FRANKLIN, Wis. — The new provincial minister of Assumption BVM Province, Fr. John Puodziunas, OFM, published his first communication to the friars of the Midwest-based community newsletter this month. The July issue of What’s on My Mind, a newsletter “from the provincial’s desk,” emphasized the importance of communication.
“Growing up, I remember a slogan ‘all the news that’s fit to print,’” Fr. John wrote. “Our challenge is to get the news.” He added that he is “looking at official communications from the province” to include three publications
All three will be distributed electronically and archived on the province’s website. They are:
- a biweekly NEWSBriefs
- What’s on My Mind, usually published after each council meeting
- a quarterly newsletter sharing topics in a substantive way
In his newsletter, Fr. John announced a new structure for several of Assumption’s offices, “bringing together the offices of vocations, development and communication under a coordinator for public relations.”
Other organizational changes — including the creation of a new fraternity in Chicago, election of a secretary for mission and evangelization and announcement of the steering committee members — were announced as well.
In addition, What’s on My Mind included information about the upcoming closing of the Washington Theological Union, saying “the orders, in particular the friars of Holy Name Province, and the wider Church served by the WTU have much to be thankful for. Let us join with them to give God thanks and to pray for those who will have to live through this transition.”
Fr. John included in his newsletter a photo of St. Francis Friary in Burlington, Wis., site of the new interprovincial novitiate, which recently received its occupancy permit.
The front page of What’s on My Mind appears on the Assumption Province website along with a photo of the 2011-2014 provincial leaders and links to videos. The website also includes a welcome from the provincial minster.
— Jocelyn Thomas is communications director for Holy Name Province.