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 email and by connecting with the Communications Office.
To provide news briefs for future issues of HNP Today, email information to communications director Jocelyn Thomas.
Thomas Cole, OFM, as director of HNP missionary efforts, traveled to Italy and Taipei recently as well as to Wisconsin and New Jersey. At the end of February, he went to the Curia to meet with Fr. Carlo Queruli, OFM, a graduate of the Franciscan Institute. Fr. Carlo is part of the Study Abroad Foundation in Mainland China. He and other friars would like to connect young students with Franciscan colleges and universities in the United States. In March, Tom visited the Franciscan Interprovincial Novitiate along with five other Franciscan Missionary Union directors for their annual presentation on the missions to the novices, during which each of the directors gave input on the various missions and projects of their provinces and of the Order. “Next stop,” Tom said, “was Taipei to visit Pius Liu, OFM, and to meet with the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus. Both Pius and the sisters come from our former mission in Shashi.” In mid-April, Tom also participated in the spring meeting of the ISME at San Alfonso Retreat in Long Branch, N.J. “At this meeting, we voted to meet only once a year, in the fall, and then add a day to our novitiate visit in the spring, if necessary,” Tom said. “Just before the ISME meeting, I was informed that I was appointed, by the General Definitorium, to the executive committee for the Missions and Evangelization.”
Kevin Daly, OFM, Stephen Kluge, OFM, and James Scullion, OFM, helped Sr. Kathleen Murphy, OSF, celebrate her 95th birthday last week. Sr. Kate is the sister of Jude Murphy, OFM, of Butler, N.J. A photo of the reception, held on May 15 at St. Francis Parish on Long Beach Island, was posted on the Province’s Facebook and Twitter.
A photo of Gerald Hopeck, OFM, appeared last week on the St. Francis International School Facebook page. Principal Tobias Harkleroad said, “We celebrated the baptism of one of our second graders at our weekly school Mass on May 16. This is a very wonderful story of a young boy who is from a Catholic family and who has been in Catholic school all of his life and when second grade came around and his class started preparing for first communion, he told his parents that he desperately wanted to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and asked them to have him baptized. Our school community was blessed to be witnesses to his faith.” On Sunday, the student joined his classmates in receiving his first holy communion. Gerald is assistant principal of the school.
“Thomas Merton the ‘Dunce’: Identity, Incarnation, and the Not-so-Subtle Influence of John Duns Scotus,” an article by Daniel Horan, OFM, was published in Cistercian Studies Quarterly. Information about Dan’s work and upcoming speaking engagements can be found on DanHoran.com.
Thomas Jones, OFM, of Yulan, N.Y., has notified the Provincial Office that his email account has been compromised.
Last month, Christopher Keenan, OFM, chair of the HNP Ongoing Formation Committee, attended a two-day meeting of friars representing the seven OFM provinces in the United States in St. Louis, Mo. A photo and article appears in the May 24 issue of Sacred Heart Province’s Around the Province newsletter.On May 14, Christopher led a meeting of the Province’s committee. Its members are working on a variety of projects including a friar pilgrimage to Italy in May 2013, determining topics for workshops that will be held during upcoming HNP fraternal gatherings, and researching and publicizing ongoing formation opportunities outside of the Province.
A photo of Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, appears in the May 10 Newsbriefs, newsletter of Assumption BVM Province. The article describes an upcoming presentation that he will give to the Wisconsin-based province. Dominic, who served as general visitor of the Assumption Province last year, will provide his vision of mission and the Franciscan charism. General Minister Fr. Jose Rodriguez-Carballo, OFM, and St. Bonaventure University president Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, will also speak at the June gathering.
Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, is meeting this week with the Provincial Council. From May 29 to 31, he will be in Skaneateles, N.Y., for the last spring 2012 fraternal gathering.
Paul O’Keeffe, OFM, and Christopher VanHaight, OFM, will represent Holy Name Province at the International Chapter of Mats for friars under ten years professed. The gathering is being held June 2 to 10 in Mexico.
Francis Pompei, OFM, appears on the cover of the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of The Anthonian, which includes the caption “Bringing the Gospel Message to Life in a Creative Way.” An article in the issue describes the Franciscan Mystery Players, the youth ministry that Fr. Francis and his brother founded more than 30 years ago.
A letter and registration form about a Sept. 22 diabetes workshop was distributed to all HNP friars this week. The six-hour program will be presented by certified diabetes educators. Matthew Pravetz, OFM, chair of the HNP Wellness Committee, encourages all friars who have diabetes to attend the Saturday workshop and to submit their registration forms to Theresa Bartha at the Provincial Office by Aug. 20.
Joseph Rozansky, OFM, and Fr. Fabio L’Amour, OFM, of the Order’s JPIC Office in Rome are requesting any materials explaining the foundations and work of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in the Franciscan world. Items can be submitted to Pax@OFM.org. The JPIC Office also announced the approval of two new members of the International Animation Committee. Fr. Matthew Beckmann, OFM, of Australia, and Fr. René Flores, OFM, of Central America, will replace Ignatio Harding, OFM, of Bolivia and Fr. Peter Aman, OFM, of Indonesia.
Brian Smail, OFM, attended a meeting of vocation directors at the Archdiocese of New York’s Catholic Center.
At the annual weeklong meeting of the OFM ESC Treasurers in Dublin, Ireland, Provincial Treasurer Dennis Wilson, OFM, was re-elected chair for another two years.
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by May 30 (always the Wednesday before the newsletter’s publication date). Updates about the friars and their ministries can be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Topics planned for future issues of this newsletter include:
· The Province’s Development Office
· Francis Medal presentations
· Annual jubilee celebration
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas and Rebecca Doel