Province Press. from The Communications Office

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1 Issue May 2018 #14 THE Province Press from The Communications Office Pentecost, May 24, 2018 Brothers ~ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. From the very beginning of interprovincial collaboration, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province has been at the table faithfully involved in countless meetings, discussions, retreats and collaborative efforts which have brought us to the historic vote for the Renewal and Restructuring of the Franciscans in the United States. It is not just about restructuring. ~ most importantly, it is about renewal. The Spirit that Jesus promised to his disciples is the same Spirit, Advocate and Guide who has journeyed with the Assumption BVM Province yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is this same Spirit who will guide us during our Extraordinary Chapter. After the historic May 30th vote, it will be that same Spirit who will guide us as we seek to read and respond to the signs of our times as Franciscans in the twenty-first century. The Spirit-filled readings for Pentecost and our Extraordinary Chapter remind us that the Holy Spirit transforms and renews the Christian Community. Locked doors are opened; fear is replaced by courage, peace is proclaimed. The power to forgive sin is present. Those who hide in dark rooms suddenly speak boldly; thousands each hear the message in their own language. After the ballots are counted and the decision announced, whatever the outcome, the hard work of renewal begins. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us with love and fill us with peace. As we journey forward together, may we continue to share God s love, grace and peace to each other and all God s people. May the Lord give you peace! Jim 1

2 Franciscan Friars Assumption BVM Province Provincial Definitory Meeting Francis + Clare Friary Franklin, WI March 20, 21, 22, April 24, 25, 26, 2018 Assumption Friary Pulaski, WI Present: James Gannon, OFM, Joachim Studwell, OFM, Jerome Wolbert, OFM, Craig Wilking, OFM, John Cella, OFM, Edward Tlucek, OFM. Friary Personnel and Friaries Emmanuel Bialoncik: We welcome Emmanuel back into the Province. In his Letter of Obedience, Emmanuel was asked to report to Queen of Peace Friary, Burlington, WI. Easter Sunday, April 1, Jason Welle: In a letter to the Provincial, Jason asked for permission to apply to become a stable member of the faculty at the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome. This request will call for a three-year commitment. The Council unanimously supported Jason s request. Edward Tlucek: While serving as Secretary of the Province since October 1, 2017, and going through the challenges of his own transitions from Holy Name Parish and Lourdes Friary in Cedar Lake, IN, Edward responded to a call from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to serve as administrator of two parishes, St. James, Mukwonago, WI and St. Theresa, Eagle, WI, whose pastor, Rev. Mick Savio, died very suddenly in the Fall Ed faithfully served these two communities, while juggling his ministry to the Province as counselor and secretary. Edward will assume the ministry of administrator of St. Clare Parish, Wind Lake, WI and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Waterford, WI on the weekend of June 16/17, The people of St. James/St Theresa parishes are most grateful for Ed s ministry to them, and were very disappointed when he was not named their pastor. The people of St. Clare and St. Thomas are very excited to welcome Edward as their pastor. Friars Serving in Texas: Tom Luczak, Terrence Gorski, Mario Nagy, Andre Lemay: Craig Wilking and Jim Gannon visited the three friars (Terrence, Mario and Tom) presently serving in Texas. Craig, Jim and the Friars met with Bishop Daniel Flores, Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville who asked us to clarify our presence in the Diocese. Tom Luczak, after serving as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, McAllen, TX, for twelve years, can no longer minister in this capacity and will retire. Tom, Terrence, and Andre desire to remain in The Valley. During the next few months, the Friars will work with Bishop Flores in reviewing ministry options. 2

