All Province Assembly – Special Edition

NEWSLETTER
Province of the Immaculate Conception
NEW YORK, NY ALL PROVINCE ASSEMBLY SPECIAL EDITION
FALL 2011
Friars Gather for All Province Assembly at Mount Alvernia Friary
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - Called for by Larry Dunham,
Visitator General, endorsed by Jose Carballo, General Minister,
and formally convoked by Primo Piscitello, Provincial Minister,
this gathering of half our friars (65) from October 16 to 21,
2011, was preceded by three regional meetings in the six areas
of the province. Four general topics emerged: Fraternity,
Ministry, Formation, and Retirement.
Michael Corcione
formulated 20 questions which expressed particular concerns
regarding these topics.
An eight-member Planning committee (Alexis Anania, Michael
Corcione, Charles Gingerich, Roger Hall, Daniel Morey,
Armand Padula, John Scarangello [Chair], and Edward
Coughlin [facilitator]) worked out details in two sessions.
Location
Mount Alvernia Friary, Wappingers Falls, a nostalgic setting for
so many of our friars, offered all APA attendants comfortable
accommodations and delicious meals (with “extras” at nightly
“gaudeamuses”).
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Devout Liturgies
The Liturgy Committee (Patrick Boyle, Vit Fiala, Frank Hanudel, Jack Hoak, Joseph LaGressa, Michael MacInnis [chair], and Alvin Te)
did a fine job, also supplying each friar with a Liturgy Booklet for office and Mass. Tom Washburn (guitarist, cantor) and Vit Fiala
(organist, cellist, composer [psalm tones], and arranger) handled the musical requirements with extraordinary talent.
Principal celebrants and eloquent homilists were: Jeremy Harrington (October 17-18); Michael Della Penna (pc: Oct. 19), Richard
Martignetti (h); Daniel Morey (pc: Oct. 20), James Goode (h), and Primo Piscitello (pc: Oct. 21), Armand Padula (h).
Jeremy Harrington
Michael Della Penna and
Rick Martignetti
Daniel Morey
James Goode
Primo Piscitello
Armand Padula
Tom Washburn and Vit Fiala
Opening Liturgy
Spiritual Uplift
A two-day preached retreat opened the meeting. It was led by
Jeremy Harington, former provincial of John the Baptist Province
and currently US Holy Land Commissary and Guardian of the DC
Holy Land Friary and Shrine.
Using scriptural examples (David and
Elizabeth), Francis himself, and prominent
recent figures, Jeremy urged us to look at
ourselves and seek to know where we are
at this stage of our lives (the personal
would be supplemented by the
communitarian later).
Virtues to be
stressed: trust, gratitude, and
acknowledgment of God’s goodness to us
(Rnb, 23).
He reflected with us also on our group
life as brothers. We are not monks or
religious dedicated to a single apostolate.
We are not left to nurture our own spiritual life. Rather we are a
blessing to one another! He cited the vow formula in the GC: We
make our vows to God and to our brothers.
As an example of fraternal sharing, Jeremy quoted a delightful
story told by Thomas of Eccleston about the friars’ early
experience in England. Housed in an unheated school building,
they quickly assembled in a fire-heated room when it was free and
dipped their cups into a beer container, regaling one another
joyfully with spirited songs and stories.
Even about their individual faith and
vocations.
Certain attitudes, he warned, hinder
fraternity:
self-sufficiency, entitlement
(claiming “rights” of all kinds!), and
isolation, even at home.
In his last talk Jeremy made reference
to a sermon by Pope Benedict on St.
Francis. The pope spoke of our founder’s
radical faith and enthusiastic love of
Christ. Francis heeded the Crucifix of San
Damiano by repairing the church, first the
ruined chapel and then the wider Church
itself. Our 2009 General Chapter urged us to do the same
(“Bearers of the Gift of the Gospel”). We are to show sympathy
toward our world and share the lives of others. We are to rebuild
relationships of all kinds. We are called to be the guardians of
hope as all of us live out the mystery of God’s plan.
