The updates below describe activities of Holy Name friars, featuring their celebrations, presentations, and ministry events. For more information, contact the friars by phone or email, connect with 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 Provincial Administration |
| Reminders have been distributed to friars by the Provincial Secretary about two topics —RSVPing for the June 24 jubilee celebration and expressing interest in a new intentional friary. In addition, Michael Harlan, OFM, emailed a survey produced by the Franciscan Interprovincial Team about the reconfiguration being considered for the U.S. provinces. |
| A June edition of the 2014-15 HNP Directory has been posted in the HNP Extranet for use by friars. |
►John Anglin, OFM, is in Honduras participating in a mission trip sponsored by Christ the King Parish in Little Rock, Ark. Since he arrived on June 6, John has posted several updates on his blog The Wandering Friar.
►Casey Cole, OFM, and Edgardo Jara, OFM, returned on May 31 from their cross-country trip. After driving from California to Maryland, taking photos and videos along the way, the friars are now working on their summer assignments — Casey in Triangle, Va., and Edgardo in Silver Spring, Md. Information can be found on Casey’s blog Breaking in the Habit.
►The 2015 Siena College yearbook was dedicated to Daniel Dwyer, OFM, a graduate of the Loudonville, N.Y., college and an associate professor of history. “His never-ending support and love of his job has become so ingrained in Siena’s community that they extend past his history classes and fill the hearts of many students and faculty,” according to text in the yearbook.
►The involvement of Gregory Jakubowitz, OFM, Francis Pompei, OFM, and Jud Weiksnar, OFM, at Timon High School in Buffalo is mentioned in the recently-distributed Spring 2015 issue of Fortes In Fide, the school’s magazine. An article titled “The Franciscan Committee” describes the work being done to “promote the fostering of Franciscan values throughout Timon’s curriculum and to make sure our Franciscan identity is visible in the community.” Photos of Jud, who has served as a retreat facilitator, appear with the article.
►Daniel Horan, OFM, participated in the International Thomas Merton Society general meeting from June 4 to 7 at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. At this 10th general meeting, “Merton 100: Living the Legacy,” Daniel spoke on “Evangelical Poverty in Thomas Merton and Pope Francis: The Heart of Christian Discipleship.” Photos of Dan’s experience at the ITMS event as well as news about other activities can be found on his Facebook page.
►Daniel Kenna, OFM, of Tampa, Fla., attended a recent celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. Joseph Parish in Winsted, Conn., which was staffed until 2002 by the friars of Holy Name Province. A description of the event and a photo of Dan with Sr. Margaret Mary Kimmins, OSF, and a former principal appears in the June 8 edition of the newsletter of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.
►An op-ed piece titled “Christians Morally Obligated to Question Trade Pact” by David McBriar, OFM, was published in The News & Observer on May 27. He said, “As both a Franciscan priest and citizen, I am deeply concerned about the impact the Trans-Pacific Partnership might have on the common good. Christians everywhere are called to speak out against suffering and injustice, wherever it may be. Therefore, when political and economic decisions surrounding the TPP involve major repercussions for the most vulnerable of society, Christians are morally obligated to respond via a faith-based perspective. Furthermore, as children of God, Christians are called to protect the poor and marginalized by promoting the dignity and value of each and every life.” David is stationed at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Raleigh.
►Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM, returned this week from Assisi where he participated in the 2015 General Chapter of the Order of Friars Minor. Next week, he will join HNP leaders at the Province’s pastors and guardians meeting at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J.
►An article published on Saturday in the Olean Times-Herald about St. Bonaventure University’s alumni reunion weekend highlighted the spiritual aspect of the university. It described Daniel Riley, OFM, as a “longtime SBU faith and fellowship leader” who graduated in 1964. “I’m seeing people whose stories I know,” Dan said. “I’ve walked with them, maybe when they were a freshman. Some I knew when they were brought to the school by their parents. Others I’ve witnessed their marriage. It’s a huge blessing as a friar to have been with people in many different moments of their lives and to feel all that’s emanated up and out of the Bonaventure experience.” One alumnus said, “He’s the straw that stirs the drink at St. Bonaventure. We’ve got great leadership down here.” The article also mentioned a Mass that was being held at Mt. Irenaeus, the retreat center in West Clarksville, N.Y., of which Daniel is director, to honor the late Harry Monaco, OFM, a member of the class of 1985 who died in 2011. Photos of the June 5 to 7 reunion events can be found on the SBU Flickr page, as well as on the university’s Facebook pages.
►Patrick Tuttle, OFM, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Greenville, S.C., was featured last week on the front page of the Greenville News. The article, titled “Father Patrick Tuttle Learns from St. Anthony Community,” describes Patrick’s outlook about his role and the parish that “sits in the middle of an impoverished neighborhood in West Greenville.” Patrick said, “This is a place that God is building, God is drawing. We dance as fast as we can to try to accommodate that.” On June 9, he and other local leaders spoke at a public forum about “the unseen Greenville,” discussing issues in education, health care and economic opportunity.
►A farewell Mass for Thomas Vigliotta, OFM, was celebrated on June 5 at the University of Georgia Catholic Center where Thomas has served as director and worked since 2005. Tom, who is moving to Ringwood, N.J., to live at the Province’s infirmary, “was touched by the outpouring of emotion and generosity,” according to a post on the Catholic Center’s website.
News for the next issue of HNP Today e-letter is requested by June 17, always the Wednesday before distribution. Updates about the friars and their ministries can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Topics planned for future coverage include:
- Profiles of jubilarians Xavier Seubert, OFM, and Patrick Sieber, OFM
- Celebration of 10th anniversary of St. Francis Springs Prayer Center
- Francis Inn’s new building
- Franciscan Ministries of Buffalo
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas