NEW YORK — The work of St. Paul and the life of the Order of Friars Minor will be explored at two multi-day retreats for the friars of the Province early next year at several locations throughout the Province.
Fr. Robert Karris, OFM, of Sacred Heart Province, will present two retreats on “Paul: Apostle, Preacher and Teacher,” scheduled for:
• Jan. 19 to 22, St. Anthony’s Friary in St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Feb. 16 to 19, St. Anthony Friary, Butler, N.J.
Both begin at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. Cost is $200, payable to St. Anthony Friary. Contact James Toal, OFM, for the Florida location, or John Mahon, OFM, for the Butler event.
Fr. Karris is a professor researching at the Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University. He has recently completed several translations of the works of St. Bonaventure, including the Disputed Questions on Evangelical Perfection and the Commentary on St. Luke’s Gospel. A noted biblical scholar, he is a previous Provincial Minister of Sacred Heart Province.
Michael Blastic, OFM, will be offering a retreat on “The Life of The Friars Minor: Retreat Reflections on the Rule of 1223 for the 21st Century.” He recently completed a contemporary commentary on the Rule of 1223 for study and reflections, which will serve as the basis for the retreat.
The retreat takes place March 2 to 5 at St. Francis Springs in Stoneville, N.C. The cost is $300, payable to St. Francis Springs. For information, call 336-573-3751, www.franciscancenter.com
Michael is also preaching the same retreat as part of the 2009 Inter-Provincial Retreat for friars of the English-speaking Conference provinces. It is planned for Jan. 12 – 16 at Holy Cross Retreat House in Las Cruces, N.M. Information is available by contacting BruceOFM@aol.com.
Michael is an associate professor at The Franciscan Institute/School of Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University, where he teaches Francis hagiography, early texts, Franciscan spirituality and philosophy. His recent publications include Prayer in the Writings of Francis of Assisi and the Early Brothers, in Franciscans in Prayer, The Medieval Franciscans, and Clare, Human Embodiment and the Espousal of the Poor Christ.
This informatoon was provided by F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, chair of the Province’s Ongoing Formation Committee.