July 30, 2014

In This Issue

Our friars in formation have renewed their Temporary Profession of Vows for another year in the midst of their summer assignments. 

Br. Walter Vijil, OFM, renewed his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience before Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM, on July 26 at the Valley of the Angels in Guatemala where he is stationed for the summer. Fr. Mike was delegated by Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, OFM to receive his renewal of vows. 

Br. Walter renews his vows

Br. Roberto Serrano, OFM, renewed his vows into the hands of Fr. Phil Pacheco, OFM, on July 28 before the friars at St. Thomas Aquinas in Derry, NH, where he is stationed for the summer. Fr. Phil was also delegated by the Provincial Minister to receive his vows.  Br. Zach Wood, OFM, who is also stationed in Derry for the summer will renew his temporary vows in Boston in September.

Br. Roberto renews his vows

The Provincial Minister has also reported that Br. Luis Hernandez, OFM, after months of prayerful discernment has decided to depart from the Interprovincial Novitiate in Burlington, WI and return home to his family in El Salvador. We wish Luis all the best in his future endeavors. 

BOSTON - The summer months could not have arrived soon enough after the long winter in Boston. The community of St. Christopher Friary is making the summer memorable with special events happening all throughout summer. 

Kicking off the season was a roof deck party on the last day of June. This was followed on July 22nd by a luncheon boat cruise aboard the ship Odyssey which sailed along the Boston harbor. Another highlight of the season was the "Christmas in July" party on the 25th of July when the friars celebrated Christmas for a day. On July 29th, the fraternity welcomed the brothers, Januarius, Berard and Richard from the nursing home back for a day at St. Christopher's to spend some fraternal time with the brothers. 

 Truly, summer has begun.

Br. Joseph Powell, OFM

He is a 2013 graduate of the Pontifical University of St. Anthony (the Antonianum) in Rome.    

NEW YORK - Following the recommendation of the Provincial Admissions Board, Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, OFM, has approved three men to enter our Postulancy Program in Boston in September.

Provincial Director of Vocations Alvin Te, OFM, presented the candidates to the Admissions Board in June.

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - The annual Province Retreat has been scheduled to take place October 19-23 at Mount Alvernia Retreat Center. The retreat will be a joint endeavor with the Capuchin Friars of St. Mary Province, also based in New York.

The theme of this year's retreat will be "Pope Francis and the New Evangelization: Implications for How We Evangelize as Franciscans." The retreat will be directed by Fr. Bill Cieslak, OFM Cap. 

Fr. Bill lived with the friars of the St. Barbara Province for 25 years while teaching Sacramental Theology, Sacred Liturgy and courses in The Legacy of the Franciscan Theological Tradition and Intellectual Tradition at the Franciscan School of Theology at Berkeley, California. He is currently the Director of Preaching and Evangelization for the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph and lives in Chicago.

The retreat will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 19 and will conclude following lunch on Thursday, October 23. Friars interested in attending must register by contacting Fr. Roch Ciandella at (845) 297-5706 Ext. 112 by October 13. 

Friars attending this retreat who are engaged in parochial and other external ministries and who are allowed a stipend for their annual retreat are kindly asked to donate that stipend to Mount Alvernia to help with the expenses related to the retreat..

CO-DIRECTORS OF COMMUNICATIONS: Thomas Washburn, OFM | Alvin Te, OFM