News Briefs About Special Activities of HNP Friars

Jocelyn Thomas Friar News

Below are updates about some of the many activities of Holy Name friars, including their celebrations, presentations and ministry events. More information can be obtained by visiting links to the parishes and organizations mentioned, by contacting the friars by phone or e-mail and by connecting with the Communications Office.

To provide news briefs for future issues of HNP Today, e-mail information to communications director Jocelyn Thomas.

St. Francis Breadline director Michael Carnevale, OFM, welcomed Archbishop Timothy Dolan to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Midtown Manhattan on Ash Wednesday. The leader of the Archdiocese of New York helped distribute sandwiches at the 80-year-old food ministry.

Patrick Fitzgerald, OFM, and Felix McGrath, OFM, concelebrated Mass on Feb. 25 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Midtown Manhattan, where both are stationed, in honor of their 50th anniversary of ordination. The parish bulletin included information about both friars.

Daniel Grigassy, OFM, pastor of St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J., was among more than 60 attendees at “Hear it First Hand: Trafficking Stories, Policy and Best Practices.” The March 8 Franciscans International event included a screening of “To Whom It May Concern,” a film in which Dan appears.

Friars interested in serving for the 2011-2014 term on one of the HNP directorates or committees have been asked by Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM, to return the completed form to the Provincial Office by March 15. A list of the five Provincial Directorates was mailed last week to friars.

Lawrence Hayes, OFM, and David McBriar, OFM, co-chairs of the Province’s Evangelization Directorate, report that space is still available in the March 19 workshop, “Evangelizing Youth and Young Adults.” They recommend pastors encourage the young adult ministry leaders at their parishes to consider attending the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. program led by Dominic Perri. Additional information, including a registration form, is available the events page of the Province’s website.

An article by student friar Daniel Horan, OFM, titled “A Franciscan Theological Grammar of Creation,” was published in The Cord. In addition, an article on contemporary mysticism published in the most recent issue of Our Sunday Visitor magazine quoted Dan extensively.

Members of the St. Anthony of Padua Parish community gathered on March 2 at Br. Jerry’s Garden to pray a Rosary in honor of Gerald Hudson, OFM, on the first year anniversary of his death. The community garden was named in honor of the Camden, N.J., friar shortly after his unexpected passing.

Last week, Joseph Juracek, OFM, of Obernburg, N.Y., and Richard McFeely, OFM, of Boston marked milestone birthdays. Some of the other friars celebrating birthdays this month include Joseph Rozansky, OFM, whose birthday is today, and Gerald Hopeck, OFM, of Silver Spring, Md., Romuald Chinetsky, OFM, of Loudonville, N.Y., and Mario DiLella, OFM, of St. Petersburg, Fla.

A scholarship commemorating the 50th ordination anniversary of Cassian Miles, OFM, has been created by Mychal’s Message, the charity organization based in Lancaster, Pa., named for the late Mychal Judge, OFM, a classmate of Cassian. Information on contributing to the Cassian A. Miles Jubilee Scholarship Fund can be found on the Mychal’s Message website. The scholarship was announced on March 6 at a jubilee celebration held in East Rutherford, N.J., by friends and relatives of Cassian.

Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, returned to New York on March 8 after more than a week of meetings and visits in the South. Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, was also away, continuing his visitation of theAssumption Province in Milwaukee and Chicago.

Ronald Pecci, OFM, is leading a three-day inter-parish mission beginning March 20 in Olean, N.Y. Details are provided on page two of the March 6 bulletin of St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany, N.Y.

In a recent e-letter to friends of Christ the King Prep School in Newark, N.J., where he is president, Robert Sandoz, OFM, asked for corporate sponsors that can provide work experience for students. These corporate and business resources “employ our students and help us to capture the unbelievable wealth of talent in the lives of urban youth. These young people are treasures not be to be lost or squandered,” Robert said. “If you or someone you know is able to join with us the is mission by providing work experience for our students,” contact the high school’s corporate recruitment consultant, Mark Gleason. Robert is also featured in the Feb. 16 e-letter in a link about a reception hosted by corporate partner Genova, Burns & Giantomas.

News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by March 16 (always the Wednesday before the newsletter’s publication date). Updates about Province ministries and friars can be found on the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province Facebook page.

Topics planned for future issues of this newsletter include:
· Jubilarian profile of Timothy Dauenhauer, OFM
· Formation gathering at this week Holy Name College
· Parish management workshop in Silver Spring, April 7 to 8

— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas