January 7, 2009
Vol. 43, No. 1

IN THE HEADLINES

Province Congratulates Jubilarians, Remembers the Deceased
As 2009 begins, the friars of Holy Name Province are looking forward to the new year and taking a glance back -- commemorating the milestone anniversaries of friars and remembering those who passed away in 2008.

Ringwood Friary Earns High Marks in Government Report
Holy Name’s healthcare facility in northwest New Jersey received the highest possible rating after a recent review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The friary’s five-star rating makes it one of only three facilities in Passaic County to receive this ranking.

FRIAR NEWS

A Glimpse into the Life of a Novice
The three men in Holy Name Province’s novitiate program are settling back into their focused and structured lives after participating in two out-of-town trips before Christmas.

St. Petersburg Friars Spread Christmas Cheer
“I never expected that the Advent and Christmas seasons would be so pastorally busy in a retirement friary,” said James Toal, in his first term as guardian of St. Anthony’s Friary in St. Petersburg. Former HNP communications director Roy Gasnick describes the diverse ministry of the friar priests.

Friars Celebrate at Deaf SFO Profession
Hugh Macsherry and Francis Di Spigno were on hand in December when St. Francis of Assisi Deaf Secular Franciscan Fraternity received six members at a Mass in Maryland. Hugh, deacon for the deaf community in the Washington, D.C., area, preached and provided a report.

Postulants Interviewed on Boston Radio
Holy Name postulants Scott Carey, Gerald Hopeck and Michael Reyes were interviewed last month on a radio show about why they chose a religious vocation. They described why they selected the Franciscans and what they are enjoying most about life and ministryat St. Anthony Shrine.

Friar News Briefs
Click here for news about activities of Holy Name friars, including Matthew Conlin, Daniel Lanahan, John Maganzini, William McIntyre, John O’Connor, Steven Pavignano, Brian Smail, and Gonzalo Torres.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

New JPIC Preaching Resources
The Province’s Web site will be offering – beginning this month – a series of preaching resources on its Justice and Peace page.

Pope's New Year Message a Reminder of Poverty, Peace
Throughout the world, Catholics are beginning the new year with hopes and dreams, goals and resolutions. In a recent message, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized the need to fight poverty to build peace.

Manhattan Breadline Serves Warmth for Holidays
Guests of the St. Francis Breadline in Manhattan had a warm Christmas thanks to sweatshirts and winter woolens they received the day before Christmas Eve.

Raleigh Church To Host Hunger Conference
David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, will give the keynote address in February when the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi in Raleigh, N.C., holds its “Hunger No More” conference.

Maryland Church Focuses on Climate Change and Creation Care
St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring embraced the topic of global climate change, with a twist. A team developed an eight-session program co-facilitated by Jacek Orzechowski titled “Global Climate Change: Impact and Faith Response.”

Province Offers Lenten Resource
A Lenten resource titled "St. Paul Guides Us Through Lent to Easter" is available to newsletter readers and other friends of the Province through Holy Name's Office of Development.

'HNP Friars Only' Web Page Expanded, Renamed
The Provincial Web site’s “Friars Only” page is no longer just for friars; it has been expanded in its content and use, and has been renamed.

WTU Looks Forward to New Year
The Washington Theological Union community is looking ahead with optimism to a successful semester.

Province Announces Dates of 2009 Events
The Provincial Office has set the dates of many of the major events planned for this year, including ordination and the simple and solemn professions of vows.

This Month in Holy Name's History
Some notable provincial events that took place in past Januarys are listed.

Province Mourns Death of Friar’s Brother
Prayers are with the family of Felix McGrath, whose brother died last month.

FEATURES

Churches Minister to Those Without Work
In these challenging financial times, churches in the Province are ministering to the unemployed, helping them view their struggle as part of a spiritual journey, as well as offering practical job-search tips. HNP Today reports on programs in Boston, New York City, North Carolina and Florida.

JPIC Directorate Urges Action for Peacemaking
The violence raging in the Gaza Strip has prompted concern and action by the Province’s justice and peace leaders. They are urging education about the situation, as well as signing of a letter to the president-elect that will be delivered during the time of his inauguration.

CBS-TV Films North Jersey Parish for its ‘Greenness’
St. Mary Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J. – a large facility with a small carbon footprint -- was featured in a CBS-TV special on Dec. 21 on the church’s efforts to preserve the environment. Pastor Kevin Downey was in the spotlight.

FRANCISCAN WORLD

FAN to Develop Economic Recovery Agenda
Since its March 2008 launch, the Franciscan Action Network has been busy enrolling members and working on new programs. In December, FAN representatives met with an aide to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on an economic recovery agenda, and signed up 200 more members of the network.

SFO General Chapter Meets in Hungary
The Secular Franciscan Order held its General Elective Chapter in Hungary this November, attended by Richard Trezza as a translator. The Order re-elected its General Minister and discussed the topics of profession and belonging.

St. Barbara Province Elects New Leader
The friars of the St. Barbara Province, based in California this week elected Fr. John Hardin, OFM, as their new Provincial Minister.

New Peace Center to Open in North Korea
General Minister José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, has announced that a Center of Services for Peace will open this month in North Korea, offering food to the hungry and medical services to those in need.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Provincial Council Meeting
January 7 - 9, 2009
Monthly meeting of HNP's council members. Location: Franciscan Friary in Margate, N.J.

Franciscan Experience Weekend (FEW) at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston
January 16 - 18, 2009
FEWs offer an opportunity for men interested in Franciscan life to discuss their calling in depth with our vocation director and other members of the...

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration in Midtown Manhattan
January 18, 2009
This year's provincial commemoration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday will be a Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street, Manhattan. Provincial Vicar...

Provincial Office Closed for Martin Luther King ,Jr. holiday
January 19, 2009
Holy Name Province's headquarters is closed Jan. 19 in commemoration of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.