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 at communications@hnp.org.
Raphael Bonanno, OFM, of Boston, Thomas Conway, OFM, of Beach Haven, N.J., and Gerald Mudd, OFM, of Loudonville, N.Y., recently participated in a chapter of the Vice Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in Brazil. They joined approximately 50 friars Oct. 20 – 22 in Anapolis, Brazil, a city which, Thomas said, was established around the friary of St. Ann. “The city was even named for the church,” Tom said.
For the 10th year, Louis Canino, OFM, led an immersion experience trip to El Salvador. He and Joe Bauer, a Francis Medal recipient, took 11 pilgrims Nov. 13 to 19. Each year, at least 10 people of different faith traditions have gone on the El Salvador Immersion Experience sponsored by the Franciscan Center in Greensboro, N.C. According to Paul Cronin, a staff member at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, the participants who have gone on this trip have confirmed how it has changed their lives to do justice. Friars interested in participating in next November’s trip should contact Louie as soon as possible
Peter Fiore, OFM, scholar in residence at Siena College, ’49, spent October at the Bernardi Residence in Rome, European headquarters for the Catholic Studies Program of St. Thomas University in Minnesota. As a guest of Archbishop Harry Flynn, chancellor of the university, and the Most Rev. Dennis Dease, president of the university, Peter was a resource professor to the students who reside at Bernardi and attend the Angelicum, the pontifical university of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Peter celebrated Eucharist, heard confessions, was academic advisor to the students, and conducted discussions on Catholic authors in the European and American tradition. This was the fourth year that Peter had been invited to the program.
Nearly 150 family, relatives, friends, and friars gathered Nov. 8 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of profession of Michael Harlan, OFM, Provincial Secretary, at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in New York City. Jerome Massimino, OFM, guardian and pastor, served as the principal celebrant of the Mass of Thanksgiving, and Alan Thomas, OFM and Vincent Laviano, OFM, vicars at St. Francis assisted. The homily was given by Francis Gunn, OFM, who has ministered with Michael at several locations, including St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J., and Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. Following the festive liturgy, a reception was held in San Damiano Hall, adjacent to the church.
Mount St. Mary College, which overlooks the Hudson River in Newburgh, N.Y., is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the river’s exploration with its Hudson River Essay Contest, according to Kevin Mackin, OFM. Supported by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., the contest invites high school and college students in New York to submit essays to be judged by a team led by Dr. Jerome Wyant, associate dean for curriculum, who teaches a course about the Hudson River. “As we prepare to mark the 400th anniversary of Hudson’s exploration, what better way to celebrate this important New York resource than to invite young people to study and write about it,” said Kevin.