Non Gamstop CasinoCasino Not On GamstopI Migliori Siti Di Scommesse Non AamsNon Gamstop CasinoMigliori Casino Non AamsMigliori Casino Non Aams
Franciscan image
Franciscan image
Francis of Assisi Franciscan Resources The Order -- Rome The Friars -- USA Contact Us
Vocations Prayer Requests Franciscan Poetry Favorite Sites Peace & Justice Our Guestbook

The Province
Administration
Mass Association

Planned Giving
Province Directory
Province History
Province Apostolates
T.O.R. / S.F.O.
Province Connection

Province Newsletter

Franciscan Friars
Volunteer Program
Death Notices
Saint Bernardine Monastery
Friary Recipes
Buy Note Cards
Franciscans
Catholic America

Provincial Letter- Summer 2005


anthony.jpg (4254 bytes)

MINISTER PROVINCIAL

Fr. Anthony Criscitelli, T.O.R.
Church of St. Bridget
3811 Emerson Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55412

Dear Friars,

Peace and Good Things!

The month of June was an especially busy time for us�as a Province and for the friars living in the Minnesota Region.� The ordinations of our brothers Robert Juroszek and Patrick Foley were an occasion that mustered a lot of planning and coordinating.� As you know, it has been a decade since our last ordination and we had to make sure all our bases were covered.� In the end, the liturgy, reception, and subsequent Mass of Thanksgiving at Saint Gerard�s were very nice and, except for the dreaded heat and humidity, came off without a hitch.� I want to extend a special word of thanks to the many friars who traveled from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Florida to be here for the occasion.� Not only did it make for a sizeable representation of the Province, but also provided an occasion to spend time with and enjoy the company of friars who too seldom travel west of the Mississippi.� I also want to thank the local friars who helped to coordinate the celebrations and offered hospitality to friars and others who were our guests during those days.� Bishop Richard Pates, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, was the ordaining prelate and was high in his praise for the two ordinandi, the ministry of the local friars, and the presence of the Province in this local Church.� Congratulations and prayerful best wishes to Fr. Robert, who has been assigned as Parochial Vicar at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Altoona and to Bro. Patrick, who is spending the summer exercising his ministry as a deacon at the Church of Saint Gerard.� He will return to Texas in the fall to continue his theological studies and will be ordained a priest next June.

On the other side of the ledger, two of our friars joined the ranks of the retired:� Damian Drass and William Santre.� After 31 years of faithful service to the people of Philippi, West Virginia and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, our brother Damian celebrated his 45th anniversary of ordination and retirement from active ministry at a festive liturgy and reception on June 5.� He was joined by friars, members of his family, and many friends and parishioners who came together to celebrate his years of dedicated ministry.� Damian is in the process of moving into Saint Joseph Friary, Hollidaysburg where he has chosen to live in retirement.� On behalf of the Province, we wish him good health and ad multos annos! �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Beginning July 1 William Santre will also enjoy the status of a retired friar.� He will continue to reside at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Friary where he has served as Parochial Vicar for the past several years and will continue to assist the friars there on a limited basis.�� In his years of active ministry, William has served the Church and the Province in a variety of ways�as an instructor, Provincial Econome, in parochial ministry, and in Provincial leadership both as Minister Provincial and Provincial Councilor.� We are grateful for his dedication and hope that this time of retirement will be both restful and rewarding.

The months ahead will continue to be busy ones for all of us.� During the summer months many of us will be making our regional retreats.� Friars who are unable to participate in their region�s time of retreat are reminded that they must make alternate arrangements and inform me of their plans.� Although prayer and reflection are a regular and integral part of our lives, a time of retreat�away from the usual routine and distractions�is important to our spiritual health and well being.� I suspect many of you will also be making time for vacation.� Like retreat, this is also an important component of a healthy and well-balanced life.� However and wherever you spend your vacation, enjoy it and make the most of it!

Soon our Minister General will announce the opening of the General Visitation.� Fr. Ilija will be conducting the Visitation and plans to arrive in the United States at the beginning of September.� He has placed himself on a rather tight schedule and so it is important to try to accommodate him as best as you can.� He will also be with us at our Province Jubilee celebration at Priestfield Pastoral Center on September 19 and is, himself, celebrating 25 years of ordained ministry.

During these months, let us remember each other and the Province in prayer, especially as we prepare for a time of elections and Provincial Chapter. The retirement of our brothers Damian and William fill us with a sense of gratitude for the ways God has blessed us and enriched the Church through the ministry of these men; the recent ordinations of our brothers Robert and Patrick renew in us a sense of hope for the future.� May we embrace that future with courage, open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and generous in our service to the Province and the Church.

����������������������������������� Fraternally in St. Francis,

����������������������������������� (Very Reverend) Anthony M. Criscitelli, TOR

����������������������������������� �Minister Provincial

News Letter

| Page Up |