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April 1, 2016
In This Issue
From the Provincial Minister
 Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello OFM
NEW YORK - Let me begin today by wishing each of you a very Happy Easter! Buona Pascua, my brothers!! 

I trust and pray that each of you had a wonderful celebration of Holy Week and Easter in your respective friaries and places of ministry. For me, the dominant theme of our Easter celebrations is the quote from the Book of Revelation, "Behold I am making all things new." 

Newness of life in every way - spiritually, emotionally, fraternally - are all offered to us once again this Easter, if we have the courage to embrace that newness in Christ. 

My deepest prayer for each of you and for our Province is that we may be open to the newness that Jesus is placing before us right now. 

We cannot help but connect this desire for newness to the Jubilee Year of Mercy that we are in the midst of. Mercy and renewal go hand-in-hand. 

In his Pastoral Letter for the Year of Mercy, Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., writes, "A Year of Mercy is a trial run to make God's mercy visible in the world. To take care of each other, forgive each other, and help each other to practice the works of mercy with each other. Look at the Good Samaritan and look at his willingness to forgive and make sacrifices for a stranger. When we imitate him, the Church teaches that we will live a good life, a happy life, and lead a life full of meaning that will make a difference and prepare us for eternal happiness where we hope to hear the words Jesus shared in Matthew 25: 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'"

Let us each pledge to embrace this same mercy - in our world, in our ministry, but even more importantly, in our fraternal relations with one another. Let us let that mercy make us new.

"Behold I am making all things new."

Happy Easter!

Peace,
JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY | Pope Francis

 "The Easter message of the risen Christ, a message of life for all humanity, echoes down the ages and invites us not to forget those men and women seeking a better future, an ever more numerous throng of migrants and refugees - including many children - fleeing from war, hunger, poverty and social injustice. To those in our society who have lost all hope and joy in life, to the elderly who struggle alone and feel their strength waning, to young people who seem to have no future, to all I once more address the words of the Risen One: 'See, I am making all things new... To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life'. May this comforting message of Jesus help each of us to set out anew with greater courage to blaze trails of reconciliation with God and with all our brothers and sisters."

- Pope Francis
Urbi et Orbi Message, March 27
A Father Figure to Hundreds: Fr. Michael Della Penna, OFM | St. Anthony Messenger
This article originally appeared in the current issue of St. Anthony Messenger
 
By Daniel Imwalle

Roughly 30 minutes east of Guatemala City, set against a backdrop of lush forest and rolling hills, the Valley of the Angels Orphanage is a home and haven for 211 children. Despite the abundant natural beauty, the rural area is rife with poverty and crime. "We are in what's called a 'Red Zone,' where the police will not go because of all the gang activity. The homes surrounding our school are basically shacks comprised of makeshift roofs and miscellaneous materials," says Father Michael Della Penna, OFM, director of the orphanage.

Fr. Mike with some of the children at Valley.
Since taking over as director in 2008, Father Michael has had some big shoes to fill. The Valley of the Angels, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception Province, was the dream of
Father Rocco Famiglietti, OFM. He founded the orphanage in 1993, after having served in Guatemala for 40 years.

Originally from Boston and a Franciscan since 1991, after years of teaching and directing retreats, Father Michael felt God calling him to Central America and to poverty. "I had studied, preached about, and Vowed poverty, but never experienced it firsthand, living in or ministering in the reality of poverty," he explains. At 89 years old, Father Rocco was finally ready for retirement, and Father Michael was brought in to carry on the work of the orphanage. Assisting him in his work are two other Franciscan
friars, three Franciscan sisters, and a steady flow of volunteers from the United States and Canada (many of whom are from Catholic high schools and universities).

The children receive more than shelter and an education at Valley of the Angels. Faith formation plays an important role in their daily lives, including saying prayers of gratitude after waking up each morning and praying the rosary after dinner. Art, music, and exercise also figure in to the daily routine at the orphanage. The grounds are carefully tended, helping to nurture a positive environment.

"It is a beautiful place that was specifically designed to remind the children of their own inherent goodness and value, while highlighting the beauty of God's creation and care for them," Father Michael says. The children take frequent nature walks, soaking vowed poverty, but never experienced it in the splendor around them.

The inspiration of St. Francis of Assisi is at the heart of the orphanage's mission. "Francis not only went out to those who were pushed aside and forgotten and showed them love, but he chose to live with them and like them in solidarity," Father Michael observes. "We, therefore, promote the virtues he espoused: fraternity, love of creation, reconciliation, and humility."
 
Another Francis motivates Father Michael's call to be with the poor. "Pope Francis' antidote to our getting so caught up in our own interests and concerns is cultivating a missionary spirit that breaks
through our culture of prosperity, which deadens us to the plight of the poor," he says.
 
