Below are updates about some of the many activities of Holy Name friars. They include personal news as well as developments at their ministries. 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.
Louis Canino, OFM, participated in the groundbreaking last month of a new chapel at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville, N.C. The center’s director of development and marketing, Paul Cronin, provided a photo to the HNP Communications Office that shows Louis with SFSPC board members Frank Massey, Eunice Barr, and Danny Murray, contractor Joseph Bauer, and board member Jack Alford. The chapel is located “in the beautiful woods a short walk from the main building. It is scheduled to be completed by late January or early February 2013,” said Cronin who is posting updates and photos on the center’s Facebook page.
David Convertino, OFM, is distributing an electronic Thanksgiving message from the HNP Development Office, of which he is director.
A slideshow of photos of the ordination of Francis Critch, OFM, on Nov. 3 in Triangle, Va., was created by St. Francis of Assisi parishioner Lisette Montague.
Henry Fulmer, OFM, and Aubrey McNeil, OFM, returned last week from Europe where they led a pilgrimage for parishioners of the Province’s two churches in Anderson, S.C. — St. Joseph’s and St. Mary of the Angels.
Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM, is working with the HNP Communications Office to complete the content of the next edition of the HNP Directory. The 2012-2013 edition will be printed and distributed to friars before Christmas.
Christopher Keenan, OFM, chair of the HNP Ongoing Formation Committee, encourages friars to consider participating in the 2013 pilgrimage to Italy as part of the La Verna program. The trip is also open to friars of Immaculate Conception Province.
A week before flying to Florida for the annual HNP guardians meeting, Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, participated in several meetings around the country. “From Nov. 2 to 3, I was in Burlington, Wis., as secretary of formation, to meet with the novitiate team and, as provincial vicar, to plan for the upcoming meeting of the General Minister with the U.S. provincial councils. Then, Nov 5 to 7, I was with the friars of St. John the Baptist Province at a meeting of their plenary council as an outside observer and speaker, to help stimulate their reflection.” From Nov. 9 to 10, “I was in Berkeley, Ca., at a meeting of the board of the Academy of American Franciscan History (focusing on the future location of the academy in light of the move of the Franciscan School of Theology from Berkeley to San Diego.” Information about his St. John the Baptist meeting was published in the Nov. 15 issue of SJB’s newsletter News Notes. The main topic, Dominic said, “was envisioning the province’s future in light of a changing church and world and declining friar numbers.”
Matthew Pravetz, OFM, chair of the HNP Wellness Committee, asks that friars think about topics that they would like addressed by the committee. “Apparently, the diabetes workshop held earlier this fall in San Damiano Hall at 31st Street, was quite helpful to the friars in attendance. Those who either are diabetics themselves or who care for members of their community who are left with not only good personalized information and new monitoring instruments, but also the contact information of nutritionists and diabetes specialists. Subsequently, friars have asked about the possibility of more workshops on other wellness issues. In response, a short list has been generated during recent committee meetings including but not limited to: obstructive sleep apnea, prostate and urinary tract, hearing aids, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and health care proxies. Certainly there are other issues that ought to be included because of prevalence or interest. In addition, friars have been curious about changing the venue for future workshops both for convenience and to maximize regional attendance. Shortly, the Wellness Committee will conduct a provincial survey of topics of interest and sites for presentation. In the meantime, friars are asked to give thought to both of these items.”
A tribute to the late Reginald Redlon, OFM, was written by Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, president of St. Bonaventure University, and read by Bernard Creighton, OFM, at the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony Church, Butler, N.J., on Nov. 10. Sr. Margaret began, “Fr. Reginald Redlon achieved his place in the history of St. Bonaventure University by personification of what Ewert Cousins called “the coincidence of opposites.” Schooled in classical approaches to theology and philosophy and brought into administration through seminary education, he came to the presidency of the university in 1967, at a time of maximum upheaval at local, national and ecclesiastical levels.”
Gabriel Scarfia, OFM, appeared on WNY Catholic Weekly radio on Nov. 15 to discuss the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. Gabriel is a professor of theology at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, N.Y.
William Scully OFM, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church in Narrowsburg, N.Y., was mentioned in an article in the Oct. 18 issue of Catholic New York titled “Narrowsburg Parish Goes ‘Extra Mile’ To Mark 150th Anniversary.”
Brian Smail, OFM, hosted a vocation weekend Nov. 16 to 18 at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston. The weekend included a series of conversations with friars concerning their discernment, as well as quiet time for prayer and reflection. Two of the men who attended were offered applications to join HNP as postulants next August when the class of 2013 begins. Several weeks ago, Brian attended the meeting of the National Religious Vocation Conference in Texas.
Thomas Vigliotta, OFM, director of the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia, welcomed Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF, to the center for All Souls Day, Nov. 1. “The renowned educator and author was able to travel to Athens from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., at a time when air travel was just recovering from the impact of Hurricane Sandy,” said UGA staff member Linda DiPietro. Sr. Ilia spoke to two audiences on the topic, “Are we at home in the cosmos? Lessons from Saint Francis.” Attendance is believed to have set records as the best-attended for any visiting speaker, DiPietro said. “Students and others were visibly moved by her Francis-inspired presentation. She remained after her presentations to address questions and comments.” An audio of Sr. Ilia’s presentation can be heard on the center’s home page.
Bishop Joseph Galante of the Diocese Camden mentioned St. Anthony of Padua Church, Camden, N.J., in his column published in the Nov. 16 issue of the Catholic Star Herald. The people of St. Anthony’s, where Jud Weiksnar, OFM, is pastor, and community leaders have organized a collection of crosses in the plaza adjacent to Camden’s city hall. Each cross represents a victim of homicide in Camden. The memorial is meant to raise awareness and call for an end to the violence and trauma that affects city residents. Camden is one of the poorest and most violent cities in the nation.
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by Nov. 28 (always the Wednesday before the newsletter’s publication date). Updates about the friars and their ministries can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Topics planned for future issues of this newsletter include:
• Gathering in December of leaders of the provinces of the OFM English-speaking Conference
• Construction of new school building at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Greenville, S.C., where Patrick Tuttle, OFM, is pastor
• Presentation of habits to novices
• Commemorations of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas