GOOD NEWS
Issue
November 2016
#13
from Provincial Minister, Fr. James Gannon, OFM
Thanksgiving
“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.”
~ W.J. Cameron
Brothers ~
Thanksgiving ~ my favorite “holy day.” It has always been a very special day for me.
Over the years I have collected memories of Gannon Thanksgiving tables and Franciscan
Thanksgiving tables.
James Gannon, OFM, Provincial Minister
When I think of Thanksgiving I immediately have thoughts of leaves that have changed
color and are falling from trees. I think of visiting with family and friends, and watching Gimbles (now Macy’s) Thanksgiving Day Parade perched on my father’s shoulders,
anxiously awaiting Santa Claus to pass so that I could put my “Christmas Wish Letter” in
the letter carrier’s bag. As I got older there were the traditional football games on television. Other memories remind me of turkey dinners with all of the holiday trimmings;
including stuffing! Sitting at long extended dining tables. There was the real sense of
“growing up” when I graduated from the children’s card table to the adult table.
Thanksgiving Day is more than a day of fond memories, parades, football, and special
dinners. It is also a day of thanks. On Thanksgiving Day we are reminded of the bounty
of treasures that is a part of our lives. We spend a few moments before the Thanksgiving
dinner to give thanks for the richness of our lives and for our wonderful family, our Franciscan vocation, our brothers in community, our friends and benefactors. For too many
people, however, the meaning of Thanksgiving ends with spending a few moments giving thanks at the dinner table.
The true meaning of Thanksgiving, however, should not end after a prayer or a few
seconds of meditation devoted to thanks. The “holy day” of Thanksgiving has broader
significance. Thanksgiving is also a call to action. It is important for us to remember that
the word thanksgiving is composed of two words thanks and giving. Through the “holy
day” of Thanksgiving we are reminded to give thanks and to share and give. The Holiday
reminds us to share our economic and material wealth, and to share also our time and
talents with other people who could use our help. It is a call for us to spend more time
with one another, to be present to one another. In terms of thought and deed, the “holy
day” of Thanksgiving gives us an enriched perspective on the abundance in our lives.
This Thanksgiving Day take a moment and reflect on what actions you can take in the
next year to fully express the meaning of Thanksgiving. Can you think of a way to freeup one hour each week so that you can give that time to someone in need; perhaps
teaching a child or adult to read or learn the English language? Perhaps spending time
with a brother in community? What would you do during that time? By giving of your
time and talent you are acknowledging that there is a tremendous abundance in your life.
Have a Blessed and Holy Thanksgiving!
jjim
--Jim, Provincial Minister
INSIDE
St. Mary Byzan ne Church 125 years ● Didacus Weber,
recep onist ● About senior friars ● Anger ● Collabora on
Viterbo University ● Andrew Brophy ● Jubilarians
James Carroll OFM, Pastor
St. Mary ByzanƟne Catholic Church - 125 years
Sunday, October 30, 2016 a Hierarchial Divine Liturgy was celebrated with the Most
Reverend Kurt Burnette, Eparch of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy, Passaic, New Jersey. Friar Jim Carroll, OFM who has served as pastor of St. Mary’s, since August
2002 says, “The parish is under the protection, the “veil” of Mary. Our mission, as is
the mission of every other parish, is to go out into
the world. We try to go
out in service and outreach. We are trying to
assist local organizations
in Schuylkill County. We
collect food regularly for
the St. Vincent De Paul
Food Pantry, which is collectively supported by
Above: St. Mary Church, Mahanoy City, PA. Right: Bishop Kurt Burnette
Catholic and Protestant Churches of Mahanoy City. As
St. Mary’s moves into the next 125 years, the youth of the
parish challenged the people with the Jubilee theme.
Didacus Weber, OFM
With three years in the making, on October 31, 2016, Didacus Weber,
OFM joined the fraternity of Francis and Clare Friary, Franklin, Wisconsin. His easy going personality and smiling face are welcome features to
the fraternity as he assumes the role of friary receptionist.
For many callers and visitors to the Provincial Offices and Pilgrimage
Programs, Didacus is the first contact, setting the tone of welcome, and
Franciscan peace and good.