Success stories of Valley of the Angels alumni abound. Just this year, a number of students were offered scholarships to a local Jesuit university. Father Michael beams about one former student, named Gladys, who is in her third year of discernment as a Franciscan sister. "I can truly say I feel like a father here at Valley of the Angels. It's more than a school: it is a family."
RIP: Fr. Richard Passeri, OFM (96)

BOSTON - Fr. Richard Passeri, OFM (96), died peacefully on the morning of Monday, March 21, 2016 at Marian Manor Nursing Home in South Boston. Fr. Richard was the oldest
Fr. Richard Passeri, OFM
1919 - 2016
friar in the Province at the time of his death. He would have been 97 years old in May.

Born Alfred Passeri on May 6, 1919 in East Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Angelo and Giuditta (Caponi) Passeri. He was received into the novitiate on August 28, 1939 taking the religious name Richard. He made his First Profession of Vows on August 29, 1940 and his Solemn Profession of Vows on August 29, 1943. Richard was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on January 26, 1947.
 
Richard spent the early years of his ministerial career serving in our Central American Missions spending most of that time in Honduras and in Guatemala. He also served in parochial ministry at St. Anthony Church, New York, St. Sebastian Church, New York, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Watervliet, NY, and St. Anthony Church, Troy, NY. He was also stationed at St. Joseph Friary in Onset, MA, and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Troy, NY.

In recent years, Fr. Richard was living at St. Christopher Friary in Boston, until his declining health required the care offered at Marian Manor Nursing Home in South Boston. 

Fr. Richard will be remembered for his fraternal spirit, quick smile, good humor, and easy conversation. 

A wake was held for Fr. Richard at St. Leonard Church, Boston, on Tuesday, March 29 and the Mass of Christian Burial took place on Wednesday, March 30, also at St. Leonard's. Fr. Richard was buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, MA. Both the wake and funeral Mass were well attended by friars, other religious, family and friends. 

Fr. Richard is survived by many nieces and nephews. 

May our brother, Fr. Richard, rest in peace.
Provincial Chapter Updates
NEW YORK - With our Provincial Chapter just over a month away, here are some helpful reminders as you begin to make your plans for this important gathering. There are 74 friars registered to attend the Chapter.

DATES
  • The Provincial Chapter will take place from the evening of Sunday, May 15 through Friday, May 20. Friars are expected to arrive in the afternoon/evening of Sunday, May 15. The business of the Chapter will begin promptly on Monday morning.
LOCATION
  • The Chapter will take place at the Immaculata Retreat Center which is located at 289 Windham Road (Rt. 32), Willimantic, CT 06226.  You can visit their website here: http://www.immaculataretreat.org/
THEME
  • The Prechapter Steering Committee has chosen the theme, "Be the Merciful Presence of God" for the Chapter taking into account the Jubilee Year of Mercy called for by Pope Francis.
LITURGY
  • The Chapter Liturgy Committee asks that friar-priests who plan to concelebrate at Mass bring an alb along with a red stole and a white stole. Worship booklets have been prepared, so their is no need to bring your breviary.
REFLECTION
  • Well-known friar and author, Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM, will lead us in reflection on the first day of the Chapter. 
St. Bonaventure U. to award honorary doctorate to Fr. Andre Cirino 

OLEAN, NEW YORK - At their annual commencement services this year, St. Bonaventure University will award our own Fr. Andre Cirino, OFM, with an honorary doctorate.
Fr. Andre Cirino, OFM


In a letter from Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, President of St. Bonaventure, she writes, "We are happy to honor Fr. Andre Cirino for his many years of service as a teacher par excellence of the Franciscan tradition by awarding him an honorary degree from St. Bonaventure University."

Fr. Andre will receive the award at the University's commencement on Sunday, May 15. He has also been asked to serve as presider and homilist for the Baccalaureate Mass. 

"I hope this would allow you to provide a pastoral 'send off' for the graduating class that reminds them of the Franciscan inheritance they will take with them," Sr. Margaret writes.

Congratulations Andre!!
"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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
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 [email protected] or (800) 521-5442.
Easter Letter of the General Minister

"Peace I leave you; my peace I give you!" (John 14:27)


Dear Brothers,

May the joy and peace of our Risen Lord be with you!

Our Father Francis composed a psalm for his Office of the Passion which he recited every day during this Easter season: "Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wondrous deeds. . . The Lord has made his salvation known. . . This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Office of the Passion, Psalm 9)." What strikes me about this prayer is that Francis is calling himself and us to sing a "new song," because "this is the day the Lord has made," making his salvation known today in ever-new ways.


Read the rest of the letter here.