A weekly gathering of news, formation, and events for the brothers and sisters of the Divine Mercy Region — woven from our local fraternities, OFS-USA, and the wider Franciscan family across the nation and around the world.

October 26, 2026 — Prepared for publication.

Pax et bonum! As we enter November, we remember All Saints on Sunday, November 1, All Souls on Monday, November 2, and St. Martin de Porres on Tuesday, November 3 — a month of remembrance and celebration in Black Catholic history.

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

– Wed, Oct 28 — Bible study, Capuchin Retreat Center, Washington, MI: 1:00–2:00 pm in-person & online, 5:45–6:45 pm in-person, hosted by Sally McCuen, OFS. https://www.capretreat.org/

– Sat, Oct 31, 8:45 am — Mass for Life and Eucharistic Procession, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Toledo, with Bishop Daniel E. Thomas. https://toledodiocese.org/diocesan-news/40-days-for-life

– Sat, Oct 31, 3:00–3:30 pm — Rosary Prayer, St. Bonaventure Chapel, Solanus Casey Center, Detroit. https://www.solanuscasey.org/event/rosary-prayer/2026-10-31/

– Sun, Nov 1, 3:00 pm — Dedication of new altar and blessing of restored Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, with Bishop Daniel E. Thomas. https://toledodiocese.org/diocesan-news/faithful-invited-to-dedication-of-new-altar-and-blessing-of-restored-rosary-cathedral

– Sun, Nov 1, 9:00 am — All Saints Mass, St. Bonaventure Chapel, Solanus Casey Center, Detroit. https://www.solanuscasey.org/

– Mon, Nov 2, 6:30 pm — Day of the Dead Mass, Most Holy Trinity Church, 1050 Porter St., Detroit, pan de muerto after Mass. https://ste-anne.org/events/

– Mon, Nov 2, noon — All Souls Mass, St. Bonaventure Chapel, Solanus Casey Center, Detroit. https://www.solanuscasey.org/

– Mon, Nov 2, 7:30 pm ET — Election Eve Prayers, online prayer vigil hosted by the Franciscan Action Network, nonpartisan, one hour, ahead of Election Day. Source: Merwyn DeMello, FAN, email to the Michigan FJC, Oct 21, 2026; also https://maryknollogc.org/action/oct-2026-vote/

– Nov 7–9 — FAN 2026 Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference, Washington, DC area, keynote Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. Not presented as open registration. https://franciscanaction.org/2026-franciscan-justice-leadership-conference/

– Thu, Nov 12, 7:00–9:00 pm — Visitation: St. Louis the King Fraternity, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, White Lake, Michigan. Source: Divine Mercy Region calendar; venue confirmed by Mike, Oct 26, 2026.

– Sat, Nov 14, 11:00 am–4:00 pm — Spiritual Assistant In-Person Gathering, St. Joseph Chapel, 400 South Blvd. West, Pontiac, MI 48341, hosted by Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM, lunch included, Noon Mass on the Franciscan martyrs of Jerusalem. Source: Michelle Bryk, OFS, email, Oct 9, 2026.

– Tue, Nov 17 — Annual International Day of OFS Solidarity, and the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Patroness of the Third Order. https://divinemercyregionofs.org/2026/09/09/2026-dmr-fall-newsletter/

– Wed, Nov 18, 7:00 pm ET — Michigan Franciscan Justice Circle meeting, via Zoom. Date confirmed in the circle’s October agenda; 7:00 pm is the circle’s usual meeting time. Source: Louis Martin, email, Oct 4, 2026.

– Sun, Nov 29 — First Sunday of Advent.

– Sat, Dec 12, 2027, 1:00–3:00 pm — Election: St. Anthony Fraternity, Cross in the Woods Shrine, 7078 M-68, Indian River, MI. Source: Divine Mercy Region calendar.

– Sat, Feb 27, 2027, time TBD — Canonical Establishment of Our Lady of Good Success, Holy Family Catholic Parish, 9669 Kraft Ave SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. Source: Regional Minister Kathleen Carsten, Oct 25, 2026.

