The following are the highlights of the Provincial Council meeting held on May 16-17 at the Provincial Office in New York:
Franciscan Volunteer Ministry
The Provincial Council welcomed Michael Duffy, Executive Director, and Katie Sullivan, Program Director of Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, Inc., to the Council meeting. Michael and Katie reviewed the history and mission of the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry, which began in 1989. They gave an overview of the year-long volunteer ministry, which consists of three key values: community, ministry and spirituality. Michael and Katie reported that 143 young people have lived and served with the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry in Anderson, S.C.; Boston, Mass.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and Wilmington, Del. Beginning in August 2006, the Franciscan community of Immaculate Conception parish in Durham, N.C., will be added as a ministry site.
The Franciscan Volunteer Ministry is sponsored by the friars of Holy Name Province.
The friars and the ministries of Holy Name Province will be receiving a mailing from the Franciscan Volunteer Ministry in the near future.
Benevolence Trust
The Provincial Council reviewed the recommendations of the Benevolence Trust committee and voted to award grants to 38 programs or organizations for the budget year ending June 2007.
May Bonfils Trust
The Provincial Council reviewed the recommendations of the May Bonfils Trust committee and voted to award grants to19 programs or organizations for the budget year ending June 2007.
Finances
The Provincial Council reviewed and approved the various budgets for Holy Name Province for the budget year ending June 2007.
The next Provincial Council meeting will be held June 26-28 in Margate, N.J.