CINCINNATI — Fr. Jeffrey Scheeler, OFM, announced earlier this month that the Order has chosen a general visitor for St. John the Baptist Province. Fr. Francisco O’Conaire, OFM, will serve the position beginning later this year. He will, as Fr. Jeffrey said in a recent issue of SJB News Notes, “walk with us in the coming months to help us prepare for the Chapter of 2014.”
The Feb 7 issue of SJB News Notes included both a message from Fr. Jeffrey, the provincial minister of the Ohio-based province, as well as a letter from Fr. Francisco, who has a background in justice, peace and integrity of creation issues. “I am Irish by nationality, born in Dublin in 1957 and Central American by province,” said Fr. Francisco, who will help the St. John the Baptist prepare for its next chapter. Like Holy Name Province, its next assembly of friars is scheduled for 2014.
The newsletter issue also included an article about the experiences of Fr. Don Miller, OFM, who explained the Lenten call to conversion during an interview with Franciscan Media.
Other friars who have been featured in recent issue of SJB News Notes include:
• Fr. Fred Link, OFM, in the Feb. 15 story titled “Special Day, Special School, Special Friar.”
• Fr. Simeon Cleves, OFM, in the Jan. 17 story titled “It Pays to Exercise.”
St. John the Baptist Province is also featuring friars on its website. The Feb 21 newsletter announced pieces by Br. Vince Delorenzo, OFM, and Fr. Carl Langenderfer, OFM.