Franciscan Friars
Province of the Immaculate Conception
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Provincial Update - March 2020
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A LENT WE WILL NEVER FORGET
Dear Brothers,
These are unusual times. I am sure that none of us have ever experienced what is happening today, and probably couldn’t have imagined it either. With the worldwide pandemic of the COVID-19 or coronavirus, our lives have been turned upside down.
First of all, there has been a lot of confusion. Sometimes we don’t know who to believe. We may hear different things from various sources, whether it’s our national government, local leaders, medical doctors, scientists, the media, various internet sites, religious figures, and the local rumor mill. There are those who say there is nothing to this- it is no worse than the common cold or influenza. Others warn about Armageddon- the end of the world as we know it.
We see before us many changes- changes to the way we live our lives and go about our day to day activities, changes to our ministry and our liturgical schedules, and changes to the way we interact with one another. For our spirituality and worship, we see our churches closed, masses and sacraments cancelled, and the prospect of our Holy Week and Easter celebrations not being observed this year. Who would have ever thought that these important events in our spiritual and liturgical lives would suddenly disappear?
Perhaps, as men of faith, we should look at this in a different light.
This can be the most important Lent for us ever.
For the sacrifices we are asked to make during this pandemic constitute a true Lenten fast for us- something which not only is painful, but which shakes us to the core. Even though we may crave the beauty of our liturgies, the interaction with our parishioners and friends, and the solemn observances of the Sacred Triduum, this is truly a sacrifice and a fast which touches our very souls. This is a surrendering of that which we value so highly in our journey and depend upon for our spiritual sustenance and support. This, indeed, challenges us to a far greater extent than any fasting from food or abstinence from meat. It far surpasses any bodily penance we may have been used to. And, when we think about it, doesn’t it make past Lenten fasts and sacrifices seem trivial and small?
The bigger question is, how do we survive? How do we get through all of this? The latest estimates, at least here in the USA, tell us that it may be well in into the summer before we see any abatement. I think the key to meeting this challenge is in the very things that we hold so dear- our faith in God, and our love for one another.
It is important that we keep praying. If you are in a parish, the suspension of Masses does not excuse us from the obligation to celebrate Mass in community, and to pray. We know that the Eucharist, the Liturgy of Hours, communal and personal prayer, and our fraternity will be the sustenance that can never be overcome or defeated. We need to constantly remind ourselves that all of the things which Jesus and our Father St. Francis taught us still hold true.
So, brothers, let us be attentive to one another. Let us assist and support our brothers in fraternity. Let us be mindful of our medical and scientific personnel, and not only listen to them, but obey their directives. Most of all, let us be mindful of our elderly and sick friars- those who are most vulnerable in this tragic time.
With blessings and peace,
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Fr. Robert Campagna, OFM
Provincial Minister
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Guidelines for the Coronavirus Outbreak
Province of the Immaculate Conception
New York NY
The Health Care Committee of the province, along with the provincial administration, has issued the following guidelines for the friars in dealing with the Coronavirus Crisis. We encourage all our friars to study and discuss these guidelines, and to take appropriate action to safeguard their own health, the health of their brothers, our employees and volunteers, as well as those who depend on our ministry.
Epidemiologists tell us that those most vulnerable to catch the coronavirus are those who are older (60 years and over), and have pre-existing health issues, such as heart conditions, cancer, diabetes, asthma, and other medical factors which compromise one’s immune system.
Personal Concerns
1.
If you are developing cold or flu-like symptoms, including running a fever, coughing, sneezing, or shortness of breath, please consult your health care provider and follow local guidelines.
2.
If you have come into contact with anyone diagnosed with coronavirus, please be extra alert to the above symptoms. Consider a period of self-quarantine.
3.
Wash your hands often with soap and hot water.
4.
Use hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes on hands and surfaces.
5.
Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose, or eyes.
6.
Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use tissues when blowing your nose and dispose of them properly. Do not re-use soiled tissues.
7.
Stay home if you are not feeling well.
8.
Public transportation should be avoided, if possible. Limit travel to what is truly necessary.
9.
Keep your immune system strong with good nutrition, proper rest, and hydration.
Fraternity Concerns
1.
Do not share drinking glasses, eating utensils, cups, or other items
2.
