Néhémie Miroslav Prybinski, Aimé Do Van Thong, Michel Boyer (newly elected vicar), Pierre Charland (newly elected provincial minister), Pierre Brunette, Henri Éthier (Photo courtesy of St. Joseph Province)
The following updates summarize news from the English-speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor, comprised of provinces and custodies from Canada, England, Ireland, Malta, and Lithuania, and the United States. Follow the ESC on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information throughout the month.
During their provincial chapter from May 14 to 19, the friars of the Province of St. Joseph in Eastern Canada elected Fr. Pierre Charland, OFM, as provincial minister. Fr. Pierre previously served his province as provincial vicar. Fr. Michael Boyer, OFM, was elected provincial vicar and four friars – Pierre Brunette, OFM, Henri Éthier, OFM, Aimé Do Van Thong, OFM, and Néhémie Prybinski, OFM – were elected to the provincial council.
Several U.S. provinces are preparing for their provincial chapters – St. John the Baptist Province’s chapter began May 22, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s begins on May 29, Assumption and Holy Name’s begin on June 4, and Sacred Heart’s begins on June 18.
In Ohio, the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Province’s St. Monica-St. George Parish in Cincinnati last year donated $160,000 to install 119 solar panels on the roofs of its Catholic center and garage. One year later, their electric bill dropped from $28,000 to $12,000. “If one church can take this simple measure, think of what 10 churches, 20 churches can do,” said Fr. Al Hirt, OFM. “If more and more of us do that, we reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and help the planet. We’re not just lowering our electric bill. Think of what it might mean to our common home.”
Our Lady of Guadalupe Province and the New Mexico Islamic Center recently sponsored the New Mexico premiere of “The Sultan and the Saint,” a film focusing on St. Francis and his encounter between St. Francis and Malik al-Kamil, the Sultan of Egypt. After watching the film at Holy Family Church in Albuquerque, everyone present was invited to attend the traditional evening Muslim prayer service in the parish hall before sharing a meal together. Friars from St. John the Baptist Province also shared their thoughts on the film “The Sultan and the Saint” after attending the Cincinnati premiere.
— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province.
Related Links
- “ESC Update: New Priest and New Website for St. Barbara Province, Other News” – April 26, 2017, HNP Today
- “Film about Muslim-Christian Relations Premieres in U.S.” – March 16, 2017, HNP Today
- “Western Canada Province Elects New Leadership” – Feb. 23, 2016, HNP Today