Present from "Outreach Ministries" were Benedict Taylor and Mr. John Forester of CREATE in Harlem; John McVean of St. Francis Residences, Manhattan; Michael Oberst and Mr. Anthony LaMarca of Cephus, Attica; Michael Duffy and Ms. Barbara Salapek of St. Francis Inn, Philadelphia; and Joseph Nangle and Vianney Justin of the Assisi and Clare House communities, respectively, in Washington.

Observations:

• The number of friars involved in direct service to the poor is small and will, in all likelihood, remain small.
• By their nature, these ministries are collaborative; a genuine need exists for the assistance and cooperation of others. Concerns:
• Experience with the poor is the most effective way to awaken concern for the needs and the challenges of ministry to the poor. It is an essential component of ministry for the future. How can this experience be better integrated into the formation program and the Church's emphasis on the need for "professional leaders" in the Church?
• Candidates in formation tend to express a call to the priesthood, a call that tends to split them from, rather than integrate them into, a greater concern for direct service to the poor.
• One of the things that "seems to attract" candidates is a concern for the poor. How does the province attend to and nurture that concern during the formation process? Do they quickly lose it and why?
• Life-style issues cannot be avoided in the province. Is there a conscious attempt to live simply and give a credible witness to a life with limits throughout the province?
• Much of the province's ministry continues to be "sacramental" rather than evangelical. Is this our vision and the best of our tradition?
• It often seems as if "direct service ministry" is only for the few. Do the friars feel inadequate, intimidated or incompetent to serve in these kinds of ministry?

• The province must continue to find ways to make resources available and to encourage individuals to step forward in response to urgent and emerging needs. Who will get the new insights?
• There is a perception that many of these ministries are "related to" but not an integral part of the province's ministry. This is unfortunate! The call to direct service may in many ways be like a missionary call. Are these ministries valued?

• Friar awareness of and recruitment for the FVM program needs to be encouraged;
• Promotional materials must be developed in an ongoing way to continue to tell the story.

Provincia Franciscana (Argentina) - 24.06.1998

Organizado por el Consejo Nacional de Asistentes de la OFS de Argentina, cuyos integrantes son: Fr. Marcos Sanchez OFMCap.; Fr. Pedro Audet Fabre OFM, por las tres Provincias OFM ; y Fr. Martín Pablo Bitzer OFMConv., se realizó los días 25 y 26 de mayo, el I^o Encuentro Nacional de Asistentes de la OFS de Argentina, en los tres niveles: local, regional y nacional. Dicho evento estuvo abierto también a los Asistentes y Animadores y Animadoras de la OFS de los países limítrofes.

El objetivo del Encuentro fue conocer mejor el Estatuto para la asistencia Espiritual y Pastoral de la OFS y la documentación actual existente sobre el tema, para una correcta asistencia de nuestros hermanos franciscanos seglares.

En el Encuentro estuvieron presentes ambos días 35 Hnos., de los cuales 24 eran de la OFM, 4 de la OFMConv, 4 de la OFMCap. estando presentes también la Ministra Nacional de la OFS y la Ministra Nacional de la Jufra, como así también la ex-Ministra Nacional de la OFS , en carácter de Secretaria. De los 35 participantes del encuentro 2 eran de Chile, 2 de Uruguay y 3 de Chile y los 28 restantes de Argentina.

De la OFM estuvo presente durante todo el encuentro el Ministro Provincial de la Provincia San Miguel, Fr. Reinaldo Agretti. También estuvo para celebrar una misa el Ministro Provincial de los Capuchinos.

El primer día, por la mañana, el tema fue: "Luces y sombras en el servicio de asistencia", y por la tarde se trataron los "Desafíos y compromisos en la Asistencia a la OFS". El segundo día estuvo dedicado al estudio específico del Estatuto para la Asistencia de la OFS, realizando una lectura detenida por la mañana y un plenario por la tarde con las observaciones y comentarios que surgieron de los trabajos en grupos.

Al finalizar el Encuentro se observó que su alcance había trascendido las fronteras de Argentina, por lo cual, se consideró que podía tenerse a este como el primer encuentro de Asistentes del Cono Sur.

