OUR LADY OF THE PEARL

A history of Our Lady of the Pearl and a description of its Franciscan ministries and apostolates with an invitation to "come and see." 

We are Our Lady of the Pearl, a Secular Franciscan community, Saint Joan of Arc Region, called to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.  We have been approved for canonical establishment which is set for August 23, 2008, 11:00, Pearlington, Mississippi, at St. Joseph Center.  We meet monthly in Pearlington, at the Little Francis House. We are located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, in Hancock County, on the Pearl River.  Most of us have been very good friends for many years, but our time as a Franciscan group began in the fall of 1996.  

All agree that the Lord brought about the initial event which led to the beginning of Our Lady of the Pearl. It occurred on October 12, 1996, in Poplarville, Mississippi, with a chance meeting between three Secular Franciscans and a friend. The Franciscans shared their journey with their friend who then brought others to later meetings to “come and see.” A period of discernment followed with many coming to hear about Saint Francis.

The Francis House in Pearlington, Mississippi, was blessed for Francis by Fr. John Noone on March 7, 1997. It was the meeting place for Our Lady of the Pearl.  (The Francis House was lost in Hurricane Katrina, with only the slab remaining.) The group was given newly forming status by the Regional Executive Council of St. Joan of Arc Region on March 11, 1997.

The first Inquirers were welcomed on June 6, 1997, and the first formation class began on August 1st that summer. The Inquirers were received as Candidates at St. Charles Borromeo Church by Our Lady of the Angels Fraternity, Picayune, Mississippi, on February 15, 1998. Then, on October 17, 1999, eight Candidates were professed by St. Teresa of Avila Fraternity at the St. Clare Monastery in New Orleans. Status for an emerging community was granted, and the first council was elected on August 25, 2001.

CANONICAL ESTABLISHMENT

The dream of Our Lady of the Pearl members for canonical establishment began before the first members were professed on October 17, 1999. This long and rigorous journey is coming to an end at last. Approval has been given by St. Teresa of Avila, our sponsoring fraternity in New Orleans, St. Joan of Arc Region and the Provincial Delegate of the OFM.

In the final step in the approval process for canonical establish- ment, members of Our Lady of Pearl met with Archbishop Thomas Rodi in Biloxi, Mississippi, on July 8, 2008. The Archbishop signed the official documents, also giving his approval. The canonical establishment and the Mass have been set for August 23rd.

Pictured above, sitting from left to right, Carol Heavey, SFO, Eileen Chapoton, SFO, Archbishop Thomas Rodi, and Bobbye Maggio, SFO. Standing from left to right, Bob Palmer, SFO, Ouida Tomlinson, SFO, Ann Seale, SFO, and Patty Palmer, SFO.

Franciscan Ministries & Apostolates

All the Secular Franciscans of Our Lady of the Pearl participate in the ministries of the community and in their parishes, especially with Adoration, music, working with youth of all ages, teaching CCD classes, and serving as Eucharistic Ministers.  Donations are made by our community to other ministries and to the poor. 

The blessings and graces that the Almighty God has bestowed upon this small group has been truly humbling and amazing.  Through the  guidance of Saint Francis, the Blessed Mother and her Spouse, the Holy Spirit, we have been able to carry the word of God, not only into our neighborhoods here at home, but into other parts of the world.

We live by faith, open to the opportunities that God presents to us.  Mother Angelica says, “If you are following God, He never shows you the end. It’s always a walk of faith.”  It has been an awesome experience to follow the Lord through an open door, not knowing what is beyond or where it will lead .  It has been awesome to surrender to his Holy Will and watch his plans unfold as he uses us (simple, ordinary people) to achieve some good not thought possible.

From our very beginnings, the call for our fraternity has seemed to be in the area of communications and to follow the lead of Pope John Paul II to use modern technology (an area we knew nothing about) for our faith.  

We were blessed to host Father Benet A. Fonck, OFM, in a two-day conference at Our Lady of the Gulf, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  This lecture series was entitled "Saint Francis, The Man Behind the Bird Bath," on Saint Francis, his life and work.  The lectures were professionally recorded, and we experienced our first efforts in the production and national distribution of CD's and tapes.  The rights to this taped series have been given to Fr. Benet.

The web designer for this website and two others was done by one of our members with no previous knowledge and experience in web design.  She is self-taught, learning through reading.  Her first web site was for Concordia Ministries, Inc., a ministry originating out of Our Lady of the Pearl. 