NEWS AND FORMATION

– November: A month of remembrance and celebration in Black Catholic history — Detroit Catholic, on All Saints Nov 1, All Souls Nov 2, and St. Martin de Porres Nov 3. https://www.detroitcatholic.com/voices/november-a-month-of-remembrance-and-celebration-in-black-catholic-history

OFS-USA

– National Minister Jane DeRose-Bamman’s 2026 State of the Order, presented Oct 14, 2026, priority “Living the Gospel,” professed membership 8,829 as of Sept 9, 2026. https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2026/10/national-minister-calls-for-thriving-fraternities-rooted-in-gospel-living/

– 2026 JPIC Award to Felix Rosado, OFS. https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2026/10/2026-award-for-justice-peace-and-integrity-of-creation/

– Fr. Marek Stybor’s six reflections as the 2026 Chapter concluded. https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2026/10/guided-by-the-holy-spirit-fr-marek-offers-six-reflections-as-the-2026-chapter-concludes/

– TAU-USA, Summer 2026, Issue 120 — St. Francis’s Prayer Inspired by the Our Father, petition by petition. https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/wp-content/uploads/TAU-USA_English_120_sum_26.pdf

CIOFS

– CIOFS e-newsletter, October 2026 — CIOFS, the international Secular Franciscan Order, has published its October 2026 monthly e-newsletter, marking the culmination of the Franciscan jubilee years at the Transitus, with October prayer intentions, Blessed Antoine Chevrier, a new online Franciscan course “In the Footsteps of Francis and Clare” for 2026-2027, and Minister General Tibor Kauser’s Transitus letter. Subscribe via the CIOFS e-newsletter page: https://ciofs.info/news/e-newsletter/

– Minister General Tibor Kauser, OFS, Letter on the Transitus, Oct 5, 2026 — “Seeing the Doors in the Life and Death of St. Francis.” https://ciofs.info/2026/10/05/seeing-the-doors-in-the-life-and-death-of-st-francis/

– “Spiritual Assistance and Its Role Within the OFS,” Oct 2, 2026. https://ciofs.info/2026/10/02/spiritual-assistance-and-its-role-within-the-ofs/

SPIRITUAL ASSISTANCE

– U.S.A. OFS Congress, July 29–Aug 2, 2026, 500 members, via the OFM Conventual OFS page. https://www.ofmconv.net/en/category/news/general-offices/ofs-en/

– OFM Conventual Minister General greeting for the Solemnity of St. Francis, Oct 3, 2026 — worth passing on to the region site. https://www.ofmconv.net/en/saluto-a-tutto-lordine-nella-solennita-di-san-francesco-2026/

– OFM Fraternitas No. 390, Oct 21, 2026. https://ofm.org/en/fraternitas-390-21-10-2026.html

– OFM OFS news page, checked this run: Koinonia; Challenges for the OFS and YouFra; First International Formation Course for OFS-YouFra Assistants. https://www.ofm.org/en/ofs.html

– Fr. Marek Stybor reflections (CNSA president-in-turn), Handbook for Spiritual Assistance to the OFS (2026), and CNSA procedures/guidelines including International Statute 78.2; “What Is a Spiritual Assistant?” https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/spiritual-assistant-procedures-guidelines/ and https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2025/10/what-is-a-spiritual-assistant/

– Capuchin Province of St. Joseph provincial election, June 4, 2026 — Br. Steven Kropp, OFM Cap., Provincial Minister. https://www.thecapuchins.org/news-releases/midwest-capuchin-friars-elect-provincial-leadership-for-2026-2029

FRANCISCANS INTERNATIONAL

– UN treaty negotiations, 12th session, Oct 19–23, 2026, Geneva — background on negotiations for a new treaty for transnational corporations. https://franciscansinternational.org/blog/un-prepares-to-continue-negotiations-on-new-treaty-for-transnational-corporations/