Las mociones que surgieron de los grupos de trabajo fueron las siguientes:

1. Que este tipo de encuentro se siga realizando al menos cada dos años.
2. Que se terminen de configurar las Conferencias de Asistentes a nivel Regional (pues se advierte que en muchas regiones no existe)
3. Que cada Provincia organice reuniones con sus Asistentes de la OFS a todos los niveles.
4. Que se utilicen los capítulos provinciales y locales para profundizar la importancia de la "reciprocidad vital" que debe existir entre la Orden y la OFS

Finalmente, se sugirieron los siguientes temas como posibles de ser tratados en un futuro encuentro:

1. Elaboración del Reglamento de Asistentes, a nivel nacional.
2. La Historia de la OFS en Argentina, Chile, Uruguay y Paraguay
3. Profundización de la Regla y Constituciones de la OFS
4. Teniendo en cuenta que en octubre de 1998 tendrá lugar el I-o Encuentro de la Familia Franciscana de Argentina, que sus conclusiones sean objeto de estudio en el próximo encuentro de Asistentes.

Con el gozo de habernos encontrado Hnos. de las distintas obediencias y de diferentes países, unidos en un mismo interés por trabajar en favor de nuestros Hnos. franciscanos seglares, nos despedimos fraternalmente.

El domingo 31 de mayo, a las 11 hs, las Hnas. Clarisas inauguraron un año jubilar de acción de gracias por sus 250 años de presencia efectiva en la Argentina. Lo hicieron con una misa presidida por el obispo de Merlo-Moreno, Mons. Fernando Bargalló, en el Monasterio Santa Clara, de la localidad de Morenos (Buenos Aires). Las Hnas celebrarán en 1999 la fundación de la primera fraternidad en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, por tal motivo invitaron al obispo de Morón, Mons. Justo Laguna, a participar de estos actos recordatorios por ser su diocesano hasta que la diócesis se subdividió.

El Archivo Histórico tiene ya su lugar propio, acondicionado especialmente para tal fin. Se encuentra ubicado junto a la Biblioteca Histórica del Convento San Francisco de Buenos Aires, en la sala que sirviera de Capilla en otros tiempos. Fue pintado con cal blanca, oscurecido y climatizado a 21-o C y 52% de humedad relativa. Los libros de actas discretoriales, de patentes, de Misas, de protocolo, de cuentas, etc., se encuentran reunidos en series que reflejan sobre todo la historia del Convento de las Once Mil Vírgenes de Buenos Aires. Hay también libros y carpetas con documentos del Definitorio Provincial y de otros Conventos de la Provincia, incluso del antiguo Convento de San Bernardino (de Montevideo), de Ntra. Sra. de la Paz (Bolivia), de Ntra. Sra. del Socorro (Recolección de San Pedro). Muchos documentos sueltos deben aún limpiarse, encarpetarse uno por uno e inventariarse. Pero está dadas las condiciones para ir logrando poco a poco el mejor estado posible de conservación y de disponibilidad.

(Transmitted to our office tooday Wednesday, 24 June, 1998 by fr. Emilio L. Andrada ofm)

Provincia Serafica, Assisi (Italia) - 24.06.1998

Pellegrinaggio della Provincia Serafica di Assisi a Loreto “La Provincia ha bisogno della sua rinnovata Pentecoste. Ha bisogno di fuoco nel cuore, di parola sulle labbra, di profezia nello sguardo... è per questo che sento e chiedo di affidare, di consegnare la Provincia nelle mani materne della omnipotentia supplex di Maria...”. Con queste parole il ministro provinciale di Assisi invitava tutte le fraternità della Provincia Serafica a recarsi il 28 di maggio, pellegrine a Loreto. L’ormai tradizionale pellegrinaggio provinciale è dunque stato, quest’anno, una tappa importante del cammino verso il nuovo millennio, con l’atto di consacrazione -affidamento alla Vergine Maria. Questo momento era stato preparato con l’ultimo ritiro mensile delle fraternità e con un triduo di preghiera, digiuno e riconciliazione. Il 28 mattina i frati - in 160 circa - sono partiti dalla Porziuncola alla volta di Loreto, dove sono stati fraternamente accolti dai cappuccini che vi prestano servizio. Dopo un’introduzione alla storia e alla spiritualità del Santuario è seguito un tempo di preghiera personale nella Santa Casa. La Celebrazione Eucaristica a fine mattinata, è stata presieduta da S.E. Mons. Angelo Comastri, Delegato Pontificio per il Santuario Lauretano; è stato un momento spiritualmente intenso nel quale, a nome di tutta la Provincia, il ministro provinciale fr. Giulio Mancini ha compiuto l’atto di affidamento alla Vergine. Dopo il pranzo, ospiti dei fratelli della Provincia delle Marche presso la “Casa S. Francesco”, è stata la volta della visita al santuario di S. Giuseppe da Copertino ad Osimo, dei frati conventuali; il pellegrinaggio ha così fraternamente unito le tre famiglie francescane.

