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.
“November is the month that the Church sets aside to pray for those who have died,” wrote Russell Becker, OFM, in his most current monthly meditation for the Franciscan Missionary Union. This month’s reflection focuses on venerable Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Russell’s monthly meditations are posted on the FMU’s website.
Martin Bednar, OFM, of Florida, attended the 60th anniversary celebration of St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Md., on Nov. 5.
DVDs of “What Does Our History Suggest About Tomorrow?” — a talk by Michael Blastic, OFM — have been distributed to all HNP guardians and shared with friars at house chapters this fall. Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM, arranged the duplication of the DVDs.
John C. Coughlin, OFM, was interviewed recently by The Intrepid, an online publication described as “a 21st century newspaper providing St. Bonaventure University with hyper-localized content.” The interview talks about how John, the newest friar to St Bonaventure and Mt. Irenaeus, feels about joining the community and how he became a friar. Earlier in October, John accompanied six SBU students to St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia. A welcome to John from Kevin Kriso, OFM, one of six friars at Mt. Irenaeus, is included in the mountain’s fall newsletter.
Christopher Dunn, OFM, reports that an earthquake hit Ica, Peru, a city four hours south of Lima, on Oct. 28. Chris said, “In Lima, the quake was rather long, but light. No damage to friars, personnel or property reported.”
The Province’s new Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation plan, prepared by the JPIC Directorate, was approved by the Provincial Council. It will be announced and described to friars through a presentation by Lawrence Hayes, OFM, on Nov. 15 at the annual guardians’ meeting.
Worship, a leading international journal of liturgical and sacramental theology recently published “Christocentricity, Unity and Ethics in Bonaventure’s Theology of the Eucharist,” an article by Daniel Horan, OFM. More information on Dan’s recent and forthcoming publications can be found on his website.
Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, participated in a board meeting of the Academy of American Franciscan History on Nov. 4 and 5 in Berkeley, Calif. He was joined by Brian Bellanger, OFM, and Daniel Dwyer, OFM, of Siena College.
A talk on Nov. 8 by Matthew Pravetz, OFM, concluded the 2011 Friars’ Forum at Holy Name of Jesus Church in New York City. His “Finding Jesus in the Eucharist: Four Ways He is Present” was the last of nine sessions offered at the Upper West Site church this season.
On Nov. 5, Mt. Irenaeus held its 12th Mountain Auction, benefitting the West Clarksville, N.Y., Franciscan Mountain Retreat. This weekend, Mt. Irenaeus director Daniel Riley, OFM, will be in the metropolitan New York area to lead Mountain on the Road programs. Details are available on the alumni page of SBU.edu.
Photos of Robert Sandoz, OFM, appeared in the Nov. 2 e-newsletter of Christ the King Prep School, Newark, N.J., where he is president. The issue features the annual President’s Gala, hosted by actor and filmmaker Robert Townsend.
Vocation director Brian Smail, OFM, spoke last week as part of the Archdiocese of New York’s “Young Catholics in the City.” As the first of three speakers in the series, Brian discussed “Who Am I Called to Be?” He is now preparing for a presentation at the Province’s annual guardians’ meeting and for two upcoming vocation events. Updates from the Vocation Ministry can be found on its Facebook page, Be A Franciscan.
Patrick Tuttle, OFM, was one of several campus ministers to speak at “God? Forum,” an interfaith forum hosted by Furman’s Catholic Campus Ministry, for which Patrick is chaplain. “The purpose of the forum is to foster a deeper level of religious harmony and tolerance within the Furman community.” According to a news release, Christianity, Islam and Judaism were represented at the Nov. 8 forum, with plans to include Buddhist, Greek Orthodox, Hindu and Unitarian Universalist delegates.
Provincial Treasurer Dennis Wilson, OFM, is in St. Louis, Mo., this week attending the national conference of the Resource Center for Religious Institutes. Also attending from Holy Name Province are Thomas Conway, OFM, and Joseph Nangle, OFM, both members of the Provincial Council.
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by Nov. 16 (always the Wednesday before the newsletter’s publication date). Updates about the friars and their ministries can be found on the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province Facebook page.
Topics planned for future issues of this newsletter include:
· Annual SFO chapter
· 2011 guardians’ meeting
· Postulants’ visits to HNP ministries
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas