Friar News Briefs

HNP Communications Friar News

The updates below describe activities of Holy Name friars and feature celebrations, presentations, and ministry events. For more information, email the friars, contact the HNP Communications Office, or visit links to the parishes and organizations mentioned.

To provide news briefs for future articles, email information to communications director Jocelyn Thomas at communications@hnp.org.

From the Administration
Friars are reminded to submit their 2018 Extraordinary Chapter registration forms to the Provincial Office by April 30. The gathering is being held May 29 to 31 at Siena College.
 The March edition of the HNP Directory is available in the Friars Only section of HNP.org.

►On April 12 at St Joseph’s Friary in Chicago, 10 Franciscan brothers renewed their commitment to live according to the Gospel of Jesus. The group included James Bernard, OFM, Javier Del Angel de Los Santos, OFM, Steven Kuehn, OFM, Adolfo Navarro, OFM, Aaron Richardson, OFM, Roberto Serrano, OFM, Angel Vázquez, OFM, and Jay Woods, OFM. A photo of the Thursday event was posted on the Franciscan Interprovincial Post-novitiate’s Facebook page with this message: “Pray for these brothers as they continue their formation process into the life and ministry of the friars. Peace and all good.” Nick Carbuto, OFM, and Abel García, OFM, did not renew their vows. They have decided to leave the initial formation program as they continue to discern how God is calling them to live according to the Gospel.

►David Blake, OFM, and Michael Calabria, OFM, are among 52 St. Bonaventure University employees who are marking employment anniversaries this year. David, who teaches sociology, and Michael, who teaches Arab and Islamic studies, have each been teaching at St. Bonaventure for 15 years. They will be recognized during the university’s Spring Honors and Awards Ceremony on April 20.

►In anticipation of Religious Brothers Day on May 1, the HNP Vocation Office is posting on the Be A Franciscan Facebook page photos and information about some of the Province’s brothers. Those featured so far are George Camacho, OFM, Gregory Day, OFM, and Robert Lentz, OFM.

►Frank Critch, OFM, director of the University of Georgia Catholic Center, was among more than a dozen people who signed a letter to the editor – meant for the local newspaper – from the Sanctuary Coalition in Athens, Ga. The aim of the movement, he said, is “to provide assistance to families who are affected by the immigration policies presently put forward. We help with rent, food, placement, transportation and a buddy system – walking with those affected and in need of support.”  The sheriff rescinded working with ICE the day before the letter was to go to print, Frank said, “which was a win situation for us.”

►Julian Jagudilla, OFM, Edgardo Jara, OFM, and Christian Seno, OFM, were among more than 50 people – friars and partners-in-ministry – who attended the annual JPIC course last week titled “Migration: Causes, Walls and Franciscan Perspectives.” It was held in Guadalajara, Mexico, from April 9 to 16. The speakers included friars, religious sisters, humanitarian workers and human rights defenders. Photos can be found on the JPIC-GPIC-OFM Facebook page and on the Franciscans International Facebook page.

►On April 16, the three friars stationed in Raleigh, N.C. – Stephen Kluge, OFM, Steven Patti, OFM, and James Sabak, OFM – celebrated the renewal of their vows witnessed and supported by the community. “During The Franciscan School’s morning prayer, some of the eighth grade students led the community in prayer with students, teachers, staff, and parents,” said staff member Tricia Henry, who provided photos to the Provincial Office. “Just as on April 16, 1209, when St. Francis of Assisi made his profession into the hands of Pope Innocent III and received approval for the way of life he wished to live with his brothers, the friars of St Francis of Assisi in Raleigh continued the tradition in the Order of Friars Minor to gather and renew their vows. The purpose of this renewal is to recall the origins of the Franciscan Order, and to recall the spirit of St. Francis and his companions as they founded it. For the friars, it is also a time to remember why it was that God called them to live joyfully this life, and to once again commit themselves to living out the ideals begun by St. Francis and the first Franciscans. This community appreciates your calling, thanks you for listening to it, and values your commitment.”

►Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM, will be presiding at a Mass celebrating the jubilarians residing at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., on June 16. All HNP friars are welcomed to attend the 11 a.m. liturgy and luncheon that follows.

►On Easter Monday, Joseph Nangle, OFM, traveled to El Salvador on what he describes as “a kind of spiritual pilgrimage to the shrines of the martyrs there.” Though the tomb of Blessed Archbishop Oscar Romero was his primary focus, the other sites were equally moving, he said. “The place where the four American women missioners were killed in 1980 and the Jesuit residence where five priests and two women employees suffered the same fate in 1989 gave me much to think about right after Holy Week. Another highlight was conversations with two Salvadoran catechists who had suffered what might be called living martyrdoms simply because they were instructing peasant folk in the Catholic faith. These examples of the consequences which discipleship can bring came about because at a certain moment in the history of El Salvador, the Gospel had become a threat to the powerful there – quite like the experience of Jesus when the authorities of his time decided that it was ‘better for one man to die than for the nation to perish.’ I couldn’t have chosen a better way to wrap up Lent and Holy Week. The experience also reminded me of the process of revitalization that we U.S. Franciscans are now undertaking.”

►Andrew Reitz, OFM, welcomes participants on the pilgrimage that he is leading next month to Boston. The two-day trip, scheduled for May 12 and 13, is a fundraising event for the Ugnayan Filipino Ministry and for the services of St Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City, where Andrew is pastor. Information is available at the parish office on West 31st Street and through filipinoministry@stfrancisnyc.org.

►A golden jubilee celebration of Daniel Riley, OFM, animator of Mt. Irenaeus, is being held in Buffalo, N.Y., at 6:30 p.m. on June 7. The evening will include liturgy followed by dinner. Information is available from Mike Fenn, executive director of Mt. Irenaeus, at Mfenn@sbu.edu. Other upcoming events related to the Franciscan Mountain Retreat are mention in the March 2017 issue of “Making All Things New,” the electronic newsletter of Mt. Irenaeus.

►On April 15, Joseph Rozansky, OFM, and other members of the International Board of Directors of Franciscans International concluded their biannual meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Joseph, who lives in Chicago, is chair of the IBD. At that meeting, the IBD members approved FI’s audited financial reports and the executive director’s report 2017. This was also an occasion to engage in a constructive conversation with FI staff on current and future activities.

►The relics of St. Anthony were on display last week at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Greenville, S.C. More than 200 people visited on the evening of April 10, according to Patrick Tuttle, OFM, pastor, who said, “It was beautiful to see people of all ages together for this. It was a nice quite evening together.”

Topics that will be featured in future issues of this newsletter include:

  • A new book by Daniel Horan, OFM
  • A concert and art exhibition being held in Hartford on June 16

— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas

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