Thoroughly clean frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as countertops, light switches, doorknobs, cabinet handles, computer keyboards.
3.
Do not share food items or eat from each other’s plates.
4.
Try to limit physical contact with others. Avoid shaking hands, hugging, etc.
5.
If someone is showing signs of a cold or fever, stay at least three feet away from them.
6.
Avoid going out in areas where there are large crowds.
7.
Be particularly aware of our elderly and sick friars. Please be attentive to their needs.
8.
Check before visiting friars in hospitals or nursing facilities. Many have banned visitors for the time being.
Ministerial Concerns
1.
Be mindful of and observe diocesan regulations regarding liturgical celebrations
2.
When celebrating Mass, avoid using the purificator to wipe your mouth. This is a great way of spreading germs.
3.
When concelebrating, priests should consider receiving communion through intinction rather than drinking from a common chalice.
4.
Many dioceses have suspended communion from a common cup, communion on the tongue, shaking hands at the sign of peace.
5.
Other areas of concern are the use of holy water fonts, veneration of sacred objects (such as kissing a relic), use of items such as missalettes and hymnals, and other items which may transmit body fluids or germs. Try to avoid licking your finger(s) when turning pages during Mass, especially when using liturgical books and rituals.
6.
Please avoid physical touch of other people, including shaking hands during the Sign of Peace, or at the end of Mass.
7.
Discourage those who are obviously sick (coughing, sneezing, blowing of noses, etc.) from attending Mass. Even if it is just an allergy or common cold, we must not take a chance that it is something more serious (especially when there is self-diagnosis).
8.
Consider postponing events which may attract a large number of people, such as dinner dances, fund raising activities.
9.
Pray for those who are sick. Pray for healing. Pray for a speedy end to the coronavirus crisis.
In Conclusion
As Franciscan Friars, we have many obligations- to ourselves, to our fraternity and those we live with, to our province, and to our parishioners and those whose spiritual welfare we have been entrusted with. It is important for us to stay informed on the latest developments, be familiar with local, community, and governmental information, and, most of all, use common sense in all of this. While we should not overreact to what is happening, we also should not be complacent or ignore what we see and hear around us. We must believe the scientists and the medical professionals. Err on the side of caution and be mindful of each other.
For more information check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
) as well as state and local web information. Please notify the Provincial Minister if any of the friars are diagnosed with the coronavirus.
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From the Postulancy Program in Caledon
Dear brothers,
Greetings from the postulancy house in Caledon.
The postulants here are doing well. They are all mentally preparing for their eventual departure to Rome, whenever that will be. It was scheduled for April 19, but a different date may be set now due to the pandemic. We hope and pray that things are resolved quickly and life can get back to normal. We did see Dmitry Neill, one of the postulants heading home, for personal reasons, and wish him all the best for his future. Now, we have four postulants here in Caledon, moving on to Rome with the ones from Brooklyn, and eventually to Novitiate in Assisi. Please keep them in prayer.
We are saying a special thank-you to Fr Joseph Powell OFM, who has been with us now since January of 2019. On Monday, March 16th, he will be heading to his new Assignment in Derry. We wish him all the best while thanking him for his amazing service and care as a formator who has truly accompanied our postulants every day and brought a lot of blessings to this house and program, too many to mention here at this time. Thank-you, Joseph for your dedication and hard work.
We look forward to the good things the Lord has arranged in the upcoming days and months and ask his special protection upon all of us. Wishing you well dear brothers. Fraternally,
Pierre Farrugia ofm - Caledon
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FROM OUR NOVICES IN ASSISI
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Greetings from Assisi
First of all, we thank God because we are half way through our novitiate. Everything is going well. We would like to share with all of you some of the things we have done since the last time we wrote to you.
Usually every Thursday is our “day out”, a day in which we can go out and explore Assisi or we can stay home and take advantage of this time to do our own things. Just a couple of weeks ago Br. Oscar Valle and I decided to climb the Mount Subasio, which is a 4,232 foot mountain. Its was a really great experience. We started our adventure at 9.30 AM when we left the San Damiano friary. We reached the peak around midday. There we ate some snacks and fruits that we took with us. We remained for a couple of minutes appreciating the view. We could see far away the mountains covered with snow and all the Spoleto valley. It was an all day long adventure because we arrived at the friary just a couple of minutes before the evening prayer that we pray every day at 5.00 PM during winter time along with adoration.
