This Month in Provincial History

Maria Hayes Features

Some notable November events that took place around Holy Name Province:

One Year Ago
Nov. 27, 2011 — Use of the new Roman Missal began in Catholic ministries around the world.

Five Years Ago
Nov. 4, 2007 — Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, gave a homily at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Triangle, Va., to mark the end of its year-long 50th anniversary celebration. The Mass was translated into Spanish for the parish’s first bilingual service. (This past Saturday, Francis Critch, OFM, was ordained a priest at the Triangle parish, where he is currently stationed.)

Nov. 12-15, 2007 — Most of HNP’s 36 guardians gathered with members of the Provincial Administration for the annual guardians’ meeting. The Province’s new vision statement was part of the discussion. (This year’s guardian meeting will take place Nov. 12 to 15 at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla.)

10 Years Ago
Nov. 21, 2002 — Then-Provincial Minister John Felice, OFM, blessed the new facilities of St. Anthony’s Guild, the Franciscan Missionary Union and the HNP Communications Office on West 27th Street in New York City. (Today, the Provincial Office is located on West 31st Street and the HNP Development Office is on nearby West 32nd Street .)

Nov. 30, 2002 — The San Damiano Spiritual Center in Philadelphia hosted its first program — a pre-Advent Day of Recollection — under the direction of Charles Finnegan, OFM.

20 Years Ago
Nov. 4, 1992 — Friars at the Holy Cross Friary in the Bronx, N.Y., discovered fire and vandalism in the church early in the morning. That evening, hundreds gathered in the church for a prayer vigil. (The friars served Holy Cross Parish from 1921 to 2008.)

25 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1987 — Stephen Hartdegen, OFM, received a citation from the prestigious Laymen’s National Bible Association in New York City.

30 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1982 — Flavian Walsh, OFM, represented the Order’s English-speaking Conference at the Second General Mission Council in Rome. (Flavian died Oct. 12 at the age of 82. He was a professed friar for 61 years and a priest for 56.)

50 Years Ago
Nov. 5-7, 1962 — Edward Sullivan, OFM, led a mission for teenagers in Pompton Lakes, N.J., at which more than 200 public high school students participated.

Nov. 8, 1962 – The Buffalo Alumni Chapter presented a $1,200 check to Francis William Kearney, OFM, then-president of St. Bonaventure University. Francis added the money to the St. Bonaventure Endowment Fund.  (More than 90 percent of St. Bonaventure’s current undergraduate student body receives some financial aid from the university.)

 Compiled by Maria Hayes