3 3 Frank Berna: After several years of prayerful discernment and face-to-face conversations, Frank has formally requested to leave the Order of Friars Minor. Frank will officially request entrance into Voluntas Dei where he will continue to serve as a Roman Catholic priest, and continue his ministry at La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA where he serves as Chair for the Graduate Division of Religious Studies. We thank Frank for sharing his life, his gifts and his ministry to the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please remember Frank in your prayers. Mario Nagy: Mario has started the conversations with the Provincial Administration about a transfer from Edinburg, Texas, and future ministry. Friar Hyeon seop, Jeon Egidio/Giles, OFM: Friar Egidio will return to his home, Seoul, S. Korea on May 15th. During the past month Egidio has been studying English at Sacred Heart School of Theology, while residing at Francis and Clare Friary, Franklin, WI. We bid farewell to Egidio with our blessings and our prayers for peace for the peoples of the Koreas and for the world. Stephen Malkiewicz: Having faithfully served Newman Theological College, Edmonton, Alberta, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, St. Francis De Sales Seminary and Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, Steve has announced his retirement from the Ministry of Teaching and Formation. Carmen Scuderi: Carmen would like to begin studies leading to a degree in Oriental Medicine. The three-year program is very expensive. The Council supports Carmen s request and strongly encouraged him to check into grants and outside funding. Friar Formation Discernment Process for Novitiate Team Member: During the first week of March a discernment Process was held at the interprovincial novitiate, Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, is to name a Friar who will serve on the Novitiate Team. Michael Jennrich (Sacred Heart) will be the new member of the Novitiate Team. Formation Report: The season of Spring is also the season for formation assessments and evaluations. After some discussion it was determined that a team member of the Postulancy Program at Holy Name College, Silver Springs, MD be part of the interviewing process for Albert Fritz Newburger and Daniel Samsel. Greg Plata, Secretary of Formation/Vocations, set Friday, May 25th for the interview. Charles Miller (Holy Name Province and Postulant Team Director) will be present for the May 26th Interview(s) at Lourdes Friary, Cedar Lake, IN.

4 The Provincial Council approved the interviewing team: Carmen Scuderi, Ed Tlucek and Anthony Janik along with Charles Miller, Postulancy Program. Postulant, Andrew Aldrich: Having fully participated in the Interprovincial Postulant Program, Holy Name College, Silver Springs, MD and having received the unanimous approval from his Formation Directors to be accepted into the Interprovincial Novitiate, Santa Barbara, CA, the Provincial Council called Andrew to congratulate him and to inform him of our unanimous approval to enter the Interprovincial Novitiate, July 16, Finance/Property Pulaski, Printery & Friary: The deed restriction, which has been a major obstacle to any development of the Printery Building or any development on the land, has been researched and successfully addressed. During our April 24, 25, 26 Provincial Council Meeting, the members of the council joined the friars in their monthly Friary Chapter. At the Friary Chapter the members of the Council discussed the occupancy of Queen of Peace Friary and Assumption Friary. Discussion made clear that while neither Friary is being used to its full potential, the Queen of Peace Friary has the medical and household staffing necessary for total care of the Friars. Guardian Patrick Gawrylewski and Vicar Jim Esser, will continue the conversation as part of their monthly Friary Chapters. On Thursday, April 26th, the Council met with the Hoffman Group, members of the Milwaukee Catholic Home, Attorney Antony Henika and Brian Bangart. The Hoffman Group gave a report on the on-going study of the Burlington property. The final report will be presented to the Council July 10th. The Council also gave permission to Brian Bangart to sell any equipment and furniture in the Printery Building. St. Francis Mission, Greenwood, MS: Having returned the administration of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish to the Bishop of Jackson, MS, the Parish Council of Immaculate Heart of Mary is presently looking for a residence for a pastor. Joachim Studwell will pastor the parish until a new pastor is assigned. During a Parish Council Meeting, parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Parish were informed that the Family Life Center would not be built. Once the financial contributors to the proposed center are identified, they will be contacted to determine whether they would like their money retuned or allow it to be used for Mission purposes. Finances, faculty and number of students are the three significant areas in play for the success and the continuance of the St. Francis School. The St. Francis Mission is financially stable, and is anticipating several bequests in the near future. The principal, Jackie Lewis, the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and the Friars have worked very hard to meet the benchmark of sixty registered students before May 6th. As of today, St. Francis 4

