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From the Provincial Minister
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NEW YORK - We have officially entered the dog days of summer. At least here in NYC, this week has seen days that are the definition of hazy, hot and humid. I hope that you are finding some time during these summer months for much needed rest, relaxation and renewal before things pick up once again in the Fall.
For me, the lighter schedule has been appreciated following my return from the General Chapter. It has been a good chance to catch up on the things that needed attention while I was away. I've also had a few engagements that have been wonderful experiences of fraternity worth sharing.
The first came two weeks ago when I was invited to attend the celebration for Jubilarians at St. Francis Church on 31st Street. Holy Name Provincial Minister Kevin Mullen invited me to be principal concelebrant for the celebration along with himself. The General Minister was the presider. It was a great celebration of fraternity and of the common heritage that our provinces share.
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| | Jubilarian celebration at St. Francis Church, 31st Street. |
Also with the General Minister in town, he stayed here at our Provincial Curia Friary for a few days of rest as well, and that, too, was an appreciated moment of fraternity - especially highlighting the global brotherhood that we are all blessed to be a part of.
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| | General Minister Michael Perry, OFM, spent a few days visiting at our Provincial Curia Friary |
These two simple experiences, the month at the General Chapter, each day in our Province remind me constantly of something right before us and yet no less profound - our brotherhood is our greatest strength and our greatest gift. I'm also aware that it is one that we don't embrace and strengthen often enough.
Brotherhood, fraternity, is not something that we should ever take for granted. Instead, it is something that we each need to work at constantly. We need to be reaching out to one another, we need to be inviting one another more deeply into our lives. We need to fight any tendency towards isolation or only speaking to those we are closest to. We need to seek and offer forgiveness among each other where it is need. This is the road of brotherhood.
"The Lord gave me brothers" is the great proclamation of our founder. I think that he said those words with great exultation, with great joy. I hope that we can too. So, as we enter deeply into these days of summer, into a different pace of life, let's take the time to build up our fraternity. Let's each pledge to think of one or two brothers (or more) who we can renew our bonds of fraternity with, so that we can be renewed in our life together.
Fraternally,
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Year of Consecrated Life
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"The church preaches your liberation just as we have studied it in the holy Bible today. It is a liberation that has, above all else, respect for the dignity of the person, hope for humanity's common good, and the transcendence that looks before all to God and only from God derives its hope and its strength."
- Blessed Oscar Romero
Final Sermon (1980)
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A voice for the voiceless: Beatification of Oscar Romero
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[Fr. Joaquin Mejia, OFM, had the great privilege to travel to El Salvador, his home, for the May 23rd beatification of Bl. Oscar Romero. We invited him to reflect on this wonderful event.]
By Fr. Joaquin Mejia, OFM
SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR - Three things informed and endeared me to Archbishop, now, Blessed Oscar Romero: the extensive print and electronic media coverage of his life and beatification, the information given me by senior and missionary friars who knew Archbishop Romero when he was auxiliary bishop to our brother Bishop Lawrence Graziano, and, finally, the fact that during my youth Oscar Romero was my bishop ... the bishop of the archdiocese wherein my family and I lived. All this heavily influenced my desire to travel back to Central America, and San Salvador, for his beatification.
During the days prior and after his beatification - while enjoying the fraternal hospitality of Fr. Rafael Fernandez - I was so impressed by the throngs of people, and the palpable atmosphere of joy in that finally the clouds of misunderstandings and suspicion had been lifted ... and Oscar Romero was official proclaimed to be, what so many already knew, a chosen one of God.
Finally, Romero's beatification - the people, the ceremonies, the rainbow that appear in the sky at the very moment when Cardinal Amato declared Oscar Romero "Blessed" rekindled in me ideals and plans concerning my life as a friar and priest and most especially the challenge to truly and actively be a voice for the voiceless.
All this in the spirit and example of this native son: apostle to and protector of his people, inspiration and challenge to clergy and religious.
