This Month in Provincial History

Maria Hayes Features

Notable events for the month of April include:

One Year Ago
April 21, 2015 — The Franciscan Chapel Center’s rice ministry moved to a new location in Tokyo after deliveries were disrupted by local police. The ministry serves 70 to 80 people daily.

Five Years Ago
April 10, 2011 — The Franciscan Mystery Players of Morris County, N.J., based at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes gave its 250th presentation. The Franciscan Mystery Players program was started by Francis Pompei, OFM, in 1989.

10 Years Ago
April 27, 2006 — Saint of 9/11, a feature-length documentary about the late Mychal Judge, OFM, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. This September will mark the 15th anniversary of Mychal’s death at the World Trade Center.

20 Years Ago
April 28, 1996 — St. Francis Chapel in Colonie, N.Y., observed its 25th anniversary. Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany served as principal celebrant at a Mass that marked the milestone.

25 Years Ago
April 1, 1991 — Holy Name Province opened an urban ministry at St. Paul’s Parish in Wilmington, Del. Last fall, the parish marked a quarter century of Franciscan presence.

30 Years Ago
April 9, 1986 — Provincial Minister Alban Maguire, OFM, officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Provincial infirmary in Ringwood, N.J. Its previous locations were in Warwick, N.Y., and at St. Bonaventure University in Western New York.

— Compiled by Maria Hayes

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