NEW YORK — Below are updates about some of the many activities of Holy Name friars, including their presentations, outreach and celebrations. 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 communications director Jocelyn Thomas at communications@hnp.org.
William Beaudin, OFM, led the first meeting of the Province’s Chapter Planning Committee on April 23. He and the other members of the committee discussed the selection of a theme and speakers for the Chapter, set for Jan. 4 to 9, 2011, as well as the chairs for various subcommittees. Details will be provided in the next newsletter issue.
Michael Calabria, OFM, attended the Interfaith Understanding Conference, April 11 to 12 at Nazareth College, Rochester, N.Y., with St. Bonaventure University theology students Kirt Gibbs and Monica Anda. On April 18, Michael gave a presentation at nearby St. Mary’s parish, Olean, N.Y., titled “Islam for Catholics: Finding Common Ground.” Michael will begin his Ph.D in Arab and Islamic Studies under the aegis of Exeter University this fall while continuing to teach at St. Bonaventure.
Daniel Dwyer, OFM, is included in a feature of the Siena College website titled “Catholic Heritage Videos.” Daniel, an associate professor of history, describes ways that he incoporates Franciscan themes into his teaching.
Daniel Grigassy, OFM, was interviewed earlier this month by the Paterson, N.J., Diocese for a piece on the diocese’s television station. The topic was Saint Anthony. On April 23, Dan spoke at the Province’s third Seaside Conversations at the Franciscan Friary in Margate, N.J. Jud Weiksnar, OFM, of St. Anthony Church in Camden, N.J., provided a photo of attendees.
Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM, distributed to all HNP friars last week an order form for the 2011 Guide for the Liturgy/Roman Seraphic Calendar. Orders must be placed by June 15.
Gregory Jakubowicz , OFM, and Dennis Tamburello, OFM, participated in Siena College’s Relay For Life, a fundraiser benefitting the American Cancer Society. Dennis walked and also provided musical entertainment during part of the April 9 and 10 event. William Beaudin, whose niece Sarah Beaudin was one of the relay’s organizers, was also present, Dennis said. Gregory, Siena’s chaplain, lead the closing prayer at 5 a.m. Dennis posted photos of the Relay on his Facebook page.
Brian Jordan, OFM, completed the Boston Marathon last week. His time for the April 19 race was 5:41. It was the 60th marathon that Brian has run.
A DVD of “The Well Fed Friar: Maintaining Taste and Health,” was distributed to friars by HNP’s Wellness Committee, co-chaired by J. Patrick Kelly, OFM, and Daniel Nelson, OFM. The DVD is a follow-up to the workshop held in June 2009 at San Damiano Hall in New York City. In the Features section of this issue, the Wellness Committee provides an article about dementia.
Joseph Kotula, OFM, welcomed volunteers on April 17 to Mt. Irenaeus for a “spring work day.” Among other projects, the volunteers split wood, prepared the garden for planting and reroofed one of the cabins at the Franciscan mountain retreat.
Daniel Horan, OFM, Paul Keenan, OFM, and David Phan, OFM, will graduate on May 7 from Washington Theological Union.
Cidouane Joseph, OFM, participated in Holy Name of Jesus Parish’s “Festival of God’s Mercy” on April 24. The festival began with a 10 a.m. Mass offering the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. Mass, attended by more than 300, was followed by a lunch and entertainment.
On April 25, Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, joined Bishop Michael Burbidge of Raleigh, N.C., in dedicating three new buildings on the campus of St. Fracis of Assisi in Raleigh. Details and photos will be provided in an upcoming issue of this newsletter. Earlier this month, he participated in the spring meeting of the English-speaking Conference in Dublin, Ireland. Like many international travelers, John’s return flight home was delayed because of the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano in Iceland.
John Pierce, OFM, of Butler, N.J., received a round of applause after giving the invocation and address before several thousand attending the 235th Patriots Day celebration April 19 in Concord, Mass., his home town, the birthplace of American liberty. The event marked the Revolutionary War victory of the Minute Men over the British Red Coats at the Battle of Concord — and the 66th time John has taken part in this historic day.
Christopher Posch, OFM, reports that the Province’s Hispanic Ministry Committee, of which he is chair, is working on two major initiatives. They are (1) collaboration with the Province’s JPIC directorate to provide training to HNP sites to promote immigration reform utilizing Just Matters and (2) hosting a Hispanic Ministry and Latino Friar Gathering at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md., June 15 and 16.
On April 26, Mark Reamer, OFM, and the friars of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Raleigh hosted the seventh HNP Fraternal gathering in the current series.
Frank Sevola, OFM, pastor of St. Mary Church in Providence, R.I., is accompanying the American Association of the Order of Malta on the Annual International Pilgrimage to Lourdes as a Magistral Chaplain. The pilgrimage is April 28 to May 4.
The appointment of Daniel Sulmasy, OFM, to the White House Commission on Bioethics has been made official, according to the HNP Communications Office, which received a phone call on April 21 from a representative of the White House commission. An artivle about Daniel titled “Bridging Medicine and Theology” appears in the May issue of St. Anthony Messenger.
News for HNP Today is due to the Communications Office the Wednesday before each publication date; a submission schedule is provided in an article in the Annoucnements section of this issue.
Topics planned for upcoming newsletter issues include:
· Jubilee celebrations
· Young adult ministries
· Reflections on Mother’s Day, St. Bernardine of Siena, World Day of Communications and other themes
· JPIC programs around the Province
· An update on the Province’s strategic planning
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas, who encourages readers to contact her with any neccesary clarifications to information or terminology in HNP Today. News about the Province and its friars can be found on the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province Facebook page.