(Transmitted to our office tooday Wednesday, 24 June, 1998 by Fr. Claudio Durighetto prov. secr.)

Provincia di S. Vigilio, Trento - (Italia) - 24.06.1998

Nei giorni 1-4 giugno u.s. si è tenuto nella Provincia tridentina di S. Vigilio il Capitolo Spirituale - Formativo, sul tema “Riempire la terra del Vangelo di Cristo”. Al Capitolo sono intervenuti il Ministro Generale Giacomo Bini ed il Definitore Generale Antonio Riccio, accompagnati dal vicesegretario generale Pio Vulcan, nei giorni 3 - 5 giugno. Nel pomeriggio del 3 giugno il Ministro ha offerto la sua testimonianza sul tema dell’evangelizzazione rileggendo in quest’ottica le diverse fasi della sua esperienza di vita francescana, in Italia, in Africa ed a servizio dell’Ordine. Al mattino del 4 giugno, davanti a circa 90 frati, ha presentato le priorità dell’Ordine per il sessennio 1997-2003, insistendo sulla priorità dello spirito di orazione e devozione, della fraternità itinerante e della formazione. Al pomeriggio dello stesso giorno ha incontrato i rappresentanti dell’Ordine Francescano Secolare, della Gioventù Francescana e delle religiose francescane, esortandole ad offrire la testimonianza della fraternità evangelica nel cuore del mondo secolarizzato. Nel corso della medesima visita il Generale ha voluto incontrare pure i giovani in formazione, i confratelli ammalati dell’Infermeria Provinciale, le sorelle Clarisse del monastero di Borgo Valsugana, la casa di accoglienza per i nuovi poveri di Cles ed il Definitorio Provinciale. Al pomeriggio del 5 giugno è rientrato a Roma.

(Transmitted to our office tooday Wednesday, 24 June, 1998 by Fr. Saverio Biasi min. prov.)

Immaculate Conception Province (USA) - 18.06.1998

Provincial Minister Robert Campagna was host to Provnicial Ministers of the English Speaking Conference at our new Provincial Curia in Manhattan during their bi-annual meeting March 2 through March 6. During their week-long meeting the Ministers reviewed the draft copy of the six-year plan for the Order put forth by the General Administration in Rome. As a result of their review, the Ministers will work to provide friars with a study guide to General Minister Giacomo Binis six- year plan. The goal of the study guide is to facilitate the study of this plan in light of our Franciscan heritage while taking into consideration the direction the Order has taken over the past six years and the direction given the Order from the Vatican. The 170-page study guide is scheduled to be printed by Franciscan Publishers in the near future.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Ministers: Robert Campagna (Immaculate Conception); John Felice (Holy Name); Kurt Hartrich (Sacred Heart); John Bok (St. John the Baptist); Paul Reczek (Assumption); Finian McGinn (Saint Barbara); Gilbert Schneider (Our Lady of Guadalupe); Ulic Troy (Ireland); Austin McCormick (Immaculate Conception, England); Donald McDonald (Christ the King, Canada); David Kohut (Holy Savior Custody, USA); James Carroll (St. Mary of the Angels Custody, USA). OFM Conference Executive Secretary Ronald Bolfeta was also in attendance. General Councilor Sean Collins was also a participant in the meeting. During the last two days of the conference, Romano Almagno delivered a presentation on leadership models.