One of our sisters is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Poplarville, MS.  She gathers others at her home every fall to string beads and make beautiful jewelry.  It is sold  at her church's annual art show and church fair in October as well as other juried art shows.  Profits from the sales are given to her church's building fund for a new church.

Our community raised money for an Adoration chapel in Chile.  The funds were personally delivered to the Bishop in Chile by one of our members.  One brother made a mission trip to the Amazon for  Amazon Relief, ministering to the poorest of the poor and those with leprosy.  

One sister assisted with the start of Bible studies at St. Joseph Church, Pearlington, and another sister has taught a Bible study class in her home every week.  Others started a 12-step program which meets weekly.  Another collects used clothing and baby items for the Crisis Pregnancy Group in Covington, LA,  to provide for young mothers who need assistance. 

One member took the H20 Project to Catholic schools in our area to raise money during Lent.  This is a national Franciscan Youth fundraiser to help create clean water by drilling of clean water wells for those most in need.  Money is raised by giving up purchase of beverages for two weeks, drinking only water, and contributing the money.

As a result of our member taking the H2O Project to the schools, $3869.53 was raised and credited to St. Joan of Arc Region.  Of this amount, $1,250 was designed to Mercy Ships and $2,619 to the poor of the village of Cochabamba, Bolivia, South America.  For more information, go to: H20 Project and to FYYA 2007 H2O Project report. 

Several members were the incorporators of Concordia Ministries, Inc., and serve on its board.  Concordia focuses on evangelization and bringing Catholic Radio to South Mississippi.  An application for a license for a radio station is pending with the FCC.  Click link for the website:   Concordia Ministries, Inc. 

Another established Gilead, Inc., which has sponsored many days of recollection, retreats and conferences for healing and  evangelization and to spiritually enrich the hundreds and hundreds who have attended.  She also created The Fidelis Art Center.   

Our Rule states:  "Moreover they should respect all creatures, animate and inanimate, which bear the imprint of the Most High, and they should strive to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship."  In this regard, one sister is a foster mom for Northcentral Maltese Rescue, Inc., a Maltese dog rescue organization, caring for surrendered or abused and neglected dogs until they are well and ready for adoption.

  Is God Calling You to A Franciscan Vocation in the SFO?

We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m., at the Little Francis House, Pearlington, MS.  During this time together, we pray, study, fellowship and address the business of the community. Perhaps God is calling you to a vocation in the Secular Franciscan Order.  If you would like to "come and see" to learn more about us, the Secular Franciscan Order and Saint Francis, you are very welcome.  For more information, please send us an e-mail to ourladyl@ourladyofthepearl.com.  Also, go to our page on this site:  The Call.

Others, not living in our area, who are interested in becoming a Secular Franciscan, in the United States, call 1-800-FRANCIS for information or send an e-mail inquiry (click here). 

Celano, First Life, on the stigmata of St. Francis:
"And although the servant and friend of the most high
saw himself adorned with many costly pearls . . . ." 

Profession, October 12, 1999
St. Clare Monastery, New Orleans

Formation With Sr. Fidelis Hart, OSC
Pearlington, MS

"Obedience is listening to the voice of God."
Sister Fidelis

Members of Our Group Attending
SFO Meeting in New Orleans

Retreat with Richard Morton, SFO,
from Inver Grove Hts., MN, spring 2006.
Richard is a Past National Minister of
the Secular Franciscan Order.

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Pray For Us

PRAYER FOR FRANCISCAN VOCATIONS

Heavenly Father, in the spirit of burning
simplicity of your servant, Francis,
we journey to you ever mindful of the purity of the
Gospel message of our redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Help us, through the powerful intercession of our
Mother, our Lady Queen of Peace, to be a radical
witness of your perfect love.
Let the gentle breeze of your Holy Spirit united
with her in the great mystery of the incarnation
lead us to eternal life.

Teach us to abandon us as she did to your most
perfect and holy will for our lives, always saying
"Yes, here I am Lord."
Join to us, Father, others of one heart and spirit,
called to follow the Franciscan vocation
to rebuild your Church on earth.

 

PRAYER TO THE
SACRED HEART OF JESUS

O most Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love You and with true sorrow for my sins, I offer You this poor heart of mine.  Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Your will.  Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You.  Protect me in the midst of danger, comfort me in my afflictions, give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.  Amen.