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From the Provincial Minister
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 | Provincial Minister
Primo P. Piscitello, OFM |
NEW YORK - While summertime hopefully brings with it a break from the ordinary and a bit of a rest, it also brings with it some of our most beloved and cherished annual traditions - namely First Profession of Vows and the Reception of Novices.
I had the opportunity to travel twice this month out to the Interprovincial Novitiate in Burlington, Wisconsin; first to celebrate the First Profession of Vows of our brothers Roberto Serrano and Walter Vijil on August 2; and then again for the reception into the Novitiate on August 15 for our brothers Luis Hernandez and Robert Torres.
Both ceremonies were wonderful celebrations of fraternity and as always they were a bit nostalgic, reminding us of our own commitment to this way of life whenever it was that we first uttered those words "to live in obedience, without anything of our own, and in chastity."
So as another summer comes to a close, as so many of us prepare for the challenges of new assignments, new ministries, new fraternities and new places, this is a good time to recall our commitment to one another. Let us remember and rekindle the fervor that initially brought us to this way of life. Let us "give ourselves to this fraternity with all our hearts" once again.
And, let us rejoice with and pray for Roberto and Walter, Luis and Robert as they make these important steps on their journey of faith and their journey of fraternity with us. Ad multos annos!!
And, my brothers, let us all begin again.
God bless,
Fr. Primo
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| RIP: Fr. Matthew A. Morreale, OFM, 69 |
NEW YORK - Our brother, Fr. Matthew A. Morreale, OFM (69), died of heart failure, August 11.
Angelo, the son of Joseph and Mary Louise [ Alf ano] Morreale, was born on July 12,1944 in Pittston, PA. He was received into the First Order at Saint Anthony Friary, Catskill, on August 15,1962, and made his temporary profession on August 16,1963. Matthew was solemnly professed on August 16,1966 at Immaculate Conception
Seminary in Troy.
During his years as a professed Brother, Matthew helped to provide for the needs of the local fraternity at Saint Francis Seminary, Saint Anthony Friary, Catskill, Immaculate Conception Seminary, Troy, and at Mount Alvernia, Wappingers Falls. After graduating from the Caledonian Hospital School of Practical Nursing, Brooklyn, in 1972 Matthew was assigned to nursing and parochial ministry for the next several years in the following parishes: Our Lady of Charity, Most Precious Blood and Our Lady of Peace.
In 1981 Matthew entered Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, MA, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Lawrence M. Graziano at Saint Anthony Church in New York on May 11,1985. Following his ordination, Matthew was temporarily assigned to Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Pittsburgh. In October 1985 he transferred to Saint Michael Church, Waterbury, CT; in March 1987 he served as chaplain at Saint Clare Hospital in
New York; in September 1990 as associate pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Staten Island, and in October 1993 as associate pastor of Saint Ladislaus Church in New Brunswick, NJ.
In August 1995 Matthew was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Pity Church in the Bronx until the parish closed on March 31, 2003. In April 2003 he was appointed pastor of Assumption Church, Roebling, serving there until May 1, 2006. Matthew served temporarily at the Franciscan Center, Andover; Good Counsel Friary, Morgantown, WV; Padua Friary in New York (undergoing a liver transplant on August 21, 2009), and at Saint Joseph Parish, Winsted and Saint Francis Xavier Parish in New Milford, CT. In March 2011 he was assigned to assist in the sacramental and fraternal ministry at Saint Anthony Friary in Catskill.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 14 at Saint Anthony Friary Chapel, Catskill, and burial followed in the Friars' Mausoleum at Mount Alvernia in Wappingers Falls.
Friars must remember to offer suffrages for every deceased friar of the province, professed or novice. In particular, each priest shall offer the Eucharist twice. When news of the death of a friar is received, a concelebrated Mass in his memory should be scheduled in the friaries of the province and the foundations. On the thirtieth day after and on the first anniversary of the death of a confrere, professed or novice, the Eucharist shall be celebrated for him in the house to which he was assigned at the time of death (PS-8,1-3).
Heavenly Father...we commend to your mercy Fr. Matthew and our brothers who have embraced Sister Death and we thank you for the gift of their lives. United in faith and prayer, through the intercession of our Immaculate Mother Mary, Our Holy Father Saint Francis and Our Holy Mother Saint Clare, keep us ever steadfast in your love as we strive for your vision of a world made new.
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Br. Luis and Br. Robert received into Novitiate
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BURLINGTON, WISCONSIN - On August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, 13 men were received into the Interprovincial Novitiate, among them, two men from our Province, Br. Luis Hernandez and Br. Robert Torres.
In a dramatic ceremony that included the Novitiate Team washing the feet of the novices as a sign of service, the 13 men officially entered the Order of Friars Minor and began their canonical year of prayer as novices. Provincial Minister Primo P. Piscitello, OFM, was present to receive the men on behalf of the Province.
