General Curia’s December Update

Maria Hayes Franciscan World

ROME — In tandem with the start of the Year of Consecrated Life on Saturday, Nov. 29, General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, sent a letter to the Order encouraging friars to take part in this worldwide recognition of men and women religious. “As Friars Minor, we welcome with great joy the invitation of the ‘Lord Pope,’ as well as …

ESC Provincials Discuss Reconfiguration, General Chapter at Fall Meeting

Maria Hayes Franciscan World

The following is a compilation of recent news from the website and Facebook page of the English-speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor, composed of provinces from the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Lithuania and Malta. COCHRANE, Alberta, Canada — Earlier this month, the provincial ministers of the English-speaking Conference gathered at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre for their …

Communicators of English-speaking Provinces Meet in Rome

Jocelyn Thomas Franciscan World

ROME — Discussions about the General Chapter and visits to the OFM Curia and the Vatican Radio headquarters were among the agenda items for the ESC communicators when they gathered last month for their annual meeting. The representatives of English-speaking Conference provinces met at the Convento San Francesco, a friary run by Immaculate Conception Province, from Sept. 7 to 11. …

General Minister Appoints John O’Connor to Position in Order

Maria Hayes Friar News

ROME — Former Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, has been named by General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, and the General Definitorium as the executive assistant to the Minister General for development and fundraising for the Order of Friars Minor. He will be responsible for coordinating the Order’s fundraising and financial development efforts, working closely with the General Curia. “I …

Chapter Focuses on Realignment, ‘Being Who We Say We Are’

Jocelyn Thomas In the Headlines

LOUDONVLLE, N.Y. — At their triennial Provincial gathering last week, the friars voted to be part of the conversations on the restructuring of the American OFM provinces. A formal vote on Thursday, June 5 made official Holy Name Province’s interest in discussing the realignment of the U.S. provinces as a way to strengthen membership, fraternity and the ability to conduct …

Future Collaboration Discussed at February U.S. Provincials Meeting

Maria Hayes Friar News

The following is a compilation of this month’s news from the website and Facebook page of the English-speaking Conference of the Order of Friars Minor, composed of provinces from the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Lithuania and Malta. To prepare for upcoming Provincial Chapters, the American provincials of the English-speaking Conference met from Feb. 13 to 14 in New York City to discuss …

Order, Province Extend Christmas Greetings

Maria Hayes In the Headlines

With a fraternal greeting that wished the fullness of God’s peace, hope and joy for all this season, General Minister Fr. Michael Perry, OFM, sent the Order’s annual Christmas greeting to friars, his first since assuming the leadership position in May. He began the letter by telling the story of St. Francis’s deep relationship with Jesus. After the death of the …