Some notable April events around Holy Name Province include:
One Year Ago
April 6, 2013 — Pope Francis appointed General Minister Fr. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, to the Roman Curia as secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life. (Fr. José is currently organizing the Year of Consecrated Life, which begins in November.)
April 10, 2013 — Holy Name Province friars — including Erick López, OFM, and Christopher Posch, OFM — were among 10,000 participants who rallied in Washington for immigration reform. (Throughout November and December last year, Franciscans around the world fasted and called for comprehensive reform as part of the Fast for Families coalition. The fast attracted national attention, with the president, vice-president, first lady and other politicians visiting fasters.)
April 20, 2013 — Approximately 45 former friars and their guests attended a Friar Family Reunion in New York City organized by Michael Carnevale, OFM.
April 24, 2013 — Brian Jordan, OFM, was among spectators at the Boston Marathon who were close to the site of the detonations of two bombs. Immediately after the explosions, he changed into his habit and hurried to comfort those in need. (An account of his experience appears in the April 2014 issue of St. Anthony’s Messenger.)
Five Years Ago
April 1, 2009 — St. Bonaventure University rededicated its Thomas Merton Center, several months after the 40th anniversary of the popular Trappist monk’s death. Robert Struzynski, OFM, who participated in the original dedication 32 years prior, was the presenter. (This year, SBU will celebrate Merton’s life with a three-day conference titled “Coming Home and Going Forth: Merton as Mirror and Mode.” Speakers and presenters include F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, Daniel Horan, OFM, and Daniel Riley, OFM.)
April 15-18, 2009 — Russell Becker, OFM, Brian Belanger, OFM, Thomas Conway, OFM, Francis Di Spigno, OFM, Michael Harlan, OFM, Gary Maciag, OFM, Mark Reamer, OFM, and Brian Smail, OFM, attended the International Chapter of Mats in Assisi, where nearly 1,800 friars gathered to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Order’s founding. (HNP friars are currently preparing for the Provincial Chapter in June.)
10 Years Ago
April 1, 2004 — The late Stephen Walsh, OFM, was awarded the prestigious Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Award, which he accepted at the ninth annual award ceremony in Dallas.
20 Years Ago
April 16, 1994 — Franciscans around the world celebrated the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Clare. The community at Holy Cross Friary attended a celebration at St. Frances de Chantal Church, Bronx, N.Y.
30 Years Ago
April 25, 1984 — The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, N.Y., observed the 125th anniversary of their founding at St. Elizabeth’s Motherhouse. (The sisters honored Holy Name Province as a distinguished partner-in-ministry at the congregation’s 150th anniversary event in 2009. Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, was the keynote speaker.)
— Compiled by Maria Hayes