The Ministers also had the opportunity to take in some of the sights that New York City has to offer. Fabian Grifone, stationed at Precious Blood Parish on Mulberry Street, brought the friars on a tour of interesting sights in the city. Fabian is a registered tour agent for the City of New York. The full-day tour of the city was followed by a festive dinner at a local restaurant in "Little Italy." The friars of the Conference enjoyed the hospitality of the Province, and were housed at three of our friaries for the duration of the Conference - the Provincial Curia, Padua Friary, and the friary at 147 Thompson Street. The conference sessions, meals, and the celebration of the Eucharist was held each day of the conference at our Provincial Curia.

At a joyous celebration at St. Lawrence Church in Toronto, Canada, three of our brothers: Michael Ciryak, Vit Fiala and Lawrence Parent were ordained to the presbyteral order by Archbishop Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic, ordinary of the Toronto Archdiocese. The May 23rd celebration brought friars from around the Province along with priests, family and friends from the area.

On June 24, novices Rudolfo Borja, Michael Corcione and Roger Hall will make their first profession of vows at a celebration at St. Mary's Church in Onset, Massachusetts. Later in the summer, friars Mark Brown, Christopher Meyers, and Juniper O'Connor will make their solemn profession of vows at a celebration at St. Ann's Church in Marlboro, Massachusetts.

(General Councilor Sean Collins took the opportunity to visit with some of the fraternities of Immaculate Conception Province during February-March.) The Minister General and his Definitory gladly avail themselves of every possible opportunity to visit the friars, for two reasons: to get to know in a personal and immediate way who our friars are and how they are living and thinking today, and to share with them the Definitory's hopes and priorities for the next six years. Following a week in Santa Barbara Province in California, where he participated in a meetings of Guardians and Vicars in San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville, and visited the Bay area, Sean flew to Toronto at the invitation of Provincial Minister Robert Campagna, arriving on Sunday February 22nd.

He was met at the airport by Provincial Councilor Antonio Nardoianni and colleague Romano Almagno, who has been working closely with the General Administration as General Delegate for the Byzantine Custody. Romano kindly agreed to accompany Sean on his IC visit. Sean stayed in Toronto for three days as house-guest of the friars of St. Jane Francis de Chantal Friary, Guardian Augustin Donini and Pastor and Foundation Councillor Claudio Moser. The thriving life of the parish and the dedication of the friars impressed him greatly - especially the crowds for beginning-of-Lent Masses on Ash Wednesday. He also visited Saint Jude Friary, where Pastor Celestino Canzio made him very welcome as he snatched a break between two funerals.

On Monday afternoon Antonio and Romano brought Sean to see the new Retreat House in Orangeville. This splendid 150 acre property was formerly a formation house of the Christian Brothers, and the friars were strongly encouraged by Archbishop (invested as Cardinal in Rome just the day before) Ambrozic to acquire it as a retreat facility. It is buzzing with activity, and bookings are secured for a long time ahead. Situated as it is amid majestic woods and with its own river and lake, it is ideally suited for reflection, prayer and study. The visitors were shown around by Mary Volpe and Brother Philip Adamo. They unfortunately missed John Cella, until recently Development Director at the General Curia, who was away on business.

On Tuesday the friars of St. Charles Borromeo Friary hosted a Shrove Tuesday lunch which was attended by a large number of friars based in the Toronto area, mainly from Immaculate Conception Province, but also from the Maltese, Lithuanian and Holy Name Provinces. Guardian Michael D'Cruz was a most gracious host and Ralph Paonessa, Foundation President, welcomed the guests, among whom was Raimondo Ricca, former Provincial of Calabria and Guardian of the International College of Saint Anthony in Rome, who was guest-preacher for Lenten Missions in our Toronto parishes. At the end of the meal, Sean spoke to thank the friars for their hospitality, to congratulate them on their fraternal spirit and to encourage them to continue to highlight and implement the priorities of the Order as we prepare for the new Millennium. That evening Antonio and Romano took Sean to visit St. Francis Friary, where Guardian and Pastor Gregory Botte showed him the splendidly adorned Church and also brought him to visit the large number of people who were being provided with a first-class meal by a team of parish helpers in the crypt. Afterwards the group called to see the Lithuanian Resurrection Friary in College Street, where they met the friars and were shown around by the Guardian, Augustine Simanavicius.