The Interprovincial Novitiate, now entering its fourth year, includes the participation of all seven U.S. Provinces along with Christ the King Province of Western Canada and the Holy Spirit Province of Australia.
Br. Luis is 27 years-old and from Concepcion de Ataco in El Salvador. Br. Robert is 24 and from San Antonio, Texas. | | Br. Luis Hernandez, OFM, Provincial Minister Primo P. Piscitello, OFM, and Br. Robert Torres, OFM |
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This year's novice class pictured with the Novitiate Team (front row): Novice Master Ralph Parthie, OFM, along with Friar Scott Brookbank, OFM, Guardian Norbert Bertram, OFM, Friar Henry Beck, OFM, and Friar Dennis Schafer, OFM.
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Br. Joseph Powell to make Solemn Profession September 21
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NEW YORK - Provincial Minister Primo P. Piscitello, OFM has approved the request of Br. Joseph Powell,
 | | Br. Joseph Powell, OFM |
OFM, to make his Solemn Profession of Vows.
The Mass of Solemn Profession will take place on Saturday, September 21 at Sacred Heart Church in Waltham, MA at 11:00 a.m. It is hoped that all friars will make a special effort to be present for this wonderful event in the life of Br. Joe and of our Province. Friar-priests who wish to concelebrate are reminded to bring an alb and their Province Vestment if possible. All who plan to attend should contact Fr. Dennis Wheatley, OFM, local minister, (dennisjcj521@gmail.com) to RSVP.
Br. Joseph recently completed his 30 day retreat in preparation for Solemn Vows in the places that were significant in the life of our Holy Father Saint Francis in Assisi and surrounding areas. He completed his theological studies in June at the Pontifical University of St. Anthony (the Antonianum) in Rome successfully defending his theological thesis, "Abraham as a Model of Faith in the Old Testament."
He has been assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry, NH. He will also continue with some graduate studies. Br. Joe is 26 years-old and originally from Granby, Massachusetts. He is one of 12 children.
Br. Joe is also an occasional blogger at: http://thebluewilderness.wordpress.com/ |
| Fr. André Cirino, OFM, recieves Pope John XXIII Award |
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LA CROSSE, Wis. - Fr. André Cirino, OFM, was one of four people who received the 2013 Pope John XXIII Award for Distinguished Service from Viterbo University in La Crosse.
The awards were conferred at a banquet and ceremony held at Viterbo University on Tuesday, June 4.
Fr. André has authored or edited nearly a dozen books and journals covering the theme of Franciscanism. He is a leader of Franciscan Pilgrimages, which takes travelers to locales such as Assisi, Italy, ancestral home of St. Francis of Assisi, and to the Vatican, seat of Catholic identity and power. Participants have described the pilgrimages as spiritually life changing, crediting Fr. Cirino's leadership as the reason.
The Pope John XXIII Award is the highest non-academic award bestowed by Viterbo University. Recipients are chosen on the basis of contributions in one or several of the following categories: education, business, philanthropy, peace and justice, and religious life.
Also receiving the award were Dick and Doreen Brostrom, and Pat Stephens.
Congratulations André!! 
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| First Communion at Valley of the Angels, Guatemala |
By Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM
VALLEY OF THE ANGELS, GUATEMALA - On August 10th, 16 of our children were baptized and a total of 29 children received their First Holy Communion in a beautiful and joyful Celebration in the Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Angels.
The liturgy was presided over by Fr. Neri Aguirre, OFM, with Fr Roberto Siguere, OFM, and Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM, concelebrating and assisting with the baptisms. The families that attended numbered between 40 and 50 people.
Fr. Neri preached to the children about how the Eucharist always nourishes us and gives us strength for our journey. The Eucharist has profound links with the Jewish understanding of the holy sacrifice of the Bread of the Presence, which once a year was brought out of the sanctuary so that the pilgrims could see it and then elevated while the priests said the following words "Behold, God's love for you"
After the Eucharist everyone shared in a special meal of Guatemalan tamales and drinks in the Salon.
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| Solid Ground Ministry commemorates the historic March on Washington |
By Fr. James Goode, OFM
NEW YORK - Solid Ground Franciscan Ministry and The National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life joins America on August 24, 2013 as America commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Historic MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR JOBS AND FREEDOM.
Despite the progress America has made over the last half century, we still have a way to go to fulfill the goals of the march. Thirty percent of workers have low-wage jobs; voting rights are under relentless attack; the value of the minimum wage has eroded; income inequality is worsening; vital public services such as education and health care are under attack; 11 million aspiring Americans are forced to live in the shadows; and we still have an uneven system of justice rooted in stereotypes based on race, gender and class.
Learn more about Solid Ground Ministries: http://www.solidgroundministry.com
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Parish Missions among the Navajo
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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - Our Lady of Guadalupe Province is seeking friars or Mission Bands interested in preaching Parish Missions among the Native American Navajo parishes in the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico.
Anyone interested should contact Vicar Provincial Ron Walters, OFM, at fronw186@gmail.com |
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