March 4, 2016
In This Issue
JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY | Pope Francis


"Mercy, before being an attitude or human virtue, is an 
unfailing choice by God in favor of every human being for their eternal salvation
, a choice sealed with the blood of the Son of God. Become 'channels of mercy'. Also be a 'channel of joy' so that the penitent faithful, after having received absolution, not feel the weight of his or her sins. They need to taste the work of God which freed them, live in thanksgiving, and be ready to repair the damage of their sins, going out to their brothers and sisters with an open and welcoming heart."


- Pope Francis to confessors, March 4, 2016
Fr. Flavian Mucci celebrates birthday in Sonsonate

SONSONATE, EL SALVADOR - On March 1, friars and friends gathered to celebrate the 81st birthday of our brother, Fr. Flavian Mucci, OFM. 

Happy Birthday Flavian!!

Fr. Flavian pictured here with Fr. Jack Hoak, OFM
Fr. Flavian cuts the birthday cake
Bishop Gerald Scarpone celebrates anniversary of becoming a bishop
MANAGUA, NICARAGUA - On Sunday, February 21, our brother, Bishop Gerald Scarpone, OFM, gathered with others to celebrate the 37th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. 

The special Mass and celebration took place at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Managua where Bishop Gerald lives.

Ad multos annos!!

Bishop Gerald celebrating Mass
Bishop Gerald at the celebration following the Mass
Fr. Rick Martignetti to speak on Bonaventure at Province Franciscan Library

NEW YORK - Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, OFM, extends a cordial invitation to all friars of the Province to attend the latest in a series of presentations to be offered at our Blessed John Duns Scotus Franciscan Library here.

Fr. Rick Martignetti, OFM, will offer a talk on St. Bonaventure's "Tree of Life" on Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m. 
 
Previously, Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, and Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM, have offered well-attended presentations at the library.

Those interested in attending the dedication and presentation by Fr. Rick should RSVP to smdfranciscanlibrary@hotmail.com.

St. Anthony Church to celebrate 150th Anniversary
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - On Saturday, April 2, the friars and parish community of the Shrine Church of St. Anthony of Padua will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Church's founding.

Founded on April 10, 1866, St. Anthony's holds the distinction of being the first Italian Church in New York, the second Italian Church founded in the U.S., the oldest existing Italian Parish in the U.S., and the first church building built by the Italian immigrants.

The parish has been staffed since its beginning by our community. 

The anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, April 2, 2016 with a Solemn Liturgy of the Eucharist at 5:00 p.m. immediately followed by a Parish Reunion Dinner/Dance.
Original interior of St. Anthony's
Exterior of St. Anthony's as it appears today
Franciscan Common Ground gathering on migrant issues, May 21

"It is necessary to respond to the globalization of migration with the globalization of charity and cooperation, in such a way as to make the conditions for migrants more humane."

- Pope Francis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Migration and immigration are controversial issues that have divided many people. These twin concerns have provoked both favorable and hostile reactions toward the immigrant population here in the United States. There are those who are calling for the expulsion of these "foreigners and strangers," while, at the same time, there are people calling for the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of migrants and immigrants.

As followers of the poor man of Assisi, we cannot remain idle and noncommittal in light of these burning issues. Our life of Gospel commitment - after the example of our Holy Father St. Francis of Assisi - compels us to take a stand in solidarity with our poor migrant and immigrant brothers and sisters. Our response to this call to solidarity is Franciscan Common Ground.

Franciscan Common Ground will be a one-day conference on migration and immigration where members of the Franciscan Family and their partners-in-ministry will gather for a dialogue to firm up a collective call-to-action regarding these controversial issues. 

Through Franciscan Common Ground, we hope to develop mutual support among migrant/immigration advocates within the Franciscan Family. This will occur through the exchange of experiences and stories of struggles and successes in promoting the rights and welfare of the poor migrants and immigrants. Through this gathering of the Franciscan Family and their partners-in-ministry at the Franciscan Common Ground conference, we hope to forge a network that can offer information and support to migrant and immigrant advocates.

The gathering, Franciscan Common Ground, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, in the San Damiano Hall at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi at 129 W. 31st Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), New York, N.Y. 

"Through Franciscan Common Ground, we hope to develop mutual support among migrant immigration advocates within the Franciscan Family," the planners say. "Please join us on this day of advocacy, support and network building." 

For more information visit the US Franciscans website at: FRANCISCAN COMMON GROUND

A Missionary Quiet Hour with God
A Missionary Quiet Hour with God

Fr. Primo Piscitello, OFM, Minister Provincial
Fr. James E. Goode, OFM.  Promoter of the Franciscan Missionary Union

Monday April 4, 2016

THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD

A Missionary Quiet Hour with God

(An hour of your choice before noon.)

A quiet time for us as Missionaries and Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province to Reclaim our Franciscan Evangelization with the poor. Our Vocation of Joy



Opening Prayer: Canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68 -79)

Closing Prayer:  The Prayer of Saint Francis
                              Hail Holy Queen

Evangelize the poor: this is the mission of Jesus; this is also the mission of the Church and of all the baptized in the Church," the Pope said Jan. 24 to the crowds in Saint Peter's Square. "To be a Christian and to be a missionary is the same thing."
"Come and See" weekend set for April 
NEW YORK - There is one remaining "Come and See" discernment retreats for this year and the Vocation Team are asking each friar, parish or ministry site to promote them in their bulletins and other materials.

The final retreat for this year will take place April 15-17, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Friary in Boston. A sample bulletin announcement is below.

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, please 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 (April 15-17, 2016)

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 April 15-17 at Immaculate Conception Friary in Boston. To register for the retreat contact the Vocation Office at vocations@icprovince.org or (800) 521-5442.
Join us on the FRIAR app for LENT

NEW YORK, N.Y. -  Prayer. Fasting. Almsgiving. These are the spiritual pillars of Lent. As we begin another season of Lent on February 10, join us every day on the FRIAR app.

Each day we will post a special LENTEN GOOD DEED to help you make your 40 days more focused, more prayerful, more Franciscan as we make our way to Easter. 

If you haven't downloaded the app yet, just search "friars" in the app store. 

The FRIAR APP allows you to post prayers, as well as, join in the prayers of others and have friars across the country and others pray for them. The app also allows you to have a candle lit for your prayer, or someone else's prayer, in an actual Franciscan church.

The app is available in both the Apple App Store for iPhone and the Google Play Store for Android smart phones, and can be found by searching for "friars" or using a QR code (found on usfranciscans.org or below).

There is no cost to install the app or to submit or join in prayer requests. There is a small fee to cover the cost of lighting an actual candle.

 
QR Code Android
QR Code iPhone
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