Margaret Carney to Speak in NYC on April 14

HNP Communications Franciscan World

NEW YORK — The president emerita of St. Bonaventure University will give a presentation on April 14 at Blessed John Duns Scotus Library titled “Why Did St. Francis of Assisi Succeed?”

Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, will discuss factors in civic and church circles that created the stage upon which St. Francis shared his message with the world. The Pittsburgh native served as president of St. Bonaventure in Western New York from 2004 to 2016. Prior to that, she served as dean and director of the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University.

Sr. Margaret, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, has lectured widely on Franciscan history and spirituality.

In February 2017, she was given the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities’ Monika Hellwig Award for her contributions to Catholic intellectual life. The previous year, she was recognized for her service and accomplishments in higher education as a New York State Senate 2016 Woman of Distinction.

Since leaving SBU, Sr. Margaret has been responding to invitations to participate in and to speak at conferences. She currently serves on two boards — Duquesne University and the Conference of Mercy Higher Education.

Those planning to attend next month’s presentation, scheduled for 1 p.m., are asked to RSVP to Sr. Siobhan O’Dwyer, OFS, at smdfranciscanlibrary@gmail.com. The event’s venue is at 125 Thompson Street, also the location of the provincial office of Immaculate Conception Province.

Sr. Margaret’s talk is one of several upcoming presentations scheduled for the Blessed John Duns Scotus Library. The others are by Br. Damian Novello, OSF, who will speak on Nov. 10 about Franciscan spiritual direction and Sr. Kathleen Osbelt, OSF, who will speak on April 6, 2019 about Franciscan solitude.

Since its opening in 2015, the library has offered two lectures each year. Past speakers include Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM of St. John the Baptist Province, Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM, and Fr. Richard Martignetti, OFM, of Immaculate Conception Province, Sr. Clare D’Auria, OSF, and Br. Thomas W. Barton, OSF, of the Franciscan Brothers. Information about the Scotus Library can be found on the website of Immaculate Conception Province, one of seven OFM communities in the United States.

— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas

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