NEW YORK — Below are news items about some of the many activities of Holy Name friars – including their presentations and ministry work. 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, contact Jocelyn Thomas through communications@hnp.org
► A stone and a leaf engraved in memory of the late Gregory Brenann, OFM,were purchased by St. Bonaventure Church, Allegany, N.Y., from funds collected in his memory. Gregory served as assistant pastor at the Little Bona’s church from 1979 to 1985. The stone and leaf are depicted on the Tree of Life in the parish’s memorial hall. The inscription appears in the parish bulletin which can be found online using the link below.
► An article in the Nov. 26 issue of National Catholic Reporter, titled “Faith and Family Aided Mother’s Healing,”describes the impact that Michael Carnevale, OFM, had on a mother in New Jersey who was struggling with postpartum depression. She was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church when Michael was pastor there and he offered support during a difficult time.
► F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, will present a talk tonight in Denver, Color., accompanied by photos about the history of St. Bonaventure University as the university begins its 150th anniversary celebration. Information is available on the alumni page of SBU’s Web site. Edward, a 1970 SBU alumnus, is vice president for the Franciscan Mission at St. Bonaventure.
► An interview with James Hynes, OFM, pastor of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, appears in the December issue of Hartford Magazine. He and a minster from another Hartford church discussed what the city means to their churches which, according to the magazine, “are flourishing, not in spite of, but because of, their location.” St. Patrick-St. Anthony, Connecticut’s oldest Roman Catholic church, is in the center of the city. It was “slowly dying when, in 1990, the brown-robed Franciscan friars came to its rescue with their mission: open hearts, open minds, open doors.”
► The hobby of John Jaskowiak, OFM, was featured in the Dec. 23 issue of the Boston Herald. The article describes the dolls’ habits that he makes for dolls. A display of 150 nun dolls is on display at St. Anthony Shrine. The article describes how he pays careful attention to stitching the traditional habits historically accurate.
► Michael Jones, OFM, will go to Haiti next month with parishioners from St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in Hartford, Conn. They will visit Zoranje, Haiti, home of St. Genevieve Church which is “twinned” with St. Patrick- St. Anthony Parish. Twinning is one of the programs and goals of the Province’s Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation Directorate.
► An article by Kenneth Paulli, OFM, of Siena College, appeared in the Dec. 22 issue of the Times Union. It was titled “Simplicity brings joy at Christmas.” In it, he describes how words and rituals “assist us in encountering the sacred.”
► Andrew Reitz, OFM, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Tampa, Fla., was interviewed for a cover story in the Dec. 25 issue of The Tampa Tribune. The detailed article describes the history and the ministries of the growing parish of approximately 1500 families which the friars of Holy Name Province have staffed since 2005.
► Daniel Riley, OFM, is participating in several Mountain on the Road events this month. They are Jan. 26 at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., and Jan. 27 at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
► Dac Tran, OFM, was featured by The Greenville News in its Dec. 19, 2007 City People section. The “Ministry Profile,’ appearing on page 4 is titled “Father Dac Tran’s Escape from Vietnam Cemented His Calling.” Dac is administrator of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Greenville, S.C.