NEW YORK — The Provincial Council has scheduled a series of seven fraternal gatherings for Holy Name friars over the next three months. Registration is required by Feb. 17.
Held at a variety of locations, the spring regional days will begin mid-March and conclude in May. Unlike in recent years, the spring 2012 gatherings will comprise three days with two overnights.
Each gathering will focus on phase one of a three-part process of “Taking Time Out to Discern.”
A note sent to friars explained that the Order’s General Council has “asked all the provinces to step back — to assess our present situation (to see), to discern where the Spirit might be leading us (to judge), and to make the decisions necessary to forge this future (to act).”
During phase one, friars will be asked to reflect on “just where do we find ourselves?” by assessing the Province’s current situation as Franciscans in the Church and in the world.
The letter acknowledged: “Some may object that we have done this all before. We have. But our situation in 2012 is already very different from 2006, as recent events … have made clear. A new discernment of our actual situation is indeed called for.”
The Provincial Council members envision the process to culminate at the 2014 Provincial Chapter.
“We would like these gatherings to reflect the ‘mix’ of the Province, with friars travelling outside their own geographical region for deeper reflection and sharing,” said Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM.
The dates and locations of the spring 2012 fraternal gatherings are:
March 14-16 St. Petersburg, Fla.
March 21-13 Stoneville, N.C.
April 11-13 Easton, Pa.
April 17-19 Mystic, Conn.
May 7-9 Wappinger Falls, N.Y.
May 14-16 Marriottsville, Md.
May 29-31 Skaneateles, N.Y.
Registration can be completed by email (hnp@hnp.org), fax (800-420-1078) or postal mail to the Provincial Office. Additional information can be obtained from Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM, at 646-473-0265 ext. 306.
– Compiled by Rebecca Doel