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.
Thomas Gallagher, OFM, is presenting at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in Hartford at the “Advent Noontime Nourishment” series at 12:05 p.m. following Mass. The program is held Dec. 2, 9 and 16. A light lunch is provided.
Ken Himes, OFM, was the guest presenter on Dec. 1, when St. Anthony Shrine in Boston gathered to begin its Advent journey with a day of prayer. The day began with a formal breakfast followed by Morning Prayer. After Ken’s presentation, the group enjoyed quiet time and lunch. During the afternoon, there was an optional discussion. The day ended with 4 p.m. Mass, followed by preprandium and dinner.
An article by Daniel Horan, OFM, titled, “A Newborn and St. Bonaventure’s The Tree of Life as Incarnational Encounters,” was published last week in the journal Spiritual Life (Winter 2008): 199-209. In this article, Dan, a student at Washington Theological Union, invites the reader to consider two ways to encounter Christ in daily life. Dan continues to work on projects related to the Franciscan theological and spiritual tradition, including a forthcoming publication on Thomas Merton’s Franciscan interreligious dialogue.
Anthony LoGalbo, OFM, Provincial Minster John O’Connor, OFM, and James Vacco, OFM, are pictured in the fall 2008 issue of Fortes In Fide, the magazine of Bishop Timon-Saint Jude High School near Buffalo, N.Y. Anthony is pictured at an alumni reunion held in Manhattan earlier this year, John appears in a photo taken in April while visiting the school, and James provided an article titled “The Timon Community Celebrates Its Franciscan Spirit.”
Miguel Loredo, OFM, of St. Petersburg Fla., will have artwork displayed at the fundraising art exhibition at the Cuban Cultural Center of New York at New York City’s Sutton Art Gallery. His “Yearnings and Reality” exhibition will include four paintings, on display from Dec. 5 to 19.
John Maganzini, OFM, vicar at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, reports that the Shrine’s guardian’s council held a celebration on Nov. 24 to honor the friars of St. Anthony Shrine and St. Anthony Residence. Before dinner was served, the council members presented gifts to the friars and postulants. Each shows a caricature of a friar and the inscription: “Thanks to our friars for the love and generosity of spirit they bring to the lives of so many, from all walks of life, here in Boston.”
In an e-mail to the community, Kevin Mackin, OFM, president of Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y., recapped his recent work there. “I’m truly enjoying my first semester at the Mount,” he wrote. “In addition to addressing open house groups, academic and athletic events, meeting with the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and numerous other campus activities, I’ve recently presented services and speeches related to the college for Hudson Valley guidance counselors, city and county officials, and groups of business, community and religious leaders. I also attended the 25th anniversary of priesthood celebration for alumnus and Newburgh mainstay, the Rev. Bill Scafidi of St. Mary’s Church.” He indicated he also joins the Dominican Sisters for weekday liturgies at the Dominican Center in Newburgh, and was a guest celebrant for St. Joseph’s Church in New Windsor, Holy Spirit in Cortlandt Manor, St. Mary’s in Wappinger’s Falls, and Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s in Newburgh.
“As Mount Saint Mary College’s new planning process begins, we have much to reflect on and be thankful for: from the establishment in 1883 of the first educational institution at our beautiful campus, to our preparations for the college’s 50th anniversary.” In addition, Kevin also recently addressed the Interservice Club Luncheon held at the college. He also announced that Janet Gianopoulos will be editor-in-chief of the college’s magazine, Happenings. Gianopoulos, a former Provincial staff member, worked with Cassian Miles, OFM, on The Anthonian and HNP Today; and with Richard Biasiotto, OFM, on the Web site and HNPeople magazine.
Charles Miller, OFM, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Triangle, Va., recently wrote in about how his parish community welcomed refugee families. “Welcoming two refugee families into the community turned out to be more than we expected in many ways,” he wrote. “Two Muslim families, one with 10 adults from Iraq, and a couple with a baby from Afghanistan, recently moved into the neighborhood. Though the U.S. State Department and Catholic Charities provided basic funding and help, the nuts and bolts of settling into a new country, culture and neighborhood provided plenty of opportunities for the good will of our parishioners.”
He said it was heart-warming to witness Holy Name College volunteers teaching the immigrants to drive; parishioners transporting them to employment interviews, school meetings and doctors’ visits; a Knight of Columbus member explaining baseball; and an Afghani friend kneeling to pray in the middle of the parish picnic. Church Outreach Director Anne Tunney was kept busy matching emergency needs to willing volunteers. Charles recalls the faces of one immigrant family beaming when they were presented to the parish at Mass. “It was enough to illuminate the church,” he said.
Siena College President Kevin Mullen, OFM, distributed a Thanksgiving message that read, “What I am most thankful for is the fact that we continue to provide a rigorous education to students of modest means, setting the stage for successful futures.” He listed several recent accomplishments, including giving 90 percent of students financial aid or scholarships, managing $49 million in endowed scholarships, and educating a student body where more than 600 come from homes with an annual income of less than $45,000. “I am confident that due to the leadership and support of our dedicated trustees, staff, alumni, parents, friends and advocates, Siena will weather these challenging times.”
Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, was invited to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Nov. 25 to ring the closing bell with a group of St. Bonaventure University affiliates. He joined SBU President Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, a student, and 10 members of the board of trustees in commemorating the college’s 150th anniversary. SBU graduate Richard Adamonis is director of communications for the NYSE. “We were treated like royalty,” said John. “Thank God the market finished up that day,” he added.
Among the friars who will be featured next month are Hugh Hines, OFM, and Kevin Tortorelli, OFM, of Midtown Manhattan, Joseph Rozansky, OFM, of Rome, and James Vacco, OFM, of Allegany, N.Y.