October 28, 2009
Vol. 43, No. 21

IN THE HEADLINES

Mt. Irenaeus Commemorates 25th Anniversary
Friars and visitors commemorated the Franciscan Mountain Retreat’s 25th anniversary with music, a Mass and a meal.

Hispanic Ministry Launches ‘Encuentro’ Blog
A blog to celebrate Hispanic culture in the Church and to exchange ideas about Hispanic ministry was launched the weekend of the Province’s Encuentro Franciscano, a well-attended event in Maryland.

FRIAR NEWS

Transitions
The Provincial Office has announced the transitions of three friars.

Fordham University Honors Franciscan Archbishop
Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez of San Juan was given Fordham’s Sapienta et Doctrina Award at an event this month that included evening prayer and a reflection by a Jesuit author.

Province Affiliates Parents of Three Friars
The parents of St. Anthony Shrine friars David Convertino, Gregory Day and Gene Pistacchio, have recently been affiliated with Holy Name Province.

OFM Provinces Study Novitiate Options
The provinces of the English-speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor are in the process of studying the possibility of establishing a common novitiate program.

News Briefs
Click here for updates about Hugh Hines, Kevin Mackin, Hugh Macsherry, Emeric Meier, Cassian Miles, Jacek Orzechowski, Gene Pistacchio, Andrew Reitz, Dan Sulmasy, Basil Valente and others.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

FMS Event Called ‘Spirited & Enlightening’
Province friars and staffers were among the more than 130 attendees of the recent World Care Benefit and Celebration sponsored by the Franciscan Mission Service where Russ Testa was honored.

Job Opportunity in North Carolina
St. Francis of Assisi Church in Raleigh is seeking a director of pastoral ministries.

NYC Church Offers Programs for Elders, Caregivers
“Can I Give Permission to my Loved One at the End of Life?” and “How to Preserve and Protect Your Assets” are being held next month at St. Francis of Assisi Church.

Updates from WTU
An announcement about an upcoming lecture by Washington Theological Union student Daniel Horan is among recent news reports from the WTU.

Province Mourns Death of Friends, Relatives
The friars are mourning the deaths of two relatives and three friends of Holy Name Province.

FEATURES

Seasonal Reflection: Franciscan Spirituality
Joyful, Pentecostal, incarnational, practical, wise, peaceful — words Neil O’Connell used to describe Franciscan spirituality in a talk given to Harlem parishioners on the eve of the feast of St. Francis.

MOW Friars Preach Digitally and On the Road
The Province's southern Ministry of the Word team has added digital communications to its methods of spreading the good news of the Gospel.

South Carolina Parish Busy with Three Initiatives
St. Anthony of Padua Church in Greenville is proud of three developments: approval to build a new school, a walk for the homeless and growth of a housing initiative.

Web Effort Increases Advocacy to Care for Creation
The Franciscan Action Network hosted its first national Web Summit, focusing on Care for Creation, through which more than 1,000 people joined together to listen to speakers discuss climate change.

Recommended Reading
Two books have been suggested to newsletter readers. Their themes are Franciscan spirituality of the earth and Christ, the liberator.

FRANCISCAN WORLD

IC Province Announces Canonical Visitor
Friar Larry Dunham of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province has been named General Visitor of the Immaculate Conception Province.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friars' Forum at Holy Name Parish
November 10, 2009 - February 9, 2010
Presentations by various friars about a variety of topics including justice and peace, annulments, Eucharist and immigration. For more information and a flyer with dates and...

HNP Guardians Meeting
November 16 - 19, 2009
Annual meeting of the guardians of Holy Name Province. Location: St. Petersburg, Fla.

Franciscan Experience Weekend (FEW)
November 20 - 22, 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
November 20, 2009
Monthly meeting of HNP's council members. Location: St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Provincial Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
November 26 - 27, 2009
The Provincial Office staff wishes all a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend. The office closes at 1 p.m. Wednesday for the holiday.