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.
Lawrence Anderson, OFM, is co-hosting a three-week series at St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes, N.J., called “A Journey to Bethlehem with St. Matthew and St. Luke.” It will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning Dec. 7.
William DeBiase, OFM, of Philadelphia is in Tokyo celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Rice Patrol, an outreach program that provides food to the needy. His two-week trip will also include a visit to Korea. A CNN news piece describing the Rice Patrol, which William helped establish in 1986, can be viewed on his YouTube channel.
The late Francis Gunn, OFM, was honored at the All Souls Mass at Siena College. Francis, who served as campus minister for four years, was known for his ability to connect with people, according to the college’s Nov. 18 announcement. He will also be recognized at the Sunday Mass during Reunion Weekend next June.
Hugh Macsherry, OFM, of Camden, N.J., was one of four on the Led By Joy panel at the Catholic Volunteer Network conference in Philadelphia the weekend of Nov. 18.
Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, represented Holy Name Province at a benefit reception hosted by the International Catholic Organizations Network on Nov. 21 at the Church of the Holy Family in New York City. The network serves and supports Catholic nongovernmental organizations represented at the United Nations. Dominic joined Capuchin and Conventual friars, as well as a number of Franciscan sisters, in support of Franciscans International, one of the members of ICON. Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations, also made remarks and offered a benediction. Earlier this month, he participated in a meeting of the OFM English-speaking Conference secretaries of formation in Burlington, Wis., the site of the Franciscan Interprovincial Novitiate.
Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, will attend a meeting of the St. Bonaventure University Board of Trustees held in New York City on Dec. 2.
Mark Reamer, OFM, reminds friars that there are openings for the Province’s Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 leadership workshop in Margate, N.J. It is part of the Province’s current ongoing formation series. Participants in the fall program have been asked to read two books: Resilient Leadership by Fr. Robert Duggan and A Family Genogram Workbook by Israel Galindo according to Mark, who is organizing this workshop. Information about this leadership development event can be obtained by calling Mark at 919-847-8205.
Vocation director Brian Smail, OFM, hosted a Vocation Office “Franciscan Experience Weekend” Nov. 18 to 20 at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md. Information about future vocation events can be found on the “Join Us” page of the Province’s website.
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by Nov. 30 (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:
· Rededication of the chapel at University of Georgia’s Catholic Center
· Commemorations of Thanksgiving and Advent around the Province
· Franciscan Cup basketball game
· Anniversary of Christopher Kennan, OFM, as FDNY chaplain
· Province’s winter SPUFY gathering
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas