AROUND THE PROVINCE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE PROVINCE OF THE SACRED HEART September 3, 2013 —
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FRANCISCAN VOCATION CENTER Sacred Heart Province In the year 2000, the then General Minister of the Order, Giacomo Bini wrote, “It is certain that it is the Lord who calls whom he wills, as he wills and when he wills. Our part is to ask, pray, welcome and accompany on the gospel path those who are called, by the witness of our life and by our words.” This summer, the Provincial Administration, appointed Ducanh Pham and Thom Smith to the Province Vocation Office. Duc, who previously worked in the Vocation Office, has been appointed Director of the office. He has been a Postulant Director for the Province, worked with various youth groups and in parishes in the Province. Thom has been appointed Associate Director for the Vocation Office. He has been a campus minister at Padua Franciscan High School and Quincy University, as well as worked in various parish ministries in the Province. Both bring a variety of experiences and talents to this very important ministry of helping guide those who are considering Franciscan life to come to see how God might be calling them to live out the Gospel.
October 19, 2013 at 10am. The Vocation Staff is in the process of updating the web site for vocations, evaluating and planning new vocation brochures and posters and talking with those presently who have been in touch with the office seeking information about Franciscan life. Thom and Duc encourage the friars to promote vocations through the faithful and joyous witness of our life in the Province. Speaking positively about the Franciscan charism, sharing ministerial stories, and encouraging one another are all important ways of promoting vocation to those we encounter. The words and spirit of Pope Francis are very important towards guiding vocation discernment. In early July the Holy Father addressed a gathering of priests, seminarians, religious, telling them, “Jesus is telling people: ‘You are important to me, I love you and I'm counting on you.” Opening up to this love and divine call is "the secret of our joy," he said. "Don't be afraid of showing the joy of having answered the Lord's call and of giving witness to his Gospel in service to the church. Joy is contagious and attracts people to learn more about the source of that happiness.” "Please, no nuns or priests with the face of a pickled pepper," he insisted. "There is no holiness in sadness." For more information on how you and your community might promote vocations to Franciscan life and the Province contact Duc or Thom at www.befranciscan.com /
[email protected] / 773-753-1925. Michael Fowler, OFM
Duc Pham, OFM and Thom Smith, OFM Vocation Directors. Photo submitted by Duc Pham
Presently, the Vocation Office is located at St. John the Baptist Friary in Joliet, IL. Duc and Thom are planning a “Come and See” weekend (October 18-20) in conjunction with the Solemn Profession of Br. Macario Torres, OFM at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Saint Louis on Saturday,
- Blessed James Alberioni, founder of the Pauline Society
Francis looking at the big Cross in Cross in the Woods, MI. Photo by Pepe
Franciscans Making News: The SHP Franciscan Vocation Office Website is up and running: befranciscan.com. Duc Pham and Thom Smith would like the friars to send feedback, photos, suggestions, etc. to
[email protected] . You might also call Duc: 773-753-1925. Thom and Duc initiate the updated Vocation Office Website (befranciscan.com). Photo submitted: Duc Pham, OFM
This Week in SHP History
Friars from the St. Louis area gather to celebrate a Labor Day Cook out!!
Top: Guillermo Morales at the grill holding some zucchini, Paul Gallagher at the drinks; Bottom: Tom Nairn, Carrol Mizicko, Ken Rosswog, Bert Miller, and Mike Fowler. Center photo: Friends of Guillermo from Michoacán, México, and from his native Santiago de Chile joined the crowd to celebrate Labor Day. Photos by Pepe
… And Chicago, too!! Friars from the Chicago area enjoyed Labor Day at a conveniat sponsored by San Damiano Friary in Cicero. Not only were SHP friars invited, but friars from other provinces and international friars living at our friaries. Everyone had a great time! Photos by Duc Pham
Sep. 1, 1932—Women are officially admitted to Quincy College. Sep. 2, 1875—Franciscan Collegiate Institute (high school) opens in Cleveland, Ohio with 24 students and 3 friar teachers. Sep. 3, 1880—Franciscans arrive in Keshena, Wisconsin to establish a ministry for the Menominee Indians including 6 other missions. Sep. 4, 1880—Harbor Springs, Michigan welcomes 5 friars who begin work with the Odawa (Ottawa) Indian missions. Sep. 4, 1884—St. Francis Borgia Parish, Washington, Missouri (est. 1834) welcomes Franciscans to serve there and 3 neighboring parishes. Sep. 5, 1961—Classes begin at Padua Franciscan High School with 200 freshmen boys. Sep. 6, 1925— The province receives its own mission field in China beginning at Chantien, Shantung with 9 missionaries, (2 friars, 5 sisters, 2 nurses). Sep. 7, 1953—The new St. Peter's Church in the Loop, Chicago opens.
Sept. 4 Sept. 5. Sept. 5 Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Sept. 10
Joseph Zimmerman (78) Lawrence Brummer (82) Thinh Van Tran (39) Tom Vos (79) James Hickey (52) Donald Lachowicz (51)
Tan Peter Duc Do has petitioned and received permission to incardinate into the Diocese of Oslo in Norway. Tan Peter is grateful for the time he spent with the friars, and we offer him our fraternal prayers and good wishes as he continues his spiritual journey
Around The Province—Weekly Newsletter of the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart—Thom Smith, OFM /Pepe Martínez, OFM— Office of Communications—3140 Meramec Street, Saint Louis, MO 63118-4399 Thom 314-655-0550—
[email protected]—Pepe 815-272-3907—
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