5 May 2018 #14 THE Phriar Photo from The Communications Office What A Career! On Wednesday, April 25th the Provincial Council took time out to join the community of Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corner, WI to honor Fr. Steve for his years of service to the ministry of teaching, and his accompaniment with men discerning their vocation to priesthood and religious life. Steve was honored by Sacred Heart School of Theology for his years of ministry ( ). However, one must travel back to 1985 when Steve started at Newman Theological College. It is said that: A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops. Steve has touched the lives of countless men and women involved in church ministry. We, the friars of Assumption BVM Province and the people of God, are most grateful. Newman Theological College, Edmonton, Alberta Fall and Summer Sessions, Part-time Lecturer: St. Francis De Sales Seminary, St. Francis, WI Spring Semester Adjunct Lecturer Lecturer in Liturgics Director of Worship Part-time Director of Worship Part-time Formation Faculty Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, Hales Corner, WI Part-time instructor in Systematic Theology Associate Director, Human Formation Assistant Professor, Systematic Theology 5

6 Future dates for the Provincial Council Meetings: May 28, 29, 30: Felician Center, Chicago, IL July 8-13, 2018: Retreat and Future Planning with Hoffman Group, Door County, WI August 20-24, 2018: Meeting of US Six Provincial Council Administrations, Pallotine Renewal Center, St. Louis, MO October 16, 17, 18, 2018: Francis + Clare Friary, Franklin, WI. December 18, 19, 20, 2018: Francis + Clare Friary, Franklin, WI. February 5, 6, 7, 2019: Francis + Clare Friary, Franklin, WI. March 26, 27, 28, 2019: Holy Dormition Friary, Sybertsville, PA. May 7, 8, 9, 2019: Lourdes Friary, Cedar Lake, IN. June 25, 26, 27, 2019: St. Anthony Friary, St. Petersburg, FL. October 8, 9, 10, 2019: Francis + Clare Friary, Franklin, WI. December 17, 18, 19, 2019: Francis + Clare Friary, Franklin, WI. Save the date! Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2020 Provincial Chapter: May 31st June 4,

7 School will be open for the 2018/2019 School Year. The administration, faculty, staff, Franciscan Sisters and Friars and the Provincial Administration will continue to work hard to ensure the future for the ministry of St. Francis Mission. Holy Dormition Friary, Sybertsville, PA: Regarding the Sybertsville property: There are two on-going, but solid conversations surrounding the sale of the Sybertsville property. Both discussions are intent on maintaining the presence and future ministry of the Friars as well as the preservation of the Byzantine Chapel. St. Francis Friary, Burlington, WI: There are several on-going conversations regarding the use of the Friary and the future of the physical plant. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the Spanish Speaking Community of Burlington are just two of the interested parties. On April 26th the Provincial Council met with the Hoffman Group to receive an update on the survey of the Burlington property. The Hoffman Group will give the final report to the Council on July 10. The members of the Council asked that the report include deconstruction of St. Francis Friary, the deconstruction of St. Francis Friary and Church, the reconstruction of St. Francis Friary for future use. All agreed to have further discussions about the use of the building in its present state until a decision is made with all the information contained in the Hoffman Report. St. Mary of the Angels Friary and Church, Green Bay, WI: It is the intention to vacate the friary building by the end of the summer. In October the Commonwealth Company will take over the friary and church. Using the inventory plan from Kevin Schroeder and Steve Dupuis, the contents of the Friary will be disbursed. A ritual moment will be created and celebrated at a date and time to be announced. IF YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL BELONGINGS STORED AT ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS FRIARY, PLEASE REMOVE THEM BEFORE JULY 4TH. IF YOU HAVE NEED OF BEDROOM, LIVING ROOM FURNITURE, REFRIG- ERATORS, DESKS, PLEASE CONTACT BRIAN BANGART. YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING THE FURNITURE AND TRANSPORTING THE FURNITURE TO YOUR RESIDENCE. 7

