Some notable February events that took place around Holy Name Province:
One Year Ago
Feb. 15, 2011 — Michael Calabria, OFM, a lecturer in Arabic and Islamic studies at St. Bonaventure University, gave a presentation on the Western New York campus about the January 2011 revolt in Egypt. Michael was asked by a variety of media to comment on the revolt. He called the situation in Egypt “a perfect storm” of events that set the stage for the departure of dictator Hosni Mubarak. (In July 2011, Michael wrote about his first visit back to Egypt after the revolution.)
Feb. 25, 2011 — The Provincial Office launched a new communications tool — an e-bulletin named “HNP News for Friars.” (Since then, the Communications Office has distributed 25 issues of this one-page email that notifies friars of events and other internal news.)
Five Years Ago
Feb. 14, 2007 — HNP Today reported that Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., had acquired approximately 13 acres of land on the west side of Route 9, across from the college’s existing 164 acres on Loudonville Road. The college paid $1.9 million for the new property, which had been used by the New York State Police.
Feb. 11, 2007 — Two Florida newspapers featured the refuge that Sacred Heart Church offered to area homeless people. In The Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Bishop Robert Lynch praised the parish’s attitude, saying: “The Franciscan friars at Sacred Heart Parish downtown welcome male homeless in the evening. They sleep on the church steps and platforms, and friars keep a watchful eye out for those who are malnourished or in need of additional assistance.” (Last fall, Bishop Lynch installed George Corrigan, OFM, as the second Franciscan pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.)
15 Years Ago
Feb. 13, 1997 — The sale of the former Provincialiate on West 88th Street in New York was completed. (Since 2007, the Provincial headquarters has been based on West 31st Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues.)
20 Years Ago
Feb. 21, 1992 — The Franciscan Center in Wilmington, Del., was dedicated. (It was operated by Barry Langley, OFM and David Schlatter, OFM, until 2005 when the center closed.)
50 Years Ago
Feb. 3, 1962 — Philip Lavere, OFM, founded “The Good Word,” a phone service that offered a daily recorded inspirational message, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City. (Today, the ministry continues at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston and can be heard by calling 617-542-0205.)