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FROM THE PROVINCIAL
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 NEW YORK - Less than a week from today, we once again celebrate the preeminent Franciscan Feast - the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This feast reminds us of one central reality - one that our Holy Father Saint Francis knew so well - that God is real. In this feast, we celebrate our God who takes a step beyond the prophecies of old, beyond the words granted to some to be shared - we celebrate our God who takes the ultimate step into our reality by becoming one of us.
And, as we commemorate once again this feast of our Visitation, we are reminded that it is not mere historical remembrance of a once-only occasion, but instead a reminder that we believe in and follow a God who continues to do among us what He did long ago - God continues to be present among us.
Perhaps one of the greatest privileges of our religious life is that we are each invited to cooperate with God in continuing to bring His presence to His people. As we celebrate another Christmas, I am particularly grateful for each one of you, my brothers, and the ways that you make God real both to the people that you minister to as well as to us, your brothers.
Know that I am holding each of you closely in my heart in prayer during this holy time. I will remember you in my Christmas Mass.
Our God is real. He has revealed Himself to us. Let us continue to reveal Him to everyone we meet!
Merry Christmas my brothers!
Fraternally,
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Year of Consecrated Life | Pope Francis
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Let us look to consecrated life as an encounter with Christ: it is He who comes to us, led by Mary and Joseph, and we go towards Him guided by the Holy Spirit. But the centre is Him. He moves everything, He draws us to the Temple, to the Church, where we can meet Him, recognize Him, welcome Him, embrace Him.
Jesus comes to us in the Church through the foundational charism of an Institute: it is nice to think of our vocation in this way! Our encounter with Christ took its shape in the Church through the charism of one of its witnesses. This always amazes us and makes us give
thanks.
And in the consecrated life, we live the encounter between the young and the old, between observation and prophecy. Let's not see these as two opposing realities! Let us rather allow the Holy Spirit to animate both of them, and a sign of this is joy: the joy of observing, of walking within a rule of life; the joy of being led by the Spirit, never unyielding, never closed, always open to voice of God that speaks, that opens, that leads us and invites us to go towards the horizon.
- Pope Francis, November 27
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Novices receive the habit
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BURLINGTON, WISCONSIN - On Sunday, Dececember 14, 11 novices received their habits of probation at the Franciscan Interprovincial Novitiate here.
Among them were four Immaculate Conception Province novices - Br. Dale Brewer, OFM, Br. Josh Critchley, OFM, Br. Josh Davis, OFM, and Br. Jay Woods, OFM.
The friars began their Novitiate year on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, August 15. The Novitiate team holds a series of ceremonies to ritualize their "divestiture" from the world and their "investiture" into our way of life, leading up to this celebration of the reception of their habits.
Below are some photos of our brothers.
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Shower for Mary in New York and Brooklyn
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NEW YORK - Two of our parishes - St. Anthony in New York City and Our Lady of Peace in Brooklyn - took the opportunity for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception to also host a "Shower for Mary" to gather gifts and items for those in need.
PHOTOS FROM ST. ANTHONY, NYC:
PHOTOS FROM OUR LADY OF PEACE, BROOKLYN:
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Derry friars participate in book fair
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MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE - Our friars from St. Thomas Aquinas Church participated in a Barnes and Noble Book Fair on December 3rd by reading stories to the gathered young people.
Proceeds from the Book Fair went to support the St. Thomas Aquinas School Library.
 | | Deacon Joseph Powell, OFM |
 | | Deacon Joseph Powell, OFM & Fr. Phil Pacheco, OFM, pastor of St. Thomas |
 | | Fr. Christopher Gaffrey, OFM |
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Packed Churches at Christmas: A Challenge and an Opportunity
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Advent is a time of waiting, preparing our hearts for the miracle of the Savior's birth. In
evangelizing Catholic parishes, it is a somber time of prayer, penance and thinking of those who go without. It is also a time to prepare for Christmas and the beautiful celebration of Christmas
liturgies.
Among the challenges of Christmas liturgies is the inevitable swell in Mass goers, many at
Mass for the first time in a long time, or the first time at all. In most parishes it means the stress of additional liturgies and confession times, the need for extra priests, extraordinary ministers of
Communion, lectors, musicians and cantors, greeters and ushers.
Despite these challenges, packed churches, even if only once a year, present an unparalleled
opportunity for evangelization. Here are some simple thoughts about making the most of this
opportunity this Christmas.
First, recognize that each person is unique and has probably drifted away from the Church
over a period of time and for many, and varied, reasons. Emphasize in every way possible,
including in the homily, in the bulletin, and on the website, that whatever the reason for being
away, everyone is welcome back!
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Fr. Flavian Mucci, OFM, honored by Mormonsing
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EL SALVADOR - Franciscan friar Fr. Flavian Mucci,OFM, founder of Agape El Salvador, received an acknowledgment called the "Family Values Award" from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormons.
This award honors community leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to supporting the institution of the family and those who defend traditional family values and are committed to promoting standards that are consistent with the position of the Church on the family.
Elder Angel Duarte, on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ, talked about the ways that Fr. Mucci has rescued many people from drugs, clothed the naked, has fed the hungry and cared for El Salvadoran society.
"On behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we say that we deeply admire his love for the people, by the Lord Jesus Christ and the principles he established to honor the life and love of family," said the representative of the church.
