Welcoming Afghan Refugees in Virginia

Maria Hayes Around the Province, Home Page – News

In mid-August, personnel on Marine Corp Base Quantico near Triangle, Virginia, were informed that the base would welcome 5,000 refugees from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Refuge. They were given three-days’ notice. Agencies in the area began racing against the clock to create temporary shelters and gather supplies for the arriving families.  John O’Connor, pastor of nearby St. Francis …

Fr. Ronald Gliatta celebrates Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Tampa, Florida, where he has served since 2020. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Parish)

Province Welcomes Fr. Ron Gliatta as Official Member

Jocelyn Thomas Friar News, Home Page – News

Holy Name Province has a new member – Ronald Gliatta, OFM, who has been a Franciscan friar for 48 years as a member of Immaculate Conception Province and who lives in Tampa, Florida, at Sacred Heart Friary. He had been a provisional member of Holy Name since 2019, when he began living with HNP friars – first in Butler, New Jersey, and now in Florida.

Br. Charles Gilmartin Dies in New Jersey

HNP Communications Friar News, Home Page – News

Br. Charles Gilmartin, OFM, 91, a professed Franciscan friar for 69 years, died on Oct. 26 in Mountainside Hospital not far from where he had lived and worked most of his life. Funeral services are planned for Oct. 30 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Butler, New Jersey. Visitation is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Provincial Minister Fr. Kevin Mullen, OFM, will preside.

From left to right: Brs. Aaron Richardson and James Bernard, Frs. Joseph Rozansky, Kevin Mullen and Lawrence Hayes, and Br. Steven Kuehn. (Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran)

James Bernard, Steven Kuehn, Aaron Richardson Profess Solemn Vows

Jocelyn Thomas Home Page – News, In the Headlines

NEW YORK — Surrounded by more than 100 of their OFM brothers, three friars – Brothers James Bernard, OFM, Steven Kuehn, OFM, and Aaron Richardson, OFM – professed their solemn vows as Franciscans at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi this summer. Friars from around the country, as well as relatives and friends, gathered on Aug. 21 at the …

From left to right: Fr. Jim Gannon, Martin Thach Tran, John Paul Kashmer, Ricky Michael Madere, Tyler Grant Harris, Ivan Delgado Arevalo, and Jeremy Lorenz Mayeaux, and Br. Basil Valente. (Photo courtesy of Br. Basil)

New Postulants Begin Year with Welcome Ceremony, Orientation

Jocelyn Thomas Friar News, Home Page – News

Autumn has begun with renewed energy for the US-6 interprovincial postulancy program. In August, six men from around the United States were officially received into the program and, in the weeks since, they have been getting acquainted with the geographic area while completing orientation and beginning their year of education and ministry.

Vianney Justin, 78, Dies in New Jersey

HNP Communications Friar News

Vianney Justin, OFM, 78, a professed Franciscan friar for 55 years, died on Aug. 19 at Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. Funeral services are planned for St. Anthony’s Church in Butler, New Jersey, where visitation is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 24. It will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM.

Tom Cole and Luis Rosado assist Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen at the dedication of the new elevator and stairwell at the Butler friary as Kevin McGoff observes from the background. (Photo courtesy of Paul Chelus)

Friar News Briefs

HNP Communications Friar News

Recent updates include dedication of Butler friary, fire at home of friar’s New Hampshire home, stray bullet finding its way into a friar’s room in Buffalo, free haircuts given at St. Francis Inn, and articles featuring friars in NYC and New Jersey

Observing 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11

Jocelyn Thomas Around the Province, Home Page – News

Two decades ago, the nation was rocked by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. The sorrow and tragedy of these events hit home for Holy Name Province, when on that seemingly beautiful late summer day in 2001, the community was shocked by the death of one of its own – Mychal Judge, OFM, the FDNY chaplain who rushed to the World Trade Center after hearing that two jumbo jets had struck the twin towers.

Buffalo Native John Ullrich Dies at 73

HNP Communications Friar News, Home Page – News

John Ullrich, 73, a professed Franciscan friar for 48 years and a priest for 45, died on Aug. 13 at St. Anthony’s Hospital. He spent his religious life in a variety of roles, mainly pastoral work and positions related to Franciscan formation and education.

Pilgrimages Planned for 2022

HNP Communications Around the Province, Home Page – News

Two exciting experiences are being planned for next year that will provide participants with spiritual and educational nourishment – one to the Holy Land, where pilgrims will retrace the footsteps of Jesus during his travels, and the other a journey to historical, sacred Franciscan sites in Italy.