We also have visited some of the friaries that belong to the Assisi Province. On January 16th, the feast of the first Franciscan martyrs we went to a town called Amelia which is a medieval town. Here we visited the friars at the Nostra Signora Annunziata Friary. It was here that our novice master Fr. Pietro Gasparri made his novitiate more than 50 years ago. He shared with us some stories from the time he was a novice. At midday we had lunch with the friars. In the evening we joined a group of pilgrims who came to visit the planetary which is part of the friary and is one of the ministries the friars give to the community. One of the friars explained to us some of the wonders of our universe.
In the evening we went to another town called Terni (the birth place of some of the first Franciscan martyrs) to take part in the mass to commemorate the 800 years of the martyrdom of the first friars. The mass was celebrated by the provincial minister of the Assisi Province, Fr. Claudio Duregheti and was also concelebrated by many priests. After the mass we had dinner in the basement of the church along with the Secular community.
From January 27th to 30th we had a workshop entitled “The beauty of the Consecrated life” given by Sister Simona, who is one of the teachers at the Antonianum University in Rome. It was a wonderful time that we had to listen and to reflect on the gift of religious life. It was also a time to get to know other men and women at the same formation level.
On February 22nd we celebrated the anniversary of the Assisi province. It was a special occasion for the friars to get together, not just to celebrate their province but also to celebrate the anniversary of profession of some friars. Our novice master was celebrating 60 years of profession. The meeting began with a talk by one of the friars who spoke about “The Economy of Pope Francesco”, an event that was going to take place at the end of March but was moved to November due to the emergency of the Coronavirus. Then we had the mass at the Porziuncula.
On February 25th we visited another friary. This time we went to Montesanto friary in a town called Todi, which is the town where Fr. Jacopone of Todi was born. It is about an hour drive from Assisi. One of the friars shared with the story of this XIII century friary. We also learned the different ministries in which the friars of this community are involved. It is important to mention that in this place have stayed Saint Leonard of Port Maurice and Saint Bernardine of Siena. After lunch we visited the downtown area of Todi. We could see the house where Fr. Jacopone was born. We also visited the Church where Fr. Jacopone is buried.
It is always a joy to share with all of you how life at the novitiate is going. Let us pray for each other. May God bless and give his peace to all of you.
Fraternally:
Br. Oscar Valle
Br. Luis Hernandez
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Br. Oscar with friars after the mass for the First Franciscan Martyrs
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Novices visiting the museum at Nostra Signora Annunziata Friary
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Our novices, Brs. Oscar and Luis on the peak of Mount Subasio.
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Montesanto Friary, where St. Leonard of Port Maurice and St. Bernardine of Siena stayed.
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Br. Oscar with Br. Rafael- fellow Nicaraguans.
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Br. Oscar Valle and Br. Luis Hernandez before the anniversary mass of the Assisi Province.
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Br. Luis in the town of Todi.
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Burial place of Jacopone da Todi
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NEWS FROM THE CONVENTO
S. FRANCESCO, ROME
Editor's Note: This month's report from the Convento was written by Friar Daniel Ramirez Luna, who just joined our province. Welcome, Daniel, and thank you for a great article.
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Visit of Minister General Michael Perry to the Convento.
Peace and all good! Dear Brothers, for me it is a great honor and a joy to be able to write this article for the first time. I hope that this Lenten season has been an occasion to encounter God anew and to remain close to Him.
Pope Francis in his Lenten message writes:
"This year the Lord grants us, once again, a favorable time to prepare to celebrate with renewed hearts the great mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of our personal and communal Christian life." He goes on to say: “It is good to contemplate more deeply the paschal mystery through which God’s mercy has been bestowed upon us. Indeed, the experience of mercy is only possible in a "face to face" relationship with the crucified and risen Lord "who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20), in a heartfelt dialogue between friends ".
Florence
This month our fraternity lived several moments that have encoraged us on our journey. First we went to “Florence” which is a very interesting, beautiful, ancient city. We started by visiting the different basilicas (Santa Maria Novella, the Cathedral, Basilica of the Holy Cross and the Basilica of San Lorenzo) and then we went to the “Piazza della Signoria” and on to the “Ponte Vecchio”. It was a great time to share fraternity. Each of us was able to experience Florence and learn a little of the history of this beautiful city.
