RINGWOOD, N.J. — The summer has passed and we have seen many good days at Holy Name Friary. New friars have arrived — including John Van Hook, OFM, Frank Waywood, OFM, and my brother Howard and myself — and some have gone to God: Charles Brozat, SA, Walter Gagne, SA, Cassian Miles, OFM, and Rayner Williams, OFM.
After a great celebration of the jubilee of vows in July, we had picnics outside and entertainment inside that included musicians, craftsmen, and an abundance of good videos. The staff is wonderful and cooperative. All are willing to find ways and means of making life more rewarding. Mass and evening prayers are times of closeness with God and consciousness of one another, with the level of participation deepening.
Author Philip O’Shea
The St. Francis feast was duly celebrated last month with preprandium and a wonderful meal from Gladys Tacellini, food service director, and her staff. She and her team outdid themselves, only to repeat the experience the following day for Oktoberfest with German food and a German accordion player. What compliments can we pay to our staff, whom we will introduce to you in future bulletins? Their selfless dedication to us and to this place is worthy of great praise.
Coming to a healthcare facility requires great adjustment. Sometimes, it is hard to understand why we are here. The quantity of action may be limited, but the quality of life may be experienced through the marvelous power of adjustment, and it is strengthened by the power that comes from our dedication as friars to the life of grace. We can attain greater understanding of minority, a way of life we claim to embrace through our vows. Our situation here allows us to view this minority positively as circumstances call us to pray meaningfully “thy will be done.”
In short, there is much here for which to be grateful. We see grace at work, and we experience life in a deep, somewhat restricted way. There is a great call to be positive. And we express ourselves with conviction — we may be old, we may decrepit, but we ain’t dead!
— Fr. Philip, a native of Massachusetts, moved to Holy Name Friary this summer. He had lived at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston since 2001.
Related Links
- “Provincial Healthcare Facility Recognized with Award” – June 25, 2014, HNP Today
- Deceased Friars section of HNP.org
- “Ringwood Residents Grateful for Home, Family” – March 4, 2009, HNP Today
- “Seasonal Reflection: A Fast From the Unusual” by Philip O’Shea, OFM — Feb. 13, 2013, HNP Today