Newsletter Communicationes - May - June  2004

   
 

NEWSLETTER OF THE GENERAL CURIA - ROME

 

MAY - JUNE 2004





 ACTIVITY OF THE MINISTER GENERAL

 
  • April 3-7, 2004- the annual meeting of the four Ministers General. It was Fr. Ilija Zivkovic's turn to preside at this meeting. The Minister General of the SFO and the President of the IFC were also present for this meeting which took place in Santiago, de Compostela (Spain).
  • April 14-17, 2004- meeting of the General Council for Economic Affairs of the Order, in Gaming, Austria.
  • April 19-23, 2004- taught at the University of Zagreb
  • April 25-28, 2004- Provincial Congregation of the Province of Sts. Joachim and Ann, Sicily
  • April 30-May 2, 2004- Visitation of the TOR Contemplative nuns in Zogno and Paderno Dugnano, Italy.
  • May 3-8, 2004- participated in the 20th European Inter-Provincial Conference of TORs, in Split, Croatia.
   
PLENARY COUNCIL OF THE ORDER

As has been noted, the 6th Plenary Council of the Order will take place at Pocon�, in the heart of Mato Grosso, Brazil, from July 11-20, 2004. Themes to be discussed include: the identity of the Order; and the organization of the general economy. The site was chosen in order to participate in the closing celebrations of the centenary of the TOR presence in Brazil (1904-2004). The remembrance of such an event of evangelization can serve the entire Order to visualize more clearly the direction of our own present journey.
   
PROVINCE OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
          (Italy and the Philippines)

In the middle of May, 2004, the four novices in the Philippines: Br. Phillip Casis, TOR, Br. Roger Alfante, TOR, Bro. Omar Opendo, TOR and Bro. Roseal Cabatcha, TOR, professed simple vows in the hands of Fr. Carlo Stradaioli, TOR, delegate of the Minister Provincial, Fr. Alessio Maglione. In September of 2004, the Minister Provincial will arrive in Iligan (Mindanao, Philippines) to inaugurate a new TOR friary and to receive the solemn vows of Bro. Nilo Laput, TOR. We are grateful to the Lord for this promising news.
 
GATHERING OF THE
EUROPEAN, TOR JUNIOR PROFESSED

From July 21-27, there will be a gathering of the European junior professed of the TOR in Italy. It will be hosted by the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Francis of Assisi, Fr. Alessio Maglione. The junior professed will have the opportunity to deepen their Franciscan vocation through this pilgrimage to the holy sites of Christian Rome, of Assisi and various shrines linked to our spirituality. On July 22, a meeting with the Minister General, Fr. Ilija Zivkovic is scheduled. Fr. Corpus Izquierdo, General Definitor, will guide the reading and reflection on the TOR Rule.

 
PROVINCE OF STS. JOACHIM AND ANN
                (Sicily) : 3 deacons

On February 21, 2004, in our parish of SS. Adolorata, in Messina, Archbishop of Messina, Givanni Marra, ordained transitional deacons. Among them were two of our confreres, Bro. Alberto Foti, TOR and Bro. Giovanni Giannetto, TOR.

Bro. Davide Mordino, TOR, was ordained a transitional deacon on June 2, 2004.

 
PROVINCE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION   

                       (Spain and Peru)

On June 13, 2004, Br. Andr�s Valdez Dom�nguez made his solemn profession in the Church of Nuestra Se�ora de la Esperanza, Lima Peru.

4 New Novices (Spain and Peru)

- Renato Mu�oz Novoa (Peru)
- Od�n Marquina Ju�rez (Peru)
- Carlos De la Cruz Mendoza (Peru)
- Emilio Morcillo Dur�n (Spain)

 
PROVINCIA DI S. GIROLAMO, CROAZIA

INDICE

- La cronologia
- L'amicizia tra S. Francesco e S. Chiara
- Il ruolo dei religiosi nel rinnovamento spirituale e morale della societ�
- La fraternit� religiosa - luogo dove ci si diventa fratelli
- Amare il suo prossimo
- La vita nella fraternit� - il compito e la benedizione
- "Ripartire da Cristo"
- Il 400� anniversario dell'unione con l'Ordine
- La penitenza nella spiritualit� dei terziari
- Colloquio con P. Goran Dabic
- La figura di Aronne - il grande sacerdote
- La mia sofferenza - quale senso ha?
- Teodrammatica
- La globalizzazione e il cristianesimo
- Deep Purple - i re di Hard Rock
- Cinema caf�
- L'ultime pubblicazioni

 
PROVINCE OF ST. THOMAS
(India) Five new priests:

