NEW YORK — In its first meeting of the 2011-2014 administration, the new Provincial Council re-elected two key administrative positions and reviewed several of the Province’s initiatives for the year — evaluation of the January Chapter and the HNP Strategic Plan — and began preparation for staff changes which will be made at the February meeting.
After a welcome at the Jan. 10 to 11 meeting by Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, Council members participated in an orientation about practical details that highlighted the importance of confidentiality and the consensus model used for decision-making. The new council members, elected at the 2011 Provincial Chapter, are Brian Belanger, OFM, and William Beaudin, OFM, of Loudonville, N.Y.; Lawrence Hayes, OFM, of Silver Spring, Md., and Joseph Nangle, OFM, of Washington, D.C. They join Thomas Conway, OFM, of Silver Spring, and F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, of Allegany, N.Y., as well as Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, and John of New York.
Strategic Planning
The Council members unanimously voted Michael Harlan, OFM, and Dennis Wilson, OFM, the Province’s secretary and treasurer for three-year terms. They also reviewed the recent Provincial Chapter and the Strategic Plan before beginning discussions about this year’s ministry changes.
According to a meeting summary prepared by Michael, the council resolved to distribute an evaluation form to all friars who participated in the Chapter to gather comments and suggestions about how to “keep the energy going after the Chapter.” They also decided to focus on five key areas of the Province’s Strategic Plan:
· Evangelization
· Fraternal Life and Mission
· Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
· Leadership Development
· Partners-in-Ministry
In preparation for the post-Capitular Congressus, the special Council meeting at which assignments are decided, the Council reviewed a list of Provincial ministries showing current friar personnel and the potential changes that may take place with the Congressus. The recommendations for staff changes were formulated from information in the friar inventories and from the visitation meeting each friar completed with Fr. Fred Link, OFM.
Friar Leadership Changes
The Council began a preliminary conversation on friar personnel for leadership positions in some of the large friaries and ministries in the Province that would be confirmed at the Congressus. Two locations that were discussed were:
| • | St. Francis of Assisi, Midtown Manhattan The members agreed to appoint a new pastor and guardian rather than reappoint Jerome Massimino, OFM, to an additional term. A letter explaining the transition there was e-mailed to HNP guardians on Feb. 3. It announced that Michael Carnevale, OFM, will serve as temporary administrator of the parish. |
| • | St. Joseph Church, Anderson, S.C. As follow-up on a request from Charleston, S.C., Bishop Robert Guglielmone, the Council gave approval for a friar to be assigned to serve as pastor of this church. |
The new friar assignments will be announced to HNP members via a letter from the Provincial Office later this month; the March 9 issue of this newsletter will also include a list of the assignments.
The Congressus will begin on Feb. 20 with liturgy, followed by time for conversation. It will conclude Feb. 24.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.