April 1, 2009
Vol. 43, No. 7

IN THE HEADLINES

Friars Take HNP's Peace Pilgrimage to Holy Land
Seven friars from the Province visited the Holy Land last month in a pilgrimage of peace to commemorate the Order’s 800th anniversary. The trip expressed the Province’s commitment to the peacemaking charism of St. Francis and acted on the preemptive peacemaking proposal passed at the 2005 Provincial Chapter.

Evan Banks Dies
Funeral services were held last week for Evan Banks, 85, who died March 21 at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. The New York native had been a professed Franciscan friar for 63 years.

HNP Guardians Meet for Leadership Workshop
Through presentations and group discussions, priorities were determined last month for Holy Name Province’s leadership needs. They will be discussed at the Leadership Development Committee meeting this week.

FRIAR NEWS

Shame and Grace: The Story of Danilo, a Migrant Laborer
Christopher Posch shares a story of how he helped a migrant worker in Delaware, struggling to receive his first Communion and be married, understand that all he needed was simply the desire to know and love God.

Transitions
Two friars have new assignments.

Catholic Weekly Publishes Friar's Article on Healthcare
Daniel Sulmasy wrote about the shrinking U.S. Catholic healthcare system in the March 16 edition of America: The National Catholic Weekly.

Friar News Briefs
Click here for news about activities of Holy Name friars, including Julian Davies, F. Edward Coughlin, Kevin Cronin, Octavio Duran, Francis Gunn, Daniel Horan, Julian Jagudilla, Jeffery Jordan, Daniel Lanahan, Anthony LoGalbo, Kevin Mullen, John O'Connor, Ronald Pecci, Daniel Riley, Brian Smail and James Vacco.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

JPIC Local Contacts Retreat Accepting Registrants
The Province's annual JPIC retreat is scheduled for May 1 to 3 at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Ringwood, N.J. Though space is limited, spots are still available.

Guild Features OFM Anniversary in Spring issue of The Anthonian
An article by Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti about the Order’s 800-year history is featured in the current issue of The Anthonian.

Magazine Lists Ringwood Friary Among Best in the U.S.
The Province’s Holy Name Friary is among 27 elite facilities cited in the March 13 issue of U.S. News & World Report as “America’s Best Nursing Homes.”

Raleigh Parish Blesses the Ground for Construction
On March 22, parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Church in North Carolina gathered to celebrate a ground blessing as they prepared to start the building phase of their $10 million capital campaign.

Newsletter Deadlines
HNP Today will not be distributed during Easter Week. The Communications Office is accepting news for the April 22 issue and has announced Web site enhancements.

St. Francis Inn Featured in Philly Paper
A vacationing Canadian couple earned St. Francis Inn a spot on the front page of the Local News section of the Philadelphia Inquirer on March 15.

Spring Events
The Province is preparing for its Franciscan Family Study Day on April 25 and an ordination of four priests on May 16.

Catholics to Focus on Earth Day
With Earth Day just around the corner, friars from the Order founded by the patron saint of the environment are making strides to raise awareness about “green” initiatives.

Annual Budgets and Grant Requests Due
All HNP budgets for friaries, offices, committees, and individual ministries as well as grant requests are due to the Provincial Office.

This Month in Province History
Fifteen friars attended Mass with Pope Benedict XVI in New York City last April, while the St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in North Carolina held its annual fundraiser. These and other noteworthy events held in April through the years are listed.

Quam Bonum Schedule
The Province’s Quam Bonum house on Cape Cod will be closed from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

Province Mourns Deaths of Relatives, Friends
The Province is mourning the deaths of two friars’ siblings and friars from two provinces.

FEATURES

HNP Friars and Friends Participate in EAD
Provincial Minister John O’Connor spoke at Mass last month, where hundreds of Franciscan-hearted people participated in this year’s Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice outside Washington, D.C.

Cephas Merger Forms Peaceprints Prison Ministry
The Province’s Cephas program, offering prison ministry and transitional housing for ex-offenders in Western New York State, is merging with a similar organization. Plans include forging a strategic plan and acquiring a church rectory for additional space.

General Minister Sends Easter Greetings
Jose Rodriguez Carballo, OFM General Minister, distributed a message of joy as part of a recent Easter letter to his Franciscan brothers.

FRANCISCAN WORLD

FMS Appoints New Executive Director
After a month on the job, Kim Smolik, the new executive director of the Franciscan Mission Service in Washington, D.C., said she is touched by the deep commitment of the lay international mission program.

Number of Friars Increases in Indonesia
While friars in formation in Indonesia work side-by-side with local farmers to help them learn eco-friendly farming, the EcoPastoral Program is attracting more men to the OFM vocation. Other updates from the Order's JPIC office in Rome are highlighted.

IC Province Redesigns Web Site
Immaculate Conception Province has redesigned its Web site to be more user-friendly and accessible to visitors.

Quincy University Commemorates 150 Years
The Franciscan university in Illinois is preparing for a year of special events to celebrate its historic milestone.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Come and See Weekend at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston
April 3 - 5, 2009
If you are interested in Franciscan life, we invite you to visit our community at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston for a weekend of...

Franciscan Experience Weekend (FEW) at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston
April 3 - 5, 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...

Provincial Council Meeting in New York
April 23 - 23, 2009
Monthly meeting of the Council at the Provincial Office on West 31st Street.

Franciscan Family Study Day in New York City Commemorating the Order's 800th Anniversary
April 25, 2009
A celebration of the 800th anniversary of Pope Innocent III's oral approval of Francis of Assisi's proposal in 1209 to live a Gospel way of life. The day...