HARTFORD, CT - Friars in the Connecticut region joined with thousands of other Catholics in the state to protest proposed legislation that would, in effect, sideline priests and bishops from the administration of the Church.

 

Friars Bruce Czapla, Dennis Arambasick and Jack Hoak marched on Hartford's capitol with other Catholics on Wednesday, March 11 to protest the legislation.

 

The legislation, SB 1098, would have changed a little-known 1866 law that sets out rules for religious corporations. Under the proposal, each individual church would be forced to create a board that would include seven to 13 lay members, freely elected by the parish members, giving them the power to control parish finances and outreach programs. The pastor of the parish would serve on the board but could not vote on issues, and would take his direction from the lay board.  A mirror structure would be in place on the diocesan level as well, with the bishop or archbishop likewise lacking a vote.

Roman Catholics embrace an apostolic faith, where the spiritual authority stems from its leaders, including the pope, cardinals and bishops.

"This particular bill, Senate Bill 1098, is just outrageous," said Michael Culhane, executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference. "It is a major attack on the foundation and structure of the Catholic Church. It's anti-Catholic in our view."

The bill was sponsored by co-chairs of the state's Judiciary Committee, Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, and Sen. Michael McDonald, D-Stamford.

 

The bishops of Connecticut issued letters to be read in every parish in the state over the weekend of March 7-8 asking parishioners to contact their legislators and registor their disapproval of the bill. They also encouraged Catholics to gather in Hartford to make their voices heard during a scheduled public hearing on the bill on Wednesday.

 

The response from Catholics, and members of other faith communities, against the bill was enormous forcing the sponsors to cancel the public hearing and withdraw the bill pending further recommendations on its constitutionality.  Catholics still gathered, however, to make sure their voices were heard.

 

 

NEW YORK - The website for our Province (www.icprovince.org) has recently undergone a complete redesign, according to Friar Thomas Washburn, Director of Communications for the Province.

 

The new design has been in process for the last six months and still has a few areas to be tweaked.  The new design is meant to be more user friendly, presenting the information in an easier-to-use format.

 

Additionally, it now features more news outside of the Province, specifically the News of the Order and of the Church.  Take a moment to check it out.

 

Below is a screen capture of the new Home Page.

 

 

 

view the full text.

 

BOSTON - The friars of St. Leonard's Church hosted Sean Cardinal O'Malley, OFM, Cap. and the Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults for a young adults Mass and adoration on Friday, February 27.

 

The event was part of a series of events by the youth office of the Boston Archdiocese to reach out to youth and young adults. Several of these will take place in the North End including another young adult Mass on Friday, March 13. 

 

The North End will also host a Eucharistic Congress on April 3-4. This event will take place between St. Stephen's Church and St. Leonard's.

 

 

TAMPA, FL - Friar Andre Cirino and Josef Raischl, SFO, will explore a "Journey of the Human Person into God" during a retreat March 20 to 29 at the Franciscan Center here.

The eight-day retreat takes participants through Bonaventure's soul's journey with prayerful experiences, explanations and liturgies.

The Franciscan Center is a center for spiritual renewal and is committed to the mission of Christ in the spirit of St. Francis. Its mission statement reads: "Amidst the beauty of God's creation, all people are welcome to come for personal and spiritual renewal.  It is staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, N.Y."

Friar Andre lectures at the Franciscan International Study Center in Canterbury, England, and has conducted pilgrimages to Italy, Czech Republic, England, Spain, France and Germany.

 

From: www.hnp.org

 

NEW YORK - Provincial Minister Robert Campagna has announced that this year's Provincial Retreat will take place from May 4-7 at Mount Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappingers Falls.

 

The retreat director will be Friar Dominic Monti, current Vicar Provincial Minister of the Holy Name Province.

 

He will offer some reflections on a "theology of itinerancy."  Dominic will lead us to consider (1) how we deal with changes in our lives (fewer of us in the Province, moving out of traditional ministries, etc.) in light of Jesus' call to preach to Gospel to all nations; (2) the interaction of fraternity, prayer and ministry; and (3) dealing with limitations (aging, health concerns, fewer vocations, etc.) and how these isues are reflected in our spirituality.

 

The retreat will begin with supper on Monday, May 4 and will conclude after lunch on Thursday, May 7.  Friars who plan on attending are asked to return the confirmation form that you received in the mail.