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| | Joaquin (left) pictured with another priest and Rafael (right) at the beatification. |
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| | A rainbow appeared above San Salvador as Romero was proclaimed a Blessed. |
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ICP Franciscan Library hosts Murray Bodo in inaugural event
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NEW YORK - In the first event held in the recently formed Immaculate Conception Province Franciscan Library located at the Provincial Curia, more than 50 people attended a poetry reading by well-known Franciscan writer and poet Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM.
Attendees were made up of friars, religious women, secular Franciscans and other fans of the author from throughout the area, as well as, representatives from area Franciscan schools interested in learning about the new library.
The reading lasted about an hour. Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, OFM, welcomed Fr. Bodo and thanked him for inaugurating the new library with such a wonderful event.
The ICP Franciscan Library will serve as a resource for research and education:
- for the friars of our Province, especially our students and friars working in formation;
- for Franciscan men and women of the greater New York City area;
- for anyone [cleric, religious, lay person] involved in an academic Franciscan project;
- for commissions of the Order to facilitate their work and service;
- for the 22 schools of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities [AFCU] in the USA.
The Library will also host workshops and additional talks. The next two scheduled are:
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The Crucified Knight The Spiritual Odyssey of St. Francis of Assisi according to Henry of Avranches, by Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM, on November 8, 2015
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St. Bonaventure: The Tree of Life & Life with Christ, by Fr. Richard Martignetti, OFM, on March 19, 2016
Below you can watch Fr. Bodo read two of his poems from the June 14 reading.
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Feast of St. Anthony around the Province
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The annual Feast of St. Anthony of Padua is always celebrated with great enthusiasm this year, as every year. Each of our parishes reported even larger than usual crowds this y ear for the feast. Below are some photos from New York City, Brooklyn and Boston.
St. Anthony of Padua, New York City:
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| | Our mother church had a standing-room-only crowd for the main Mass, which included a full balcony. |
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| | The statue of the saint made its way through the neighborhood. |
St. Leonard of Port Maurice, Boston:
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| | Fr. Claude Scrima, OFM, blesses the statue and the people at the start of the procession. |
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| | The procession makes its way back up Prince Street towards the Church. |
Our Lady of Peace, Brooklyn:
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| | The procession makes its way through the neighborhood, Fr. Andrew Sioleti carrying the relic. |
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| | The statue exits the church at the start of the procession. |
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Daily Mass Chapel at St. Joseph's Winsted
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WINSTED, CONNECTICUT - St. Joseph Parish recently completed a new chapel for daily Mass. The chapel, named in honor of St. John Paul II, was blessed and dedicated in May by pastor Fr. Ronald Gliatta, OFM.
The chapel was constructed by a well-known artist, Mr. Sasha Shatlan, whose credentials include work in fine art, theater design, church remodeling and repairs, as well as having the distinct honor of being selected by the Vatican as one of the few individuals to work on the restoration of Michelangelo's frescos on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Below are a few photos of the new chapel.
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REFLECTION: The healing power of forgiveness in Charleston
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By Fr. Tom Washburn, OFM
The day before the brutal, hate-filled, racist killing of nine innocent people attending a Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, the Scriptures at Mass gave us this Gospel passage from Matthew, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Little did we know that just the next day, our faith in that passage would be put to the test.Newtown, Aurora, Fort Hood, Columbine, Virginia Tech. These places and more have been visited by tragedies of violence. While each of these are different in their own way, I don't know about you, but I'm beginning to feel something like fatigue at what seems to be a repeating pattern every six months to a year or so of yet another horrific moment when evil raises its head yet again and strikes out at innocents followed by the cycle of recrimination and justification; mourning and weeping. I pray that it will end. I pray that we will be renewed. I pray that we will find our way to a better reality - one where love conquers hate, light overtakes the darkness, goodness triumphs over evil, and we all find a way closer to each other as brothers and sisters.  But, I also stand in awe of the reality that, in the face of such tragedy, people of faith can do amazing things that restore faith and hope and love. I think of the amazing power of reconciliation that we saw in 2006 among the Amish people in Nickle Mines, Pennsylvania. If you recall, in October of that year, a 32-year-old man held 10 school girls captive and horrifically killed them before turning the gun on himself. A moment that shocked the world and completely devastated these people.But their reaction - born of their deep and abiding faith - was to forgive. They forgave the killer of their children and not only in word, but also in deed. Family members of the deceased, just days after burying their own children, attended the funeral of the man who took the lives of their own.
