Friar News Briefs

Jocelyn Thomas Friar News

The updates below describe activities of Holy Name friars, featuring 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
On June 20 and 21, the Province’s guardians and pastors met at St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, N.J., for their annual meeting. The gathering, which comprised more than 30 friars, opened with a discussion about the address Fr. Michael Perry, General Minister, gave this spring to the presidents of the OFM conferences titled “Charting a Course for the Future.” The meeting also included discussions about leadership, the results of a survey evaluating the Provincial Administration, healthcare policies and procedures, and updates about vocation, interprovincial gatherings, the visitation to all HNP fraternities planned by Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM, the work of the Chapter Planning Committee, Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, and the administration’s July 13 webinar.
Immediately after the guardians and pastors meeting, the Provincial Councilors held their monthly meeting at the same location. Their agenda included discussions about the guardians and pastors meeting, the results of the survey, updates from the Sick, Aged and Retired Directorate, progress of the task force studying fraternities in mission in Boston and New York City, the financial status of the Order of Friars Minor, and the revitalization and reconfiguration process of the U.S. provinces.

►On June 22, Kevin Daley, OFM, John Frambes, OFM, and James Scullion, OFM, participated in the Fifth Annual St. Francis Garden Party by the Sea fashion show in Manahawkin, N.J. The event raised money for St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Long Beach Island, where the friars are stationed. Several photos were provided.

►A statement by Roberto González, OFM, about the debt crisis in Puerto Rico was posted this month on the website of Jubilee USA, an alliance of more than 600 entities aiming “to build an economy that serves, protect and promotes participation of the most vulnerable,” according to its website. In their message, Roberto, archbishop of San Juan, and the Rev. Heriberto Martinez, general secretary of Puerto Rico’s Bible Society and coordinator of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Coalition of Puerto Rico, said “this financial crisis has a human cost on our people and, especially an unacceptable cost on our children. In our homeland, 56 percent of children live in poverty. The irony of Puerto Rico’s financial crisis is not lost on us. The vulnerable, the least among us, had nothing to do with causing this crisis and they are the ones most affected by the crisis.” He has served as archbishop since 1988.

►The 50th anniversary of ordination of John Kull, OFM, was recognized on June 25. Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM, celebrated Mass at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., where John lives.

►Gary Maciag, OFM, participated in the June 12 to 15 “Engaged in Merciful Leadership and Service,” the Felician-sponsored leadership conference in Chicago. “Along with Dr. Anne Prisco, president of Felician University, I presented one of the plenary sessions describing our ministry formation program at the university,” said Gary, who has been stationed at Felician University in Lodi, N.J., since last year. “Dan Horan, OFM, gave one of the keynote presentations at the conference.” Earlier this month, in his capacity as executive director of the Association of Franciscan College and Universities, Gary helped to staff governance meetings involving presidents, board members and sponsoring congregational leaders of our member institutions. I also participated in a panel for one of the plenary sessions, ‘AFCU’s First Collaborative Project,’ which explained various aspects of the work on studying student retention and success and was funded by a $100,000 grant from USA Funds. In particular, I explained the organizational structure and dynamics of the project.” Since spring 2015, Gary has served as special assistant to the present of Felician University in Lodi.

►Louis McCormick, OFM, is presenting the first of the Mt. Irenaeus 2016 Evenings of Re-Creation. Information can be found on the Mt. Irenaeus website and in its recent e-newsletter.

►Last week, Stephen Mimnaugh, OFM, joined the voices of Interfaith Assembly for the Homeless and Housing for the release of funding for housing units for the homeless in New York City. He participated in a rally on June 21 in front of the office of New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo.

►Franciscan history specialist Dominic Monti, OFM, is one of five members of the organizing committee for next year’s international conference dedicated to the intellectual heritage and contemporary significance of St. Bonaventure being held on the campus of St. Bonaventure University. A call for papers for this July 12 to 15, 2017 gathering was posted recently on the website of the Franciscan Institute at SBU. Next year’s event is titled “Frater, Magister, Minister et Episcopus: The Works and Worlds of St. Bonaventure.”

►Vocation director Basil Valente, OFM, reports that 10 men have been accepted into the Province’s formation program. Eight will begin the postulancy program in August and two will join in 2017. Information about the Province’s vocation ministry can be found on its website, BeAFranciscan.org.

News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by July 6, 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 in HNP Today include:

  • Profile of Francis Di Spigno, OFM, who is marking his silver jubilee of profession
  • Reactions of friars to the Interprovincial gatherings held this summer for members of the OFM provinces in the United States

— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas

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