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From the Provincial Minister
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 | Provincial Minister
Primo P. Piscitello, OFM |
NEW YORK - Of course, this month is a time of remembrance for us all. Mother church since time immemorial has set November aside to recall and pray for our beloved dead. We have already held our remembrance services at Calvary Cemetery and Wappingers Falls, and like you, I find myself remembering dear brothers who are no longer with us - both those who returned home a long time ago, and those who made their way more recently.
But, it also reminds me that we belong to something so much greater than ourselves. We belong to a fraternity that existed long before we were born and will be here long after we are gone. And, there is something comforting in that. I look forward still to praying with the brothers in New England on November 24 and encourage everyone to continually pray for all of our brothers who have died, especially those who have died this year. May they rest in the glorious peace of God's eternal embrace in heaven.
And, maybe, during this month of November, this is the perfect context for our reflection on our future and the future of Franciscan life in the United States. We are part of this national conversation that is looking at big issues and the course of what our life will look like in the years ahead. This prayerful month of November reminds us of something critical: we are inheritors of something that we did not build and we will hand it on to generations that we will never know. But, we are those who are here, stewards of this fraternity, now. Let us have the gift and grace to look beyond the cares of merely our present moment, so that we can build something that will last into a future far beyond any one of us.
Let's stay on the right track, brothers, and not get caught up in the uncertainties of the "what-ifs" of our future. Instead, let us dream the positive possibilities of what it can mean if we come together with our wider fraternity in this country and build a new future together. That is an exciting endeavor - one as exciting as the one that our beloved founder Fr. Panfilo began more than 150 years ago. That is a future worthy of his legacy.
May all of our beloved and faithful departed brothers, family members, friends, and benefactors rest in God's loving embrace.
God bless,
Fr. Primo
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Prayer and support for the Philippines
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The loss of life and devastation in the Philippines has been staggering. We can't help but be moved as we see the images and hear the tragic stories that are the expected aftermath of such a massive storm. One of the best ways to help in the recovery there is by supporting the work of Catholic Relief Services who are already on the scene providing the necessary medical help, along with food and safe drinking water. They will also be there to help the people rebuild. You can donate online here: CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES: PHILIPPINE RESPONSE.
This prayer card was produced by our own Solid Ground Ministries. Let us pray for the lives lost and all those effected by this tragedy.
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How you can help the Philippines
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As Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Immaculate Conception, our hearts and prayers go out to all those in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
Please keep everyone affected in your prayers. And please show your solidarity by donating to one of the following Catholic international aid organizations that are teaming up to bring relief:
In the United States, Catholic Relief Services
In Canada, Development and Peace
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Visit to the friars at Marian Manor
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Friars from St. Christopher Friary in Boston visiting friars in residence at Marian Manor in South Boston. Pictured are Norbert D'Amato, OFM, Giles Barreda, OFM, Robert Artman, OFM, and Bishop Maurus Muldoon, OFM, from St. Christopher's visiting, Januarius Izzo, OFM, Berard Tufo, OFM, and Richard Passeri, OFM, who are residents at Marian Manor on October 12.
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Postulants participate in inter-community workshop at Graymoor
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GARRISON, NY - Our Postulants participated along with 51 other postulants and novices from a variety of Franciscan communities at one of their bi-annual inter-community formation workshops.
The workshop, "Franciscan Contemplative Prayer," was lead by Fr. Jack Rathschmidt, OFM Cap, and took place at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center run by the Atonement Friars in Garrison, NY, from November 5-8.
Our Postulants have participated in this workshop for many years. They will participate once again in the Spring.
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| JPIC Animators gather in Cincinnati |
By Christopher Gaffrey, OFM,
Provincial JPIC Animator
CINCINNATI, OH - The Commission on Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation for the English Speaking Conference OFM met in Cincinnati November 5-7 to discuss further collaboration among the seven U.S. Provinces and to begin answering the questions put to them by the Interprovincial Commission about a possible National JPIC Office.
The animators mapped out common goals for JPIC formation and education, increased communications, and two areas of specific concern to work on together this year; namely, environmental justice (which includes green energy, fair trade goods, and protecting peoples at risk due to industrial impact on the environment) and immigration reform (in the U.S., Canada, and Europe).
Concerning Immigration Reform in the U.S., friars are encouraged to check out Justice for  Immigrants at http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/index.shtml to see the latest news and efforts for comprehensive and just immigration reform. Also please be on the lookout for information on contacting your local Congressional Representative, which our Provincial JPIC Office will be sending out.
As for Environmental Justice, the JPIC Office will be looking to team with local ministries in promoting the use of fair trade products, particularly fair trade and organic coffee from Central America, where our province's missions are. As you know, fair trade products help get more of the profit into the hands of the farmers, coffee growers, and coffee pickers by cutting out the middle men. That it's organic will mean less exposure to harmful chemicals for the farmers, their families, and for us who ingest the coffee. Be on the look-out for more updates.
As a reminder, please be sure to return your Province-wide JPIC project questionnaires. Or you may e-mail your ideas to ICPJPIC@gmail.com. The questions are below:
QUESTIONS FOR DISCERNMENT ON THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL - How is our lifestyle as a province impacting the poor and the environment?
