NEW YORK — Fr. Thomas Washburn, OFM, vocation director of the Immaculate Conception Province, was named chairman of the American Franciscan Liturgical Commission (AFLC), at the spring meeting of the English-speaking Conference (ESC). He replaces Fr. Steve Malkiewicz, OFM.
The AFLC works under the auspices of the ESC to create Franciscan liturgical books in English. According to the July 7 issue of the Province’s e-newsletter, News of the Immaculate Conception Province, “as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) completes its work on the new translation of the Roman Missal, the AFLC will work to publish a new Roman-Seraphic Missal.”
Fr. Thomas, executive secretary of the ESC, will chair a group that is comprised of OFM friars, as well as the Capuchins, Conventuals and Third Order Regular.
As co-chair of Immaculate Conception’s 100th anniversary celebration, Fr. Thomas (shown above) is gathering photos and historical information from province friaries to produce a special centenary commemorative publication highlighting the province’s history and ministries.
The newsletter also described the recent celebration of the feast of St. Anthony at Our Lady of Peace Church in Brooklyn that included a special novena and procession. This is the second year for the procession that was re-introduced by its pastor Fr. John Scarangello, OFM.
Provincial Vicar Fr. Patrick Boyle, OFM, preached on the 13 Tuesdays in honor of the saint, and was also invited to celebrate the feast day liturgy.
Other updates announced in recent issues of the Immaculate Conception Province’s newsletter include:
• Three friars were approved to be ordained on Sept. 14 into the order of deacons. Br. Christopher Gaffrey, OFM, Br. Giacomo La Selva, OFM, and Br. Alvin Te, OFM, will profess their solemn vows on Sept. 13.
• Four friars were appointed by the Provincial Council to serve as associate vocation directors.
• Fr. Dennis Wheatley, OFM, celebrated his 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood with a special Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Waltham, Mass., on June 6. The provincial vicar preached the homily.
Information about the friars and ministries of Immaculate Conception Province is available on its Web site. It also includes the blogs of six friars, as well as news of the Order and the Vatican.