February 4, 2009
Vol. 43, No. 3

IN THE HEADLINES

Provincial Visits Friars in Peru
Schools, chapels, a clinic, and other ministries were all part of John O'Connor's recent visit to Lima, where the Provincial Minister heard the appreciation of local residents for the support provided by Holy Name Province. Click for details and photos from John's trip.

St. Stephen of Hungary Parish Hosts Cardinal
Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop of New York, visited the Province's St. Stephen of Hungary School Jan. 27 during Catholic Schools Week. The Manhattan school was chosen from 200 elementary schools.

FRIAR NEWS

An Opportunity Taken, A Gift Received
Christopher VanHaight describes his recent five months in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Friars Retreat with St. Paul in St. Petersburg
Robert Karris directed the first Provincial retreat of 2009 at St. Anthony's Friary in Florida last month, exploring the theme of “St Paul: Apostle, Preacher, Teacher” with the 32 friars in attendance.

Wilmington Friars Launch Non Violence March
With 26 people murdered in Wilmington, Del., last year, Michael Tyson thought it was time for St. Paul’s Parish to speak out against violence.

Claude Lenehan Ministers to Couples in Need
Through his work with Retrouvaille, a Catholic-based peer ministry program for crumbling marriages, Claude Lenehan has worked with almost 4,000 couples over the past 19 years.

Expressing Hope in New President
Several friars from throughout the Province, after watching the inauguration, express hope and excitement about President Obama.

Friar News Briefs
Click here for news about activities of Holy Name friars, including David Bossman, Vincent Cushing, Robert Gavin, Daniel Horan, John Leonard, Michael Oberst, John O’Connor, Francis Pompeii, Andrew Reitz, and Brian Smail.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

JPIC Directorate Working on Several Projects
The new JPIC Directorate is off to a strong start since its forming after the Province’s 2008 Chapter. Members invite all to the Ecumenical Advocacy Days next month.

Demand Up 800% at Maryland Food Pantry
The pinch of the economy is being sorely felt at La Despensa de San Antonio, the food pantry at St. Camillus Church in Maryland, where the demand for food has increased 800 percent in the past year.

Ringwood Staff Wins Praise for Quality Care
The staff of Holy Name Friary in New Jersey was recently recognized by the state for its exemplary care of elderly and sick friars, especially in the prevention of pressure wounds, and urinary tract infections (UTI), two common problems that plague many nursing homes.

Province Plans Franciscan Family Study Day
As part of commemorations of the 800th anniversary of the Franciscan Order, Holy Name Province is holding a Franciscan Family Study Day in New York in April.

St. Francis Inn Spreads Joy to More at Holidays
Christmas in a soup kitchen is always bittersweet. It is a time when the poor and the homeless come together for companionship, special meals, Mass, Christmas music and a general feeling of joy -- even some gifts. St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia not only gave gifts, but received them, in the guests who came to celebrate the holidays.

Breadline Appears in New York Times Photo
A scene of a long line of guests at the St. Francis Breadline in 1934 was published in a recent issue of The New York Times.

Siena Sponsors Habitat House
Siena College is sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity house for a low-income family in nearby Albany, N.Y. The house will be called Siena House.

Provincial Office Staff Visits Hope Lodge
The American Cancer Society, based on West 32nd Street in New York City, welcomed staff members of the Provincial Office to Hope Lodge on Jan. 16. HNP staffers toured the residence for cancer patients, one of more than 25 Hope Lodges that the ACS operates in the United States.

Fraternal Gatherings Being Planned
Registration for one of the Province's nine fraternal gatherings is due by Feb. 16.

A Communications Update
HNP’s Communications Office announces recent publications by friars, enhancements to the Province’s Web site, and newsletter submission deadlines.

This Month in Provincial History
Some of the notable Province events that took place in past Februarys are listed.

Friars Mourn Deaths of Relatives, Friend
Friars of Holy Name Province are mourning three recent deaths.

FEATURES

Ministries March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Friars and members of several ministries from the Province attended the annual March for Life in Washington on Jan. 22. Held just two days after the inauguration, the march protested the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision.

St. Blaise and the Blessing of Throats
Friar John Anglin shares a reflection about St. Blaise, whose feast day was commemorated earlier this week.

North Carolina Prayer Center Begins Fifth Year
St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville, N.C., enters its fifth year this month, enjoying a vibrant popularity and booking retreats well into 2010.

FRANCISCAN WORLD

OFM’s February Newsletter Features 2009 Chapter
The February issue of Fraternitas, the monthly newsletter of the Order of Friars Minor, reports on a variety of gatherings.

Sacred Heart Friars in Leadership Development
As members of other religious communities have been doing, friars of the Province of the Sacred Heart in the Midwest participated in a Provincial Leadership Workshop recently.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Come and See Weekend at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md.
February 13 - 15, 2009
If you are interested in Franciscan life, we invite you to visit our community at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md., for a weekend of...

Provincial Council Meeting in New York, N.Y.
February 13 - 14, 2009
Monthly meeting of the HNP council members at the Provincial Office on West 31st Street.

Come and See Weekend in New York, N.Y.
February 20 - 22, 2009
If you are interested in Franciscan life, we invite you to visit our community at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 135 West 31st Street in Manhattan, for a weekend of...

Funeral Arrangements for Br. Thomas Sullivan, OFM
February 20 - 21, 2009
Wake: 5 - 9 p.m. on Feb. 20 at St. Bonaventure Church, 174 Ramsey St., Paterson, N.J.; Wake Service: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at St. Bonaventure Church; Mass...

Fraternal Gathering in St. Petersburg, Fla.
February 23, 2009
The first of nine HNP fraternal gatherings will be held Feb. 23 at St. Anthony's Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla. Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Registration due to Provincial...

Retreat at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in North Carolina
March 2 - 5, 2009
Friar retreat led by Michael Blastic. Theme: The Life of the Friars Minor: Retreat Reflections on the Rule for the 21st Century; Date: March 2 - 5, 2009 Cost:...