Regional News - Fall 2005

REGIONAL NEWS Fall 2005

♦ �Work was completed on the two porches of the Priory at Saint Bernardine Monastery, Hollidaysburg, PA in late August.� The renovation was necessary in order to address the overall decay of the former porches, the roof and window leaks, and to prevent the collapse of the walkway-cover connecting the Priory to the building that serves as the Provincial archives.�� The new porches beautifully reflect the original architecture of the first of our Province�s properties.� The original farm house, which was built in the waning years of the nineteenth century, was bricked-in around 1925.

♦ �After attending a regional meeting in Pennsylvania and visiting Damian Drass at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital, Anthony Criscitelli celebrated Eucharist and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at Saint Bernardine�s Monastery on September 22.� At least once each year, Anthony has celebrated this sacrament with the retired friars living at the motherhouse.� Let us never forget to remember in prayer and gratitude our retired friars who dedicated their lives to our Province and the service of God�s people.

♦ �Brad Baldwin was invited to preach for "Clare Days," at Saint Clare of Assisi parish in Johnstown, PA.� Evening prayer services were held on August 9 and 10. The event concluded with Mass on the feast day itself, August 11.�� Brad preached during those three days about the life of Saint Clare and her role in today's church.� Brad reminded the many who attended that Clare is a woman whose life stands as a constant encouragement and challenge for all of us to offer good example and to care for each other in difficult times.

The Priory before it was bricked in.� The original winery (Iona Hall) is visible to the right and the slaughter house (Province archives) to the left

The new porch.� The more things change, the more they stay the same!

Region II:� West Virginia, Virginia, Washington, D.C.

♦ �A church expansion project is in the planning stages for Saint Vincent de Paul parish in Berkeley Springs, WV.� Cyprian Mercieca currently serves as pastor and is, subsequently, an integral part of the building plans for this historic parish.� The current church can accommodate around 150 people and has only one aisle.� The parish was founded in 1931.� (See page 9 for a brief history of the parish.)

♦ �One of the first activities Bill Linhares will undertake as Vicar Forane of the Martinsburg, WV Vicariate is to gather all diocesan personnel involved in Hispanic ministry during the month of October.� The day-long dialogue will address what is currently being done and will seek to create a vision for the future.� Throughout the discussion, the goal will be to better understand the unique gifts of the Hispanic community and to more effectively link service resources that are currently available through the various diocesan offices.

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The new addition at Priestfield Pastoral Center is going up quickly.� The end of the original building is visible to the right

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Region III:� Florida

♦ The building plan for San Pedro Center, Phase 1, has been given the go-ahead.� De-construction of the existing buildings on the camp-side is slated to begin in early October.� With the exception of the pavilion, all of the existing buildings will be removed to make room for the newly designed dormitories and meeting spaces.� The current friary which stands in the way of the new development will also eventually be removed.

♦ Various communities of Franciscan sisters gathered at Mount Saint Francis in Dubuque, Iowa for a retreat with Patrick Quinn from July 10 � 17.� The conferences Patrick presented were well-received.� Together they explored what the Franciscan sources and narratives have to say about certain values and themes integral to the Third Order tradition.

♦ The Minister Provincial has named John Kerr the spiritual assistant for Saint Anthony of Padua Secular Franciscan fraternity.� John follows in a long line of friars who have served this local fraternity, most recently, Robert Juroszek.�

♦ On the evening of Wednesday, September 21, the north metro suburbs of Minneapolis, MN were ravaged by two tornadoes and powerful straight-line winds.� Flooded streets, gas leaks, downed trees and power lines crippled Brooklyn Park.� Saint Gerard�s did not escape the fierce winds.� A section of the roof over Saint Francis Hall was blown off, leading to considerable water damage in the chapel that serves as the daily gathering place for community prayer and Eucharist.� Four pine trees and�two hardwoods were also uprooted.

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Straight-line winds tore off shingles and opened holes in the roof of Saint Francis Hall at Saint Gerard�s Parish, Brooklyn Park, MN

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The damaged roof admitted� a flood of water which collapsed the dropped-ceiling in the daily Mass chapel

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