Fr. Parameshwar Rao On May 5, 2004, Fr. Parameshwar Rao, TOR in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Gnanapuram, Visakhapatnam, was ordained by Archbishop, K. Maradas.
Fr. Shinoj Kizhakkemury On May 12, 2004, Fr. Shinoj Kizhakkemury, TOR was ordained a priest by Bishop Matthew Arackal in the Church of St. Thomas in Kurumbanmoozhy, in the Diocese of Kanjirappally, Kerala.
Fr. Willson Akkamattathil On May 18, 2004, Fr. Wilson Akkamattan, TOR was ordained a priest by Bishop Mar Paul Chittilappilly, in the Church of St. Jude in Makkiyad, in the Diocese of Thamarassery, Kerala.
Fr. Kurian Thrikkodanmalil On May 19, 2004, Fr. Kurian Thirkkodonmalil, TOR was ordained a priest in the Church of Fatima Matha in Thenery, by Bishop Mar Joseph Porunnedam, in the Diocese of Mananthavady, Kerala.
Fr. Ebby James Paraparampil On May 20, 2004, Fr. Ebby James Paraparampil, TOR, was ordained a priest in the Church of St. George in Kolavayal, by Bishop, Mar Jacob Thoomkushy, in the Diocese of Trichur, Kerala.

Entry into Novitiate

In a simple ceremony held in the Sacred Heart Novitiate, Babumahal on May 15, 2004 18 pre-novices were initiated into the Novitiate by Fr. Job Edakulathoor, the Provincial Delegate. Fr. Donatus Xaxa represented the Vice Province of St. Francis. Then the novices were entrusted to Fr. Joy Konnackal, the new Novice Master. Prayerful best wishes to the Novices as they begin their religious life. Thanks to Fr. Jose Kulangara for the dedicated service as Novice Master for the past two years.

Solemn Profession

Friars Joseph Arisseril, Shyju Pallichankudiyil and Anthony Arotha made their Solemn Profession on May 31, 2004 at Franciscan Ashram, Bhagalpur, during a Solemn Eucharistic Liturgy presided over by Fr. John Kochuchira, Provincial of St.Thomas Province.

 
VICE PROVINCE OF ST. FRANCIS
      (India) Three new priests:

On May 12, 2004 three new priests were ordained:
- Fr. Anand Barla, TOR;
- Fr. Isidore Baa, TOR
- Fr. Manoj Kullu, TOR.
   
VICE PROVINCE OF OUR LADY OF SRI LANKA
                               (Sri Lanka)

Fr. Michael Edamanapadavil, TOR, Province of St. Thomas, India, and Fr. Mark Fernando, conducted a formator's meeting with the guidance of Fr. Neville Fernando, Provincial, at Bolawalana..

Five Newly Professed
1. Roshan Tessera
2. Viraj Samudaya
3. Mahesh Asanka
4. Laknath Srimantha
5. Roshan Wasantha

Three New Novices

The novitiate began on June 13 for the following:
1. Channa Jayasundara
2. Suneth Chrishan
3. Amila Dayantha

During the month of May a special meeting was conducted for all Minor Seminary Directors in Sri Lanka at the National Seminary in Kandy. Fr. Provincial and Fr Malaka Fernando, Rector of the TOR Minor Seminary, were participated in that and shared their views.

With the opening of the new basketball court on 20th of May at TOR Minor Seminary, Kochchikade, the annual Sport Meet was held for all the formees (Scholastics, Novices, Postulants & Journies) All of them took part in many events. Fr. Roland J. Faley and Fr. Mark Fernando also supported to build the new basketball court. Congratulations !
   
VICE PROVINCE OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA         

                 (Paraguay) One New Priest

On March 29, 2004, Fr. Juan Carlos Ayala, TOR was ordained a priest in the Parish of Santa Maria de Asunci�n (Paraguay) by Archbishop Pastor Kuquejo. The ordination was celebrated with great jubilation by the entire Vice Province.
   
FORMATION FOR THE TOR NUNS IN MEXICO

From April 5 through May 5, 2004, Fr. Corpus Izquierdo, TOR General Definitor, taught two courses for the formation of our contemplative TOR Nuns in Mexico.

The theme was "TOR Franciscan Spirituality in Light of the TOR Rule."

The first course was held at Campeche and one hundred nuns participated.

In the second course held in Amecameca there were forty nuns present.

The sisters and brothers whom the Lord has called to the life of contemplation (Mk 6:31), with a daily renewed joy, should manifest their special dedication to God and celebrate the Father's love for the world. It was He who created and redeemed us, and by His mercy alone shall save us. (Rule TOR 9)
Our CONTEMPLATIVE NUNS OF THE THIRD ORDER REGULAR OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI. FEDERAZIONE AMARIA STELLA DELL'EVANGELIZZAZIONE
ITALIA
1) Monastero Maria SS. Annunziata, Zogno.
2) Monastero Maria Immacolata, Montello.
3) Monastero Maria Madre della Chiesa, Paderno Dugnano.

