EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Cassian Miles, OFM, former communications director for the Province and friar for more than 50 years, was the topic of a recent letter distributed by St. Anthony’s Guild here to its nearly 100,000 members.
The letter shows several pictures of Cassian and tells the story of how he went from a New Jersey altar boy to friar and priest. It highlights how he has used his love of journalism to serve along his nearly 80-year journey. While he was moderator at Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean, N.Y., the letter reads, he served as faculty moderator for the school’s newspaper.
“His students were so successful that the town paper gave them a page each week for their articles, and some went on to careers in journalism,” according to the Guild’s mailing.
From 1988 to 1996, Cassian, shown above as a young friar, was editor of The Anthonian, the Guild’s quarterly publication. “He brought so much to this role, transforming the way we share our message of progress and hope with Guild members and the larger public,” the Guild said in its letter.
The summer 2009 issue of The Anthonian, distributed last month, features St. Francis of Assisi’s New York City Breadline on its cover.
The issue also includes:
• A memorial on the life of John Piccione, OFM, director of the Guild, who died in February
• A look at the Province’s missions in Lima, Peru, highlighting Paul Breslin, OFM, Christopher Dunn, OFM, Anthony Wilson, OFM, and the Province’s parish in Triangle, Va.
• “You Are What You Eat and Drink,” a reflection by Russell Becker, OFM, director of Holy Name’s Franciscan Missionary Union, on the solemnity of the most holy Body and Blood of Christ
• My Franciscan Journey, by Ignatius Smith, OFM, pastor of Holy Cross Church in Callicoon, N.Y.
Guild Director Joseph Hertel, OFM, who recently attended a meeting of the National Catholic Development Conference in Chicago, met with representatives from the Province’s Vocation and Communications offices on June 23 to collaborate on methods to enhance Province communications. This second meeting of friars and staff members included a presentation from Carr Marketing Communications and discussion about the use of social media outlets.