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Founder’s Day and Prayers for Deceased Friars
On October 18th, after lunch, our friars gathered at the hilltop cemetery plot to pray for our deceased confreres – nine of whom are buried
there and four rest in the new mausoleum.
Fraternal Conversations
Five sessions were ably accompanied by Ed Coughlin. The first
dealt with the 2010 Provincial Chapter. Ed prepared an outline of
what he considered the four issues of that chapter (election of the
provincial, confirmation in chapter, postulation, and the general
definitory’s election of the new provincial). He pointed out what
in some cases he saw as divergences from the general law.
One friar stressed, however, that our provincial statutes, with
their exceptions relating to the election of the provincial and the
tabulation, outside of chapter, of relevant votes, had formal
approval by the Order.
Disappointment over the handling of Nardoianni’s resignation
in chapter was still felt by a good number of those present,
particularly the visitator’s not calling for a new election, as
permitted by our statutes, while the chapter was still open.
The second session was on Fraternity. Making use of an article
by M. Blastic (“Our Franciscan Way of Life.” The Cord,
59.3[2009], 259-80), Ed led off the discussion of fraternity by
circulating a useful handout describing our community as a
“discipleship of equals” who freely exchange ideas with one
another (house chapter), who openly express their love for one
another (mutual service), and share a mission as they go about the
world.
Noted qualities of Fraternity:
openness, acceptance,
availability, recreation and prayer together, knowledge of one
another, gathering to celebrate life and death.
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Fraternal Conversations, continued
Third Session: Ministry. The detailed 2010 Chapter report on
Work and Ministry provided a framework for the third
conversation. Core issues were and are the number of available
friars and the importance of preserving fraternal life while
engaging in ministry.
Our present commitments: parishes (24, 3 of which will not be
restaffed); centers (4), missions. Reassessment of activities using
common, comprehensive criteria is an ongoing task.
Our current membership: 80% over 60. Tom Washburn did a
survey for the ESC and concluded that in ten years there will be
500 friars left in the Conference. Our province’s portion?
Fourth Session: Formation and Vocations.
Recruitment/
Formation occasioned a lively discussion.
The fact that
TomWashburn, our vocation director, is both a pastor and the
executive secretary of the ESC clearly limits at least his mobility
in promotional work. He acknowledges this, as does province
administration. When asked by the provincial if there should be
an assistant director with more mobility, even at a sacrifice of
another ministry, the group approved unanimously.
Rick Martignetti circulated and took questions on a status
report on initial formation (postulancy, novitiate, and postnovitiate). The Rome house and its program received the most
attention. One friar commented that it is a one-track system
preparing professed for priesthood (Brother Gabriel concurred).
Those who declare a vocation choice for the brotherhood at the
appropriate time in their formation should be offered more
choices and not have to contend with learning a new language and
frequenting advanced courses.
The Antonianum, further, makes no provision for pastoral
studies or diaconal experiences. This part of the program needs to
be further determined by our province.
Summer stateside
assignments have been helpful both fraternally and ministerially.
Fifth Session: Retirement. Numbers tell the story about
“assignable” and “retired/retirable” friars. Assignable friars: 56.
Senior friars: 90+ (7); 80-89 (29); 70-79 (32); Below 70 (78).
Four houses serve well as places of retirement: Boston, NYC,
Catskill, and Florida. Canada so far has no designated house
although there is talk of adding to the friary at Immaculate
Conception. Elderly Canadian friars, if they leave that country,
lose coverage and pension.
Challenges, as suggested by E. Coughlin: preparation for, and
transition to, reduced ministry and and/or retirement.
Encouragement of able elderly to engage in limited ministry.
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Creating the Group Shot
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APA Candids
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A Special Edition of the
Newsletter of the
Immaculate Conception Province
Editorial Staff:
Friar John Scarangello, OFM
Friar Dennis Wheatley, OFM
Friar Paul Rotondi, OFM
Friar Alvin Te, OFM
www.icprovince.org