Some notable February events that took place around Holy Name Province are listed below.
One Year Ago
Feb. 19, 2012 — Holy Name Province withdrew from St. Mary Church in Providence, R.I., which the Franciscans had staffed since 2006. Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, presided at the Mass and was joined by Provincial Councilors Brian Belanger, OFM, and Thomas Conway, OFM, along with Howard O’Shea, OFM, and the three friars based at St. Mary’s — Scott Brookbank, OFM, Charles O’Connor, OFM, and pastor Steven Patti, OFM.
Feb. 26, 2012 — Ground was broken at St. Anthony of Padua School in Greenville, S.C., for its new school building. The new school replaces a 55-year-old crumbling structure. (The school is scheduled for completion in the spring, according to Patrick Tuttle, OFM, pastor of St. Anthony Parish.)
Five Years Ago
Feb. 6, 2008 — Holy Name Province announced friars would withdraw from two parishes in the metropolitan New York area: Our Lady of the Holy Angels in Little Falls, N.J., and Holy Cross Church in the Bronx.
10 Years Ago
Feb. 3, 2003 — The 40th anniversary of the Good Word Ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City was noted. (This month, the Good Word ministry is marking its 50th anniversary. The Good Word can be accessed any time at 212-736-9233.)
20 Years Ago
Feb. 28, 1993 — Holy Name Province’s 50-year tenure of service in the Diocese of Savannah ended with Mass at Our Divine Savior Church in Tifton, Ga.
30 Years Ago
Feb. 8-10, 1983 — The Province’s first regional gathering was held in St. Petersburg, Fla. Its theme was “Sharing the Gospel.” (The dates of this year’s spring fraternal gatherings can be found on the Extranet.)
50 Years Ago
Feb. 10-16, 1963 — St. Bonaventure University held a centennial celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation. A special Solemn Mass — celebrated by Roy Gasnick, OFM, and assisted by Gervase White, OFM, Winfrid Ryan, OFM, and Jerome Kelly, OFM — was offered in honor of St. Benedict the Moor. An interfaith panel on the “Morality of Discrimination” included a reflection from Victor Elmer, OFM, then-professor of sociology at St. Bonaventure. Fidelis O’Rourke, OFM, took part in a panel discussion titled “The Ghetto Game,” which addressed discrimination in housing. (This year, the Emancipation Proclamation is 150 years old.)
— Compiled by Maria Hayes