During recent weeks, several Franciscans have passed to eternal life. Fr. Gary Bernhardt, OFM, 56, of Sacred Heart Province died Aug. 26, in St. Louis. He was director of Franciscan Charities and of his province’s development office, according to the obituary in the Sept. 2 issue of Around the Province. Fr. John Robert Scarangello, OFM, 59, of Immaculate Conception Province, …
Reconfiguration Process Begins as Councils Meet in Wisconsin
RACINE, Wis. — More than 60 friars representing the seven U.S. OFM provinces gathered at the Siena Retreat Center earlier this month to continue the national conversation regarding the state of Franciscan life in America. The event followed a series of gatherings and chapters held from March to June, during which all seven provinces voted to approve a proposal that …
Provinces Choose Leaders
Over the last two months, new leaders were elected at many of the provinces of the English-speaking Conference. One — Our Lady of Guadalupe — chose a new provincial minister. Fr. Jack Clark Robinson, OFM, was elected to lead the Southwest-based province, which held its chapter from June 1 to 6 in Mesilla Park, N.M. The weeklong gathering was presided over by …
ESC Update: Final U.S. Province Votes on Reconfiguration Proposal
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 Canada, England, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta and the United States. All seven U.S. OFM provinces have agreed to join the national conversation regarding the reconfiguration of the American provinces. Throughout June, five provinces — including …