The Provincial Ministers and Custodes of the English Speaking Conference held their annual Spring meeting at St. Patrick Church, part of Holy Family Parish, a ministry of St. John the Baptist Province from April 4-8.
During the meeting, the Provincial Ministers and Custodes of the United States, Canada, and Europe each met separately in sub-conference to discuss matters relevant to their regions.
The Canadian members discussed their recently the process of reconfiguration currently underway there. The members of the European Sub-Conference also met to discuss common formation efforts (see story below).
The U.S. Sub-Conference met to discuss:
- The on-going conversation about reconfiguration of the seven U.S. Provinces. In particular, they reviewed the results of the Fall meetings to discuss the four models proposed by the Franciscan Interprovincial Team.
- The approval of a National Common Admissions Policy. This policy was the result of a collaborative effort among the formation personnel of all seven U.S. Provinces.
- The ministers had considered a draft version of this in the Fall.
The approval of a new member to the Interprovincial Novitiate Team. Following a discernment that took place at the novitiate in January, Friar Michael Blastic, OFM (HNP) will be added to the novitiate team. Friars Ralph Parthie, OFM (SH) and - Dennis Schafer, OFM (SH) will complete their service to the novitiate with the conclusion of this novice year. The ministers expressed their great appreciation to both Ralph and Dennis for their excellent service to the fraternity.
- They also discussed the selection of a new Novice Master. However, the ministers have sought the input of the novitiate team before making this decision.
Attending the week-long meeting were: Provincial Minister Richard Grech, OFM (St. Paul, Malta), Custos Patrick Lonsdale, OFM (Immaculate Conception Custody, Great Britain), Provincial Minister Marc Le Goanvec, OFM (Province of St. Joseph, Canada), Provincial Minister David Gaa, OFM (St. Barbara Province, USA), Provincial Minister Algirdas Malakauskas, OFM (Province of St. Casimir, Lithuania), Provincial Minister and Conference President Hugh McKenna , OFM (Province of Ireland), Provincial Minister and Conference Vice-President Kevin Mullen, OFM (Holy Name Province, USA), Provincial Minister Primo Piscitello, OFM (Immaculate Conception Province, New York, USA), Provincial Minister James Gannon, OFM (Assumption BVM Province, USA), Provincial Minister Jack Clark Robinson, OFM (Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, USA), Provincial Minister Jeffrey Scheeler, OFM (St. John the Baptist Province, USA), Provincial Minister William Spencer, OFM (Sacred Heart Province, USA), Provincial Minister Robert Mokry, OFM (Province of Christ the King, Canada), General Definitor Caoimhin O’Laoide, OFM, and Executive Secretary Thomas Washburn, OFM.
During the full-Conference sessions, members had the chance to:
- Meet with Ms. Tyler Curtis, Operations Manager; and Fr. Teofil Czarniak, OFM, Executive Director of the General Secretariat for the Franciscan Missions, Waterford, Wisconsin
- Meet with Mr. Russ Testa (HNP), President of the ESC Commission on Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC); along with Friar Mark Schroeder, OFM, JPIC Coordinator for St. Barbara and Our Lady of Guadalupe Provinces.
- Meet with Fr. John Puodziunas, OFM, General Economo of the Order regarding the financial situation of the Order.
- Meet with Fr. Aidan McGrath, OFM, General Secretary of the Order for a study day on common canonical issues faced by the ministers.
As with each meeting, the Ministers and Custodes also found some time for recreation. Galveston is a beautiful island just off the coast of Texas and has many beaches to enjoy. The island is marked by two major hurricanes that struck there over the last 100 or so years. Some had the chance to visit a museum dedicated to the effects of those storms.
All the members expressed particular gratitude to Provincial Minister Jeffrey Scheeler, OFM (SJB), the host of the meeting and the local friars at St. Patrick’s for making everyone feel welcome and at home.
The week also began on a sad note as the members learned of the passing of Mary Grech, mother of Provincial Minister Richard Grech (St. Paul, Malta). Mary, who lived in Australia, passed away on Monday. Those present offered Mass for her on Tuesday morning and prayerful support for Richard throughout the week. May she rest in peace.