NEW YORK — Below are updates about some of the many activities of Holy Name friars, including their outreach, celebrations and presentations. 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 information to communications director Jocelyn Thomas.
William Beaudin, OFM, chair of the Province’s Chapter Planning Committee, and Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM, remind all HNP friars of the need to return their registration forms for the 2011 Chapter this week. Information about the Jan. 3 to 7, 2011 Chapter as well as issues of the Crossroads 2011 e-bulletin can be found on the HNP Extranet.
On Nov. 20, Todd Carpenter, OFM, made his Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus along with five parishioners from St. Paul Church, Wilmington, Del., where he is pastor. The event was held in Dover, Del., for all the councils in the State of Delaware. “All in all,” Todd said, “57 men made Fourth Degree. That is the highest degree one can achieve in the Knights. The Fourth Degree ceremony is an all-day affair that concludes with a social and banquet to which the knights’ wives are also invited. St. Paul’s council was founded in 2009, about a year and a half ago and is the only Spanish speaking council in the State of Delaware. I am appointed as chaplain to the Council. Our council has just over 30 men and about 12 of those Knights are Fourth Degree, which is a great accomplishment for a new council like ours. The Knights of St. Paul’s Council are all very active in the parish, and I can call upon them for anything.”
The Nov. 16 burglary at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, where David Convertino, OFM, is director, was featured in the Boston Herald the following day. In the article, David said that the collection boxes are emptied so often, he’d be surprised if the thief got away with much more than $20, and he can’t remember a similar crime at the shrine. A photo shows David looking at the box.
F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, vice president for Franciscan Mission at St. Bonaventure University, is in Rome this week teaching lecturing as part of a masters course on formation at the Antonianum Pontifical University. On Sunday, he hosted members of the Pietrobattista family, relatives of Fr. Pamfilo da Magliano, OFM, the founder of St. Bonaventure University. Two years ago, Edward served as one of the co-leaders of the SBU heritage pilgrimage that included a visit to Magliano, Italy, to meet the Pietrobattistas.
The 2010 edition of The Provincial Annals, edited by Julian Davies, OFM, of Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., was published this month. The publication includes more than 30 reports, written mainly by friars, about Holy Name Province ministries, friaries and significant events that took place in 2009.
Kevin Downey, OFM, wrote about his recent trip to Italy in the Nov. 14 parish bulletin of St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, N.J., where he is pastor. He said he felt fortunate to be able to accompany a “good friend who was going to Italy for a conference which took place in a town on the Amalfi Coast. We left on Oct. 24 and returned on Nov. 3. It was my first trip to this area of Italy and I found the scenery to be beautiful, the food outstanding and the people friendly and helpful.” In his Pastor’s Desk column, Kevin described a “beautiful Franciscan church” in Sorrento and said that “while I saw a lot of old beautiful churches, I didn’t see one I liked better than our St. Mary’s.”
Francis Gunn, OFM, is temporarily serving as pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Yulan, N.Y., taking the place of Anthony Moore, OFM, who suffered a massive stroke on Nov. 21 and died two days later.
Daniel Horan, OFM, gave a retreat for St. Anthony Shrine’s 20-30s group the weekend of Nov. 13. His theme was Franciscan advice for relationships with God. Dan, a student friar, writes frequently in his blog, “Dating God,” about a variety of current issues pertaining to the Catholic Church and Franciscan tradition.
John Maganzini, OFM, developed the prayer services for the Nov. 6 to 7 Pieta Ministry Retreat held at St. Anthony Shrine friary, that was led by David Convertino. The Arch Street Band’s director Jennifer Honan Galea, and Mark Emory provided the music for the program designed for parents whose children have died and who had not previously come to a Pieta Ministry retreat. A news release written by Diane Monaghan, Shrine development director, said 21 people — from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island — attended the event, which included meals, discussions, Eucharist, and a presentation by Richard McFeely, OFM. The Pieta Ministry will offer a retreat in March 2011 for people who have already attended a Pieta retreat.
In a recent letter to donors, Jerome Massimino, OFM, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street, thanked the benefactors of the church for their generosity. His Christmas 2010 message describes the diversity of outreach programs of the Midtown Manhattan parish, highlighting the 80th anniversary of the St. Francis Breadline.
Articles by two HNP friars appear in the Oct.-Dec. 2010 issue of The Cord, the publication of the Franciscan Institute. Russel Murray, OFM, of Washington, D.C., wrote on “Peace in the Church: Towards a Franciscan Response” and Kevin Tortorelli, OFM, of Manhattan, wrote on “Assisi Pilgrimage — A Prayer Journal.”
Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, is traveling south this weekend for a visit with the friars in Florida.
The Province’s final fraternal gathering in its fall 2010 series is being held Nov. 29 at St. Anthony Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla., where James Toal, OFM, is guardian.
Thomas Vigliotta, OFM, is featured in an article in the Oct. 28 issue of The Georgia Bulletin, the publication of the Diocese of Atlanta. “Theology Thursday a Draw At UGA Catholic Center” describes the programs at the campus ministry and offers information about both Tom and David Hyman, OFM, both of whom marked anniversaries of religious life this year.
Jud Weiksnar, OFM, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Camden, N.J., traveled south last weekend to participate in the annual protest of the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Ga. The New York Times featured a detailed article about the event — which Fr. Louis Vitale, OFM, was arrested at — in its Nov. 21 issue.
News for the next issue of HNP Today is requested by Dec. 1 (always the Wednesday before the newsletter’s publication date). Updates about Province ministries and friars can be found on the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province Facebook page.
An updated edition of the HNP Directory 2010 has been posted online. The file, available in the HNP Extranet, includes changes to friar contact information received through Nov. 15.
Topics planned for future issues of this newsletter include:
· Archbishop Timothy Dolan’s visit to CREATE, Inc.
· Leadership development
· Recent missions and programs given by members of the HNP Ministry of the Word
· New director of the Francican Action Network
— Compiled by Jocelyn Thomas