Franciscan brothers at St. Joseph Friary in Chicago, where last month they renewed their commitment to live according to the Gospel of Jesus. From left to right: (back row) Javier Del Angel De Los Santos, Jim Bernard, Aaron Richardson, Josh Critchley of Immaculate Conception Province, (middle row) Roberto Serrano, Steve Kuehn, Angel Vázquez, (front row) Jay Woods, Adolfo Navarro, and Provincial Vicar Bill Harris and John Boissy, both of St. John the Baptist Province. (Photo courtesy of Javier)
CHICAGO — As the academic year draws to a close, eight of Holy Name Province’s student friars are preparing to begin new assignments. Ministries in seven states will welcome them as they spend time receiving hands-on experience in a new place with a new fraternity – an invaluable part of their Franciscan formation.
This summer, Roberto Serrano, OFM, will move to St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Greenville, S.C., to begin his year of internship.
James Bernard, OFM, will serve at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Butler, N.J.
Javier Del Angel De Los Santos, OFM, will reside at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md., as he prepares to take comprehensive exams for his master’s in Scripture.
Steven Kuehn, OFM, will be assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish on West 31st Street in New York City.
Adolfo Navarro, OFM, will be assigned to St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Long Beach Island, N.J.
Aaron Richardson, OFM, will work at St. Francis Inn Ministries in Philadelphia.
Angel Vázquez, OFM, will stay at St. Peter in the Loop in Chicago as he continues his studies at Denmark Barber School.
Jay Woods, OFM, will be stationed at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston.
The men have been studying at four schools in Chicago – Catholic Theological Union, Denmark Barber School, DePaul University, and St. Xavier University – and will depart for their summer assignments at various times due to their academic schedules.
Earlier this month, friars from five provinces gathered to pray and to celebrate the gift of fraternity at St. Joseph Friary, which houses the interprovincial post-novitiate in Chicago. Photos and video from Sunday vespers and the dinner that followed were shared on the post-novitiate’s Facebook page.
On Aug. 25, the friars will gather in New York City to celebrate the solemn profession of Abraham Joseph, OFM. He will begin the traditional solemn profession retreat this summer before professing his final vows.
— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province.
Related Links
- “Summer Assignments for Student Friars” – May 23, 2017, HNP Today
- “Post-novitiate Community Settles into Chicago” – Jan. 18, 2017, HNP Today
- “Veterans Day: Honoring Those Who Serve” by Steven Kuehn, OFM – Nov. 8, 2017, HNP Today