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 …
Province Welcomes Fr. Ron Gliatta as Official Member
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
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.
James Bernard, Steven Kuehn, Aaron Richardson Profess Solemn Vows
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 …
New Postulants Begin Year with Welcome Ceremony, Orientation
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.
Raymond Mann, 89, Dies in Florida
Raymond Mann, OFM spent his religious life mainly in Massachusetts and Bolivia, and was known for his reflections and retreats.
Vianney Justin, 78, Dies in New Jersey
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.
Friar News Briefs
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
Franciscans Elect Rome Native as New Minister General
Guided by the theme “Renewing Our Vision, Embracing Our Future,” 118 representatives of more than 12,000 Franciscan friars around the globe converged at the Order of Friars Minor General Chapter in Rome, where they elected a new Minister General and other leaders, and discussed many issues
Observing 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11
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
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
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.