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 connecting with the Communications Office.
To provide news briefs for future issues of HNP Today, e-mail Jocelyn Thomas at communications@hnp.org.
Russell Becker, OFM, director of Holy Name’s Franciscan Missionary Union, distributed his monthly letter May 31 reflecting on the Year of Paul, which comes to a close on June 29. This Meditation No. 62 can be received by either e-mail or snail mail, said Russell, who can be contacted through the FMU. Russell’s letter begins by noting that June 1 marks the return to Ordinary Time in the church. He closes by offering reflection questions and reminding readers these words of St. Paul: “My grace is enough for you,” (2 Cor 12:7).
Christian Camadella, OFM, pastor Daniel Grigassy, OFM, and Christopher VanHaight, OFM, of St. Bonaventure Parish in Paterson, N.J., hosted the Convivenza of Our Lady of the Angels Region of the Secular Franciscan Order(SFO) on April 25. The friars showed “great hospitality, as did the host SFO fraternity St. Elizabeth/John Vianney,” said Richard Trezza, OFM, the Province’s spiritual assistant for the SFO.
David Convertino, OFM, Francis Gunn, OFM, Gregory Jakubowicz, OFM, James McIntosh, OFM, Dominic Monti, OFM, Timothy Shreenan, OFM, and Christopher VanHaight, OFM, participated in a May 27 meeting of the Province’s Communications Advisory Committee (CAC). Committee Chair Jocelyn Thomas said CAC lay members Chris LaPlaca from ESPN and Carol Schumacher of Wal-Mart, both journalism graduates of St. Bonaventure University, discussed ideas for strengthening Province communications. The group focused on internal communications, Web site, crisis communications planning, publicity of the Order’s 800th anniversary, and using social networking media.
Bread baked by Charles Finnegan, OFM, will be available at the St. Anthony Shrine street fair in the Downtown Crossing section of Boston on June 9. The friars will host their annual event celebrating the June 13 feast of St. Anthony from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Daniel Grigassy, OFM, reports that Louis Vitale, OFM, of St. Barbara Province, will speak at St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J., where Dan is pastor. The presentation is set for 7 p.m. on June 10 at the church at 174 Ramsey Street.
Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, was featured in an article about Franciscan history that appeared in the May 24 issue of Our Sunday Visitor. The piece, “Franciscans Keep Founder’s Fire Burning,” includes a sidebar about famous Franciscans, including the late Mychal Judge, OFM.
Matthew Pravetz, OFM, was given the teacher of the year award by New York Medical College at the May 27 graduation ceremony.
Dac Tran, OFM, administrator of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Greenville, S.C., was featured in the May 14 issue of The Catholic Miscellany, the Catholic newspaper of Charleston, S.C., for his work with Vietnamese Catholics.
Paul Williams, OFM, pastor of St. Martin de Porres in Columbia, S.C., represented Richard Trezza, OFM, at a ceremony establishing a new SFO fraternity in Aiken, S.C., which will be bonded to Holy Name Province. Richard said, “I appreciate Paul’s willingness to take part in this important day which had been anticipated by members of the new group for some time.” Richard is based in East Rutherford, N.J.
Information about HNP friars who have appeared in the media can be found on the “Communications” page of the HNP site. Photos of Province events and friar gatherings appear on several pages of the site.
Among those to be featured in upcoming issues of the newsletter are:
• Postulants Scott Cary, Gerald Hopek and Michael Reyes
• Friars who participated in a May 21 to June 1 pilgrimage
• Thomas Kelly, OFM, of Wood-Ridge, N.J.
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by June 10.
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas