ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — At their annual meeting here last week, guardians of Holy Name Province discussed topics ranging from wellness, communication, and vocation promotion to compliance, visioning, fund-raising, and the state of the province.
The four day event included 40 guardians as well as members of the Provincial Administration and guest speakers. Meals and lodging were provided by St. Anthony’s Friary (shown in photo). Prayer and meetings took place at a nearby Holiday Inn whose staff commented about the beautiful sound of the friars’ singing that resonated from the conference room during prayer services.
In his address on Nov. 13, Provincial Minister John O’Connor updated attendees about his meetings with many U.S. bishops, the success of last year’s HNP retreats, fraternal gatherings planned for spring 2007, and his experiences at the Extraordinary General Chapter in Assisi in September.
The topics about which guardians heard reports were:
- State of the province
- Vocation office
- Communications office
- Provincial Resource Consultant
- Wellness Committee‘s survey
- Addictions and interventions
- Visioning and planning
- Franciscan Volunteer Ministry
- Compliance standards (Praesidium)
- Fraternal Life Plan/Friars’ personal life plans
- Holy Name Friary in Ringwood
- Finances
- Provincial fund-raising
- Ministerial Development; Partners in Ministry
- Chapter of Mats
- JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation)
Many guardians mentioned the benefits of spending several days with others in the same role. They said that comparing and discussing their challenges and solutions to similar situations was helpful.
The logistics for the meeting were arranged by Michael Harlan and Chris Coccia who, with the friary community of St. Anthony’s, served as host. Next month, Michael will provide friars with a detailed report of the guardians meeting.
The meeting’s moderator was Andrew Reitz, chair of the province’s Ministerial Development Directorate.