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FROM THE PROVINCIAL
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NEW YORK - A NEW PRIEST What a joyful week this has been and the great joy is that our beloved Province has a new priest! Fr. Joseph Powell, OFM, ordained this past Saturday in Derry, New Hampshire. Words cannot express what a joyful and holy celebration this was for all who were there, but it is a joyful moment for the entire Province as we watch yet another one of our brothers accept the grace of ordination for the service of God and His people. Rejoice with me for Fr. Joseph and pray for him as he takes these first steps into his priestly ministry!
GENERAL CHAPTER In just a day, we will make our way to Italy for the General Chapter. It is a little daunting to think of a month-long meeting, but it is exciting at the same time to anticipate participating being a part of the major event in the life of our global fraternity.
GENERAL VISITOR And, just as we are ready to go, we also got exciting news for our Province. In their final meeting as an administration on Tuesday, the
General Definitorium has appointed our General Visitor for the year ahead.
Br. Niall O'Connell, a friar of the Province of Ireland, has been named General Visitor to our Province as we make our way torwards our elective Provincial Chapter next May. I had not previously known Niall, but he visited New York, along with his Provincial Minister, just this past December, and I can tell you that he is a wonderful friar, a very pastoral and engaging man, and I believe will serve us very well as our Visitor. You can read more about Niall and his background in the story below. But we welcome him in this special role among us over the year ahead.
As for the Chapter, please know that I remain available to you via email or my cell phone. If you need something from the Provincial Curia, Br. Paschal, as always will be here, and if there is something more urgent or serious, you can always contact the Vicar.
This General Chapter, perhaps more so than in years past, will be addressing some very serious issues, so please, brothers, keep the friars gathered and decisions we need to make in your daily prayers. You will receive a daily briefing from the Chapter (along with all the friars in the English Speaking Conference) from our own Tom Washburn and Alvin Te, so you should remain up-to-date on everything taking place.
God bless.
Fraternally,
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Year of Consecrated Life | Pope Francis
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"The fragrance of your lives will be your testimony, because examples edify, whereas words without examples are empty, mere ideas that never reach the heart and even do harm: they do no good! May you continue the sanctifying work of Christ. Through your ministry, the spiritual sacrifice of the faithful is made perfect for it is united to the sacrifice of Christ."
- Pope Francis, April 26, 2015
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"As they prayed, the place they were gathered shook": Ordination of Fr. Joseph Powell
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DERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE - In a truly joyous celebration of faith, family, fraternity and church, Bishop Peter A. Labasci, Bishop of Manchester, ordained our brother, Joseph Powell, to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 2, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
The celebration was electrified with the Spirit from the very beginning of the Mass of Ordination - a palpable sense of God's Grace, Goodness and Presence, filling the Church - something that Bishop Labasci acknowledged and returned to repeatedly throughout the celebration. The Bishop made the words of Acts of the Apostles 4.31 his own saying, "As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook,and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." He would return to that refrain, "As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook" throughout the Ordination, and it was truly a fitting refrain for the day.
The Church was filled to capacity for the Mass and was also filled with the beautiful music of the combined traditional and contemporary choirs of St. Thomas under the direction of David Gocklin and Frank Howard. Serving as Masters of Ceremony were Rev. Jason Jalbert, Secretary to Bishop Labasci, and Rev. Patrick Boyle, OFM. Our men in formation served the Mass, along with scores of altar servers from the parish.
The readings were proclaimed by Fr. Joseph's sisters, Gabrielle and Evelyn. Fr. Joseph was vested by Rev. Antonio Riccio, OFM, who served as one of Joseph's formators during his time in Rome.
Provincial Minister Primo P. Piscitello, OFM, offered words of thanks to all those present, especially Fr. Joseph's parents, "A very special word of thanks to the Powell Family - and as you can see, they are quite a big group. Especially to Joseph's parents, Robin and Debbie - thank you, thank you, thank you for the gift of your wonderful son. On the day of his baptism, you heard these words, 'You will be the first teachers of your child in the ways of faith. May you also be the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what you say and do.' Today is a testament to a job well done. You have indeed been the best of teachers. Thank you for raising Joseph so well, especially in the ways of the faith. You have given us a good man and a good Christian who has become a good Franciscan and will be a very good priest."