FRANCISCAN ACTION NETWORK

– Poll chaplains and poll workers for Election Day, Nov 3, 2026 — FAN has recruited 321 volunteers, including friars, sisters, and lay Franciscans, to serve as poll chaplains, a calming presence to help voters feel safe and ensure votes are counted. FAN is also recruiting poll workers in all 50 states and providing de-escalation training. https://franciscanaction.org/faith-in-democracy/

– Election Eve Prayers, Mon, Nov 2, 7:30 pm ET — listed above in Calendar and Events, confirmed by FAN email to the Michigan FJC, Oct 21, 2026. https://maryknollogc.org/action/oct-2026-vote/

– Gaza Children’s Shroud, Washington, DC, Nov 12–22 — prayerful mobilizations Nov 12 (House), Nov 13 (religious site procession), and Nov 16 (Senate). Source: Merwyn DeMello, FAN, email to the Michigan FJC, Oct 21, 2026.

– Nov 7–9 conference listed above in Calendar and Events. https://franciscanaction.org/2026-franciscan-justice-leadership-conference/

Franciscan Justice Circles in Michigan

– Michigan Franciscan Justice Circle (FJC) — part of the Franciscan Action Network. FAN’s Justice Circles page lists Michigan among its active circles. https://franciscanaction.org/franciscan-justice-circles/

– Last meeting: Wed, Oct 21, 2026, 7:00 pm, via Zoom. Source: Louis Martin, email, Oct 19, 2026.

– Next meeting: Wed, Nov 18, 2026, 7:00 pm ET, via Zoom. Date confirmed in the circle’s October agenda; 7:00 pm is the circle’s usual time. Source: Louis Martin, email, Oct 4, 2026.

– How to join: https://franciscanaction.org/join-fjc/

– Recent Michigan action, September 2026: The Michigan FJC submitted Letters to the Editor to six newspapers in Michigan expressing concern about violence at the hands of ICE and DHS, calling for accountability and an end to dehumanizing policies; the letters were published in four papers. https://franciscanaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/9.15-2026-Weekly-Newsletter.pdf

– Also in September: A Detroit Free Press letter, “The church calls us to welcome strangers,” was signed by Rev. John Celichowski, OFM Cap., writing on behalf of the Michigan Franciscan Justice Circle, urging independent investigations, respect for immigrant neighbors and the rule of law, and an end to policies rooted in violence and dehumanization. https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/readers/2026/09/05/rural-hospitals-trump-kennedy-center-letters/91563965007/

MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTIONS

Pope’s Monthly Prayer Intention — November 2026: For the proper use of wealth

“Let us pray for the proper use of wealth, that not succumbing to the temptation of selfishness, it may always be put at the service of the common good and solidarity of those who have less.” https://www.praywiththepope.net/wp-content/uploads/booklet-_EN_Intenciones-2026.pdf

CIOFS / OFS Intentions — November 2026

For the YouFra international assembly in Assisi and for the CIOFS Presidency; OFS Prayer for Vocations — for the elderly, sick and retired OFS brothers and sisters. https://ciofs.info/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/EN-Monthly-Intentions-2026.pdf

OFS-USA Intentions — November 2026

No separate OFS-USA November intention was confirmed.

A NOTE TO DIVINE MERCY REGION FRATERNITY MINISTERS

Peace!

To help us share your fraternity’s news and events with the whole Divine Mercy Region, please send your upcoming event information to me at divinemercyofs@gmail.com, with any flyers or other necessary materials.

For each event, please include the event name, date and time, location and address, host fraternity, contact person, and any registration link or flyer. Sending it as early as possible helps us give everyone advance notice in the digest and on the region Events page.

Thank you!

Mike

Sources are linked throughout; summaries are in our own words, and views expressed in linked articles and letters are those of their authors and organizations.

Pax et bonum,

Michael Carsten, OFS/SA

Webmaster, Divine Mercy Region