Visit from the Minister General
Furthermore, February 22 we had the pleasure of receiving the Minister General, Friar Michael Anthony Perry, OFM. The fraternal visit was a beautiful gift from God. To start, we went to the library to enjoy a brotherly dialogue where some of us asked questions and the Minister General, plainly and attentively, responded to them. He gave us his important vision about the Order and how to live out our charism in today’s world. Friar Michael emphasized that fraternity and minority cannot be lived in the same expression everywhere, however the essence remains the same. After our dialogue we shared lunch together. For all of us this meeting was an occasion of hope and joy. As time goes on his health is improving and we pray that God will continue to bless him in his life and ministry through the maternal intercession of Mary Immaculate. We hope to have another opportunity in the future to welcome him again to Convento San Francesco.
“Corona virus”
At the end of the February, the “Corona virus” began to spread rapidly and although the first contagion occurred in China, it somehow found its way here to Italy. It all started as a rumor regarding the existence of this virus, through television news and social media. However, days later, the government officially published the number of infected and the way the virus spread, especially in Lombardy region of North Italy. In a matter of days, the virus had reached other towns, and now there are some cases here in Rome. Here in Convento San Francesco we have taken a number of precautionary measures including washing our hands with soap for at least 20 seconds when we return home.
In recent weeks, the Italian government declared a state of emergency due to the number of infected and the rapid spread of the virus. It is a strange crisis because we are all aware of the disease, but at first sight we do not see it. A person can be in close range to an infected person without showing any symptoms. One can be by their side and not notice anything abnormal. We are all susceptible to the virus: children, young adults, older adults, professionals, baristas (at the coffee shop), police, the pope and even government ministers.
That is why the Italian government has decided to close many public places. Initially, they decided to close the churches and parishes as well, for Eucharistic celebration and pastoral activities, however they remained open for personal prayer while respecting certain regulations. Then they closed the schools and universities, so all the lessons are being followed online and through alternative formats. (which is now the case both with those who are at the "Antonianum", and for me with the Italian course at ProLingua).
Today, March 12, the government has decided to close bars, restaurants, barber shops, public meeting places (la piazza) etc. Many places are deserted, there is almost no traffic on the street and the buses are empty which is rare in Rome. To move to another region a special permit is required. It has been recommended to stay at home and to only go out of the house to do what is necessary and to avoid crowded places. The hashtag
#iorestoacasa
(I stay at home) gives us an indication of how to respond to this virus which we are following. Also, as a sign of solidarity with the government's recommendations as well as the churches we are keeping a certain distance in the refectory, we have omitted the greeting of peace during the Mass, and we are attentive to hand washing. From each experience we can draw a lesson. For us this has been a time of crisis and of uncertainty. We are learning to adjust and be vigilant. We have placed our confidence in God, his Blessed Mother Mary Immculate.
During this time, we are seeking to increase our prayer. The chapel is the place of encounter with God and it is where we entrust to his mercy those infected by the virus. We know that at this time we are asked to maintain distance so prayer is the truest way of being united. Therefore, we ask you to keep us in your prayers and also for this beautiful and welcoming country that has been affected greatly by the virus. God bless you all!
Fra Daniel Ramírez Luna
P
hotos below: The brothers making the best of their "quarantine"
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(Above) The Convento fraternity in Florence
Photos below: Empty streets of Rome
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From Friar Josh Critchley, OFM
Interprovincial Post-Novitiate Program
Chicago
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Br. John Barker, OFM, was the presenter of our Lenten Reflection Days on March 6-7, where about 50 Conventuals, OFMs and Capuchins attended, at the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown, in Libertyville, Illinois. Br. John is a Franciscan friar with the Province of St. John the Baptist in Cincinnati.
The focus of his talk was on the Book of Ecclesiastes, particularly Qoheleth, David's son, the King of Jerusalem. It was a unique learning opportunity and fostered fraternal bonding. Br. John gave everyone examples of several early prophets who struggled to seek meaning in their lives.
