NEW YORK — Friars as well as parishioners, friends and supporters of Holy Name Province’s ministries will be participating in the Province’s first Encuentro Franciscano next month. Among them are Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, and HNP’s formation students.
Those interested in attending the daylong celebration of Hispanic culture on Oct. 24 at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Md., may contact hnpencuentro2009@aol.com for information.
HNP’s Hispanic Ministry Committee is currently making final preparations for the Encuentro that will offer the following:
· Speakers (12)
· Group reflections
· Theatre
· Refreshments
· A souvenir t-shirt
The Encuentro has several purposes, according to councilor Thomas Conway, OFM, a member of the Hispanic Ministry Committee. They include celebrating the blessings of the Hispanic presence among the Province’s ministries and building bridges of friendship with HNP’s lay partners.
The Hispanic Committee, whose members met last week by phone, has encouraged each participating HNP ministry to submit a short video that represents its life of faith, according to Christopher Posch, OFM, chair of the committee. Each participating ministry was asked to write a brief report outlining pastoral challenges and best practices relating to Hispanic culture and services. A summary of the reports will be provided at the Encuentro.
The day’s events are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.