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From the Provincial Minister
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 | Provincial Minister
Primo P. Piscitello, OFM |
NEW YORK - We didn't seem to quite have a white Christmas, but the New Year certainly came in roaring with the bitter cold and lots of snow. I hope and trust that you were all safe and warm during the storm.
There is a beauty to a large storm that is hard to not appreciate. Even here in the "city that never sleeps" there is a quiet and a calm that descends over the city as the heavy snow falls and the beauty of the white blanket of snow can make everything look bright and new.
But, of course, there is also another side to the story. The side of those who do not have the luxury or good fortune to sit in their warm houses and wrap themselves up in blankets and enjoy simply the beauty of a winter storm. As snow covered our area, as the temperatures have plummeted to levels that are dangerous and even deadly, it is good for us to remember that there are those who have no shelter from the storm; there are those who continue to live on the streets even in the midst of this worst and coldest weather.
They live there for a variety of reasons - maybe they lost their job or lost it all in the markets; maybe they are caught up in the throws of addiction to drug or alcohol; maybe they suffer from mental illness; maybe a thousand other reasons that we'll never know. But, hard to believe as it may be, there are those who live their lives in toil out on the streets in this toughest time of year.
It is a good reminder to us, of course, to count our own blessings hearth and home; of warmth and nourishment. And, it is also a good moment to remember that we are meant to have care for these brothers and sisters of ours above the rest. The poor are, after all, our primary constituency; they are our top mission territory; they are our very brothers and sisters.
The constantly-inspiring Pope Francis said this week, "Let us leave a spare place at our table: a place for those who lack the basics, who are alone." He has reminded us that our care for the poor is not merely spiritual; it is not just an idea or an ideal to aspire to.
The Pope said in May speaking to residents of a homeless shelter, "To love God and neighbor is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete: it means seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him concretely. And you are, dear brothers and sisters, the face of Jesus."
So especially during these cold winter months, let us be mindful of the poor in our midst. Let us pray for them. Let us be their advocates. Let us be their servants. Let us reach out and help however we can, thinking globally, acting locally.
And let us remember, that, as we reach out to them, they are our brothers and sisters. As we look upon them, we are gazing upon the very face of Christ.
God bless you my brothers!
God bless,
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CALLED TO SHARE WITH THE POOR
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"As a witness to their poverty and charity,
the friars are bound to relieve the needs of the Church,
offer assistance to those who are in real necessity,
and share what they have with the poor,
out of the goods destined for the use of the fraternity,
in accordance with the particular Statutes."
General Constitutions, Art. 53
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Cardinal Sean rings in the New Year at St. Leonard's
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BOSTON - A tradition over the last few years has become a New Year's Eve Mass with Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap. at St. Leonard of Port Maurice Church in Boston's North End. The evening begins with a Holy Hour at 10:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 11:30 p.m. Friars attending included Fr. Antonio Nardoiani, OFM, pastor, and Fr. Alvin Te, OFM, our Vocation Director. The following account of this year's Mass comes from Cardinal Sean himself on his blog:
By Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap.
As has been my custom in recent years, we gathered at St. Leonard's Church in the North End for a Holy Hour with rosary and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a Mass to end the old year and begin the new.
Father Matt Williams of the Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults and Marianne Luthin of our Pro-Life Office helped organize the event. I was very pleased to be joined by number priests, seminarians and religious, as well.
It was a very beautiful celebration and we are very grateful to Father Antonio Nardoianni for hosting us once again.
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February 2 - National Day of Prayer for the African American Family
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NEW YORK - The 25th Anniversary of the National Day of Prayer for African American and African Family will be held on February 2, 2014.
This year's Theme is "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." (St. Augustine of Hippo)
The National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family Resource Aid contains a catechetical reflection, a prayer specifically for the African American and African Family and some suggested activities to celebrate the day.
The National Day of Prayer for the African American Family was created by Fr. James Goode, OFM, in 1989. Our Province's Solid Ground Ministry is offering resources (brochure, prayer, and further information to share) to be used in conjunction with this celebration. These can be found at: http://www.solidgroundministry.com/NDPAAAF_2014.pdf
Thank you to our supporters:
Blessed Sacrament Sisters
Black and Indian Mission
Franciscan Handmaids of Mary
Holy Family Sisters
Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary
National African American Catholic Youth Ministry Network
National Association of Black Catholic Administrators
National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life
National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus
National Black Catholic Congress
National Black Sisters' Conference
Oblate Sisters of Providence
Order of Friars Minor
Province of Immaculate Conception
Society of the Divine Word
Solid Ground Franciscan Ministry
The Josephites
USCCB Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church
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Bishops send greetings from the Missions
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NEW YORK - Provincial Minister Primo P. Piscitello, OFM, has shared the following greetings from bishops that we minister with in our Central American Missions. These greetings were sent to him during the Christmas Season:
From Bishop Robert Camillieri, OFM (Comayagua)
Dear Fr.Provincial, Fr. Primo,
First of all: Happy New Year!
I wish to thank you for your continued support of this missionary Diocese of Comayagua during your Provincial leadership, which is greatly appreciated. I wish to thank you for the annual contribution of the Province for this year. Thank you very much also for the Mass intentions that Brother Pascal deposits monthly which I use to help our local priests who do not have any and also to help our social service church program (Conference of Honduran Bishops) for support of retired priests. Priests in Honduras celebrate four Mass intentions monthly to help the Pensions Fund for old priests.
Last week I ordained five new priests and two deacons. The deacons will be ordained priest next April. This month I am erecting three new parishes. This year we prepared the infrastructure and we built three new casa curales (priests' houses) and a big church.
Your annual donation also helped us partially to pay for the cost of running a diocesan seminary where at present we have 30 seminarians. To make up the difference in our budget, two North American priests working for years in this diocese and myself mission preach every year in Houston and Canada. When I was installed as bishop in Comayagua in 2004, nine years ago, the diocese had 24 parishes, now it has 35 and we hope to add one or two more next year. As you can appreciate, the financial help of the Province is a great support to the missionary church in Latin America and I am very grateful indeed to you and to the Province over a period of many years of support and concern
Thank you, once again.
In union of prayers,
Bishop Robert Camilleri, ofm
 | | Bishop Camillieri during ordinations this year in his diocese |
From Óscar Andrés Cardinal Rodriguez Maradiaga, SDB (Tegucigalpa)
Dear Fr. Primo,
Once again, as every year, you came to our aid as an Archdiocese with your generous contribution for the needs of our pastoral works. Only the love of God can repay you for all your kindness. That's why, as I do every Christmas Mass, I will have you and our dear Province, in my heart and in my prayers. Let the prayers of the priests and faithful of Tegucigalpa be extended to the donors and friends. Wishing you the best for the New Year, I remain yours in Christ and our Father Francis,
Oscar Andres Cardinal Rodrigues Maradiaga Archbishop of Tegucigalpa
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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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