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NEWS of the Immaculate Conception Province December 3, 2010
IN THIS ISSUE
Friar Joseph Bonello appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Juticalpa
Reception of Postulants in Boston
ESC Common Novitiate to be in Burlington, WI
Franciscans International seeks new CFO
Friar Joseph Bonello appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Juticalpa
 
Bishop-elect Joseph Bonello, OFM
Bishop-elect Joseph Bonello, OFM

ROME - On November 22, Pope Benedict XVI officially appointed our brother, Joseph Bonello, OFM as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Juticalpa, Honduras, where he will serve with Bishop Maurus Muldoon, OFM.  Currently, Bishop-elect Joseph is serving as Pastor of our parish Santa Ana de La Libertad in the Diocese of Comayagua.

 

Br. Joseph Bonello was born April 4, 1961, in Xagħra - Gozo, Malta. Son of Victor and Nazzarena Sultana (both predeceased), the third of four children he joined the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) on October 2, 1977, made his Temporary Profession on October 1, 1978 and Solemn Profession on August 28, 1983. He studied philosophy at the Franciscan Friars in Rabat - Malta and theology at the National Institute of Ecclesiastical Studies of Maltese Religious (INSERM). He was ordained deacon on June 29, 1984, and priest on July 7, 1985, by the imposition of hands of the then Archbishop of Malta, Msgr. Giuseppe Mercieca.


Immediately after ordination he served as Provincial Promotor of Vocations, Master of Postulants, and Provincial Definitor of the Franciscan Province of Saint Paul the Apostle in Malta. Since September 1989, he has worked within our Province of the Immaculate Conception as a missionary in Central America with his ministry at the Parish of Santa Ana de La Libertad in the Diocese of Comayagua, first, for three years, as Assistant and later as Pastor, up until his nomination as Coadjutor Bishop of Juticalpa. During this time he has been councilor of our Franciscan Foundation in Central America three times.

On November 13, 2009, he was nominated by Bishop Br. Robert Camilleri, OFM, as Vicar General of the Diocese of Comayagua. Br. Joseph spent his priestly life accompanying the faithful in their faith promoting human dignity and sustaining education, art and formation of workers. His aim has been to forge a more human society so that it may become more Christian.

He chose as motto for his new Ministry "Patientia Omnia Potest" (For Patience everything is possible) because experience has taught him that patience is the greatest virtue necessary to obtain what is good and aspire to what is better: "correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction" (2Tim 4:2).

Bishop-elect Bonello will be ordained a bishop on February 12, 2011.

We offer our sincerest fraternal congratulations to our brother on his election to the episcopacy! Ad multos annos!
Reception of Postulants in Boston 
 
BOSTON - Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello officially welcomed four men into our Postulancy Program during the Rite of Reception celebrated in the context of the Holy Mass on Wednesday, December 1.

The celebration took place at Sacred Heart Church in Boston's North End.  Father Provincial presided at the liturgy and preached.  Concelebrating were Postulant Director Michael MacInnis, Pastor of St. Leonard's Friar Antonio Nardoianni, Associate Friar Claude Scrima, and Vocation Director Friar Thomas Washburn.

Reception of Postulants

Reception of Postulants

Pictured (l. to r.): Friar Michael MacInnis, Zach Wood, Jared Cowell, Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, Jason Dymek, Walter Vijil, Friars Antonio Nardoianni and Claude Scrima 

The men received the writings of St. Francis and St. Clare along with a Tau cross during the ceremony.  Received were Jared Cowell, 24, of Brockton, MA; Zach Wood, 20, of Winsted, CT; Jason Dymek, 26, of Central Falls, RI; and Walter Vijil, 25, of Honduras. The four began the Postulancy Program on October 8 in Youngstown, OH, under the direction of Friar Michael, assisted by Friar Vit Fiala.

In his homily, Father Provincial encouraged the men to be open to the process of formation and pray for the grace of perseverence.  He also spoke of the importance of the symbol of the Tau to St. Francis and its meaning as a sign of converstion for the sons of St. Francis.

Following the Mass, the friars and postulants enjoyed a festive meal at an area restaurant.
 
More photos from the Reception: Reception of Postulants
ESC Common Novitiate to be in Burlington, WI 
 
ESC LogoResponding to the General Minister's call that Conferences engage in more collaborative ministries - particularly in the area of formation and studies - for the past two years, the English Speaking Conference of the Order has been studying the possibility of establishing a Common Novitiate in which, potentially, all of the Provinces of the Conference could participate in.
 
A Common Novitiate Committee, headed by Friar Dominic Monti (Provincial Vicar and Secretary of Formation for Holy Name Province), was composed of the Secretaries of Formation for the ESC Provinces or their delegates.  At the last meeting of the Conference, held in Montreal, Canada, the Provincial Ministers approved the proposal of this committee and established this conferential ministry, now set to begin next year.
 
One of the remaining questions for the Common Novitiate was the potential location.  St. Francis Friary in Burlington, WI, has been chosen as the site of the Franciscan Interprovincial Novitiate that will accept its first novices on August 15, 2011. The Common Novitiate Committee recommended Burlington after hearing from members of the formation team of the current Interprovincial Novitiate (Cedar Lake) who visited several proposed sites.  On Monday, November 29, 2010, the Provincial Ministers of those Provinces participating in the Common Novitiate accepted the recommendation.