8 Update on May 29+30, 2018 Extraordinary Provincial Chapter: The Provincials are discussing the process of counting votes and the process of announcing the results of the vote. The Tellers will be Joachim Studwell and Craig Wilking and Jerome Wolbert will serve as Secretary. Announcement of the vote: Provincial Minister, Jack Clark Robinson, Our Lady of Guadalupe Province. Reflector: Conventual Franciscan Friar, Michael Heine, will lead us in our Morning and Evening Prayer reflections during the Extraordinary Chapter and Leadership Conference. Tuesday, May 29, :30 Solemn Opening of the Chapter w/ Reflection 5:30 Supper 7:00 Evening Prayer followed by a Social Steve Malkiewicz will coordinate the liturgies. Wednesday, May 30, :00 Breakfast 9:00 Morning Prayer/Reflection/Commissioning of Steve Dupuis 10:30 Jubilee Eucharist 12:00 Meal 1:30 Prayer 2:00 The Vote followed by Reflection 3:00 Departure Edward Tlucek, John Cella, Andrew Tretow (Director of Communications) and Jim Gannon will meet with Felician Sister, Sr. Connie, to finalize our plans for the Extraordinary Chapter and Leadership Conference. Schedule for the May 30/31 Leadership Workshop: Conversations that Matter There will be a presentation on the Jesuit Resource ~ CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER at both the Extraordinary Chapter and the Leadership Meeting. These resources will be used within the format of Friary Chapters. They are material to keep us, as the Assumption BVM Province, updated in the important area of Protection for All God s Children. Wednesday May 30th: 4:30 Evening Prayer with Reflection, 5:30 Supper, 7:00 Social Thursday, May 31st: 7:30 Eucharist with Sisters 8:00 Breakfast 9:00 Morning Prayer/Reflection 9:30 On Aging 12:00 Meal 1:30 On Anger 3:30 Driving & Rumors 4:15 Conversations that matter 5:00 Evening Prayer 5:30 Supper followed by departure 8

9 Other Reports/Committees Friary Chapter Reports/Minutes Holy Dormition Friary Chapter Minutes were reviewed. St. Francis Friary, Greenwood Chapter Minutes were reviewed. Francis & Clare Friary Minutes were reviewed. Queen of Peace Friary, Burlington Chapter Minutes were reviewed. Friar Chaplains ~ Mishawaka, IN It is the duty of the local Friary Chapter, particularly through dialogue, to study and promote common projects, to foster harmony and an active responsible cooperation among all, to examine and evaluate what has been done by the fraternity or by individual friars, and to treat of matters of major importance. Article 241 At each Provincial Council meeting, time is budgeted to review and comment on submitted Friary Chapter minutes. Guardians, thank you for forwarding the minutes from your Friary Chapters. All Guardians are reminded to forward the minutes of all Friary Chapters to Edward Tlucek, Secretary of the ABVM Province. Relics: Brother Austin informed Jim that he came across a large number of relics with documentation, in the attic of St. Mary of the Angels Friary, Green Bay, WI. It was decided hand the relics over to Archivist Bill Stout, who will place them the ABVM Archives. to in 150th Anniversary of the Green Bay Diocese: The Diocese of Green Bay, WI is presently celebrating 150 years of ministry to the Church, the People of God. Our Assumption BVM Province has played a historic role in the evolution of the diocese. We have supplied to the Jubilee Committee, one of the Journey in Faith commemorative medallions to be placed in the Jubilee Time Capsule. Several members of the Provincial Council will join our Friars in the Pulaski/Green Bay area, December 2018 celebration honoring the Religious Women and Men who have served the Diocese of Green Bay. Information: How have we responded to the Poor? Once again, we dealt with the issues surrounding our mission at Greenwood, MS as a ministry that serves poor people. The Council approved the payment of 50% of the salary Derrick Faucheux, Youth Minister of St. Francis Parish, Greenwood, MS through the Dhooge Fund. 9

10 The council invited Abbot Nicholas Zachariadis, Holy Resurrection Monastery, St. Nazianz, WI We listened to Abbott Nicholas as he described the struggles of establishing and maintaining his Monastery and his desire for future discussions on strengthening our relationship. Provincial Travel Greetings from Fr. Anthony Skurla! During a recent visit with the Friars of Holy Family Friary, Pittsburgh, PA, Jim Gannon stopped in at Mount Macrina to visit Fr. Anthony. Anthony is on good spirits. He is comfortable in his new home; he appreciates the monthly visit with the Friars from Holy Family Friary. Anthony sends his prayers and greeting. June 1st- Michael Surufka June 3rd- Vianney Sipulski June 5th- Paul Belco June 6th- Richard Tulko June 9th- Rene Barczak June 12th- Peter Rydza James Wisniewski June 13th- Leonard Stunek June Birthdays 10