Calling upon the words of Pope Francis from ordinations in Rome just a week prior, the Provincial also offered some words of advice to our new priest: " Pope Francis just this week spoke about what he hopes for in a new priest as he was ordaining men for the Diocese of Rome. Here was some of his advice: - 'Don't act like a peacock, living for your own pleasure.'
- 'Ensure that your homilies are not boring; that your homilies reach the heart of the people, because they come from your hearts. What you say to them is what you have in your heart.'
- 'Give a good example. Words without example are empty words. They are ideas that do not reach the heart, and may even cause injury.'
- 'Do not rush through the celebration of the Eucharist. Rather, imitate that which you celebrate, because it is not an artificial rite.'
- 'The confessional is a place where you are called to forgive, not to condemn. Imitate the Father who never tires of forgiving.'"
The Provincial concluded, "Joseph, this is all good advice, and even better, these are all qualities that we already see in you. Do these things and you will be the wonderful priest God has called you to be; the wonderful priest we hope you will be; the holy priest God's people need you to be. Fr. Joseph, God bless you. We are all - your brothers - very proud of you today. Ad multos annos!"
There were about 25 friars in attendance for the Ordination.
Fr. Joseph is 27 years-old and originally from Granby, Massachusetts. He is one of 12 children. He made his solemn profession of vows in September 2013, was ordained a Transitional Deacon in September 2014 and will remain stationed at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Derry as Parochial Vicar. He is a 2013 graduate of the Pontifical University of St. Anthony (the Antonianum) in Rome.
Fr. Joseph celebrated his first Mass the next day at his home a parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Granby.
"As they prayed, the place they were gathered shook!"
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| | (l. to r.) Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, Newly ordained Fr. Joseph Powell, Bishop Peter Labasci, Pastor Fr. Phil Pacheco, Fr. Antonio Riccio |
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| | Joseph lies prostrate during the Litany of the Saints |
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| | Bishop Labasci prays over Joseph during the Ordination Rite |
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| | The newly ordained priest offers one of his first priestly blessings to the Provincial Minister |
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| | Group photo of friars and priests gathered for the ordination |
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| | Fr. Joseph offering his priestly blessing to novice Br. Dale Brewer |
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| | On Tuesday, Fr. Joseph celebrated Mass for the formation community at Immaculate Conception Friary in Boston |
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE ORDINATION
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Br. Niall O'Connell, OFM, appointed General Visitor
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ROME - In their final meeting as an administration before the General Chapter, the General Definitorium appointed Br. Niall O'Connell, OFM, a friar of the Province of Ireland, to serve as our General Visitor.
Br. Niall, 52, was born on the Fourth of July in Dublin, Ireland. He entered the Franciscans in October of 1979 professing his First Vows on September 17, 1980 and making his Solemn Profession of Vows on September 8, 1985.
Provincial Minister Primo P. Piscitello, OFM, commented on the appointment, "We are so grateful for the generosity of Br. Niall and the Irish Province for this service to our Province and to the Order. We welcome him in this important role as we prepare for Chapter and know that he will find a good and fraternal home among us for the next year."
He received a Bachelor's Degree from University College in Galway in 1983, and a Higher Diploma in Counselling from University College in Cork in 1995. Niall would go on to receive a Master's degree in Counselli
ng from the same school in Cork in 1988. He also studied at Fordham University in New York receiving an Advanced Professional Diploma in Religious Studies in 2010.
Niall currently serves as Vicar of the Irish Provincial Curia, Adam & Eve Friary at Merchants Quay in Dublin and is also the Provincial Representative for the Safeguarding of Children. He was Guardian of the Curia friary from 2011-2014. He has previously served as Guardian of the friary in Ennis, and in Killarney. In 1994, Niall founded the Southwest Counselling Centre in Killarney. He served as Director of the Centre until 2003, and as Counsellor and Supervisor there from 1994-2006.
Br. Niall has served as a Provincial Councilor, Secretary of Formation and Studies of his Province, Director of Postulancy, and Assistant Director of the Retreat Centre in Killarney.
