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 Jocelyn Thomas at communications@hnp.org.
Eric Carpine, OFM, wrote a reflection on the Eucharist for the Aug. 9 bulletin of St. Stephen of Hungary Church in New York City. In the reflection, he wrote, “For all of us who are broken in mind, body or spirit, or who are pouring ourselves out in love for other people, communion is precisely the time Jesus meets us where we are. Is it any wonder that the Eucharist means so much to us? May we never feel as though we are not good enough to be here, for Jesus has invited us to his table where we are loved and cared for.”
Julian Davies, OFM, is pictured on the “Faculty and Staff” Web site page of Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y.
The community of St. Stephen of Hungary Church, where Angelo Gambatese, OFM, is pastor, participated in a luncheon on Aug. 16 to commemorate the parish feast day. The parish will hold its annual street festival on Sept. 19.
St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia launched a redesigned Web site Aug. 12, maintained by John Gill, OFM. The redesign incorporates a blog, which John said will feature writing from Inn staff members, friars and volunteers. The new site also includes information about partner ministries Thea Bowman Women’s Center, St. Benedict’s Thrift Shop and St. Francis Urban Center.
Francis Gunn, OFM, will be a presenter at the fall catechist and parent faith formation series being offered bySt. Mary Parish in Pompton Lakes, N.J. The theme of his Nov. 11 talk, as reported in the Aug. 20 issue of The Beacon newspaper, is “Sacraments: The God we Can Taste and Touch.”
HNP’s Evangelization Directorate met Aug. 14 at the Provincial Office with co-chairs Lawrence Hayes, OFM, and David McBriar, OFM, to discuss their various initiatives including a preaching workshop, young adult ministry and a possible webinar produced by several Province committees.
Kenneth Himes, OFM, and Brian Jordan, OFM, will be speaking next month at a Franciscan lecture series atVillanova University in Philadelphia in honor of the Order’s 800th anniversary. Ken will speak about “Franciscan Traditions of Peacemaking” Sept. 29 and Brian will speak on “Franciscan Contributions to Worker Justice” Sept. 22. Information on the series, titled “The Relevance of the Franciscan Tradition,” can be obtained from Marcy Bray atmarcella.bray@villanova.edu.
The “Reboot Your Life” series, comprising lectures, workshops and retreats, at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, kicked off Aug. 16 with the program led by Dan Horan, OFM. Dan created a Web site for his presentation. The series will continue into September with presentations by Gary Maciag, OFM, on “Improv-ing Your Life,” John Maganzini, OFM, on “Everyday Spirituality,” and Flavian Walsh, OFM, on “Workplace Spirituality.”
Richard Mucowski, OFM, of Lodi, N.J., informed the Communications Office that his cousin Patricia Butenis was sworn in as U.S. ambassador to the Peoples Republic of Sri Lanka on Aug. 19. Richard said Butenis is a career diplomat who most recently served alongside ambassador Ryan Crocker in Baghdad, Iraq. She has also served as U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh. Richard asked for prayers for his cousin and the people of Sri Lanka.
On Aug. 24 and 25, Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, led a meeting of the executive committee of the English-speaking Conference. Earlier this month, he participated in meetings at Washington Theological Union.
On Sept. 21, the United Nations International Day of Peace, the Secular Franciscans and friars at All Saints Church in New York City, where Steven Pavignano, OFM, is pastor, are hosting an hour of prayer for peace. Steven told HNP Today the hour will include readings, prayers and litanies. All are welcome.
Daniel Riley, OFM, will celebrate Mass Sept. 28 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New York City as part of a St. Bonaventure University alumni event. Mass will be followed by a light dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Philadelphia resident Patrick Sieber, OFM, has recently launched a blog, which is in development stages with assistance from the Communications Office. In the future, the blog will appear on the “Blogs by HNP Members” page.
Patrick Tuttle, OFM, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Greenville, S.C., was included in a picture collage from the August-September issue of The Pilgrim, the newsletter of St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. Patrick has served as DJ for the inn’s annual block party for nearly two decades.
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by Sept. 8.
Friars and staff members with news about the following are encouraged to contact communications director Jocelyn Thomas by phone (646-473-0265 ex. 321) or e-mail. Topics that will be featured in future issues of this newsletter include:
· Trips taken by friars this summer
· Plans to commemorate the feast of St. Francis
· Franciscan lecture series at Villanova University
· Deaconate ordination of two friars
— Compiled by Rebecca Doel