REGIONAL NEWS Fall 2005
Region I: Pennsylvania
♦
�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.
�
�
The new addition at
Priestfield Pastoral Center is going up quickly.� The end of the
original building is visible to the right
�
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.
Region IV: Minnesota, Texas
♦
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.
�
Straight-line winds
tore off shingles and opened holes in the roof of Saint Francis Hall
at Saint Gerard�s Parish, Brooklyn Park, MN
�
The damaged roof
admitted� a flood of water which collapsed the dropped-ceiling in
the daily Mass chapel
News Letter
The Good
News
|
Page Up
|
|