- What changes can we as a province make to lessen any negative impact of our lifestyle on the poor and on the environment?
- How can we as a province live in closer solidarity with the poor in this country?
- How can we as a province live in closer solidarity with the poor in our missions?
- Based on your reflections, what one project do you suggest the province implement in the course of the next three years?
The ESC-JPIC Commission and members of Franciscan Action Network pose for an impromptu picture after delivering a letter on immigration reform to Speaker John Boehner's West Chester, OH office. (L-R; Maury Smith, OFM; Andrew Conradi OFS; OLG Provincial Minister and ESC Liaison Gino Correa, OFM; Christopher Gaffrey, OFM; Mark Schroeder, OFM, Ted McCormick; ESC Executive Secretary Tom Washburn, OFM; Jason Welle, OFM; and Gabriel Kinahan, OFM-not pictured-Russell Testa)
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Relics of St. Anthony from Padua to visit NYC
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NEW YORK - The friars of our mother church, the Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua, on Sullivan Street in New York City, will welcome the relics of St. Anthony from the Basilica in Padua, Italy on Sunday, December 8.
A Solemn Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. followed by devotions to the Saint and veneration of the relics. These precious relics of St. Anthony are currently traveling around the world to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the discovery of St. Anthony's relics by St. Bonaventure.
They are accompanied by a Franciscan friar from the Baslica in Padua and have been greeted by tremendous crowds wherever they have been because of the deep devotion to this great saint.
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ENCOURAGE 1 Vocation Challenge
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Last year's study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), showed that the only thing that makes a difference when it comes to increasing vocations is: ENCOURAGEMENT! If a young man was encouraged by even one other person, they were three times more likely to pursue a vocation to religious life or the priesthood than someone who was not encouraged. If they were encouraged by three people,they were five times more likely to pursue that vocation.
Encouragement works! 
Our challenge to every friar in the Province is simply this. In the months ahead, take the time to ENCOURAGE ONE young man to consider living our way of life. It really makes a difference!
And send their contact information to our Vocation Office so we can follow up and assist them with their discernment. You can contact the Vocation Office at: 800-521-5442 or vocations@icprovince.org
ENCOURAGE ONE!
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Annual Remembrances of the Dead scheduled throughout Province
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NEW YORK - The dates for the Annual Memorial Services for deceased Friars have been announced and are as follows:
Sunday, November 24:
St. Francis Friary, Andover, MA
Memorial Ceremony in the Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD, Calvary Cemetary, NY: (Photos courtesy of Orlando Ruiz, OFM)
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| St. Anthony's marks 75th anniversary of Fr. Richard Fagan's passing |
 NEW YORK - At Masses celebrated last weekend at the Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua in New York City, friars remembered the 75th anniversary of the death of Fr. Richard Fagan, OFM, who passed away in a tragic friar at what is now Padua Friary in 1938.
In their parish bulletin, they recalled the story of Fr. Richard:
Father Richard Fagan, O.F.M. was born in Rio De Janeiro, February 20, 1911. He came to Boston at an early age where he lived for several years before moving to Brooklyn, New York. He was ordained a priest in 1935. Father Richard was assigned to St. Anthony's Church in 1936. He died at Columbus Hospital in New York City on November 9, 1938 at the age of twenty-seven
The Fire at 151 Thompson Street
The fire, of unknown origin, began early in the morning around 3 or 4 AM, and was discovered by a worker who smelled smoke. He made his way up the stairs to arouse the friars, but was met by a wall of flames. The fire quickly swept up the wooden stairway of the five story building and trapped some of the friars who were in their rooms.
Father Richard was one of the first aroused and quickly exited the building. He missed two of the priests and returned to the building to locate them, dashing through the flames in the hallway. He awakened Fr. Luigi Vitale, O.F.M, who was later injured when he jumped two stories to safety. He then awakened Fr. Bonaventure Pons, O.F.M., who was sleeping while the door to his room was burning down. Fr. Bonaventure, following instructions from Fr. Richard, started up the stairs to the roof. On the way he felt an explosion which threw him and Fr. Richard to the roof of the building next door, where he saw Fr. Richard lying unconscious, burning and bleeding. He called for help and firemen carried Fr. Richard down a ladder.
Fr. Anicleto Silvioni, O.F.M., 57, the Provincial of the Immaculate Conception Province, also leaped from a third floor window to the next door roof, and was carried by firemen using an ironing board as a stretcher to a nearby tenement. Fr. Antonine Tosti, O.F.M., 68, was rescued from a ledge on the fourth floor, to which he had been forced by the flames. He was treated for exposure. Another friar, Fr. Edward Salerno, O.F.M., secretary to the Provincial, was also rescued.
One of the most spectacular rescues was that of the pastor of St. Anthony's, Fr. Virgil Liucci, O.F.M., 40, who, after being awakened, tried unsuccessfully to get into the hallway. The flames were too intense, and as they started to sweep into his room on the second floor, he knelt briefly before an image of St. Anthony to pray. Then he tied a bed sheet to a radiator and started to lower himself to the street. The flames were shooting out the window when he was about to jump to the street, but just then he heard the fire engines approaching and was rescued.
