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FROM THE PROVINCIAL
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 NEW YORK - As we all prepare here in the United States to celebrate another Thanksgiving Day, just a word to keep it simple.
This time of year often gets away from us - the elaborate work that goes into the meal, the consumerism that takes hold the day after, the business in our parishes and ministries leading up to Christmas. But, before all of that gets in the way, remember this week the simplicity of the celebration - that we pause for a moment to give thanks.
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for all that each one of you do, day-in and day-out, to reach out and meet the needs of the people of God we all serve. Thank you for daily saying yes to what God asks of you.
This national holiday was first established in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. Let me share with you just a little of his proclamation establishing the day:
"The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come...They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence...commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."
My brothers, this Thanksgiving let us be grateful for the blessings in our lives - especially the blessing of brothers - and let us not forget the Source from which they come.
God bless you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Fraternally,
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Harmony & Peace | Pope Francis
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New structures, leadership for friars in Great Britain
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LONDON, ENGLAND - During its Chapter being held this week, the friars in Great Britain learned that their request to become a Custody dependent on the Province of Ireland has been granted by the General Definitorium of the Order.
The Custody of the Immaculate Conception in Great Britain was formally announced to the friars on Tuesday, November 11, gathered in Chapter in London. The Province of Ireland had approved the request of the English Province to become a dependent custody at their Extraordinary Chapter held on November 3.
The first Custos of the new dependent Custody is Patrick Lonsdale, OFM, who had previously been a definitor and secretary for formation. The newly elected councillors of the Custody are Juniper Adams, OFM, Danny Convery, OFM, and Antony Jukes, OFM.
Irish Provincial Minister Hugh McKenna, OFM, was also present, as was General Definitor Francis Walter, OFM, and General Visitator Ed Tlucek, OFM.
This reconfiguration of structures came about following visitation leading to their Chapter which was originally scheduled for this past July. The Chapter was postponed until this week and instead, the friars of England had a discussion with General Minister Michael Perry, OFM in July and a few members of his administration.
The English friars have established a working commission to deal with issues related to this juridical change.
First founded in 1224, the Immaculate Conception Province of England currently has 36 solemnly professed members and this number makes it increasingly difficult to surface friars for all of the positions of leadership required of a Province. Becoming a Dependent Custody of Ireland provides the English friars an opportunity to strengthen a collaborative relationship that has already begun with Ireland and strengthen their ability to move forward in the future. The two Provinces have engaged in joint formation efforts already for a number of years.
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Regional Thanksgiving celebration at St. Christopher Friary
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BOSTON, MA - Friars from throughout the Boston Region gathered on Tuesday, November 18 for a regional celebration of Thanksgiving. The friars at St. Christopher Friary hosted the prayer service and meal.
Photos by Robert Artman, OFM
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Novices receive the Rule of St. Francis in ritual
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BURLINGTON, WISCONSIN - The novices at the Interprovincial Novitiate officially received the Rule of St. Francis in a special rite celebrated at the novitiate. Among the 14 novices there are our own Br. Dale Brewer, Br. Joshua Critcheley, Br. Joshua Davis and Br. Jay Woods.The will receive their habits on December 14.
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On November 5, while in Chicago for the National Religious Vocation Convention, Fr. Alvin Te had a chance to visit with our novices.
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Praying for our beloved dead in Andover
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ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS - Friars from throughout the Boston Region of the Province gathered in Saturday, November 15 to pray for our beloved dead, especially those buried at our Provincial Cemetery in Andover. The prayer was lead by Provincial Definitor Richard Martignetti, OFM.
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Franciscan Library Committee established for Province
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - On 5 May 2011, Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, OFM, sent a letter to several friars regarding the Francescana of Immaculate Conception Province seeking advice about safeguarding and preserving these Franciscan works with the possibility of making these resources more widely accessible for research and education.
Since that time, our efforts to collect, conserve and catalogue the Franciscan resources of our Province have progressed. To date, all of the Francescana of the Province has been brought to the Provincial Curia. The books are being separated into categories and will also be computerized into a system that will make them more easily accessible.
The Province has received a substantial grant for the purchase of current works. Also, Siobhan O'Dwyer, OFS, who has a master's degree from the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University, has been hired to work with Fr. Paul Rotondi, OFM, for the organization and classification of our collection.
At this time, to sustain and support the work that has been accomplished thus far, the Provincial has set up a committee, appointing André Cirino, OFM co-ordinator of this project. The members of the committee are:
Paul Rotondi, OFM
André Cirino, OFM
Richard Martignetti, OFM
Michael Della Penna, OFM
Siobhan O'Dwyer, OFS
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Fr. Fred Mazzarella to offer Advent Retreat in NH
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MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE - Fr. John Buccino, OFM, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church has announced that Fr. Fred Mazzarella, OFM, will be giving an Advent Retreat
there from December 7 to 9.
His theme "Journey to God" will be broken down into three topics, one given each evening:
December 7: The Family
December 8: Love & Marriage
December 9: Faith & Gratitude
Neighboring parishes have also been invited to attend.
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