Committed to participating in the new Common Novitiate are the following Provinces: Holy Name, Assumption BVM, St. John the Baptist, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Guadalupe, all in the United States; and Christ the King Province of Western Canada. The St. Barbara Province will continue its own novitiate program for at least two years.

The current Interprovincial Novitiate formation team has agreed to stay on for at least one more year. They have experience in
dealing with interprovincial collaboration in formation. Their presence will make for a smooth transition and help ensure the success of the expanded novitiate.
Franciscans International seeks new CFO 
 

Franciscans International logoNEW YORK/GENEVA - Franciscans International (FI) is seeking a Franciscan who is suitably qualified and experienced to apply for the senior position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). There is an option to work out of the Geneva or New York offices.  The position of CFO can be either part time or full time.

 

Franciscans International is a faith-based NGO founded in 1982 to bring to the United Nations the concerns of the most vulnerable, through the worldwide Franciscan Family.

Vision is:A global community built on Franciscan values, in which the dignity of every person is respected; resources are shared equitably; the environment is sustained; and nations and peoples live in peace.  

 

Mission Statement: We are a voice at the United Nations protecting the vulnerable, the forgotten, and our wounded earth.


Closing date: January 7Th 2011


Office Location: Geneva, Switzerland, or New York, USA

 

Position Summary: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a member of the Senior Management Team of Franciscans International (FI) and is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the International Board of Directors (IBD).  S/he carries out the responsibilities of the CFO in the context of Franciscan values and the vision and mission of FI.  The CFO has the responsibility for ensuring that the organization is financially sound, operates under proper controls and complies with all applicable fiscal and social laws, in the countries where FI has offices.  

 

Essential responsibilities:

1. Coordinate and manage FI's annual budget process, ensuring review and approval of the final budget by the IBD, before the end of the preceding fiscal year;

2. Ensure long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with FI strategic plan;

3. Provide advice and counsel to FI's Executive Director, Regional Directors, Senior Managers, on financial matters as appropriate or required;   

4. Provide financial and operational information to the Executive Director including monthly profit and loss forecast (vs. budget) and weekly 3-month cash flow forecasts; and regular reports to the IBD;

5. Monitor and report all project expenditure to budget on a monthly basis; and also accurately report each regional office's performance against its budget with information on actuals and variances;

6. Oversee cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed;

7. Ensure that FI have a sound system of internal controls through the development and maintenance of appropriate policies and procedures.

8. Ensure the completion of Annual Accounts for each regional office as well as a consolidated report for FI as an organization; 

9. Coordinate and support the annual external audit process for the three regions, ensure proper filing of tax returns as required; plus remain up to date on nonprofit audit best practices and national and cantonal (state) law regarding nonprofit operations.

10. Represent FI to financial partners, including financial institutions, creditors, donors, foundation executives, auditors, and public officials, as required.

 

Required Qualifications and Qualities:

1. Commitment to the vision, mission and values of Franciscans International.

2. Five to ten years' experience as a CFO, or head of a Finance Dept, or as an Order/ Congregational Bursar.

3. Strong analytical, communication (oral and written), and presentation skills; plus ability to think strategically and excellent organizational skills.

4. Good inter-personal, people management and motivational skills.

5. Ability to collaborate and work as a member of a team. 

6. Perform well under deadlines and other pressures.

7. Fluent in English. Knowledge of French and other languages is an asset.

8. Appreciation of and sensitivity to people of different cultures and backgrounds.

 

Salary: A stipend for religious sisters or brothers, plus accommodation cost for those living away from community; SFO members who apply are offered the same remuneration.

 

Your application should include the following documents:

  1. A personal cover letter of introduction addressed to the Executive Director of FI indicating your suitability for the role and why you would like to work for FI.
  2. A brief CV (no more than two pages), which includes personal details, qualifications, educational background and professional experience. The CV or resume should include the names and contact details of three referees; including your current employer; your Provincial or Congregational Leader; and one other.

 

Please send your application to: i.cantini@fiop.org  or to Franciscans International, 37-39 Rue de Vermont, P.O. box 104, 1211 Geneva 20.

 
Quick Links

"Come and See" VOCATION RETREATS:

December 10-12

January 7-9 

BOSTON - The Vocation Office has announced that "Come and See" Vocation Retreats will be held at St. Leonard Friary the weekend of December 10-12; and again the weekend of January 7-9.

The retreat is open to single men between the ages of 18-38 who are discerning a possible Franciscan vocation and want to explore God's call in their lives. 
 
Interested candidates should contact the Vocation Director at  (800) 521-5442 or vocations@icprovince.org. 
 
PLEASE PUBLICIZE THIS IN YOUR BULLETINS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
 
A Franciscan Vocation Prayer
O beloved Saint Francis, gentle and poor, your obedience to God and your simple, deep love for all God's creatures led you to the heights of heavenly perfection and turned many hearts to follow God's will.

O Holy Father Saint Francis, I ask you now to pray for me, that the Most High and glorious God will enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, with sense and knowledge, that I may know and carry out God's holy and true command.

Amen.

Vocation Logo

Province of the Immaculate Conception · Order of Friars Minor · 2010
internos@icprovince.org · www.icprovince.org