Br. John asked several questions to ponder as he covered the first six chapters of Ecclesiastes:
What has been your experience of the meaning of Life? What is the best way for you to live ? Who am I to God? In our sense of holiness, What does it mean to be a friar?
St. Francis had a great sense of joy! Do you fall more into experiencing or remembering? What is your balance? Are you happy or bogged down in moments of Life?
What makes us happy and brings us joy is often a signal in the direction for which we are to live out our Faith. Francis did this, not without struggles but with trust and radical poverty. Giving Francis's life great joy and meaning. Are we not called to do the same?
The Lenten Reflection ended with all the brothers celebrating Eucharist together in the chapel followed by a delicious dinner.
Br. John Barker has served on the Catholic Theological Union faculty since 2012. His main areas of Biblical research relates to formation and function of biblical texts, particularly the prophetic literature, and biblical theology.
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LETTER OF THE GENERAL MINISTER
TO ALL OF THE BROTHERS OF THE ORDER
On Coronavirus
May the Lord give you peace!
Over the course of these past more than three months since the discovery of the new Coronavirus, we have witnessed its progressive proliferation from one specific region in China to more than 115 countries. Virtually the entire human community finds itself engaged in a major battle to try to contain its further spread, care for those who are infected (more than 126,000), and mourn loved ones who have died (more than 4,500). The economic impact on nations, families, individuals, and most especially on the poor will, undoubtedly, be catastrophic.
In the early stages of this pandemic we might have found ourselves feeling protected, immune, distant, and perhaps even a bit unconcerned with the virus and its impact. However, as the virus continues its seemingly unrelenting spread, we find ourselves at the epicenter of a crisis. There are still many scientific aspects of the virus that are not yet fully understood. It respects no borders or boundaries: physical, social, psychological, religious, or cultural. Its strategic capacity to jump from one host to another makes it particularly virulent. The responses that are being designed and implemented by governments to halt its proliferation are making demands on many of us that restrict the exercise of our personal freedoms the likes of which many of us have never experienced. And yet, these measures are necessary to prevent further advance of the virus. Special prayers go out to those who are serving on the front lines as medical personnel, those engaged in research to find a vaccine, and governments struggling to find effective responses to ensure the safety and well-being of their people.
My intention in writing to you at this time is to try to help allay fears and anxiety. For those of us living in countries that are to date disproportionately affected, I wish to encourage you to remain strong in your faith. For those living in countries experiencing fewer infections, remain vigilant in all things. During this special liturgical season of Lent, Christian believers are invited to accompany Jesus, recalling the great struggles and crises he faced, recalling also his death on the cross as a sacrifice of pure love. But neither suffering nor death had the final word over his life, nor should they have over our lives. The hope provided by the resurrection, and by daily acts of justice, mercy, and love should inspire us to look beyond all fear, all anxiety, and perceive the presence of Jesus who continues to speak the same words to us as he did to his beloved friends and disciples: “Have no fear! I am with you until the end of the age!”
In the midst of this global epidemic, let us not lose sight of the many millions of people around the globe who are suffering from other crises. Our hearts go out in a special way to the people of Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, Mindanao, the Republics of Sudan and South Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon, and to brothers and sisters living in other parts of the world where human dignity, fundamental rights, and basic physical survival are under threat. Let us seize the invitation for us to move beyond all divisions, all fears, and seek the paths leading to authentic dialogue, cooperation, and the promotion of the well-being of all of humanity, most especially those who are poor and excluded. Let us also deepen our commitment to love and care for the natural environment, our common home.
May the Lord bless each of you, my dear brothers, and may we allow the strength of our convictions, our commitment to the Gospel way of life inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, to enable us to be faithful witnesses to the power of the love and hope that our faith offer to us, indeed, to all of life.
Rome, March 12, 2020
Fraternally yours in Christ and St. Francis,
Br. Michael A. Perry, OFM
Minister General and Servant
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April Birthdays
Take time to wish our friars a Happy Birthday!
