St. Mary Secular Franciscan Fraternity
For more information about Secular Franciscans please visit the Queen of Peace Regional Website at
Or the National Secular Franciscan Website at
The Secular Franciscan Order was established by St. Francis of Assisi more than 800 years ago. Worldwide, our numbers make us the largest religious order. Our purpose is to bring the Gospel to life where we live and work. We look for ways to embrace the Gospel in our lives and try to help others to do likewise.
St. Mary Secular Franciscan Fraternity was first established in Waterloo, Iowa on October 12, 1917. For more than 100 years, we have been praying and supporting each other on our faith journey as we follow Jesus Christ using the example of St. Francis to guide us.
If you feel you may have a Secular Franciscan vocation and wish to explore this way of life, please visit at our monthly Gathering and see what we are about.
Our meetings are held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls at 1:00 pm on...
January 14
February 11
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 11
September 15
October 13
November 10
December 8
In case of bad weather, the gatherings will be held online via Zoom. For Login Information, call 319-230-6316
"Visiting St. Mary’s Fraternity while my husband Tony was in Franciscan Formation, gave me a new appreciation for St. Francis of Assisi. I began to study the writings and teachings of Francis which impacted me deeply. I resonated with his focus on living the Gospel through the Holy Spirit, the centrality of the cross, devotion to the Eucharist and love of Mary, our Blessed Mother. The joy of Christ I witnessed in the lives of fraternity members and their striving to live the virtue of Christian charity impressed me greatly. As a Secular Franciscan, I am able to be an instrument of Christ in the world and like St. Francis, be an evangelist for Christ and the Church."
- Sue May, OFS
"I believe Jesus Christ is the son of God. St. Francis is the person who I find imitates Jesus Christ in ways that guide me in my journey to Jesus. I admire St. Francis’ simplicity and his focus on serving and forgiving others. I admire St. Francis’ words that glorify God and his desire to participate in the suffering of Jesus Christ. Franciscan spirituality encompasses the whole of God’s creation. St. Francis had a great love for the Eucharist, solitude and awe-inspiring adoration of God and expressing this using all aspects of God’s creation."
- Tom Schoellen, OFS
"I am a candidate in formation to join the Order of Secular Franciscans. We are Catholic laity following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi in the world we live in today. Come join us. Come see what we are all about. We strive to live the Gospel in our daily life and bring life to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ."
-Denise Jeffrey OFS
"I knew I had the Franciscan charism because of the kinds of work and activities that brought me peace and joy. What I was missing was the fraternity. The time spent in community with St. Mary's Secular Franciscan Fraternity multiplies my peace and joy."
-Brenda Schmitt OFS
"The first time I met a Franciscan sister I was 17. After that I spent five years around them; this was during college and one year of teaching. The Franciscan sisters made an impression on me, but I did not realize how much. When I was around 32, I was called to learn more about the Secular Franciscan Order. I was Professed in 1979, so have been a Secular Franciscan over half of my life."
- Barbara Brown, OFS
"I am in awe of nature and my place in God's design. I like to think that St. Francis was the same but, since joining I have learned that St. Francis is more than just 'the nature saint.' He is peace and justice and his community is that of support and love. The Secular Franciscans are there to help you along your journey, no matter where you are on the path."
- Katie Williams, OFS