue to bless them with the fidelity to serve with great humility!
| COUNCIL POSITION |
MEMBER |
NOTES |
| Minister |
Carolyn Murray, OFS |
Reelected |
| Vice Minister |
Terry Guerra, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Secretary |
Adriano Duque, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Treasurer |
Bob McKee, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Formation Director |
Venus Murphy, OFS |
Reelected |
| Councilor-at-Large |
Víctor Sanchez, OFS |
Newly elected |
Left to right: Terry Guerra, OFS; Bob McKee, OFS; Adriano Duque, OFS; Carolyn Murray, OFS; Teresa Redder, OFS; Venus Murphy, OFS; Fr. John McCloskey, OFM Cap; and Victor Sanchez, OFS.
The fraternal gathering concluding with Franciscan joy…
and the inquirers who were present had a peek at what a Chapter of Elections looks like!
Posted By Teresa Redder, on April 26th, 2026 On Sunday, April 19, 2026, Saint Joseph Fraternity held a Chapter of Elections at St. Joseph Oblate Seminary in Pittston, PA. The presider was Teresa Redder, OFS (Regional Minister) and the ecclesial witness (delegate) was Deacon Gerard P. Pernot.
We give thanks to God for these newly elected servant leaders of their local fraternity. May God continue to bless them with the fidelity to serve with great humility!
| COUNCIL POSITION |
MEMBER |
| Minister |
Ed Schirra, OFS |
| Vice Minister |
James Gaffney, OFS (new) |
| Secretary |
Michele T. Sisak, OFS |
| Treasurer |
Theresa Lisiewski, OFS (new) |
| Formation Director |
Nancy Beccaloni, OFS (new) |
Back row (left to right): Jim Gaffney, OFS; Theresa Lisiewski, OFS; & Michele Sisak, OFS
Front row: Teresa Redder, OFS; Ed Schirra, OFS; Nancy Beccaloni, OFS, & Deacon Gerard Pernot
Posted By Teresa Redder, on February 25th, 2026 On February 8th, there was a Chapter of Elections at St. Francis Fraternity-Folsom, PA. The presider was Teresa Redder, OFS, and the ecclesial witness (delegate) was Sr. Mercedes, Rojo, OSF. Let us give thanks for the commitment of these elected servant leaders to sustain the fraternal spirit in their fraternity with great humility! It is indeed a blessing that this fraternity chose to elect a Councilor-at-Large to deepen their commitment to growing in their shared vocation.
| SAINT FRANCIS FRATERNITY (FOLSOM) CHAPTER OF ELECTIONS RESULTS |
| Minister |
Marie Gilligan, OFS |
Reelected |
| Vice Minister |
Suzanne McElvenney, OFS |
Reelected |
| Secretary |
Theresa Cavicchio, OFS |
Reelected |
| Treasurer |
Theresa McHugh, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Formation Director |
Tom McGurk, OFS |
Reelected |
| Councilor-at-large |
Rita Dourdoufis, OFS |
Newly elected |
Left to right: Marie Gilligan, OFS; Theresa Cavicchio, OFS; Rita Dourdoufis, OFS; Sr. Mercedes Rojo, OSF; Sue McElvenney, OFS; Tom McGurk, OFS; Teresa & Jeff Redder, OFS
Posted By Teresa Redder, on September 22nd, 2025 Divine Mercy Fraternity held its Chapter of Elections on September 21st at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Absecon, NJ. Fr. Robert Fritz, a retired priest of the Diocese of Camden, was the ecclesial witness. Let us pray for the newly elected Fraternity Council as they serve their fraternity for the next three years and give thanks to those who previously served the fraternity:
| Council Position |
Fraternity Member |
|
| Minister |
Kathy Agosto, OFS |
Reelected |
| Vice Minister |
Vicky Campbell, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Secretary |
Colleen McCarry, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Treasurer |
Angel Cortes, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Formation Director |
Jack Pfeifer, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Councilor-at-large |
Mayra Castillo, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Councilor-at-large |
Reina Diaz, OFS |
Newly elected |
| Councilor-at-large |
Horace Robinson, OFS |
Newly elected |
Left to right: Teresa Redder, OFS (Regional Minister); Colleen McCarry, OFS (Secretary); Vicky Campbell, OFS (Vice Minister); Kathy Agosto, OFS (Minister): Angel Cortes, OFS (Treasurer); Fr. Robert J. Frtiz (Ecclesial Witness); Reina Diaz, OFS, Mayra Castillo, OFS, and Horace Robinson, OFS (Councilors-at-large); and Jack Pfeifer, OFS (Formation Director)
Posted By Teresa Redder, on June 9th, 2024 Blessings of peace and all good!
