CAMDEN, N.J. — Approximately 20 alumni from St. Bonaventure University attended a Mass and reception at St. Anthony of Padua Church here on March 18.
Participants included Holy Name Province novices Dan Horan, in photo, andSteve Dewitt as well as members of the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry program Kelly Zientek and Debbie Holihan; former FVM Melissa Weise; former SBU campus minister and current Long Beach Island parishioner Chris Ryder; and Patrick McCarthy, formerly of the staff of Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Mountain Retreat.
According to Jud Weiksnar, the highlight of the afternoon was when SBU alumni and St. Anthony’s parishioners got up alternately to share about what was special to them about St. Bonaventure, and what is special to them about St. Anthony’s.
Jud said “We hope to follow up with a spring service day in May.”
SBU alumnus Jerry Ford of Hightstown, N.J., said that he was impressed by the friars, staff and parishioners at St. Anthony’s Parish.
“Although they are situated in the poorest city in the country, as noted by Fr. Jud in his homily, it was easy to see that there was a sense of hope and optimism among those present. I would hope that an on-going partnership with SBU alums can be developed and nurtured as an on-going process,” Jerry said. “This would be a wonderful way to live out the Bonaventure tradition and to learn much in return.”
Photo above: From left, SBU alumni Br. Dan Horan, OFM, Melissa Weise and Debbie Holihan.