After an all-too-brief visit to Toronto, Romano and Sean flew to Boston, where they were met by Charles Trebino of St. Leonard's Friary, who was to be their guide over the next few days - thanks to the generosity of Guardian Michael Nappo. The hospitality of the friars at St. Leonard's was incredible, and the food was splendid. A highlight of the Boston stopover was the opportunity to visit two Formation Fraternities - the Post Novitiate Friary in Brighton and the Novitiate in Onset. Brighton was first. Having taken a quick spin round the campus of St. Johns Seminary Charles, Romano and Sean crossed to St. Bonaventure Friary and were warmly welcomed by Primo Piscitello and the friars. After a tour of the house (once a Jesuit house, they were told) they joined the fraternity for Evening Prayer in the beautiful basement chapel.

After soul-food came body-food, in the equally fine setting of the dining room. Tom Washburn revealed his exceptional skills as a cook; the New England scallops were delicious. Conversation sparkled as Primo and Romano capped each other's anecdotes, weaving the tapestry of a new Fioretti in a truly fraternal setting. It was a most memorable evening. On the following morning, following a delightful visit with the Poor Clares at Jamaica Plain, Sean, Romano and Charles headed for Cape Cod and the Novitiate. Like the children of Israel (to alter the metaphor) they had to part the waters of the sea to get to the house, but once there they got a decidedly better deal than wandering in the wilderness. Regis, Juniper and the novices, together with the friars from St. Margaret's, received them royally and plied them with what was airily referred to as 'a light lunch. The weather was perfect - a bright spring sun in a cloudless sky - for walking the beach and exploring the area.

Then Regis invited Sean to a sharing session with himself and the novices, which Sean gladly accepted. He took the opportunity to put before them the vision of Brother Giacomo and the Definitory for the fraternity of the future, emphasizing that it would have to be a closely-knit group of brothers who were each passionately committed to Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, who never failed to discern together concerning life-style and ministry, eager only to place themselves and their creativity at the service of rebuilding the Church and bringing the good news to the poor and marginalized. This fraternity would be 'cheerful and courteous to all', preferring to draw people to love God and each other through joyful service offered freely and respectfully rather than bludgeoning them into sullen submission by means of threats or hard-sell pressure. Then all celebrated Evening Prayer (the affinity with the chapel in Brighton was noticeable in the similar style of tabernacle), and sat down to another festive meal. The ability of the IC friars to make every shared meal a sacrament of courteous and joyful fraternity is striking, and reminded Sean of something the Minister General recalled in a talk to the Curia fraternity: when, as a student in Paris, he was inclined to skip some meals because he didn't like the food, an old friar said to him: "Brother, we come to the refectory to be together - and to eat". It is strange if we, the form of whose deepest worship is a meal, rush through our daily meals, regarding them only as a practical arrangement for shovelling calories into our system!

On Friday morning Romano brought Sean on a walking tour of central Boston, and many places which had been just names and historical references came to life for him. In the afternoon Charles drove them both to Andover where Sean visited the Poor Clares with Gabriel Aceto. Then he was shown the elegant and ample facilities of the Retreat Centre, which is kept very busy all year round. Finally the Guardian, John Bavaro, treated the fraternity and guests to dinner, prepared by himself. It was a beautiful gathering, where Sean also renewed the acquaintance of the friars of the Vocation team who had met with Giacomo and himself in Rome last October. All good things come to and end, and on Saturday morning Charles brought Romano and Sean to Logan airport for the flight to New York's La Guardia, and the meeting of the English Speaking Conference in Thompson Street. This meeting had two highlights: first was the outstanding hospitality of Robert, Steven, Simeon, Paschal, Sixtus and all the friars in the brand new Provincial Curia, where everything was laid on and nothing was missing; the second was the inspired and challenging presentations of Romano to the assembled Provincial Ministers. It was a wonderful week, in which the Province of the Immaculate Conception was priviledged to host such a distinguished guest.

(Transmitted to our office tooday Wednesday, 24 June, 1998)