Fr. Guy Vellardita - April 3rd - 89
Br. Joshua Critchley- April 3rd - 26
Bishop Joseph Bonello - April 4th - 59
Fr. Octavio Salinas - April 6th - 67
Fr. Alphonse Ferreira - April 9th - 86
Bishop Roberto Camilleri - April 24th - 69
Fr. Jules Wong - April 28th - 77
Br. Gabriel Aceto - April 29th - 71
Br. John 'Jack' Sidoti - April 30th - 24
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2020 ANNIVERSARIES
Ordination to the Priesthood
65 Years-Roderick Crispo
60 Years-Primo Piscitello
50 Years- Antonio Riccio, Charles Soto
40 Years- Patrick Boyle
25-Aziz Eissa
Solemn Profession
25 Years- Stephen Galambos, Aziz Eissa
40 Years- Courtland Campbell, Mario Julian
60 Years- Romano Almagno, Paschal DeMattia,
Brennan Egan, Claudio Moser
First Profession
25 Years- Charles Trebino
40 Years- Rafael Fernandez
50 Years- Charles Gingerich, Ronald Bolfeta
60 Years- Amedeo Nardone
65 Years- Robert Caprio, Flavian Mucci,
Ralph Paonessa Simeon Distefano,
John Bavaro, Claudio Moser
70 Years-Guy Vellardita, Alexis Anania
CONGRATULATIONS BROTHERS
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Saint Anthony Friary, Catskill celebrates St. Patrick's Day
The friars had a special celebration in honor of St. Patrick, since the friary is in the parish of Saint Patrick in Catskill. A special Mass was held and a wonderful meal (corned beef and cabbage???). Entertainment was provided by Friar Chris Gaffrey, OFM, who accompanied a sing-a-long on his Irish pipes and tin whistle.
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Our former parish, Our Lady Help of Christians
in East Liberty section of Pittsburgh being demolished last October.
During the late 19th century, immigrants were flowing into the city to work in the area’s numerous steel mills. The Franciscan Fathers from Italy were invited to visit Pittsburgh in 1895 to help establish an Italian parish. They took charge of St. Peter, an Italian parish, in the Hill District.
Italian residents in the East Liberty area petitioned the church to form their own parish but the petition was initially denied. To meet their needs, the pastor of St. Peter began visiting East Liberty to celebrate Mass, and the first Mass was held in February 1895 in the school of St. Peter and Paul. Thereafter a Mass was celebrated monthly.
Another petition was made to the church to establish a parish in East Liberty in 1896, which was granted. The first organizational meeting of the Our Lady Help of Christians Church was held on April 12 with fundraising for a permanent building beginning shortly after. Construction began on the sanctuary in 1897 with the cornerstone laid on September 17, and the new Baroque styled structure was dedicated on April 17, 1898. Frescoes were painted on the walls and ceiling in 1904.
A school was started in 1902 by two nuns of the Sisters of St. Francis.
The church was destroyed by a fire in 1905, and while it was being rebuilt, Mass was moved to a neighboring school. Mass was relocated into the basement of the partially finished church on December 17, and the reconstructed building was dedicated on April 17, 1906.
The population of Pittsburgh began a slow and steady decline after World War II, dramatically bleeding after many of its famed steel mills began to close in the 1970s. A shrinking congregation forced the Diocese to close the school in 1988. In July 1992, the Diocese announced the merging of five parishes and the closure of several buildings. Our Lady Help of Christians Church merged with the others to form the St. Charles Lwanga parish.
The Diocese sold the church to the independent non-denominational Heavenly Vision Ministries in 1995. Faced with mounting expenses related to building maintenance, Heavenly Vision put the church on the market in 2007.
The rectory, in poor condition, was demolished in 2014. The sanctuary was razed in October 2019.
UPDATE ON SAINT PAMPHILUS, BEECHVIEW, PITTSBURGH
From the website of St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish, Pittsburgh, which encompasses the neighborhoods of Brookline and Beechview in Pittsburgh. St. Pamphilus was one of the churches that formed the new St. Teresa parish.
UPDATE ON SALE OF ST. PAMPHILUS CHURCH & RECTORY FROM THE PASTOR
We have a formal agreement with Our Lady of Victory Maronite Church to purchase both the Rectory and Church for the sum of $660,000. They have given us hand money of $150,000 to hold the deal until the earliest of one of the following happens:
·
They have 30 days to close on the sale from the time their current building is sold (Located at 1000 Lindsay Road, Scott Township)
·
They have 180 Days to complete the execution of the sale from the time the agreement was signed February 7, 2020. (The hand money was verified that it was received by the Diocese of Pittsburgh on February 17. Since there are some rare stipulations that the sale would not go through and the hand money forfeited, we are not permitted to access this monies until the final sale of the property takes place.)