He was also the catering manager at Broc House Conference Centre in Dublin from 1987-1990, and studied hotel and catering management at Galway Regional Technical College.
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Dates for the Provincial Chapter 2016
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NEW YORK - The Provincial Council and Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, OFM, have set the dates and location for next year's Provincial Chapter.
The Chapter will take place from May 16-20, 2016 at the Immaculata Retreat House in Willimantic, Connecticut.
http://www.immaculataretreat.org/
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Impromptu reunion in Troy
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TROY, NY - Former members of the seminary class of Fr. Mario Julian, OFM, surprised him with a recent visit at St. Anthony's in Troy. They are pictured below:
From left: Angelo Tomasini, Fred Milani (Andover & Troy), Mathew Radomski (Andover), Fr. Mario, John Longabucco (Andover), Tony Tersigni (Andover) and Joe Lisella (Andover & Troy).
Missing from the picture is Joe Capuano (Andover & Troy). The group still gathers every few years.
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Update from Solid Ground Ministries
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NEW YORK - Below is an update on the work of Solid Ground Franciscan Ministries by Fr. James Goode, OFM:
"Franciscans defending life and holding up God's Mercy is our Mission one life at a time."
- Missionaries of SGFM gathered in prayer and marched with the #Fight for 15 on April 15, 2015.
- Fast food minimum wage push to the streets of NYC.
- A Mass was held at St. Clare (Holy Mother of God Chapel St. Josephine Bakhita Shrine) for some of the workers. We then proceed to gather with the Home-Care Workers 1199 SEIU who are seeking better pay - a just wage. To join them was truly a Franciscan thing to do.
- Any day is a good day to minister with the Street people. We need helpers and your prayers. Lives are being touch one life at a time. (Thursday distribution of cloths)
- SGFM Missionaries participated in the NYC College Fair (April 19,2015) Helping African American and minority youth find a college and secure a future. We wish more would have joined us but grateful that the 41(from our group) did fine the day to be filled with life and hope. Counseling sessions were conducted after the Fair and several follow up sessions will be announced at St. Clare. The day was concluded with prayers at the Chapel and lunch. SGFM is now seeking colleges that will offer full or partial scholarship to minority students.
- Someone may ask: who are we? We are "Franciscans defending life and holding up God's Mercy is our mission one life at a time".
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May issue of FRATERNITAS available online
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ROME - The May issue of FRATERNITAS, the newsletter of Order, has been published online. Click below to download a copy:
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IC Franciscan Library to host Fr. Murray Bodo, poetry reading
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NEW YORK - The newly established Immaculate Conception Province Franciscan Library in New York City is excited to announce that it will host renowned Franciscan writer, Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, for an afternoon of poetry reading on Sunday, June 14 at 2 p.m.
Fr. Murray is a Franciscan Priest and Poet. He holds a Ph.D. in English
and has taught English and A merican Literature, composition, and creative writing. His latest books are Francis and Jesus (2013), and Enter Assisi: An Invitation to Franciscan Spirituality (January, 2015). His most recent books of poetry areSomething Like Jasmine (2012), Of Francis and Clare (2013), and Autumn Train (2015). Fr. Murray resides in inner-city Cincinnati, Ohio, and spends
two months of the year in Rome and Assisi, Italy, as a staff member of "Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs."
Father Murray has read his poetry at various venues in America, Italy, and England, including in William Wordsworth's church in the English Lake District.
His reading will consist of reading and commenting on selected poems from his published work. The commentary will include the context in which the individual poems were written, the poet's understanding of poetry and its function in society, elements of the craft and art of poetry, and the poets who have influenced his own writing.
He will read from several of his books of poetry, including Of Francis and Clare, a collection of poems about St. Francis and his parents, Pietro Bernardone and Lady Pica, about St. Clare, and about Assisi.
See Fr. Murray Bodo's website: www.murraybodo.com Date: Sunday, June 14, 2015 Time: 2:00 PM Place: Immaculate Conception Province Franciscan Library 125 Thompson Street New York, NY 10012
All are welcome. If you hope to attend, we ask that you RSVP to internos@icprovince.org so that we will have a sense of numbers.
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