On June 9, 2024, Jennifer Drees, OFS (Regional Formation Director) presided at the Chapter of Elections for Blessed Sacrament Fraternity in Whiting, NJ. The ecclesial witness was Br. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv, the delegate for Fr. Francis Sariego, OFM Cap.
With great joy, we announce the next Executive Council for this fraternity for the next three years:
| Minister |
Rose Viragh, OFS |
Returning |
| Vice-Minister |
Tiffany Menendez, OFS |
Returning |
| Secretary |
Mira Welnowska, OFS |
Returning |
| Treasurer |
Margaret Garvin, OFS |
Returning |
| Formation Director |
Maureen Fantauzzo, OFS |
Returning |
| Councilor-at-Large |
Theresa Langan, OFS |
Newly Elected |
| Councilor-at-Large |
Frank Wagner, OFS |
Newly Elected |
 
Left to right: Br. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv (Ecclesial Witness); Tiffany Menendez, OFS (Vice-Minister); Margaret Garvin, OFS (Treasurer); Rose Viragh, OFS (Minister); Theresa Langan, OFS (Councilor-at-Large); Mira Welnowska, OFS (Secretary); Frank Wagner, OFS (Councilor-at-Large); Maureen Fantauzzo, OFS (Formation Director); and Jennifer Drees, OFS (SKD Regional Formation Director and Election Presider)
May God bless these willing and dedicated servant leaders with the Holy Spirit’s gifts to serve their fraternity and the Secular Franciscan Order with great courage and perseverance! We thank the five members of this fraternity who have returned to Council to serve their brothers and sisters, and we welcome the two new councilors-at-large into their new responsibilities of animating and guiding their fraternity with devotion to the holy Gospel!
Posted By Teresa Redder, on March 17th, 2024 Greetings to all from St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, PA, where St. Francis Fraternity held a Chapter of Elections on St. Patrick’s Day. The fraternity had 100% attendance, with 21 members present to cast their votes.
 
With great joy, we introduce the new servant leaders of this fraternity:
| Minister |
Mark Shedden,, OFS |
| Vice-Minister |
Andrea Olock, OFS |
| Secretary |
Joan Hilstolsky, OFS |
| Treasurer |
Stephen Puccino, OFS |
| Formation Director |
Rosemary Rossner, OFS |
| Councilor-at-Large |
Thomas Coleca, OFS |
| Councilor-at-Large |
Mandy Gero, OFS |
| Presider |
Teresa Redder, OFS
St. Katharine Drexel Regional Minister |
| Ecclesial Witness |
Fr. Loren Connell, OFM (Delegate)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Province |
| Secretary of Elections |
Rosemary Rossner, OFS |
| Tellers of Election |
Thomas Coleca, OFS
Malia Dillard, OFS |
Top row (l-r): Br. Loren Connell, OFM (Spiritual Asst), Rosemary Rossner, OFS (Formation Director), Tom Coleca, OFS (Councilor-at-Large), Mandy Gero, OFS (Councilor-at-Large), Steve Puccino, OFS (Treasurer)
Bottom row: Andrea Olock, OFS (Vice-Minister), Mark Shedden, OFS (Minister), & Teresa Redder, OFS (SKD Regional Minister)
Not available for the photos: Joan Hilstolsky, OFS (Secretary)
May God bless the outgoing council members for their long and dedicated service and may the Holy Spirit animate the new leadership council to serve the Lord with gladness for the next three years with fidelity and humility!
Posted By Teresa Redder, on June 21st, 2023 Dear brothers and sisters of Saint Katharine Drexel Regional Fraternity,
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
In preparation for their Chapter of Elections, Jerry Sanvardine, OFS (Minister) told me that the fraternity planned to attend the 9:30 AM Mass at St. Anthony Church because Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish had this announcement in their Corpus Christi Sunday bulletin:
“ON THE HORIZON—OUR PATRONAL FEAST WEEKEND OF JUNE 17-18 SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA We shall be honoring the co-patron of our parish at all Masses the weekend of June 17-18. While the actual feast day is Tuesday, June 13, liturgical law permits that a patronal feast may be observed on the nearest weekend. This permits a greater and more solemn celebration of our parish feast day. The faithful will be able to venerate St. Anthony’s relic at the conclusion of Mass. The usual weekday Masses will be celebrated on June 13.”
This Mass was offered for the intentions of Spirit of St. Francis Fraternity.
