Several events for friars are planned for the coming months.
In November, the annual HNP guardians’ meeting will be held in St. Petersburg, Fla. Leaders of the Province’s more than 30 friaries will meet from Nov. 15 to 17 at Hotel Indigo, located within walking distance of St. Anthony Friary, Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM, said. Major topics at this year’s gathering will include leadership, fraternal life, finance and legal issues, a state of the Province address from John O’Connor, OFM, and an open forum conversation.
Also next month, a leadership development workshop is being offered to friars, as part of the Province’s current ongoing formation series. It will be held Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 at the Margate, N.J., friary, which can accommodate 13 friars, according to guardian John Capozzi, OFM. Participants in the fall program have been asked to read two books: Resilient Leadership by Fr. Robert Duggan and A Family Genogram Workbook by Israel Galindo, said Mark Reamer, OFM, who is organizing this workshop.
Information about this leadership development event is available through Mark at 919-847-8205 ext. 224.
In January, the SPUFY friars, those solemnly professed under five years, will gather in Florida for discussions and fraternity. The meeting is scheduled for the week of Jan. 2, 2012, in St. Petersburg, according to Paul O’Keeffe, OFM, who recently emailed information to SPUFY friars.
“We’ll have our first official session after dinner on Jan. 2 and will end by 11 a.m. on Jan. 6,” he said. “Our schedule will be much the same as our last meeting with no guest speaker, plenty of time for check in, and a reflection on the vow of obedience, which is being put together by Fred Dilger, OFM.”
The meetings will be held at a hotel just two blocks from the friary. “As at our last meeting, we are planning to have dinner with the St. Pete’s friar community on Jan. 3.” Paul said in the note that attendees should notify guardian James Toal, OFM, when they plan to arrive, and if they will be there for dinner on Monday or lunch on Friday. Friars who need a ride from the airport should contact Paul or Fred.
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas