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From the Provincial Minister
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 | Provincial Minister
Primo P. Piscitello, OFM |
NEW YORK - Thank you. Those are perhaps the easiest words for us to say and each one of us knows that when we hear them, they mean the world. To know that someone is grateful for what we do; grateful for our presence; grateful for our contribution, it makes us feel like we've made a difference; like we're part of a team; like we matter. It's really pretty simple when you think about it.
And yet, we know that they are words that are too often not spoken. When I think about the different places that I have ministered in throughout my years, when there have been challenging moments - either with staff or with friars - more often than not it has come down to this simple reality that no one ever said "thank you." The person didn't feel valued or appreciated by those around them. In these situations, the people around them actually were usually grateful for the others contribution, the simple problem was that no one ever said it. No one ever put those two simple words together, "Thank you."
I hope that you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday either with friars or perhaps you had the opportunity to visit your families or your friends. And, on Thanksgiving we usually take a moment to think about what we are grateful for and thank God for the blessings in our life - blessings of health, blessings of love, blessings of friendship, fraternity and so many other good things. But, this Thanksgiving, let's also remember how good it is for us to embody the very spirit of this day and not only be grateful for the blessings in our life, but to become that blessing of gratitude in the lives of others.
My simple challenge to you my brothers, this Thanksgiving, is this: when was the last time you said "thank you" to the brothers in your community, to the staff in your place of ministry, to the many people in your life who do so many good things? I know if you stopped to think about it, the list of those you are grateful for is probably long. So, take the time this week, to simply utter those two simple words to each other: "Thank you." Thank you for being my brother. Thank you for joining me in prayer. Thank you for being my partner in ministry. Thank you for listening to me when I'm down. Thank you for laughing with me when I'm happy. Thank you.
And on my part, as your Provincial Minister, and more importantly as your brother, let me offer my own personal word of thanks to each and every one of you for all that you do, both for me personally, and for our beloved Province. Words can never adequately express the gratitude that I have for each and every one of you for saying "yes" to being members of the Immaculate Conception Province. Thank you and count on my prayers for each of you today and every day.
"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5.18)
Happy Thanksgiving!
God bless,
Fr. Primo
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| Thanksgiving regional celebration in Boston |
BOSTON, MA - Friars gathered at St. Christopher Friary on Tuesday, November 26 for their regional Thanksgiving prayer service and festive meal.
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Fr. André Cirino receives honorary doctorate
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LODI, NJ - On Thursday, November 7, Felician College honored Fr. André Cirino, OFM, granting him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his life of service in the Franciscan tradition.
The decree honoring Fr. André detailed his background. After earning a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Immaculate Conception College, André received a master's degree in counseling from West Virginia University and earned a Master of Sacred Theology from Woodstock Jesuit School of Theology. He later pursued Franciscan Studies with the Capuchin Franciscan Institute in Rome. His chosen courses of study, which focused on the spirituality of mind and body, inherently followed in the values of Saint Francis who lived and preached with compassion, peace and respect for all. Father André has explored those values and incorporates them into his work.
The college honored him for his dedication to the Franciscan intellectual tradition, "Father André has truly embraced his extensive study of the Franciscan intellectual tradition, as is evident by his numerous works that focus on the self-journey to spirituality. His published works - books, prayer collections, anthologies and meditations - have been recognized worldwide."
He was also recognized for his exuberant devotion to Assisi, "André has devoted himself to sharing the Franciscan legacy as a guide to the saint's hometown of Assisi and beyond. Since 1984 he has conducted pilgrimages to Italy, Prague, England, Mallorca, France, Germany and the California Missions for Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs. The many travelers with whom he has shared his journeys have marveled in Father André's extensive knowledge and passion for Franciscanism and the seemingly endless energy with which he leads them through history and its impact on today's world."
The honorary doctorate was presented to André by Felician College President Dr. Anne Prisco.
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| Fr. Giles Barreda, OFM, finds joy in art |
BOSTON, MA - Since moving to St. Christopher Friary at the end of the summer, Fr. Giles Barreda, OFM, has taken up painting becoming the friary's artist-in-residence. Here he is pictured with some samples of his work.
