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The Good News - Fall 2005



THE GOOD NEWS

A full-page article appeared in the June 24, 2005 edition of The Florida Catholic highlighting the presentation of papal honors upon five priests and ten religious and lay leaders in the Diocese of Orlando. As mentioned in the July 2005 issue of the Province newsletter, our own Emile Gentile received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice honor on June 6th.�� Of this honor, Bishop Wenski said: �The fact that our Holy Father of most happy memory, Pope John Paul II, approved these priests, religious and lay persons for the recognition is a personal honor for each of them.�� The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross, a gold cruciform medallion with the image of the pope, is presented to both men and women in recognition of their personal commitment and outstanding service within the ecclesial community.� Again, we congratulate Emile!� Bishop Wenski�s words to Emile and the other honorees, echo our own sentiments as a Province: �We rejoice for you, we rejoice with you, for in honoring you, the pope honors all of us.��

An article appeared in the August 5, 2005 issue of The Florida Catholic reporting on Robert D�Aversa�s appointment as spiritual director of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome.� The article pays a glowing tribute to Robert�s vibrant ministry for twenty years on the pastoral staff of San Pedro Spiritual Development Center.� Reflecting on his ministry at San Pedro, Robert is quoted as saying: �Serving at San Pedro, serving in missions in parishes, has made me more compassionate, more aware of my own brokenness and fragility.� But I�m spiritually healthy.� I�ve learned not to imagine that I have all the answers.� The two things I hope to take with me to Rome are the ability to companion people on a spiritual journey of discernment and myself as a Franciscan.�� Congratulations, Robert, on your new ministry!� Thanks for the good press and the helpful reminder that we serve as part of an international Order

On August 9, 2005, the office staff at Saint Bernardine�s gathered to celebrate a milestone of service to the Province.� Thirty years ago, Jane Balzano began working at Saint Bernardine�s at the tender age of 19.� Over these many years she has faithfully served the Province through her dedicated ministry in the Office of Development.� She is the public face and voice of the Province to so many of the benefactors who contact the office.� She has echoed in her own ministry the hospitality that is the hallmark of our community.� Congratulations, Jane!� Thanks from all of us for the work you do so lovingly. (Jane also took on the additional responsibility of �foster mother� for Clare, Bro Alexis� dog, after Alexis� untimely death in 2004.)

Anniversary luncheon at the Olive Garden.���Seated from left to right:� Patty Pyo, Lois Walter, James Liederer, Pam Kaufman, Jane Balzano (the guest of honor) ,�� Fr. William Linhares, Fr. Gerard Connolly

Stephen Garcia wrote an extensive article about his six-week summer experience as a volunteer with our Franciscan Province.� The article was published in the August 25, 2005 edition of The Irish Rover, an independent, Catholic newspaper published fortnightly at the University of Notre Dame.� The newspaper has a circulation of 3000.������������������

���� In addition to detailing the story of his experience in North Minneapolis and in Paraguay, the article drew attention to the needs of the children he encountered at the Infant Child Jesus Center.� Stephen is busy soliciting funds from students and businesses to help build a playground for the Paraguayan children he met.�� A thank you letter from Stephen to the friars of our Province is included as an insert in this newsletter.�

John Kerr organized a town hall meeting on August 22 at Saint Bridget's about implementing�a living wage in Minneapolis.� He gathered eight other churches on the north side of the city to co-sponsor the event and close to 100 people attended.� John spoke about the living wage in terms of�our faith's call to act on behalf�of the whole community, since�the issue itself�doesn't affect many of the Saint Bridget parishioners who are retired.� All three city council members from the north side were called upon to support it and three state officials added comments. �

On July 30, Bill Linhares was installed as Vicar Forane of the Martinsburg Vicariate by Bishop Michael J. Bransfield.� Bishop Bransfield is the newly appointed bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese.� The bishop made an extensive tour of the burgeoning Catholic parishes in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.� He used the occasion to install Bill in this key position of leadership during an evening Mass at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish where Cyprian Mercieca serves as pastor.The role of Vicar is to keep people informed and provide avenues for dialogue and discussion on the unique needs of the Church in each Vicariate.� This role is especially important during a time when an area, such as the Eastern Panhandle, is expanding so rapidly.� Congratulations, Bill!� We rejoice in your willingness to undertake this new position.

Bill Linhares is installed as Vicar Forane by Bishop Bransfield. Cyprian Mercieca� is seated in the back to the right

On� Monday, September 19, twenty-seven friars gathered at Priestfield Pastoral Center to celebrate this year�s jubilees.� Mark Reifel is celebrating 50 years of ordained ministry and Anthony Criscitelli is celebrating 25 years of ordained ministry.� Present at the event was Most Rev. Fr. Ilija Zivkovic, T.O.R., Minister General. He is celebrating 25 years of ordained ministry.� This gave the Province an� opportunity to toast him (and roast him!) along with the other friars.� Congratulations to the jubilarians!

The friars were in good spirits and humor throughout the evening. Adalbert Wolski, in his own inimitable blend of Italian, Latin and English, provided some opening remarks on our Province, the Minister General and the jubilarians.� Bonaventure Midili provided the official roast of Fr. Ilija;� William Santre shared some reflections on Mark Reifel�s dedicated ministry and love for chocolate; and Anthony Criscitelli did not escape a panoply of praise and assorted good-natured jibes by Patrick Quinn. Thanks to Bill Linhares and all the staff at Priestfield Pastoral Center!� The kitchen, under the management of� a new chef, came through with its typical sumptuous fare and the Center�s staff once again showed themselves to be models of hospitality.

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