BOSTON — Two ministries of St. Anthony Shrine were featured last week in the city’s newspapers. Boston’s Globe and the Herald described how the Province’s ministry in the Downtown Crossing neighborhood helps fill emotional and physical needs of its community members.
In a July 26 article, “Strength, in Numbers,” The Boston Globe described the Pieta Ministry, which held a reunion Mass and barbecue on July 24 for parents who have experienced the death of a child.
Shrine director David Convertino, OFM, described by the paper as “a bubbly and engaging friar of 30 years,” said that in this new ministry, he has taken to the task of addressing a need he had not realized existed, according to the Globe.
“In 30 years, this is one of the things that has had the greatest impact on me as a priest,” he said of the program initiated by staff member Diane Monaghan. The next retreat is scheduled for Nov. 5 to 7 at the St. Anthony Shrine friary on Arch Street.
The Pieta Ministry offers two retreats each year, according to a recent news release — one in November for grieving parents who have not attended a previous retreat and one in March for those who have.
On July 28, the Boston Herald reported in “Chicken Freezer a Coup for Shrine” that $185,000 were raised by Herald readers to buy a walk-in freezer to hold an unlimited supply of frozen chicken from an anonymous donor. David extended his appreciation to “so many people and to the Herald for all the help you gave us” in purchasing the freezer that will be ready for use this month.
Monaghan said the shrine staff has received many positive comments in response to both recent articles. One person said, “I loved reading about the Pieta Ministry in the Blog this week. What a great ministry to provide to parents whose lives are changed forever. Then, the story in the Herald today was terrific and upllifing as well. You are doing such a great job.”
A photo of David appears on the Herald website. An announcement about the Shrine’s media attention as well as news about other HNP ministries can be found on the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province Facebook page.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.