The Maronites are hopeful that their current property will sell. As soon as we hear of a sale we will inform you.
This puts us at the latest towards the date of August 5, 2020.
We will plan the final Mass for our parishioners accordingly, hoping to have it when the weather is much nicer than these winter months.
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Province News Briefs
Transitions
Friar Christopher Gaffrey, OFM is now at St. Anthony Friary, Catskill.
Friar Isaac Calicchio OFM is now at Teresian House, 200 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany NY 12203
Dmitry Neill has left the postulancy program in Caledon and has returned home.
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Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York
Gives his approval to our Provincial Chronicle.
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Cardinal Dolan sent a letter of appreciation to Friar Paul Rotondi, OFM, Provincial Archivist and Editor of the Provincial Chronicle, thanking him for sending a copy of the Newsletter.
His Eminence expressed his gratitude to the friars of the Province for our service to the faithful of the archdiocese.
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LECTURE POSTPONED
The lecture of
Sr. Clare A. D'Auria, OSF
"Keeping the Vigil of Mystery"
scheduled for Saturday, April 4 at the Duns Scotus Library has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. It has been rescheduled for January 9, 2021
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PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE FRIARS
WHO HAVE RECENTLY DIED
Friar Ivo Toneck, OFM
(St. Barbara Province)
Friar Venard Kommer, OFM
(Sacred Heart Province)
Friar Romuald Chinetsky, OFM
(Holy Name Province)
Friar Valentine Young, OFM
(St. John Baptist Province)
Friar Bruno Kemp, OFM
(St. John Baptist Province)
Friar Thomas Ennis, OFM
(Holy Name Province)
Friar Gerard Lee, OFM
(Holy Name Province)
Friar Joachim Grant, OFM
(St.Barbara Province)
Friar DePaul Sobotka, OFM
(Assumption Province)
Recently Deceased Family and Friends
Friar Giulio Mancini, OFM
(Former Provincial of the Assisi Province and nephew of Fr. Walter Mancini, OFM)
Miriam Garcia
(Step-mother of Friar Orlando Ruiz, OFM)
Let us pray for our infirm friars:
Friar Dominic Poirier, OFM
Friar Sebastian Laird-Hammond, OFM
Friar Peter Hoang Cao Thai, OFM
Friar Friar Vincent Ciaravino, OFM
Friar Michael Perry, OFM (Minister General)
Friar Frederick Mazzarella, OFM
Friar Mario Julian, OFM
Friar Aubert Picardi, OFM
Friar Jim Villa, OFM
Friar John Bavaro, OFM
Friar Simeon Distefano, OFM
Friar Thomas Hollowood, OFM
Friar Amedeo Nardone, OFM
Friar Armand Padula, OFM
Friar Flavian Mucci, OFM
Friar Claudio Moser, OFM
For our friars in skilled nursing and rehab facilities:
Friar Isaac Calicchio, OFM
Friar Daniel Morey, OFM
Friar John Bavaro, OFM
Friar Philip Adamo, OFM
Friar Lawrence Stumpo, OFM
Friar Clement Procopio, OFM
Please pray for all friars, families, friends, and benefactors,
living and deceased.
For all those affected in any way by the coronavirus.
For medical personnel and first responders.
For those in our nursing homes and hospitals.
For families separated from their loved ones due to quarantine.
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BROTHERS:
Please print out a copy of this newsletter to share with those in your community who do not have email. We hope that every friar in our province will have access to the Newsletter and that a printed copy will be posted on your friary bulletin board.
Thank you
The Management
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Province of the Immaculate Conception, New York NY
125 Thompson Street
New York NY 10012
212-674-4388
NEWSLETTER CONTACT
Please send any articles, news items, or photos to
Friar Joseph F Lorenzo, O.F.M.
Provincial Curia
125 Thompson Street
New York NY 10012
Cell: 917.337.9833
Office: 212.674.4388 Xt. 113
jlorenzo@icprovince.org
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.ICProvince.org
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