| Three friars profess First Vows |
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Pictured above are Novice Master Gabriel Aceto, Friar Joseph Powell, Provincial Minister Robert Campagna, Friars Michael Pisaturo and Franciso Soriano, and Pastor of St. Leonard's Friar Antonio Nardoianni.
BOSTON - First Profession of Vows was celebrated at St. Leonard Church in Boston's North End on Saturday, August 16 with a Mass of Profession at noon and a lunch following.
Novice Friars Michael Pisaturo, Joseph Powell, and Francisco Soriano made their First Profession of Vows into the hands of Provincial Minister Robert Campagna and about 40 friars gathered along with family and friends.
In his homily, the Provincial shared the following thoughts:
"Entering consecrated or religious life as a public profession to observe the three evengelical counsels is such a serious undertaking that the Church and in our case, the Order, seems almost to make that entrance as difficult as possible. So you want to be a religious? And you think God is calling you to this life of obedience, living without anything of your own and in chastity? Okay, let's see if you have the right stuff."
Friars Joseph, Michael and Francisco with their Profession crosses.
"Now this morning, as we watch these three men make their public consecration and First Profession, each of us, of course, surrounds and accompanies them with our supportive prayers and best wishes. But there is something more. You men need to hear again and be reminded of the words Pope Benedict addressed to the seminarians gathered at Dunwoodie during his recent visit to our country. The Holy Father told them and thus, told you, 'I urge you to deepen your friendship with Jesus Christ. Talk heart-to-heart with Him. Reject any temptation to ostentation, careerism or conceit. Stive for a life truly marked by charity, chastity and humility in imitation of Jesus Christ. Daily, through prayer, reading and medidation, try to hear what God is whisphering to you. Embrace your life with joy and generosity.'"
"And so, my dear brothers, there is nothing more I could or would add to our Holy Father's words on this day when you make your public profession of first vows; as you journey into Jesus Christ, and please God, into definitive membership in the Franciscan Order."
"May our dear Lord, and His Blessed Mother continue to watch over and guide you."
The newly professed report to Convento San Francesco in Rome on August 29. |
| Friar Guy Vellardita celabrates Jubilee |
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METHUEN, MA - Pictured above are Fr. Tom Keyes, pastor of St. Lucy Parish, Methuen; Friar Guy Vellardita and Vicar Provincial Patrick Boyle at the celebration of Guy's 50th Anniversary of Priesthood on June 21, 2008. |
| Franciscans Together in Mission for FMU 2008 |
 NEW YORK, NY - Friar James Goode continues to encourage friars to help the missionary efforts of our Province by donating to the Franciscan Missionary Union. Below is a letter recently sent out by Friar Jim:
Dear Brothers,
Blessed Assurance! I pray all is well with you and your ministry.
As we approach the Feast of Saint Clare of Assisi and the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I humbly ask that you do not forget us at FMU and our Province mission project: Franciscans Together in Mission for FMU 2008.
I am deeply grateful for those who are contributing on a regular basis to our missionary evangelization efforts. Some I have not heard from as of this date. I know you are very busy with many things, but please don't forget us at FMU.
Each year we are receiving fewer and fewer assignments from various Archdiocese/Diocese - Society of the Propagation of the Faith. This means fewer and fewer dollars for our Provincial missions.
However, I am confident that with God on our side and the Blessed Virgin Mary guiding us, and our Province "Franciscans Together in Mission for FMU 2008", we will make up the difference for our Franciscan Missionary activities.
Please let me hear from you at your convenience.
With you as my Franciscan Family standing beside me, I entrust all of our efforts for the Immaculate Conception Province Missions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Mother of the Order of Friars Minor, and our Seraphic Father Saint Francis of Assisi.
With gratitude to our Merciful God and Holy Mary, the Mother of God, I remain,
Grounded in Gratitude,
Fr. Jim Goode, OFM
Moderator - Franciscan Missionary Union |
| Postulants report on September 8 |
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BOSTON, MA - During its June 16 meeting, the Provincial Council approved two men to enter our Postulancy Program. The Council approved Christopher Arambasick, 29, of Portsmouth, NH, and John Paul Markides, 24, of Waterloo, Ontario. They will join Stefan Steiner who will be entering a second year of Postulancy.
The Postulancy Program will move this year to St. Leonard's Friary in Boston's North End with Friar Gabriel Aceto as Postulant Director. The Postulants will report to St. Leonard's on September 8.
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| FEAST OF SAN GENNARO |
NEW YORK, NY - The 81st Annual Feast of San Gennaro, New York City's oldest, biggest and most famous religious street festival, will be celebrated in 2008 starting Thursday, September 11 and continuing for 11 days through Sunday, September 21.
Presented annually since 1996 by Figli di San Gennaro, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, this year's Feast will again attract more than 1-million people to the streets of historic Little Italy in the annual salute to the Patron Saint of Naples - San Gennaro.
The street festivities - including religious processions with the statue of San Gennaro, parades. free entertainment, food stands and a cannoli and a cannoli eating contest - are capped on Friday, September 19 - the Official Feast Day -- with a celebratory Mass honoring San Gennaro, followed by a candlelit procession as the Statue of San Gennaro is carried from its permanent home in Most Precious Blood Church on Mulberry Street through the streets of Little Italy. |
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DATES TO REMEMBER
- Provincial Council - September 9
- Province Centenary Committee - September 9
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