Is St. Francis too saintly for us? Friars can explore that question at two retreats being given by a Franciscan priest early next year.
Fr. Thomas Speier, OFM, of St. John the Baptist Province based in Ohio, founder of the Franciscan Spiritual Direction Program, will discuss the topic Jan. 17 to 20 at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Feb. 14 to 17 at St. Anthony Friary in Butler, N.J.
Fr. Thomas, a member of the parish team that serves students at theUniversity of Cincinnati, has given retreats around the world for the past 30 years. He holds two graduate degrees from St. Bonaventure University and the Franciscan Institute, in Allegany, N.Y., and has studied theology at the University of San Francisco, according to an informational flyer about the retreats. In addition, Fr. Thomas has completed the internship program in spiritual direction at the Jesuit Renewal Center in Milford, Ohio.
The cost of the “Is St. Francis Too Saintly For Us” retreat is $200, payable to St. Anthony Friary. Reservatiuons can be made for the Florida retreat with James Toal, OFM, and for the New Jersey event with John Mahon, OFM.
The 2011 retreats were organized by F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, the Province’s moderator of ongoing formation.
Last year’s friar retreats featured Russell Becker, OFM.