| Friar Edwin Paniagua appointed translator at General Curia |
 ROME - At its most recent Tempo Forte meeting, the General Definitorium of the Order appointed Friar Edwin Paniagua to serve as translator and interpreter of the English language.
In his communique to the Province dated September 12th, General Minister Jose Rodriguez Carballo, wrote, "Br. Edwin Paniagua of our Province of the Immaculate Conception in the USA, having been elected and appointed by the Minister General and his Definitory as Translator/Interpreter for the English Language, is called to assume this Office at the General Curia of the Order as and from the 4th of October 2008."
Friar Edwin will replace Friar Patrick Hudson who will return to his Province in Ireland. Edwin was serving at St. Francis Centre in Caledon, Ontario at the time of his appointment.
Congratulations Edwin! |
| Friars spend summer in Central America |
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Pictured are Friars Giacomo LaSelva, Alvin Te, and Christopher Gaffrey visiting with Poor Clares during their summer in Central America.
By Friar Alvin Te
GUATEMALA CITY - On June 28, 2008, the day after we arrived in Guatemala City, Fr. Rafael Fernandez dropped us in Antigua Guatemala and so began our 10 week summer assignment in Central America. Chris, Giacomo and I spent seven weeks in Antigua where we studied Spanish in a school called Probigua. The lessons were individualized and lasted 5 hours every morning from Monday to Friday for 7 weeks. We stayed at the retreat center of the Bethlemite sisters (the congregation founded by Brother Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur).
After these 7 weeks, our real central American adventure began. From Antigua we moved to Ataco, El Salvador where we are to spend the remaining three weeks of our stay. From there Fr. Rafael brought us to the different mission places of our province in Central America.
We got to visit Friars Valentine Gesuale, Nery Aguirre and Donaldo Salazar at the Instituto San Francisco in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. We were able to meet Friars Ottaviano Battolini and Roberto Siguere in Guatemala. We were able to know Friar Flavian Mucci and his work in Agape in Sonsonate, El Salvador. We also visited Friars Rocco Famiglietti at Valle de Los Angeles.
We were also able to celebrate the patronal feast of the city of San Pedro Puxtla with Friar Guy Villardita. But best of all we got two spend two full hectic weeks in the parish of Immaculate Conception in Ataco, El Salvador to witness the faith of the people and to feel their warm hospitality.
Of course, the ministry and the Spanish language studies were not everything that made our experience great. These works were complemented by fun activities. In Guatemala, we had the chance to climb an active volcano and get to see real lava up close. We got to know the Mayan culture better when we visited some of their ruins. In El Salvador we were able to visit the capital city and visit the tomb of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the museum of the Salvadorian martyrs.
We also got to get to know the Central American countries better by enjoying their typical cuisine. Needless to say, the pupusas, tortillas, and chicharones never failed to let us forget our eternal diets.
Looking back now that the summer is over, I can't help but reminisce and be grateful for having had such a rewarding summer. We owe much thanks to Rafael and the friars in our missions in Central America for making us love what we have seen and experienced. What grace it was to see how much our friars in the missions have touched and changed many lives. We hope that we too, where ever we may find ourselves in the future, may get the chance to minister with the same dedication and love. |
| Padua House to hold open house/blessing of friary |
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Pictured above is the new rooftop Community Room at the recently renovated Padua Friary.
NEW YORK - Friars are invited to visit the recenly renovated Padua Friary on Thompson Street in New York City on Colombus Day, Monday, October 13.
The celebration will include Midday Prayer, a blessing of the friary, tour of the renovations followed by a festive lunch. Those planning on attending shoudl notify Friar Daniel Morey, guardian, no later than Friday, October 10. |
| Centenary Committee holds first meeting |
 NEW YORK - On December 25, 2010, our Province will officially be 100 years old. The Centenary Committee, charged by the Provincial Minister and Definitorium, held its first meeting to begin to plan the celebration of the last 100 years of our history.
The Centenary Committee is co-chaired by Friars Romano Almagno and Thomas Washburn, and includes Friars John-Marie Cassese, Valentine Gesuale, Andrew Rennie, John Scarangelo and Blaise Tranchida. Friar Andrew was appointed Secretary of the Committee.
In its first meeting, held September 9th at the Provincial Curia, the Committee met in joint session with the Provincial Council to talk in broad terms about the form this great celebration of our Province will take.
In broad terms, the Centenary celebration will take place from October, 2009 through October, 2010 and will include seven celebrations held throughout the Province. Each celebration will take on a different focus including: a. Our Origens; b. Our Ministry to Italian Immigrants; c. Our Ministry among Secular Franciscans; d. Our Ministry in the Central American Missions; and e. Our Formation and Academic Heritage.
The Committee is also exploring different commemorative publications for the Centenary year, as well as ways to utilize Inter Nos and the Newsletter to convey the richness of our history. Additionally, a Centennial logo was approved for use throughout the year (seen above).
The Committee will meet again on October 14. | |
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| CALENDAR |
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September 19: Feast of San Gennaro, Principal Mass at 6:00 p.m., Most Precious Blood Church, Baxter Street, New York.
October 6-10: English Speaking Conference, Chicago.
November 6: Mass for the Dead, Calvary Cemetary, 11:00 a.m.
November 9: Mass for the Dead, St. Francis Friary, Andover, MA, 2:00 p.m.
November 10: Mass for the Dead, Mount Alvernia Friary, Wappingers Falls, NY, 11:00 a.m. | |
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