For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jocelyn Thomas, director of communications
jthomas@HNP.org
NEW YORK — June 8, 2016 — The Franciscan friars of Holy Name Province, the largest community of friars in the United States, are recognizing 14 members who this year are marking their 50th and 25th anniversaries as friars.
The jubilarians, who work at the province’s varied ministries along the East Coast, as well as at locations outside the United States, will be honored during a Mass celebrated by Fr. Kevin Mullen, OFM, the provincial minister, or leader, of Holy Name Province. The Mass is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on June 23 at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street.
Those marking anniversaries are:
50 years as a friar
Br. Peter Ahlheim, OFM, of Butler, N.J.
Fr. Michael Duffy, OFM, of Philadelphia
Fr. Alfonso Guzmán, OFM, of San Juan, Puerto Rico
Fr. Ignatius Harding, OFM, of La Paz, Bolivia
Br. Vianney Justin, OFM, of Buffalo, N.Y.
Fr. Gerard Lee, OFM, of Loudonville, N.Y.
Fr. Daniel Riley, OFM, of West Clarksville, N.Y.
Br. Alan Thomas, OFM, of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Fr. Kevin Tortorelli, OFM, of New York City
25 years as a friar
Fr. Francis Di Spigno, OFM, of Allegany, N.Y.
Br. Patrick Fereday, OFM, of Butler, N.J.
Fr. Lawrence Ford, OFM, of New York City
Fr. John Leonard, OFM, of Hartford, Conn.
Fr. Paul Lostritto, OFM, of New York City
About Holy Name Province
Holy Name Province is the largest of seven entities in the United States belonging to the Order of Friars Minor. With ministries in 12 states along the East Coast, its nearly 300 Catholic priests and brothers serve in colleges, parishes, urban ministry centers and a wide variety of social ministries, as well as in overseas missions.
The Order, founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi, commemorated its 800th anniversary in 2009. Today, St. Francis, whose feast day is Oct. 4, remains one of the most widely known saints, revered for his affection for nature and care for creation.
Interview and photo requests should be directed to Jocelyn Thomas, HNP director of communications, at 646-473-0265 or jthomas@hnp.org.