After the award ceremony, Father Mucci, thanked the Church of Jesus Christ, for giving him the award. The event took place last Friday in Colonia San Benito, in Antiguo Cuscatlan
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A year of Hispanic Ministry in Wappingers Falls
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WAPPINGERS FALLS, NEW YORK - Building on the work done by Frs. Sebastian Buccellato [+2010] and John Bavaro in favor of the Hispanic community in and around Wappingers Falls, Fr. Joaquin Mejia began his ministry on September 13, 2013.
Firstly, Sunday Mass - previously celebrated once a month - was extended to each and every Sunday and holy days. Catechism was taught weekly to children preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. And since their parents had brought them to the Wednesdays CCD session, they [the parents] were invited to and offered an ongoing catechesis.
Naturally - as the accompanying photos show - special attention was given to the liturgical and popular celebrations of Our Lady of Gualdalupe, Our Lady of Cisne [Patroness of Ecuador], with processions for Palm Sunday, Corpus Christi. Fr. Joaquin also served the Hispanic community outside of and away from Mt. Alvernia. He visited families, blessed homes, engaged in spiritual direction, marriage preparation and assisted a funerals.
In November a special Day of Recollection, with more than 200 persons in attendance, was held. Besides conferences, Mass and a Holy Hour ... confessions were heard for almost 3 hours by Fr. Joachim, Fr. Tomas [a visiting priest from New York City] and Fr. Romano.
Fr. James Cruz, the newly appointed pastor at St. Mary Church, Wappingers Falls, has welcomed the Hispanic community to the parish: to which by right they belong. So, December 28th will see the last Mass celebrated at Mt. Alvernia with/for the Hispanic community. After that date they will be fully integrated into the local parish.
With the growing presence Hispanics in the Hudson Valley, Fr. Joaquin has found plenty of opportunities in which to continue his ministry. His next ministerial efforts for the Hispanic community will be concentrated on/in St. Denis [Hopewell] and Sts. John the Baptist and Joseph [Beacon].
 
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Online Stocking Stuffers | Franciscan Living
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By Michael Della Penna, OFM | Director of Ongoing Formation
Online Stocking Stuffers | Spiritual Resources Online
http://www.faithformationlearningexchange.net/uploads/5/2/4/6/5246709/___spiritual_vitality_over_70.pdf
Spiritual Vitality Over 70- Article by Lisa Kimball, Ph. D.
https://catholicebooks.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/free-ebooks-on-benedictine-monasticism-spirituality-music-history-education-literature/
Free Catholic eBooks
http://www.holybooks.com/life-francis-assis-paul-sabatier-free-ebook/
Free Life of St Francis of Assisi by Paul Sabatier
http://www.usccbpublishing.org/client/flipbook/files/inc/14c4294768.pdf
2014 Catalog USCCB Communications
http://www.angelfire.com/me/prince2/catholic.html
Catholic Links
http://www.allspiritual.com/Christianity.php3
Gateway to Spirituality on the Internet
http://catalog.franciscanmedia.org/default.aspx
Franciscan media online:
annettelsherwood.com/blog/
Come to the Silence - a daily reflection of about 100 words. Can sign up to receive a weekly email of all posts that week.
beckyeldredge.com
Celebrates the sacramental moments in our lives.
cac.org
The Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which was founded in 1987 by Franciscan Father Richard Rohr. Here you can read articles by Richard Rohr, sign up for daily email meditations, and more.
www.centeringprayerstl.com
Contemplative Outreach is an organization that promotes centering prayer. On this website you can learn about upcoming workshops, programs, prayer groups and other resources.
www.henrinouwen.org
Nouwen Society. Can sign up for daily meditation and weekly reflection e-letters.
www.ignatianspirituality.com
Ignatian Spirituality, a service of Loyola Press, a Jesuit Ministry. Prayer, spiritual direction, retreats and good decisions. Quite a comprehensive source for Ignatian Spirituality in today's world.
www.liturgy.slu.edu
The Center for Liturgy at St. Louis University. Various reflections and information regarding the Sunday Scripture readings and preparing oneself throughout the week for these readings.
www.loyolapress.com (Three-Minute Retreats)
Loyola Press three minute retreat offers quiet music, scripture, a reflection and two questions that lead the pray-er into some quiet time.
www.pray-as-you-go.org
British Jesuit website that provides music, scripture reading for the day, questions for personal reflection, and prayer. You can listen on your computer or download on your MP3 player.
www.sacredspace.ie
An invitation to make a "sacred space" in your day, to spend ten minutes, praying here and now, as you sit at your computer, with the help of on-screen guidance and scripture passage chosen specially each day.
www.word.op.org
A service of the Order of Preachers, offering audible daily reflections on the Christian scriptures. Preachers are drawn from the entire worldwide Dominican family-priests, brothers, sisters and lay people-all of whom are inspiring, theologically astute, dedicated to the Church and preaching the Good News, and acknowledged as excellent preachers. Reflections are also available via Podcast.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFWfYpd0F18
This will be the first of eight parts of a most beautiful preaching by Henri Nouwen. We are all the Beloved of God. We are all taken, blessed, broken and given. Well worth the time to watch all eight parts.
You can visit the blog here: FRANCISCAN LIVING BLOG
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