April 22, 2009
Vol. 43, No. 8

IN THE HEADLINES

Province Ministries Mark Earth Day
If the ecology-conscious St. Francis lived today, Earth Day would probably make him smile, as would the significant ways Province ministries marked the April 22 event, including displays, Webinars, clean-ups and gardening.

Laurence Rainville Dies
Funeral services were held last week for Laurence Rainville, 89, who died April 13 at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. The founder of Siena College’s computer science department had been a professed Franciscan friar for nearly 67 years.

Friars Welcome New Archbishop
Eight Holy Name friars were among the thousands who welcomed new Archbishop Timothy Dolan to New York City last week at his installation Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

FRIAR NEWS

Transitions
Five friars have new assignments.

Provincial Vicar Greets Book Buyers
Dominic Monti greeted interested readers at a book signing in Manhattan April 14. It was the first of several such opportunities that Dominic has to talk with purchasers of his recently-published history of the Franciscans.

Maryland Friars Weed Gardens, Root Out Sin
During Lent, a group of friars from Holy Name College joined the Sierra Club to help root out invasive plant species at a Maryland park. The activity reminded them of the Lenten discipline of rooting out sin.

Provincial Minister's Schedule
John O’Connor will travel to Western New York, Georgia, Maryland and Italy in the coming weeks.

Friar News Briefs
Click here for news about activities of Holy Name friars, including Russell Becker, Brian Belanger, David Bossman, John Capozzi, Thomas Conway, William DeBiase, Francis Di Spigno, Roy Gasnick, Francis Gunn, David Haack, Michael Harlan, Daniel Horan, Gary Maciag, Kevin Mackin, John O’Connor, Steven Patti, Roderic Petrie, Daniel Riley, Mark Reamer, Andrew Reitz, Frank Sevola, Brian Smail and Flavian Walsh.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

Dates to Save
Space is still available for registrants interested in attending Holy Name Province’s Franciscan Family Study Day on Saturday. This event, commemorating the Order’s 800th anniversary, is the first of several major events the Province is holding this spring and summer.

Georgia Campus Ministry Nears End of Productive Year
As another college term concludes, the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia is coming to the end of a busy year. The campus ministry offered a service event and a student-run retreat last month, according to Thomas Vigliotta, who directs the program with David Hyman.

SBU Rededicates Thomas Merton Center
St. Bonaventure University rededicated its Thomas Merton Center on April 1, several months after the 40th anniversary of the popular Trappist monk’s death. Mt. Irenaeus’ Robert Struzynski, who participated in the original dedication 32 years ago while at SBU, was the presenter.

Boston Shrine Holds Retreat for Grieving Parents
St. Anthony Shrine’s Pieta Ministry in Boston for grieving parents who have lost a child is being described as moving, transformational and life-changing.

Vocation Update: Spring Insight & Wisdom Online
The spring issue of Insight & Wisdom is now available online. The Vocation Ministry also reports that its “Life Shift” ad is appearing on ESPN Radio’s Web site and attendance at vocation weekends has increased.

St. Francis Inn Misconceptions
Despite 30 years of service to the community of Philadelphia, people still have some misconceptions about St. Francis Inn. This month’s Pilgrim attempts to clear them up.

Universal Bonaventure Celebration Commemorates Milestone
St. Bonaventure University hosted the last in a series of 26 gatherings last month with the school’s history as its theme and friars among the guests.

Last Marvel St. Francis Comic Books Available
What do Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine and St. Francis of Assisi all have in common? They’re all Marvel superheroes. One is currently featured in a Spanish comic at a sale price.

SBU, Siena To Hold Commencement on May 17
Siena College and St. Bonaventure University will celebrate commencement for 2009 graduates on May 17.

Retreat for Parish Leaders Explores Unique Leadership Tool
“Parish as Family: A Leadership Workshop” is being offered April 27 to 29 at the Miramar Retreat Center in Massachusetts, to explore how parish life closely resembles family dynamics and to strengthen leadership skills.

Province Mourns Deaths of Relative, Friends
Holy Name Province is mourning the deaths of the sister of a friar and two friends.

FEATURES

800 Years: Proud Heritage and Challenge of Renewal
As John Anglin looks back over Franciscan history, he sees it defined by brotherhood and unity. In this reflection on the anniversary, he said that as the Church and the Order move into the future, hanging on to differences will hold them back from giving witness in a world that is torn and divided.

Province Proclaims ‘He is Risen’
Like the joyful and traditional celebration that it is, Easter was observed around the Province with the usual holiday liturgies and baptisms, at Masses and vigils centering around Matthew 28:1-10.

NYC Food Pantries Help More People
With the recession affecting more Americans, food pantries run by Province ministries in New York City are busier than ever, some offering extended services such as providing aspirin, vitamins and cold tablets, along with clothing and baby supplies.

A Common Bond Among the Children of Abraham
Friars and other participants in the recent Franciscan Peace Pilgrimage to the Holy Land are providing reflections about the experience. In this first piece, Robert Menard writes that his visit reminded him of a St. Francis prayer, “We adore you ... and we bless you here and in all your churches throughout the world.”

FRANCISCAN WORLD

Newsletter Highlights 800th Anniversary Celebrations
The April issue of Fraternitas reports on a variety of activities taking place around the globe honoring and celebrating 800 years of the Order of Friars Minor.

Friars Unharmed in Earthquake-Torn L’Aquila, Italy
The Friars Minor of L’Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy, are all unharmed and accounted for after an earthquake destroyed the curia and severely damaged the basilica. The earthquake took the life of Sister Gamma Antonucci of the Poor Clare Monastery.

Conference of Major Superiors Reviews Climate Change
Region V of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men is taking a keen interest in climate change. Members recently met to hear a parishioner from St. Camillus, Silver Spring, Md., who is a U.S. Senate staffer, discuss global warming.

‘Love Holding Love’: New Music for Franciscan Worship, Prayer
A group of Franciscans from around the world has produced a double compact disc and songbook, “Love Holding Love,” consisting of 26 Franciscan mantras drawn from the writings of St. Francis and St. Clare.

Franciscans Fr. Vitale and Fr. Zawada arrested
Fr. Louis Vitale, OFM, and Fr. Jerry Zawada, OFM, were among peace activists arrested on Good Friday for protesting at several sites around the country.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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...

Book signing by Fr. Dominic Monti, OFM, in Midtown Manhattan
May 12, 2009
10 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m. in St. Francis House at St. Francis of Assisi Church, West 31st Street. The Provincial Vicar will sign copies...

Provincial Council Meeting in New York
May 13 - 14, 2009
Monthly meeting of the Council members at the Provincial Office on West 31st street.

Ordination of Four Priests in New York City
May 16, 2009
11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, West 31st Street, New York. Friars who will be ordained are Linh Hoang, Hugh Macsherry, Stephen Mimnaugh, and Harry Monaco.