Pam Stout, OFS (Regional Secretary), and Jeff Redder, OFS (Regional Councilor-at-large) accompanied me to the elections. With great joy, I announce the results of the Chapter of Elections held on June 18, 2023 for Spirit of St. Francis Fraternity in Hamilton, NJ:
| Name |
Position |
Helpful Info |
| Jerry Sanvardine, OFS |
Minister |
Reelected |
| Mike Sabol, OFS |
Vice Minister |
Reelected |
| Christine Muszynski, OFS |
Secretary |
New |
| Joe Campos, OFS |
Treasurer |
Reelected |
| Sue Campos, OFS |
Formation Director |
New (previous secretary) |
| Joanne Sanvardine, OFS |
Councilor |
Reelected |
(Seated l-r): Pam Stout (SKD Secretary), Sue Campos (Formation Director), Teresa Redder (SKD Minister), Joanne Sanvardine (Councilor), Christine Muszynski (Secretary)
(Standing l-r): Joe Campos (Treasurer), Jerry Sanvardine (Minister), Mike Sabol (Vice Minister), Msgr John Dermond (Spiritual Asst & Ecclesial Witness), & Jeff Redder (SKD Councilor)
Note: Jerry made the beautiful Tau cross that Teresa is holding. One of these Tau crosses was on each table of the gathering area and a wonderful reminder of our profession commitment.
The fraternity also joyfully celebrated the birthdays of Jean Fell (June 11th) and Sue Campos (June 16th).
May God continue to bless these faithful servant leaders and the fraternity that they serve with peace, goodness, and joy!
Peace and all good,
Teresa
+ + +
Posted By Teresa Redder, on June 17th, 2023 Brothers and sisters,
I joyfully announce the results of the Chapter of Elections held in Norristown, PA, on June 11, 2023 for Immaculate Conception Fraternity:
| Name |
Position |
Helpful Info |
| Amanda Jamnicky, OFS |
Minister |
Reelected to 3rd term |
| Stephanie Russo, OFS |
Vice Minister |
New
(previous formation director) |
| Maria Innocenti, OFS |
Secretary |
New
(previous vice minister) |
| Jeremy Cherelli, OFS |
Treasurer |
Reelected |
| Lisa Bechtel, OFS |
Formation Director |
New
(previous secretary) |
| Mike Stanek, OFS |
Councilor |
New |
| Iliana Mendez, OFS |
Councilor |
Reelected |
Let us keep these servant leaders in our prayers!
Peace and all good,
Teresa Redder, OFS
Seated (left to right): Amanda Jamnicky (Minister), Lisa Bechtel (Formation Director), & Maria Innocenti (Secretary)
Standing (left to right): Stephanie Russo (Vice Minister), Jeremy Cherelli (Treasurer), Iliana Mendez (Councilor), Mike Stanek (Councilor), and Teresa Redder (Regional Minister)
Posted By Kate Kleinert, on March 25th, 2019 Dear brothers and sisters, may the peace of the Lord be with you! I announce the following people have been elected to Regional positions:
Kate Kleinert, OFS – Minister
Gretchen Bienkowski, OFS – Vice Minister
Justin Carisio, OFS – Formation Director
Teresa Redder, OFS Secretary
Frank Urso, OFS- Treasurer
Cindy Louden, OFS – Councillor at Large
Ted Bienkowski, OFS – Councillor at Large
Please keep the newly elected Council in your prayers as we prepare to serve you for the next three years!
Posted By Teresa Redder, on March 20th, 2016 Secular Franciscans from all corners of the SKD Region gathered at the beautiful St. Francis Retreat House in Easton for a Chapter of Election. After much prayerful preparation and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, representatives from the local fraternities and the regional leadership elected a new Regional Executive Council:
- Minister: Kate Kleinert, OFS
- Vice Minister: Gretchen Bienkowski, OFS
- Formation Director: Rose Viragh, OFS
- Secretary: Frank Urso, OFS
- Treasurer: Stephanie Wiecer, OFS
- Councillor at Large: Lee Potts, OFS
- Councillor at Large: Ted Bienkowski, OFS
Our Spiritual Assistants Bro. Larry Hilferty, TOR and Fr. Francis Sariego, OFM Cap. automatically continue as members of the Regional Executive Council.
Many thanks to NAFRA Executive Council representative Mary Stronach, OFS who oversaw and lead the actual election process and to our beloved Brother Larry for serving as Ecclesiastical Witness and for providing his thoughts about Franciscan leadership.
Thanks, also, to the outgoing Committee members for their years of leadership and hard work: Mattie Ward, OFS; Madge Peroni, OFS; Kathy Agosto, OFS; and David Misilewich, OFS. Your many contributions are greatly appreciate.
Please be sure to hold the members of the new Executive Council in prayer, especially as they begin their three-year term of service to every member of the Region and to Order in general.
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