The Franciscan Partners Program is a volunteer program administered by the Franciscans of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is a group of lay people either from the local community or from other areas who are committed to a year or more of service to the poor and marginated peoples of the geographic area served by the Friars of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province. They come to live with and empower the people with whom they will minister. They come to learn rather than to teach. These men and women share a desire to grow in their knowledge and experience of the Franciscan charism as they respond to a call to minister to others in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and, thereby, assume their rightful place in ministry and leadership roles of their Church. In summary, their purpose is to assist people of the “local Church” in reaching their full potential, as they take ownership and responsibility in their local Church community.

A Franciscan Partners Program volunteer is at least 21 years old and is in good health both in mind and body. The volunteer must be willing to undergo a proper screening process which includes behavioral testing. A résumé, three letters of recommendation, autobiography and life line, as well as a listing of previous employment and ministry experience will be required. A recent photo is also required.

Upon receipt and review of these items by the Partners Director, a recommendation will be drawn up and presented to the Board of Directors for their consideration and approval. If approved by them, the prospective volunteer will be invited to participate in a one to two week orientation program in one of our southwest missions for further evaluation and initial training in preparation for placement at one of our province ministry sites. The Franciscan Partners Program will pay for the most economical bus or train transportation from the volunteer’s home to the orientation site.

After successful completion of the orientation and upon admittance into the Partners Program at a ministry site, the volunteer will remain on probation for a minimum of 30 days to a maximum of 90 days, at the discretion of the Partners Director and in consultation with the on-site coordinator. Upon completion of probation, the volunteer will be fully accepted and commissioned as a member.

A volunteer may resign from the Partners Program at any time. The Director, in consultation with the on-site coordinator, may also terminate a volunteer’s ministry assignment. Such action may or may not terminate participation in the Partners Program. The Director may reassign the volunteer after proper consultation of the parties involved.

The volunteer will serve at one of the locations where the Friars of the Province minister. Currently they are ministering primarily with the Native Americans on the Navajo Reservation and the Pueblo tribes of New Mexico and Arizona. The Province also staffs city parishes of mixed ethnic background (Hispanic, Native American, Anglo) in Albuquerque, Gallup, Roswell, and Peña Blanca, New Mexico. The individual gifts and talents of each volunteer will be assessed for the most appropriate placement. Qualified volunteers might serve as catechists, home visitors, teachers, doctors, nurses, office helpers, mechanics, construction workermusicians, etc.

One of the fundamental Franciscan tenets which must be agreed to by all volunteers is living in community with other Partners members. Our community life is the source of spirituality and strength for our apostolic work. Community living and sharing are primary as they are the reservoirs which feed the streams of Christian ministry. Therefore, volunteers must be willing to share housing, meals, and household duties with other members and be accountable to the group by means of frequent house meetings. Regular prayer and sharing sessions with the hosting Friar Community will be included in the living arrangements. Under most circumstances, the Partners will live in separate quarters from the friars community. However, there may be ministry sites where the Partners and Friars will live together. Ordinarily, a member will not live alone unless serving in such a capacity is essential to the ministry and special arrangements have been made with the Director and on-site coordinator.

The expected commitment is for one year with the possibility of an annual renewal up to six years. Other time schedules can be negotiated.

The Franciscan Partners Program will pay for the most economical transportation from the volunteer’s home to the orientation site. The Partners Program will provide and pay for any personality testing as deemed necessary by the Director. Partners will also provide the orientation program and one spiritual retreat per year.

The on-site agency (church, school, mission, or other institution) which contracts for the service of a volunteer will pay for transportation home at the end of the agreed period of commitment, $100.00 per month food allowance, $100.00 per month personal stipend, $25.00 per month for commuting expenses and the total cost of housing, which includes rent (if applicable), utilities, maintenance and basic telephone service (excluding long distance calls) if the residence has a telephone. Food and commuting allotment payments will be adjusted if more than one volunteer is at same agency. Local volunteers who are accepted into the program will be given the same stipend as those coming from other areas. If the on-site agency will not be able to pay for all the aspects of the volunteer program, the Director will assist the agency by helping obtain funding through grants from various sources. Partners program pays the hosting agency and agency pays the volunteer.

Upon arrival at the ministry site, the agency will give the volunteer $225.00 for food, personal expenses, and personal travel for the first month. If the volunteer should leave before any given month is completed, a proportionate amount of that months’ payment must be returned to the agency. If a volunteer should leave of his or her own accord before the end of the agreed upon period of commitment, the agency is not required to pay for the trip home.

Housing for volunteers will be simple, close to the work site, structurally sound, secure and ready for occupancy upon arrival. Furnishings will include bedding, kitchen utensils, and adequate household furniture. The volunteer may bring personal furnishings, appliances, etc. but is responsible for their maintenance and any shipping fees.

All work related transportation costs beyond a simple commute will be the additional responsibility of the on-site agency. If a volunteer’s personal vehicle will be used for work purposes, an agreement must be worked out at the start of the period of service concerning responsibility for fuel, maintenance, repair, insurance and registration costs.

The Franciscan Partners Program encourages volunteers to retain their current health insurance. If the volunteer does not have health insurance, Partners will provide adequate health insurance for you. The on-site agency will pay the full premiums of the Partners Program Insurance policy. If the volunteer already has health insurance, the on-site agency will pay that portion of the premium which is equal to the premium paid for the insurance plan provided for by Partners.

The Franciscan Partners Program Director is the head of the program as a whole. The director is appointed by the Provincial Board of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province and acts in the name of the Province in cooperation with the board of directors.

The Franciscan Partners Board of Directors is the governing authority of the Partners program. The Board is responsible for setting policy and recommending a candidate for the position of Director. If necessary, it will serve as the final board of appeal in matters involving individual volunteers. The Board of Directors is made up of on-site coordinators appointed by the Director and representatives of the various ministries and regions of the province. The maximum number of board members will be eight.

The on-site coordinator is appointed by the Director and has full authority to act on behalf of the Director, subject to review. The responsibilities of the on-site coordinator include overseeing job performance, work conditions, and community life. The on-site coordinator works in conjunction with the contracting on-site agency in these areas when applicable. This position may be held by a Friar, Religious Sister or Brother, or a lay person who is deemed qualified by the Partners Director.

A volunteer may enter service at any time during the year once the application process has been successfully completed. An on-site orientation program will be provided to coincide with the start of service. The program will vary in length and depth depending on the needs of the individual and the demands of a particular ministry assignment.

The Franciscan way is to always be flexible, simple, visionary and more dependent on the Lord than on our own designs. We have a vision for the future wherein every Christian community which so desires will have a community of Franciscan Partners. They will be empowered to bring the Peace of Christ to every corner of the region. Acting as partners to the Friars, other religious, clergy, and the people they serve they will be the newest Instruments of Peace.

Br Bruce J. Michalek, OFM
Franciscan Partners Program 
PO Box 12395
Albuquerque, NM 87195
Office (505) 877-8006
Cell Phone (505) 980-940
FAX (505) 831-9577
Email: [email protected]