Some notable December events around Holy Name Province include:
One Year Ago
Dec. 10-14, 2012 — Nearly 60 friars gathered for the first-ever meeting of the leadership teams of the OFM provinces in the U.S. to discuss the future of Franciscan life and mission in the United States. General Minister Fr. Jose Rodriguez Carballo, OFM, General Vicar Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, and General Councilor Fr. Francis Walter, OFM, were also present. (In October, the U.S. provincial ministers announced their goal to restructure the seven American provinces after determining the current status quo is unsustainable.)
Dec. 15, 2012 — St. Francis Breadline in New York City expanded for the first time since opening more than 80 years ago with the introduction of Franciscans Deliver, a ministry that brings groceries to people unable to leave their homes.
Five Years Ago
Dec. 18, 2008 — Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., received a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — one of three nursing homes in Passaic County to receive the recognition.
Dec. 22, 2008 — The Province’s Franciscan Vocation Ministry introduced advertisements on New York City subway trains. The ads asked men to consider a career change with text that read: “Day shift, night shift: how about a life shift?” (Simply professed friar George Camacho, OFM, was one young man who learned of the friars through the campaign.)
10 Years Ago
Dec. 25, 2003 — Fire damaged part of the facilities at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia.
20 Years Ago
Dec. 31, 1993 —St. Francis Retreat Center in Rye Beach, N.H., was closed. (Purchased by the Province in 1950 as a house of formation, the center began offering retreats to clergy and laypeople in 1967.)
30 Years Ago
Dec. 7, 1983 — The Provincial Council approved the first lay missionary in the history of the Province. John Hughes of Olean, N.Y., served alongside friars in Lima, Peru.
— Compiled by Maria Hayes