The mother of the shooter, spoke about that moment and said, "For the mother and father who had lost not just one but two daughters at the hand of our son, to come up and be the first ones to greet us...Is there anything in this life that we should not forgive?" She was so moved by this act of forgiveness that she continues to this day to go once a week to care for the most seriously wounded survivor from that day's violence.
This extraordinary, beautiful and powerful forgiveness brought about a transcendence that lead that community to a true sense of healing so that life might go on, that they might move forward. It doesn't make the pain go away; it doesn't solve the problems that lead to the tragedy, but it does allow people to see one another precisely as people who are worthy of salvation, worthy of dignity, worthy of a new future - all because of the power of forgiveness. Amazingly, we saw something of that again in Charleston immediately following the shootings there. Just days after yet another senseless tragedy that took, this time, nine innocent lives of good and holy people studying God's Word in His house, we were humbled to hear these words from the loved one of a victim. The daughter of 70-year-old Ethel Lance who died at Mother Emanuel said, "I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you and have mercy on your soul. It hurts me, it hurts a lot of people, but God forgive you and I forgive you." Another family member, the sister of Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49, said, "We have no room for hate. We have to forgive. I pray God on your soul."
When tragedy strikes, anger is the easy response and the quick response. Solutions - whether legal, political or societal - are also a fast way to direct our strong feelings into something constructive. These are all necessary responses and part of the process. But, a reconciliation born of faith takes time, it takes patience, it takes a willingness to be vulnerable in the face of evil and danger. It is also the only path that can bring about lasting change and true healing. Let us be reminded of that example from the Amish almost 10 years ago. Let us be inspired by these good, holy and brave survivors in Charleston who have the miraculous courage to proclaim forgiveness in this dark and painful moment. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." If you've ever wondered what that looks like in practice, look no further than the Amish, look no further Charleston. Forgiveness transforms, it heals, it calls us higher, it makes us whole, it shows us and the world who God has truly called us to be. Let us all strive to do the same. It just might change the world. "...where there is injury, Lord, let me bring pardon."
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Canadian reconfiguration continues to move forward
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The Canadian OFM Interprovincial Commission for renewal and restructuring held their second meeting on June 5-6, 2015, at the Franciscan Friary, La Grotte Notre Dame de Lourdes, in Lachute, Québec.
The team of Pierre Charland, OFM (St. Joseph`s Province), Pierre Ducharme, OFM (Christ the King Province) and Rohwin Pais, OFM (Immaculate Conception Province's Ontario Foundation) has recruited Doug Clorey, OFS, to facilitate their meetings as well as a Chapter of Mats for all Friars in Canada on September 20 -22, 2015, at St. Francis Centre in Caledon, Ontario. Minister General Michael Perry, OFM, and English Speaking Definitor Caoimhin O'Laoide, OFM, have confirmed their intentions to attend.
Doug Clorey is the former Vice-Minister General of the Secular Franciscan Order and current President of the Board of Directors of Franciscans International. With a background in education, Doug has extensive experience in bringing people together, strategic planning, and the restructuring of organizations. He has worked extensively in both the public as well as the private sector. Born in Nova Scotia, Doug resides in Nine Mile Creek, Prince Edward Island, with his wife, Marion Keefe, of 40 years. Doug and Marion have 4 children and 2 grand-children. Doug speaks English and French.
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| | Pictured (l. to r.) Rohwin Pais, Doug Clorey, Pierre Charland and Pierre Ducharme. |
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Order embraces Pope's encyclical on ecology
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THE CARE OF THE PLANET AT THE HEART OF THE HOLY FATHER'S ATTENTION AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE FRIARS MINOR
ROME - "P raised be You, my Lord, for Brother Sun and Sister Moon, for Brother Wind and Sister Water, for Brother Fire; praised be You, my Lord, for our Sister Mother Earth, our common home, which sustains and governs us." (Adapted from the Canticle of the Creatures by Saint Francis of Assisi.)
