A Ministry Far from Ordinary

by Frank Fanelli, Amy Won and Christopher Keenan, OFM HNPNow

Many of today’s American friars have come from widely varied backgrounds: lawyers, financial executives, physicians, theater and more. And some have immigrated to this country. Francis Kisoo Kim, OFM, is a prime example of both and, just as his personal background is varied, so are the ministries he has pursued. He is a native of South Korea who came to …

New Course Offered for Asian & Pacific Islander Catholic Ministry

HNP Communications HNPNow

Applications are being accepted for a pair of new certificate programs offered at The Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego in California, according to Linh Hoang, OFM, who is the co-program director for one of the courses – Certificate in Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Catholic Ministry. While it is a 10-month online course, it will …

SAR Directorate’s Aging with Grace Video Series: A Moment With… John Anglin

HNP Communications HNPNow

On nearly a dozen-and-a-half weekends of the year, John Anglin, OFM, who recently turned 78 years old and lives in retirement at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Florida, travels around the country. But these trips are hardly weekend getaways, as John explains in the latest installment of the video series, Aging with Grace. “I have to say… I feel …

Members of the Immaculate Conception Parish youth ministry posed for this photo at the entrance of Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, where the week-long national leadership symposium was held.

A Laudato Si’ Parish in Durham Invests in Future Caretakers of Creation

HNP Communications HNPNow

A Franciscan parish in North Carolina is empowering young adult Hispanic parishioners to become leaders in the Church for social justice and care for creation and our common home. A group of Latino teenagers and young adults from Immaculate Conception Church recently participated in a week-long national leadership symposium in Romeoville, Illinois, where they joined their peers from around the …

Bob Sandoz, OFM (left) and Gregory Gebbia, OFM, examine one of the six raised beds in their vegetable garden.

A Garden Grows at Siena
Green-Thumb Friars Have a Very Franciscan Hobby

HNP Communications HNPNow

Some people read novels. Others give amateur photography a spin, or they do paint-by-number art. But when Gregory Gebbia, OFM, and Robert (Bob) Sandoz, OFM, thought about collaborating on a hobby, they decided on something very Franciscan. They connected with nature and the environment – and, in the process, reconnected with a part of their past that today still holds …

Friars of Holy Name, St. John the Baptist and Assumption Provinces Share Thoughts on Unification of US-6

HNP Communications HNPNow

Starting with this edition and through the final publication of HNP NOW, the staff will interview friars of Holy Name Province and the other US-6 provinces, asking them to share their thoughts and reflections about the unification of the six provinces into a new national Franciscan province in the United States. Here is what the friars, who were interviewed this …

Happy Birthday to Our Brothers!

HNP Communications HNPNow

Joseph Nangle, OFM, has the distinction of being Holy Name Province’s most senior friar celebrating a birthday in July – his 91st on July 20. Joe, a co-founder and resident of the Assisi Community in Washington, D.C. – an intentional community of ordained, vowed, secular and lay persons who live a simple lifestyle – has been a longtime advocate for …

Friars make their way to Snyder Hall on the campus of Siena College for formal presentations during Provincial Chapter week.

The Final Chapter

HNP Communications HNPNow

With mixed emotions and full of hope, more than 150 friars converged earlier this month on the beautiful campus of Siena College in upstate New York, where they authored the final chapter of Holy Name Province – literally and figuratively. The 2023 Provincial Chapter was the final such gathering for the friars of Holy Name before they join with the …

Friars Reflect on the Chapter, Memories of HNP, and What’s Ahead

HNP Communications HNPNow

Sadness. Joy. Bittersweet. Exhilaration. It was a confluence of emotion that friars were feeling at the final Provincial Chapter of Holy Name Province – and understandably so. Friars were happy to be connecting again after the pandemic caused a long break between Chapters. But many also realized it would be the final time they would convene under the Holy Name …

Happy Birthday to Our Brothers!

HNP Communications HNPNow

Richard Flaherty, OFM, and Daniel Murray, OFM, who commemorated their 50th anniversary of first profession of vows last month, have the distinction this month of being the most senior friars celebrating June birthdays – Richard his 81st on June 24, and Daniel his milestone 80th on June 29. The youngest friar among the 15 with birthdays this month is James …

SAR Directorate’s Aging with Grace Video Series: A Moment With… David McBriar

HNP Communications HNPNow

In the latest installment of the video series Aging with Grace, David McBriar, OFM, says his more than 60 years as a friar have been filled with great joy. “Only joy, no regrets,” David says with enthusiasm in the June 2023 release https://youtu.be/3ulmYl5–og of the monthly video series produced by HNP’s Sick, Aged and Retired Directorate. “I am very happy …

Edgardo (Lalo) Jara, OFM, delivered the closing prayer of the diploma ceremony during the commencement exercise of the Fordham University Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education.

Doctor of Ministry Degree and a Special Honor for Edgardo (Lalo) Jara

HNP Communications HNPNow

When Edgardo (Lalo) Jara, OFM, received his doctor of ministry degree from the Fordham University Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at the May 20 commencement ceremony in Keating Hall on the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx, his work was not quite over. That’s because Lalo was asked to deliver the closing prayer of the diploma ceremony. “I …