Now that Pope Benedict has approved the miracles for Blesseds Kateri and Mother Marianne, the scheduling of their canonization ceremonies should be coming forth at the beginning of the New Year. Lets hope they are canonizad together! Naturally we are particularly delighted with this great news since both Kateri and Mother Marianne have long histories with us Conventual Franciscans.
Since 1938 beginning with Father Thomas Grassman, OFM Conv. all the way through to the present time with the ministry of Friars Mark Steed and Jim Amrhein, the National Kateria Shrine has been in the care of the friars of the Immaculate Conception Province. Many have worked and prayed mightily for this day to come: how can we ever forget Friar Sal Patanos constant, persevering and sincere petition every time we gathered: for the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha. Certainly he and so many others living and deceased are rejoicing at the upcoming canonization of the first Native American, the first Saint born on the these shores.
Mother Marianne Cope was a member of St. Josephs Church in Utica, once under the care of the friars. She made her profession of vows at Assumption Church in Syracuse, founded St. Josephs Hospital in Syracuse and St. Elizabeths in Utica, and was principal of Assumption Academy. As General Superior she then headed to Hawaii to undertake her tremendous ministry with the lepers on Molokai. We rejoice with our Franciscan Sisters with whom we have had a long and fruitful history.
On Friday evening, August 12th, Friars Jim Amrhein, John Burkhard, Ed Handy, Dominic McGee and Mark Steed gathered at the friary in Rensselaer to celebrate their 50th profession anniversary with Evening Prayer, Renewal of Vows, Pre-Prandials and Cook-Out on the veranda (Nick Lorson, also celebrating his 50th, was unable to attend, but was remembered in our prayers). In town for the Definitory meeting, Friar Brad Milunski joined the crowd in celebration of his 25th anniversary of profession. Each jubilarian was given a commemorative medal of St. Francis and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. We are grateful to our brothers for these many years of fidelity to our way of life; they continue to grace and enrich our fraternity.
During the last week of June, the campus of Xavier University, Cincinnati, came alive with the presence of some 260 friars from all over North America as well as from Costa Rica, Mexico, Europe and Vietnam all of whom responded to the invitation to attend this first Chapter of Mats in North America. By all accounts, the gathering was a huge success. For four days, the friars prayed together, socialized, got reacquainted, deepened relationships and spent time looking at the past and preparing for the future. Great homilies, together with various types of witness talks from friars from all the jurisdictions, added to the personal and spiritual atmosphere of the gathering. The friars enjoyed an excellent presentation by Professor Edward Hahnenburg. Titled, Past as Prologue: Five Trends That Are Still Shaping our Future, the talk was profoundly insightful and helpful as it highlighted current trends in church and society, trends whose roots were deep in past centuries. The presence of Friar Bill Short, OFM just added the perfect Franciscan perspective to all the presentations. Many thanks go out to the coordinating committee (and their associates), whose extraordinary work made the Chapter such a success: Richard Kaley, Kevin-Schindler McGraw, Maurice Richard and Jim Ciaramitaro. Many thanks as well to our Minister General, Marco Tasca, who flew in from Australia for the occasion.
St. Raphaels Church in Burlington, Ontario was filled to capacity for Friar Retos Priesthood Ordination. Family from Montreal, Saskatchewan & Switzerland were joined by parishioners, friends and some thirty friars from far and wide for the occasion. Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, the Bishop of Hamilton, was more than gracious and set a warm and friendly tone for the celebration of the Eucharist and the Ordination. Retos father, Donat, served as Deacon for the Mass. Afterwards there was an informal reception in the Church Hall. Many thanks to Friars Maurice Richard, Peter Knappen and the Parishioners of St. Raphaels for all the planning and work that went into making this important moment so special and meaningful for Reto and for all those gathered.
I would like to remind everyone, especially governments engaged in boosting the worlds economic and social assets, that the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is man, the human person in his or her integrity: Man is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social life.Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, para. 25
