NEW YORK — Holy Name Province friars are invited to share their faith and to pray together in a relaxed environment during this year’s spring fraternal gatherings.
Organized by the Franciscan Life in Mission Directorate, the six sessions will give friars a chance to focus on faith life within their communities. The gatherings will take place between Feb. 4 and March 12, with each session including an overnight stay.
The theme of this year’s fraternal gatherings was selected in response to a mandate from last year’s chapter. The mandate focuses on “deepening the contemplative and prayer dimension of the friars’ lives and fraternities,” according to a Jan. 2 letter from the directorate.
Organizers took into consideration feedback from General Visitor Fr. Melvin Jurisich, OFM, and General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, who noted that HNP friars expressed a desire to deepen their individual and fraternal prayer life.
Each gathering will be limited to approximately 25 friars per session “to allow for more in-depth and satisfying fraternal sharing,” according to the directorate. Friars are encouraged to select the site that most appeals to them, instead of choosing the closest location.
Registration forms must be submitted to the Provincial Office by Jan. 19, according to information distributed by Provincial Secretary Michael Harlan, OFM. The directorate suggests that friars return their registration forms quickly to ensure their placement in their preferred session.
The dates and locations of the gatherings are:
| Feb. 4-5 | St. Mary Church, Pompton Lakes, N.J. |
| Feb. 12-13 | Franciscan Center, Tampa, Fla. |
| Feb. 20-21 | St. Joseph Church, Wilmington, Del. |
| Feb. 27-28 | Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, Garrison, N.Y. |
| March 2-3 | St. Francis Springs Prayer Center, Stoneville, N.C. |
| March 11-12 | St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, Hartford, Conn. |
— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province.