NEW YORK — Below are news items about some of the many activities of Holy Name friars, including their presentations, outreach, and celebrations. More information can be obtained by visiting links to the parishes and organizations mentioned, by contacting the friars by phone or e-mail, and by contacting the Communications Office.
To provide news briefs for future issues of HNP Today, e-mail Jocelyn Thomas, director of communications.
Eight friars — Russell Becker, OFM, Brian Belanger, OFM, Thomas Conway, OFM, Francis Di Spigno, OFM, Michael Harlan, OFM, Gary Maciag, OFM, Mark Reamer, OFM, and Brian Smail, OFM — traveled to Italy this month for the International Chapter of Mats in Assisi. They joined more than 1,000 representatives from provinces around the world for the April 15 – 18 event, sponsored by the three branches of the Friars Minor — OFMs, Capuchins and Conventual friars, as well as the Third Order Regular and Atonement friars. Details will be provided in a future issue of this newsletter.
David Bossman, OFM, a member of the class of 1956 of Bishop Timon – Saint Jude High School in Buffalo, N.Y., was mentioned in the school’s spring 2009 magazine. An announcement in the Alumni News & Kudos section announced that David is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a friar on June 24. In the same issue, the deaths of former faculty members Evan Banks, OFM, and Alcuin Coyle, OFM, were announced.
William DeBiase, OFM, of Philadelphia, Pa., has a blog titled “Franciscan.” Click here to read his reflections, lauched in February.
Roy Gasnick, OFM, reports that the friars of St. Anthony’s Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla., gathered on April 16 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Franciscan Order. Guardian James Toal, OFM, requested that all friars clear their schedules that day so they could spend the day together. The day was treated as a major feast day, Roy said. “We followed our Sunday schedule rather than the work-day schedule. We celebrated a grand Jubilee Mass of Thanksgiving at 10:30 a.m. for all the blessings God has given us Franciscan friars over the past 800 years.” Roderic Petrie, OFM, preached the homily, outlining the origin and development of the Rule and how the interpretation of the Rule still captures the spirit of Francis. After the homily, friars renewed their vows and re-commitments to the ideals that St. Francis brought to Pope Innocent III on that same April day in 1209. A catered jubilee dinner was served, surrounded by decorations by John Capozzi, OFM.
Francis Gunn, OFM, the Province’s coordinator for strategic planning and a member of HNP’s Leadership Develpment Commiteee (LDC), has asked that guardians respond to him by April 30 with questions and interest about the two categories of work and activities being planned as part of the Province’s leadership development initiative. All Holy Name guardians were sent a memo on April 13 that described the categories: administrative processes and developmental resources. Other members of the LDC are Michael Harlan, OFM, Christopher Keenan, OFM, Dominic Monti, OFM, Stephen Patti, OFM, Andrew Reitz, OFM, and Frank Sevola, OFM.
David Haack, OFM, was honored April 14 by St. Bonaventure University for 15 years of service at its Spring Awards ceremony at the Allegany, N.Y., university. David teaches art.
An article by Daniel Horan, OFM, “A Franciscan Approach to Ministry,” was recently published in the journal Review for Religious 68 (April 2009): pp. 132-143. In this article, Dan reflects on Francis of Assisi’s life and writings, and suggests that the five characteristics that emerge provide a helpful paradigm for all pastoral ministers in the church.
The spring issue of Happenings, the quarterly magazine of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y., was introduced with a letter from Kevin Mackin, OFM, college president. He wrote to alumni, students, parents and friends of Mount Saint Mary College saying, “These days at the Mount are truly invigorating. And our magazine conveys examples. First year students have nearly two semesters under their belts. A ‘First Year Journal’ section launches in this issue. Our senior students look forward to graduating in May. You’ll find some of them here, as well as faculty and staff: all engaged in the important work of education.”
Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, participated in a meeting at the Washington Theological Union on April 6. On Friday, he is travelling to Western New York to give a talk at the 150th anniversary celebration of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.
Daniel Riley, OFM, director of Mt. Irenaeus Franciscan Mountain Retreat, facilitated a Mountain on the Road event the weekend of April 17 in Austin, Texas. He will be honored by St. Bonaventure University with a Gaudete Medal at a May 1 ceremony in Buffalo, N.Y.
Flavian Walsh, OFM, was featured in the April 5 issue of the Springfield, Mass., Republican. The newspaper described the “Come Home” program of St. Anthony Shrine in Boston.
Information about HNP friars who have appeared in the public press can be found on the Communications page of the HNP site; click on Friars in the News. Photo albums of various friar gatherings can be found on the HNP Extranet.
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by April 29.