Some notable March events that took place around Holy Name Province are listed below.
One Year Ago
March 11, 2012 — The Franciscan Chapel Center in Tokyo marked the year anniversary of the massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck the northeastern coast of Japan, forcing many residents to evacuate. Some of them lived in the basement of the chapel center.
March 23, 2012 — Holy Name Province and St. Bonaventure University signed the first-ever memorandum of understanding, stating the organizations’ mutual desire to advance the educational mission of SBU in a manner that respects and preserves its Catholic-Franciscan character.
Five Years Ago
March 8, 2008 — The Franciscan Action Network debuted at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington under the leadership of executive director Russell Testa. (Testa also was and continues to be director of the Province’s Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, though he no longer holds a leadership position in FAN.)
March 2, 2008 — A special memorial Mass was celebrated to mark the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Leo Heinrichs, OFM, at St. Elizabeth Church in Denver, Colo. John O’Connor, OFM, presided at the Mass, which was held at St. Leo’s Church in Elmwood Park, N.J. St. Leo’s was named in honor of the martyred friar.
10 Years Ago
March 2, 2003 — The new Immaculate Conception Church in Durham, N.C., was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, N.C.
20 Years Ago
March 20, 1993 — Duns Scotus was declared “Blessed” by Blessed Pope John Paul II during Vespers in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
30 Years Ago
March 2, 1983 — Anthony LoGalbo, OFM, was commissioned as a missionary to Brazil at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md. (Since 2011, Anthony has been stationed at Holy Name College, as the Province’s assistant director of post-novitiate formation.)
50 Years Ago
March 7, 1963 — A committee was formed at St. Bonaventure University to plan for a celebration of the Friedsam Memorial Library’s 25th anniversary. Francis William Kearney, OFM, also outlined plans for the construction of a duplicate of the existing three-floor stack facility to provide space for more books. (This year on March 7, the campus celebrated the library’s 75th anniversary with a re-dedication ceremony. Francis DiSpigno, OFM, gave the blessing and F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, led a prayer.)
— Compiled by Maria Hayes