SPUFY Members Gather in St. Pete

Jocelyn Thomas Around the Province

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Holy Name Province friars who are solemnly professed for less than five years gathered here earlier this month for a weekend of fraternity and prayer.

The group included 11 men, four of whom are new this year — George Corrigan, Zachary Elliott, Gonzalo Torres, and Emerson Rodriguez.

The event, nicknamed SPUFY for solemnly professed under five years, is a twice-a-year get-together. It was held Dec. 1 to 3 at St. Anthony Friary, a site that serves mainly as a retirement home for HNP friars.

“Residents seem to enjoy having the SPUFY members visit,” according to Gerald Paciello, who co-chaired the weekend. “They are very welcoming.”

The weekend was a time of faith-sharing and relaxation, Gerry said. SPUFY members take turns chairing these weekends.

The SPUFY group has two advisors – Fran Di Spigno and David Hyman.

In April, Brian Belanger, Michael Calabria, and Ray Selker will be “graduating” from SPUFY because they will have been professed for five years.