Holy Name Province is offering two winter retreats for friars in the new year that are open to members of other OFM provinces. The gatherings are scheduled for Jan. 18 to 21 in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Feb. 15 to 18 in Butler, N.J.
To reserve a place at the retreats, friars are asked to contact the guardian of the respective friary — Joseph Hertel, OFM, at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg and Robert Frazzetta, OFM, at the friary of the same name in Butler.
The retreats will be led by two members of Immaculate Conception Province: Fr. Michael MacInnis, OFM, director of postulancy, and Fr. Thomas Washburn, OFM, co-director of communication and executive secretary of the English-speaking Conference. “They are especially gifted and qualified to lead us even more deeply into our Franciscan calling,” according to the informational pamphlet about the events.
These retreats are open to members of all ESC provinces, according to Robert Sandoz, OFM, chair of the HNP Ongoing Formation Committee, which is planning the retreats. The events have no registration deadline, since space varies by venue.
Retreats give us a moment of grace in the life of every friar, said the retreat planners. They allow participants “to listen in a new way to the voice of the Spirit of God, calling us to the promise of abundant life.”
These retreats are taking place soon after the annual interprovincial retreat scheduled for Jan. 4 to 8 in New Mexico.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.
Related Links
- “Friar Retreats Focus on Francis and Clare” — Sept. 27, 2012, HNP Today
- “Friars Retreat with St. Paul in St. Petersburg” — Feb. 4, 2009, HNP Today