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 | | Friars and family members gathered with Provincial Minister Primo P. Piscitello, OFM, to pray for our beloved deceased brothers at the Provincial Cemetary in Andover, Massachusetts on a very cold Sunday, November 24. |
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| Franciscan Fast for Immigration Reform - December 3 |
WASHINGTON, DC - On November 12, on the National Mall, steps away from the Capitol, faith, immigrant rights, and labor leaders launched Fast for Families: A Call for Immigration Reform and Citizenship initiative. Since then, a group of people has been fasting every day and night, abstaining from all food-except water-to move the hearts of members of Congress and summon our nation to respond to this moral crisis and pass comprehensive immigration reform.
Members of Franciscan Action Network, alongside some immigrants and prominent labor leaders including Eliseo Medina - the right hand and the successor of Cesar Chavez - have taken turns fasting up to a few days at a time. Their actions spring from a passionate commitment to Christian values of love, compassion, justice and the common good.
On Tuesday, December 3, thousands of Franciscan sisters and friars, members of the Secular Franciscan Order, and countless Franciscan-hearted people from across the country will be participating in a fast in their homes or local communities in solidarity.
To learn more about this initiative and to register to fast, please go to http://fast4families.org
Franciscan Action Network will be providing more information and tools for advocacy that you can use that day to further this historic, moral effort to support immigrant families and push for compressive immigration reform.
 | | Calling all Franciscans: Join Us for a Worldwide Fast for Immigration Reform |
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| Boston friars visit Catskill |
CATSKILL, NY - Several of the friars from St. Christopher Friary in Boston recently traveled for a visit to St. Anthony Friary in Catskill, NY. Below some are pictured in Catskill.
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Summer Session at Franciscan Institute
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ST. BONAVENTURE, NY - The Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University has issued its schedule for summer programs 2014.
The full span of the Summer Session runs five weeks, usually from the end of June through the last week of July. The Summer Session is a unique time in the academic year of the School of Franciscan Studies, combining intense study, joyful prayer and cross-cultural interaction with members of the Franciscan family who come from around the world to learn of the movement started by Francis and Clare of Assisi
2014 Summer Enrichment Courses On Being "Church" in the 21st Century:
A Conversation from within the Franciscan Tradition
William McConville, OFM, Ph..D
June 23 - 27, 2014, Monday - Friday, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Email: churchfi14@sbu.edu
Franciscan Sources, New Translations-New Insights
William Short, OFM, Ph.D.
July 7 - 11, 2014, Monday - Friday, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Email: sourcesfi14@sbu.edu
Leading in the 21st Century: Making Better Social Worlds
Lessons from Francis and Clare of Assisi
Dr. Pauline Albert July 7 - 11, 2014
Email: leadingfi14@sbu.edu
The Franciscans in America: Historical RetrospectivesCoordinator: Jack Clark Robinson, OFM July 16 - 20, 2014 Email: historyfi14@sbu.edu 2014 Franciscan Institute Courses
Three Weeks: June 30 - July 18, 2014:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - noon
The Franciscan Christological Tradition
Rev. Frank Lane, Ph.D.
Franciscan Spirituality (SFS 556)
Michael Higgins, TOR, STD, Ph.D
Forming the Franciscan Imagination
David Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., Ph.D.
Image of God: Christ, Creation, Humanity (A Franciscan Vision)
Johannes Freyer, O.F.M., Ph.D.
Monday - Friday: 1:00 - 3:40 p.m.
General Orientation CoursesTwo Weeks: June 23 - July 4, 2014
Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 11:40 a.m. Francis: His Life and Charism (SFS 520)
Mary Meany, Ph.D. Three Weeks: July 7 - 25, 2014
Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 11:40 a.m. Survey of Franciscan History (SFS 501)
Michael Cusato, OFM, Ph.D. For more information: www.sbu.edu/summerfi14 |
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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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"Come and See" Vocation Retreat to be held January 17-19
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 BOSTON, MA - The Franciscan Vocation Office will be holding a "Come and See" Discernment Retreat Weekend January 17-19, 2014, and ask all parishes, ministries, to post the following announcement in their respective buleltins: "COME AND SEE" VOCATION DISCERNMENT WEEKEND, January 17-19, 2014 The Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception Province are holding a Vocation Discernment Weekend Retreat for men between the ages of 18-38 who are discerning a possible Franciscan vocation. The weekend retreat will take place at our Franciscan Friary in Boston, MA from Friday, January 17- Sunday, January 19. Please contact Fr. Alvin, OFM, ( vocations@icprovince.org or 1-800-521-5442) as soon as possible if you'd like to be part of this weekend retreat.
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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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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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