NEW YORK — The Province’s Vocation Office distributed the first issue of its new Be A Franciscan newsletter this month. The quarterly publication replaces Insight & Wisdom.
“The name change is not only meant to be more inviting, but it is consistent with the name of our Web site, BeAFrancsican.org,” said Brian Smail, OFM, the Province’s vocation director, who e-mailed the Spring 2010 newsletter to HNP friars on March 12.
Although friars will receive it in electronic format, hard copies of the newsletter will continue to be distributed to all houses for vocation promotion, Brian said.
This inaugural issue featured a reflection on Lent by Brian as well as articles on:
· the novitiate year, by Ronald Pecci, OFM, HNP novitiate director
· discernment, by Thomas Vigliotta, OFM, director of the Catholic Center at University of Georgia
The publication also launched several features that will appear regularly in Be A Franciscan including:
· “My Vocation Story”
· “Ask the Vocation Director,” in which Brian answers questions frequently asked by men who contact the office
Be A Franciscan also includes information on upcoming Provincial events and “Come and See” and retreat weekends that may be of interest to men discerning a Franciscan vocation.
The Vocation Office is pleased with this first issue of Be A Franciscan, said staff member Carolyn Croke, who manages the newsletter content. “We’ve paid careful attention to the topics and the layout, so the newsletter will appeal to all types of men considering a Franciscan way of life.”
The publication was designed by communications coordinator Rebecca Doel.