NEW YORK — Immaculate Conception Province has announced its recent withdrawal from two parishes, and also honored its 2011 jubilarians. Both notices appear in the summer issue of the province’s biannual newsletter.
The province, one of seven in the English-speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor, recognized three jubilarians in 2011: Fr. Frederick Mazzarella, OFM, and Fr. Claude Scrima, OFM, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, and Br. Phillip Adamo, OFM, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary of profession. The article includes photos from all three jubilee celebrations.
The newsletter also describes the farewell Masses at St. Emery Parish in Fairfield, Conn., and St. Charles Parish in Toronto, from which the province has formally withdrawn. Bishop William Lori celebrated the Mass at St. Emery, where the friars have served for 79 years. The Most Reverend John Boissonneau, auxiliary bishop of Toronto, who celebrated the Mass at St. Charles, encouraged parishioners in his homily to show appreciation to the friars for their 35 years of service by “continuing the good works the friars have begun.”
The front page of Newsletter of Immaculate Conception Province lists the details of Pope Benedict’s October pilgrimage to Assisi, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1986 meeting of world leaders of 43 religions to pray for peace, as well as members of the All Province Assembly planning committee, which includes F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, as facilitator. A report on the events of the Poor Clare’s eighth centennial year is also included.
Information about the IC Province, headquartered New York City, can be found on its website.
— Compiled by Vicky Wolak