Province Pressfrom The Communications Office

June 2018

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Voicing their support for the revitalization of Franciscan life in the US, six provinces of the Order of Friars Minor have voted to form one new organization.

On May 30, the friars of each of the six provinces voted at meetings in their communities to support the formation of one new organization. It will comprise the almost 1,000 Catholic Franciscan friars belonging to the existing six provinces – both brothers and priests – and will be headquartered in a yet-to-be-determined location.“The other provincial ministers and I are delighted with the outcome of the vote,” said Friar David Gaa, OFM, provincial minister of St. Barbara Province. “This is an important step in the process of revitalizing Franciscan life in the United States.”

The Franciscan friars of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province (based in Frank-lin, Wisc.), Holy Name Province (headquartered on 31st Street in New York City), Our Lady of Guadalupe Province (Albuquerque, N.M.), Sacred Heart Province (St. Louis, Mo.), St. Barbara Province (Oakland, Calif.), and St. John the Baptist Province (Cincinnati, Ohio) have been in dialogue about unifying their communities since 2012.“The new entity will better serve the friars’ fraternal life and mission in the United States by making adjustments to the current administrative structure,” said Friar Jack Clark Robin-son, OFM, the provincial minister of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.

Like many other religious communities throughout the United States, the Franciscans are facing a reduction in its members. During the 1960s and 1970s, the number of Friars Minor in the United States peaked at 3,252, but today the numbers are down below 1,000 friars.

The reconfiguration will not happen immediately. The next step in the process is to obtain approval to unify from the Order’s min-ister general, Friar Michael Perry, OFM, who is based in Rome. Should he decide that such a reconfiguration would be helpful to Franciscan life and ministry, he will appoint a delegate to visit the friars in the United States.

US-6 Friars Vote to Form One Province

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by Jim McIntosh

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June 7, 2018Dear Brother Michael Perry,

May the Lord give you His peace!

On May 29 + 30, 2018, Friars of the Province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the United States of America, gathered in an Extraordinary Chapter, with five of the six other Franciscan Provinces and voted in favor to a pro-cess of renewal and restructuring of our Francis-

Official Letter Sent to Rome

If his delegate’s report is favorable, it is expected that the process of reconfiguration will move forward.

Meanwhile, the process is continuing as issues of canon and civil law are resolved. Fran-ciscan leaders expect that the new province will be officially formed in late 2022 or early 2023.

The worldwide Franciscan Order, founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi, comprises brothers and priests who work in a variety of settings including parishes, schools, retreat centers, and social justice ministries. Today, St. Francis, whose feast day is Oct. 4, remains one of the most widely known saints, revered for his affection for nature and care for cre-ation.

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2018 Extraordinary Chapter Felician CenterChicago, Illinois

(Above) Fr. Michael Surufka and Fr. Greg Plata led all vocals for rituals, prayer services, and masses throughout the two day Chapter.

(Below) Friars extend their hands during a blessing of all of the jubilarians of the province at morning mass.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province has consistently support-ed efforts at collaboration and renewal. Given our history, the Franciscan Friars of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province solidly support creating a new Province from the six existing provinces within the United States with fif-ty-four Friars participating in the Extraordinary Chapter; forty-eight votes in fa-vor of the proposal and six votes against the proposal. We further promise our support as we move into the future with hope and enthusiasm.

Peace and all good!

Brother Jim Gannon, OFMProvincial Minister

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2018 Extraordinary Chapter in Photos (Left) Fr. Jim Gannon addresses the province after the results of the vote were revealed. He gave words of wisdom, opti-mism, and encouragement as the restructuring process begins.

(Below) Formation Students Daniel Samsel, Albert “Fritz” Newburger, and Andrew Aldrich were present for this historic moment in friar history.

(Below) Fr. Warren Rector, Br. Kevin Schroeder, and Fr. Jim Esser catch up at the first nights social.

(Below) Friars participate in the opening ritual on the first night of the Extraordinary Chapter.

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(Right) Friars were able to celebrate with the Felician Sisters every morning in their beautiful chapel in the convent.

(Above) Friars celebrate after recieving word that each of the US-6 provinces voted to form one prov-ince. Fr. Mike Heine, OFM Conv. was also present for the historic chapter, serving as the guest speaker.

(Above and Below) After the vote, friars were given the chance to discuss their thoughts and feelings about how the decision will affect them today and in the future.

(Above) Friars gather together on the first day of the Extraordinary Chapter to talk about the current state of the province.

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Jubilarians Honored at Extraordinary Chapter

JUBILARIANS • 2018Solemn ProfessionSimple ProfessionFrancis Affelt

De Paul Sobotka

Anthony ChojnackiEverard ScesneyKevin Schroeder

Paul BelcoStanley Janowski

Justin Kwietniewski

Brendan Wroblewski

Carl GraczykLeslie HoppeJerry Tokarz

PriesthoodMelvin Wierzbicki Anthony Chojnacki

Warren Rector Everard Scesney

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Hilary BrezezinskiPatrick Gawrylewski

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A special Chapter tradition continued as the jubilarians were honored and presented with a special gift from the province. Other friars share stories (many of them humerous) with everyone who is in attendance. It is a moment that many look forward to as it is a way for the brothers to share memories, apperciation, and admi-ration for their dedicated service to parishes, missions, people, and each other.

Br. Andre Lemay shares some of his favorite moments about Br. Mario Nagy.

Fr. Conrad Targonski shares his appreciation and experienc-es with Fr. Hilary Brzezinski.

Fr. Ed Tlucek talks about his relationship and the wisdom he had passed onto him from Fr. Anthony Chojnacki

Fr. Placid Stroik shares his heart felt appreciation for Fr. Finian Zaucha.

Fr. Patrick Gawrylewski talks about his appreciation and friendship with Fr. Brendan Wrowblewski.

Fr. Michael Surufka shares just a few of his wonderful memo-ries of Br. Justin Kwietniewski.

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Upcoming Provincial Events• Farewell to Steve Dupuis, OFM:

Monday, June 25, 2018, Queen of Peace Friary 4:30 Evening Prayer followed by Social and Dinner.

• Provincial Council Meeting: July 9-13, 2018

• Six Provincials of US - OFM Provinces: “Zoom In” Meetings, July 9-10, 2018

• Farewell to St. Mary of the Angels Friary, Green Bay, WI: August 2, 2018, Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula 4:30 pm Shared Memories, Evening Prayer, Picnic

• Meeting of the Six Provincial Administrations : August 20-24, 2018, Pallotttine Renewal Center, St. Louis, MO

Br. Stephen Dupuis Set For Mission Work in JamaicaBr. Stephen Dupuis was officially commissioned as a missionary in Jamaica at the Extraordinary Chapter. He will head to the Caribbean at the end of this month. His farewell will be on Monday June 25th at Queen of Peace Friary in Burlington, WI. We pray for his safety and continued ministry.

Fr. Ed Tlucek and Fr. John Cella stand on either side of their Former Prenovitiate Formater.

Fr. Jim Gannon gifts Br. Steven with a mission cross.