The Order of Friars Minor salutes Pope Francis and expresses its gratitude on the occasion of the release of his Encyclical Laudato Si', written in the spirit of the saint whose name he took for his papacy. His leadership in this crucial area of human concern is extremely important. In the words of Patriarch Bartholomew the Holy Father reminds us of "our contribution, smaller or greater, to the disfigurement and destruction of nature," and declares the urgent need to bring the whole human family together to seek sustainable and integral development so as to protect our common home. His passionate call for changes to lifestyle and system paradigm is indeed timely.Father Michael A. Perry, OFM, Minister General of the Friars Minor commented that "Pope Francis' commitment to the poor and marginalized, peace and reconciliation, and care for the planet demonstrates the prophetic qualities that flow from being in communion with God, with one's neighbor, with one's self and with the created universe. It is for this reason Pope Francis dared to embrace and carry forward the mandate of Christian discipleship modeled after St. Francis of Assisi. His Encyclical challenges us to simplify our lives, to strip away all that is not necessary in order to rediscover the beauty that God has placed within us, within all human persons, and within all created things. Our vocation is to live in unbounded solidarity with all that God has created."
In relation to the challenges raised by the Pope, the Order of Friars Minor, together with other member of the Franciscan Family, is organizing a series of activities:
- in order to encourage Franciscans and those with whom we are associated to read and reflect on the Encyclical, a study guide will be prepared with concrete suggestions to implement the proposals contained in the Encyclical; every region will be asked to produce a more popular version of the study guide to make it more accessible to all;
- it is proposed that the next annual JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) course at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome focus on the Encyclical and associated questions of environmental justice;
- finally, Franciscan Study Centers around the world will be encouraged to organize programs based on the Encyclical, and to create or strengthen their own Environmental programs.
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BY NATHALIE LAFLAMME, MONTREAL GAZETTE
June 24th marked the 400th anniversary of Montreal's very first mass, which took place by the shores of Rivière-des-Prairies - an event that marked what is considered the starting point of Catholicism in New France.The event was remembered with a special dual-purpose ceremony. The event celebrated both the arrival of the Franciscans - then known as the Récollets - to New France, as well as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day.Back in June of 1615, four Franciscan priests arrived in New France. They had been invited by Samuel de Champlain in order to evangelize native peoples, explained Brother Marc Le Goanvec, provincial minister of the Franciscans. Two of the four priests - Friar Denys Jamet and Friar Joseph Le Caron - headed west with de Champlain to a land that would not become Montreal for another 27 years, explained Le Goanvec.He went on to say that he was proud of these men, who left France behind and crossed the ocean to a land they new nothing about. They had to survive New France's freezing winters, sometimes on close to no sustenance."In the middle of it all, they wanted to make Jesus Christ known," said Le Goanvec.The very first mass is recounted in de Champlain's notes from the voyage, explained Le Goanvec, which is how it has stayed a part of Quebec's history. The passage recounts how mass was sung by the river, with a few religious ornaments, in front of First Nations peoples.It is not clear whether the mass took place on Montreal's side of the river or Laval's, although the event was celebrated in Montreal."We are proud, because our community, and Franciscans, were the first missionaries (in New France)," said Le Goanvec. "By celebrating this anniversary, we are also bringing honour to these men, who were the first missionaries."The celebration, a collaboration between the Franciscan community, the Archdiocese of Montreal, and the Saint-Jean Baptiste Parish, took place at 10 a.m. at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, 4237 Henri-Julien Ave. The commemoration began with a short re-enactment of the historic event that took place 400 years ago, followed by the regular Saint-Jean-Baptiste Mass. Members of the religious community, politicians, and First Nations representatives, as well as people from all over the city, were expected to attend.The ceremony was live tweeted using the hashtag #400eMesseMTL - a practice that definitely did not exist 400 years ago.
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| | Provincial Minister Marc LeGonavec, OFM (right) is provincial of St. Joseph Province. |
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