Province Congratulates Friars Marking Anniversaries in 2019, Remembers Those Who Died Last Year

Stephen Mangione  In the Headlines

The 2019 jubilarians – friars who have been professed for 25 years (top row) and friars who have been professed for 50 years (bottom row).

In 1 Samuel 3:9, young Samuel is instructed to heed the Lord’s call by answering, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Holy Name Province, as it does at the beginning of each new year, acknowledges the Order’s 2019 jubilarians – friars who, like Samuel, listened and discerned when the Lord was calling them to religious vocation. These servants have spent a lifetime of listening and responding – translating into decades of service in pastoral, missionary, social justice, educational and other Franciscan ministries.

As the calendar turns to 2019, this is also a time when the Province remembers friars who died during the course of the previous year – mourning their earthly loss while acknowledging all of the times they responded yes to the Lord’s call throughout their ministries.

Jubilarians
This year, 15 friars will celebrate momentous anniversaries of profession and ordination – including one who is marking 75 years of ordained life. The names of the 2019 jubilarians are listed below.

25 Years as Friars
Todd Carpenter, OFM
Timothy Miskowski, OFM
James Sabak, OFM
Brian Smail, OFM
50 Years as Friars
Kevin Cronin, OFM
John Hogan, OFM
John Jaskowiak, OFM
Vincent Laviano, OFM
60 Years as Friars
David Bossman, OFM
Louis McCormick, OFM
50 Years Ordained
Brice Leavins, OFM
Louis Canino, OFM
60 Years Ordained
Thomas Jones, OFM
Raymond Mann, OFM
75 Years Ordained
Emeric Szlezak, OFM

In June, a special Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church on 31st Street in New York City will be celebrated in honor of the friars who are marking 25 and 50 years since their first profession of vows. Other anniversary celebrations will be arranged by individual classes.

In Memoriam
At the start of this new year, the Province remembers the seven friars who died in 2018. They are:

We mourn the loss of these brothers and will always remember them for their friendship, love, gentleness and kindness.

The Provincial administration wishes its members and its partners-in-ministry a new year filled with peace and all good things.

—  Stephen Mangione is a longtime writer and public relations executive based in Westchester County, N.Y.

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