This Month in Provincial History

Johann Cuervo Features

Notable events for the month of January include:

One Year Ago
Jan. 21 and 27, 2017— Friars joined partners-in-ministry at demonstrations around the country advocating against hatred and supporting those who feel threatened and showing ‘that the voiceless have a voice.’ The events included the Women’s March and March for Life.

Five Years Ago
Jan. 20, 2013 — Lawrence Hayes, OFM, was installed as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Durham, N.C.  Since summer 2014, he has served as Provincial Vicar of the Province. 

January 2013 — St. Francis Community Center adjacent to St. Francis of Assisi Church on the Jersey Shore, re-opened after several months of cleaning and repairs following Superstorm Sandy, which struck Long Beach Island and other areas of New Jersey and New York in autumn 2012.

Jan. 8, 2013 — The Province announced its Text a Prayer Request service. Less than a week after its launch, the service had received more than 4,000 requests, said David Convertino, OFM, the Province’s executive director of development. A video of the friars was featured on Mashable.com and an article about the initiative was published in the Huffington Post.

10 Years Ago
Jan. 9, 2008 — St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Anderson, S.C., officially opened its new sanctuary with a Mass and dedication celebrated by then-Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM. Also participating were Aubrey McNeil, OFM, pastor, and Thaddeus Sapio, OFM, parochial vicar, who died in 2017 and 2009 respectively.

Jan. 5 and Jan. 21, 2008 — Friars under age 55 met in two locations to discuss ideas for the future.

15 Years Ago
Jan. 19-24, 2003 — Then-Provincial Minister John Felice, OFM, participated in a meeting of recently-elected provincials with the General Council in Rome, where he offered a presentation on issues of social justice.

20 Years Ago
Jan. 4-7, 1998 — The annual workshop for affiliates, novices, and simply professed friars was held at Holy Name College in Silver Spring, Md. This month, friars who are simply professed less than five years gathered in St Petersburg, Fla., for the Province’s traditional SPUFY meeting.

25 Years Ago
Jan. 4, 1993 — The first-ever Mass of Anointing of the Sick was held in the friary chapel at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. Laurence Raineville, OFM, was the principal celebrant.

30 Years Ago
Jan. 31, 1988 — Anthony Carrozzo, OFM, then Provincial Minister, blessed the new St. Mary’s Friary in Pompton Lakes, N.J., a house that the friars moved into after having previously lived in the parish office building.

 – Compiled by Johann Cuervo

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