NEW YORK — The Province’s visioning and planning committee has announced that close to 200 friars have registered for next month’s Chapter of Mats 2007 at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y.. This is nearly two-thirds of the community.
Last-minute registrations for the Chapter are being accepted until May 25, according to Michael Harlan, provincial secretary. Friars should contact the Provincial Office to register.
The event, from June 5 to 8, which will include prayer, reflection, presentations, small group discussions, and time for fraternity, will focus on the future of the Province. On Thursday evening, June 7, the Province will celebrate the first profession of vows ofDaniel Horan and Stephen DeWitt.
Friars who are unable to attend the Chapter are encouraged to provide their opinions on the draft vision statements by using the visioning and planning discussion forum available in the friars-only section of the Province’s Web site.
The name Chapter of Mats comes from a Franciscan tradition in which friars coming to important community gatherings would bring mats on which they would sleep.