FEDERAZIONE AMAR�A INMACULADA
ESPA�A
1) Monasterio de Ntra. Sra. de Porta Coeli: Zarzoso de la Sierra.
2) Monasterio de Sta. Mar�a Magdalena: Alcaraz.
3) Monasterio de Sancti Spiritus: Astorga.
4) Monasterio del Esp�ritu Santo: Fuensalida.
5) Monasterio de la Madre de Dios: Salamanca.
6) Monasterio de S. Juan de Dios: Segovia.
FEDERAZIONE ASANTA ISABEL DE HUNGR�A
ESPA�A
1) Monasterio de La Madre de Dios, Coria.
2) Monasterio de ASanta Isabel@, Alba de Tormes.
3) Monasterio de La Concepci�n, Granada.
4) Monasterio de San Antonio de Padua, Toledo.
5) Monasterio de San Francisco el Real, Trujillo.
Monasterio de S. Pedro de la Penitencia Calvi�.

FEDERAZIONE ANTRA SE�ORA DE GUADALUPE@
M�XICO
1) Monasterio de Ntra.Sra. de los Dolores: San Juan del R�o.
2) Monasterio de la Divina Providencia: Temascalcingo.
3) Monasterio de S. Jos�: Apaseo el Grande
4) Monasterio de Ntra. Sra. de los Angeles: La Purificaci�n.
5) Monasterio del Sr. de Sacromonte: Amecameca.
6) Monasterio del Esp�ritu Santo: Coalcom�n
7) Monasterio de S. Francisco: Paso de Mata.
8) Monasterio de la Asunci�n: Campeche.
9) Monasterio de la Inmaculada Concepci�n: Agua Dulce.
10) Monasterio de Cristo Rey: Ajuchitl�n
11) Monasterio de S. Francisco de As�s: Actopan.
12) Monasterio de Ntra. Sra. de los Angeles: Marcabalito - PER�
   
SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER

On June 26, 2004, the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the SFO Rule, given by Paul VI, was brought to a conclusion. At St. John Lateran in Rome, thousands of Secular Franciscans gathered for the Eucharist presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Predident of the Conference of Italian Bishops, and by the Franciscan Ministers General. The liturgy was a great act of praise for the gift of the SFO Rule by Paul VI. The Pauline text gathers all the elements that characterize the preceding documents pertaining to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. Francis, adapting them to the conditions of our present age. On the occasion of this 25th Anniversary of the Pauline Rule, the Franciscan Ministers General, gathered for a conference at Santiago de Compostela on April 3-7, 2004 and published the following "Letter to all the Brothers and Sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order.".
   
THE CONFERENCE OF THE FRANCISCAN FAMILY

Santiago de Compostela, 5th April 2004

To the Brothers and the Sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May the Lord give you peace!

The reason for sending you this short message is the coming 25th anniversary of the approval of the Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order by Paul VI. It was on the 24th June 1978, in fact, that the Pope signed the Apostolic Letter "Seraphicus Patriarcha" through which he approved the new Rule of the SFO, one of his last official acts before his death.

In remembering that extraordinary gift of the Pope, we wish to express to the Lord our gratitude and joy for the many gifts generously given to the Secular Franciscans of the whole world, who have accepted and lived the charism of the Seraphic Father.

The SFO is living a new spring today: it is more aware of belonging to the Church, to its own Order, to the Franciscan Family and to the world, where it is called on to give, through its life, active and coherent witness to the charism received.

We live in a time torn apart by social, political and religious divisions and many peoples suffer war, terrorism and violence and do not find a way of peace: the Secular Franciscans, in these our times, are precisely called to be witnesses to communion, solidarity, hope and peace, to be men and women capable of "courageous choices" in order to give to the world a radiant face that can only be constructed by beginning again from Christ.

During this significant 25th anniversary of the Pauline Rule, we wish you, Brothers and Sisters of the Secular Franciscan Order, a new beginning from Christ in walking in unity under the guidance of the one Spirit, in opening up to dialogue and the acceptance of all and in rediscovering the "fraternity" as a privileged place and springboard for a commitment in the world.

Each Secular Franciscan should be aware of his/her mission and of being, personally, a sower of Peace and a witness to true Fraternity.

Fr. Ilija Zivkovic TOR General Minister President

Fr. Jos� Rodr�guez Carballo OFM General Minister

Fr. Joachim Giermek OFMConv General Minister

Fr. John Corriveau OFMCap General Minister

Encarnaci�n del Pozo SFO General Minister

Sor Carola Thomann CIF - TOR President

 

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