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From the Provincial Minister
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NEW YORK - Pope Francis has certainly taken our country by storm this week and as he has descended upon New York City the excitement has become palpable even here.
I have been glued to the coverage of his visit and perhaps you have too, and I'm finding in this moment a great renewal that seems to be extending beyond just people of the Church to even the entire nation.
In his remarks to religious men and women and priests last night at St. Patrick's, Pope Francis highlighted the spirit of gratitude and the spirit of hard work. He called both of these the "pillars of the spiritual life." He said:
"I thank you for prayers and work, and the daily sacrifices you make in the various areas of your apostolate. Many of these are known only to God, but they bear rich fruit for the life of the Church."
I want to echo his words today and make them my own. The Holy Father was speaking in a generality, but as your Provincial, I know these things to be true in specificity. And so, I specifically thank each of you for the daily sacrifices that I know you make in your ministries each and every day for the good of the people of God, for the good of our Province, for the good of our fraternity. There are many that are known only to God, but there are many that are known to us, your brothers, as well. And for these and so much more, I am grateful and I pray for each of you.
God bless you and God bless our Holy Father Pope Francis!
Fraternally,
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Year of Consecrated Life | Pope Francis in the United States
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"It is not about preaching complicated doctrines, but joyfully proclaiming Christ who died and rose for our sake. The 'style' of our mission should make our hearers feel that the message we preach is meant 'for us'. May the word of God grant meaning and fullness to every aspect of their lives; may the sacraments nourish them with that food which they cannot procure for themselves; may the closeness of the shepherd make them them long once again for the Father's embrace. Be vigilant that the flock may always encounter in the heart of their pastor that "taste of eternity" which they seek in vain in the things of this world. May they always hear from you a word of appreciation for their efforts to confirm in liberty and justice the prosperity in which this land abounds. We are promoters of the culture of encounter. We are living sacraments of the embrace between God's riches and our poverty."
- Pope Francis to the U.S. Bishops
September 23, 2015
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Friars join in celebrations with Pope Francis
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WASHINGTON, DC/NEW YORK CITY - Several friars of the Province were able to join in the celebrations of our Holy Father Pope Francis in the United States this week.
Fr. Patrick Boyle, OFM, and Fr. Orlando Ruiz, OFM, were present for the celebration of Pope Francis' first Mass on U.S. soil in Washington, DC on Wednesday, September 23. This was also the Mass of Canonization of St. Junipero Serra. Pat and Orlando also remained in Washington for additional celebrations of the canonization held at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land.
In New York City, Frs. Michael MacInnis, OFM, Richard Martignetti, OFM, and Tom Washburn, OFM; along with our men in formation, Brs. Jay Woods, OFM, Josh Critchley, OFM, Dale Brewer, OFM, and Roberto Serrano, OFM, were present for the celebration of Vespers with Pope Francis at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday, September 24. They will be joined by Fr. Francis Walter, OFM, Fr. Christopher Gaffrey, OFM, and Br. Niall O'Connell, OFM, our General Visitator for thee celebration of Holy Mass at Madison Square Garden tonight.
Here are some photos from the events so far: |
| | The temporary sanctuary outside of the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington before the Mass on Wednesday |
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| | Orlando and Pat ready for the Holy Father |
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| | Friars make their way to St. Patrick's Cathedral for Vespers. |
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| | Josh, Dale and Roberto await Pope Francis arrival. |
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| | Rick, Mike and Tom were seated in Our Lady's Chapel behind the mail altar. |
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| | The friars gather for one more photo after the conclusion of Vespers. |
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Senior Friars welcome Pope to New York City
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Mass in Memory of Fallen Heroes celebrated in NYC on September 11
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NEW YORK - The Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Soho hosted the annual Mass in Memory of Fallen Heroes on September 11, 2015.
The Mass was a standing-room-only celebration and recalled the members of the Fire Department of New York Battalion #2 who lost their life in the attacks on the city 14 years ago.
Fr. Joseph Lorenzo, OFM, pastor of St. Anthony's was the presider and homilist.
Also on September 11, Fr. Jim Goode, OFM gathered with the fireman and their families at Hell's Kitchen Fire House. Fr. Jim ministered to this firehouse 14 years ago.
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Dedication & Blessing of IC Province Franciscan Library November 7
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NEW YORK - Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, OFM, extends a cordial invitation to all friars of the Province to attend the dedication and blessing of the Immaculate Conception Province Franciscan Library on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
The library is the result of Province attempts to safeguard and preserve various collections of Francescana around the Province and make them more widely accessible for research and education. To date, all of the Francescana of the Province has been brought to the new library space in the Provincial Curia.
Siobhan O'Dwyer, OFS, who has a master's degree from the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University, works with Fr. Paul Rotondi, OFM, for the organization and classification of our collection. And to sustain and support the work that has been accomplished thus far, the Provincial has set up a committee, appointing André Cirino, OFM coordinator of this project. The members of the committee are: Paul Rotondi, OFM, Richard Martignetti, OFM, Michael Della Penna, OFM, and Siobhan.
This collection 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 ICP Franciscan Library will also sponsor special events, the first of which will be a poetry reading presented by Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, on June 14, 2015. More information on this and other planned events will be made available.
The November 7th dedication and blessing will also include a featured speaker. Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM, will offer a presentation on "The Crucified Knight: The Spiritual Odyssey of St. Francis of Assisi according to Henry of Avranches." In June, the library hosted a very well attended presentation by Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM.
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"Come and See" weekends announced by Vocation Team
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NEW YORK - The Vocation Team has announced the "Come and See" discernment retreats for the year ahead and are asking each parish or ministry site to promote them in their bulletins and other materials.
"Come and See" Vocation Retreat Schedule
- November 13-15, 2015
- February 5-7, 2016
- March 18-20, 2016
- April 15-17, 2016
Each retreat will take place at Immaculate Conception Friary in Boston.
Vocation Preaching around the Province
A member of the Vocation Team would also like to come to your parish or place of ministry to preach about vocations. Please email vocations@icprovince.org to schedule their visit.
We are all Animators of Vocations
Finally, the Vocation Team recognizes that we are all called to be vocation animators. Please share with us the name and contact information of any young man in your parish or ministry or that you know who you think may have a vocation to our way of life. Again, p lease let us know at vocations@icprovince.org.
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT
Please run the following announcement in your bulletin for the next several weeks:
"Come and See" Vocation Reatreat (Nov. 13-15, 2015) The Franciscan Vocation Office is holding a "Come and See" vocation discernment retreat for young men (ages 18-38) who are considering a calling to our Franciscan way of life. The retreat will take place Nov. 13-15 at Immaculate Conception Friary in Boston. To register for the retreat contact the Vocation Office at vocations@icprovince.org or (800) 521-5442. |
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