WASHINGTON — What wears brown and white, and runs all over? Several Holy Name Province friars are lacing up their sneakers and taking their ministry and Franciscan presence on the road. Six demonstrated their interest in social justice and fitness last week by running in a road race to benefit needy families in the nation’s capital. Two others in Upstate New …
Buffalo Friars Help Neighbors During ‘Epic’ Storm
BUFFALO, N.Y. — As a colossal winter storm dumped more than seven feet of snow on the Western New York area from Nov. 18 to 21, the area shut down. Vehicles were abandoned in snow banks. Schools and offices closed. People hunkered down in their homes, watching the snow bury everything around them. At St. Patrick Friary, all six friars — …
Province Honors Seven Jubilarians
NEW YORK — Seven friars marking their 25th and 50th anniversaries of profession this year were honored last week at the Province’s annual jubilee Mass. The men, who traveled to New York City from various states along the East Coast to celebrate their Franciscan heritage, were praised by Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM. He celebrated the Nov. 12 Mass at …
Friars Get Soaked for Good Cause
Oprah Winfrey has done it. The New York Mets have done it. Kermit the Frog has done it. And now, so have friars of Holy Name Province. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has made headlines and flooded Facebook in recent weeks. The fundraiser dares participants to either raise awareness for ALS by getting drenched with a bucket of ice water …
Jubilee Commemoration Set for Nov. 12
NEW YORK — Seven friars marking 25th and 50th anniversaries of profession this year will be honored Nov. 12 with a special Mass celebrated by Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen, OFM. All are welcome to the 5:30 p.m. liturgy at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street. Those marking 50 years are: John Anglin, OFM, of St. Petersburg, Fla. …
Jubilarian Profile: Jud Weiksnar Marks 25 Years as a Friar
This is the eighth in a series of profiles about friars commemorating major anniversaries of profession this year. The previous issue of HNP Today featured Patrick Tuttle, OFM. BUFFALO, N.Y. — Taking a new assignment in Buffalo to do creative outreach to the poor means “going home” for Jud Weiksnar, OFM, who is celebrating 25 years in vows this summer. The former pastor of St. …
Ministries Celebrate the Wonderworker of Padua
The ominous reputation of Friday the 13th did nothing to dampen the spirits of the Franciscans, who celebrated the feast of St. Anthony that day. Hundreds came to venerate a precious relic of St. Anthony at St. Francis Church in New York City. Friars from the basilica in Padua, Italy, brought the relics to various parishes in the New York City …
Ministries Plan Celebrations for Feast of St. Anthony
Provincial ministries will celebrate the feast of St. Anthony, the wonderworker of Padua, this Friday, June 13. At St. Anthony Shrine in Boston, bread will be distributed to all from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as “a reminder of our common obligation to care for the poor,” according to the ministry’s website. People are invited to take bread for themselves, …
Camden Friar Robbed at Gunpoint After Sunday Mass
CAMDEN, N.J. — On a bright, unassuming Sunday last week, children clothed in white were preparing to make their First Communion during the 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church. Outside of the building, Delvonte Olmo-Pagan, 20, clothed in black and carrying a gun, was making preparations of his own, readying himself to steal that day’s collection from …
Honoring King’s Legacy
Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream lives on at ministries around the Province, as friars and their partners-in-ministry demonstrated by commemorations of the civil rights leader this weekend. In addition to reflecting on King’s work, some ministries took an active role in continuing what he began more than 60 years ago. HNP Commemoration Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM, celebrated Mass during the Province’s …
Province Celebrates 2014 Jubilarians
Last month, Pope Francis reminded the faithful of God’s great love for them, saying “God lowers himself, coming down to earth as little and poor, showing that in order to be similar to him we must not place ourselves above others, but rather lower ourselves, place ourselves in service, make ourselves small with the small, poor with the poor.” As 2014 …