Not everyone survived the fire, however. Brother John Chiazza, O.F.M., a young Italian friar in this country only a short time, was found dead in his room in a kneeling position with his hands clasped as if in prayer. Also perishing in the fire was the friary cook, Julius Tapperio,
Father Richard was taken to Columbus Hospital to be treated for burns he received on his hands, face, and legs. For five days he lay on an inflatable air mattress, suffering great pains from his burns.
The Archives of the Franciscan Province reported: "For four days Father Richard lay in the hospital, hovering between life and death, happy in the knowledge that he had saved the other Fathers, cheerful, resigned, uncomplaining, courageous even beyond belief. Never did his cheerful, happy nature desert him; he was conscious of having done his duty and even on his bed of pains he had requests to make which concerned his work in the parish, so anxious was he that certain particular details be carried out- details which were pertinent to the work he had to leave unfinished but which he wanted to see carried out on behalf of the parties concerned. There was little change in his condition, but on Tuesday, five days after the fire, he took a turn for the better; hope mounted. His dear sister, Colette, who was constantly at his side and apparently knew no fatigue; his relatives, and his hosts of friends, were cheered to no end. Wednesday morning at about 6:50, fortified and comforted by the Last Sacraments of the Church, which was administered by Fr. Matthew De Benedictis, O.F.M., a schoolmate, he passed peacefully to his reward- the eternal and blessed reward that Our Blessed Lord has reserved for heroes such as he.
The Funeral
Fr. Richard's body lay in state at St. Anthony's for three days, and thousands paid their last respects. The Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at the church on November 12. Fr. Virgil Liucci, O.F.M., the pastor, was the celebrant, and was assisted by Fr. Michael Di Pietro, O.F.M., as Deacon, and Fr. Henry Borelli, O.F.M., as Subdeacon, both of whom were Fr. Richard's classmates. Two other classmates, Fr. Paul Bertolami, O.F.M, and Fr. Andrew Bacigalupo, O.F.M., were acolytes. The eulogy was delivered by the Right Rev. William E. Cashin, representative of His Excellency, Mot Rev. Bishop Stephen J. Donohue. The church was crowded with parishioners and clergy. Outside, 1,000 or more men and women stood mourning for the popular priest. Fifty priests and four monsignors attended the mass. Among the clergy were the Very Rev. Anicleto Silvioni, O.F.M., the Provincial Minister of the Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception, and the Very Rev. Alphonse Parziale, O.F.M. the Provincial Vicar. His burial was at the Franciscan Friars plot at Calvary Cemetery.
In a letter written shortly later, Fr. Anicleto, the Provincial Minister, wrote these words:
"What happened to our Monastery and Church on the morning of November 4th is known to all. A horrible tragedy that will not easily be effaced by time. The Monastery destroyed. Three lives lost. Two of these were religious- Brother John Chiazza, sexton, faithfully serving Almighty God and His Church to the best of his ability. And our well known and loved Father Richard Fagan, whose acts of Mercy and Charity extended from the babe in the cradle to those breathing their last on the death bed. He was indeed an Apostle, Missionary, and Martyr of Christ. No one can ever deny his keen interest in our parochial activities, and the outstanding heroism which culminated with his untimely death. Truly a lasting Memorial of unselfish Christian love and sacrifice in the history of St. Anthony's Parish. This Father Richard did: he risked his life that others might live. His was the death any Franciscan Friar might envy. He knew and felt he was slated to die, but he did not fear the Angel of Death. He lived an heroic life as a follower of St. Francis and died an heroic death, carrying into the Other World with him those virtues and traits that made him so beloved by all- qualities that characterized him wherever he went and that endeared him to old and young alike. To attempt a description of our hero would be impossible; besides, we feel that it would not meet even with his tacit approval. Who could, for instance, describe his love for the poor, his kindness in the fulfillment of his work among the faithful, his zeal and interest in the spiritual welfare of the young of the parish, the numerous converts he brought to the Church, his charity and solicitude for the sick, his willingness to aid those in need, his ready smile and cheerful quip, his sunny disposition and friendliness towards all, his immunity to discouragement, his all-around amiableness?"
"Greater love than this no man has, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
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2014 Interprovincial Retreat to be held January 6-10
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LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO - The 2014 Interprovincial retreat will take place from January 6-10, 2014 at the Holy Cross Retreat Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The retreat, entitled Dreams of Francis, Visions for Tomorrow, will be directed by Friars Jack Clark Robinson, OFM (Our Lady of Guadalupe Province) and Jason Welle, OFM (Assumption BVM Province). Friars from all OFM Provinces are welcome to attend.
The cost is $400 and registrations must be received no later than December 21, 2013.
To register send your NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, EMAIL, and PROVINCE with a check payable to FRIAR RETREAT to PO Box 12395, Albuquerque, NM 87195.
 | | Jason Welle, OFM |
 | | Jack Clark Robinson, OFM |
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| Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved. |
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