Prior to this assignment, Didacus lived at Queenof Peace Friary, Burlington, Wisconsin for five years where he helped drive friars to their many
PR
medical appointments and with food service.
“One ringy dingy, two ringy digny. Is this the party to whom I am speaking?” Telephone operator,Ernestine, a
character of Lilly Tomlin.
2
A warm welcome is extended to Page
Polk, OFM and Mark Gehert, OFM.
Page Polk’s most recent assignment
– 2015-2016 -- had been as a member
of the Franciscan Interprovincial Team
(FIT). In this capacity, along with two
other friars, Page helped guide the
United States Franciscan provinces as
they considered the many implications
and logistics of re-fashioning the OFM
Franciscan structure in North America.
Born and reared in Dallas, Texas, Page
replied to an ad of St. John the Baptist
Franciscan Province in the Dallas Catholic paper. He was accepted into the Cincinnati province in 1980.
After successfully completing Franciscan formation and the priestly program, he was assigned to St. Francis-St.
George, Hospital in Cincinnati. For the
next four years, Page served the people
in this setting.
In 1990 Page was made parochial vicar
and pastor of our Lady of Guadalupe
Parish, Galveston, Texas. In 1992 he was
made pastor of St. Patrick parish where
he facilitated the merging of one other
parish on the island.
In 2000 he became a member of the
Catholic Chaplain Corps in Houston.
There were no Catholic hospitals in
Houston. In order to provide the sacraments and counseling to the hospitalized, the diocese created a corps of
people – ordained, religious men and
women, and lay – to provide spiritual
care to those Catholics being cared for
in thirteen Houston Hospitals, none of
which had fewer than 1000 beds.
Page is now a member of Franciscan
Pilgrimage Programs with the charge
of fostering the Holy Land Pilgrimages
by presentations, being on the Holy
Land pilgrimage program staff, and
strengthening connections between
the many contacts who help make
these pilgrimages outstanding faith
growth experiences. He also is a member of the provincial council of St. John
the Baptist Province. PR
Mark Gehret, OFM, left New Orleans, Louisiana bound for St. Francis
Mission in Greenwood, Mississippi on
August 3. As you might expect after
a total of 12 years in New Orleans, he
was filled with mixed emotions. There
had been so many good relationships in
New Orleans over the years and a very
connected friar community. On the other hand, he was looking forward to his
new adventure.
After getting settled in, Br. Mark began working with a fine young maintenance man taking care of the friary,
church, school, and convent. Br. Mark
loves being in a rural area again having
grown up on a farm. He spent Labor
Day working as a volunteer at a property on the other end of town where they
are erecting a shrine to Our Lady of the
Delta. He was able to use his electrician skills to help wire up the fountain
where the statue of Mary is in place.
“Just tonight during my prayer time,
I thanked the Lord for bringing me to
this rural place and with the friendly
people who live here, and for being
able to use my trade skills. Growing up
on a farm is paying off, says Br. Mark.
Sourced from the newsletter of St. John the Baptist
Province.
As the US Franciscan Provinces continue to struggle with the practicalities of
“their reformulation,” Page and Mark
from St. John the Baptist Province and
the Assumption Province are concretizing the concept of interprovincial fraternity.
Page Polk, OFM, St. John the
Baptist Province, Franciscan
Pilgrimage Programs, Franklin,
WI
Mark Gehret, OFM, St. John the
Baptist Province, St. Francis
Mission, Greenwood, MS
ADDRESS CHANGE
Steve Dupuis
Until the chapter 0f
June 2017, Steve will
be residing at Bonaventure House, Adam
Street, Chicago, IL
Steve will be living with
Randy Roberts, who
serves as Chaplain,
Jesse Brown Veterans
Hospital, Chicago, IL.
Regis Howitz
has returned to Holy
Family Friary (St. John
the Baptist Province) in
Pittsburgh, PA where
he will doing internal
service.
3
Six years of friar presence at Viterbo University, La Crosse,
Wisconsin By Fr Richard Tulko, OFM
+Robert Konopa, OFM, 2015
Viterbo University in La Crosse, founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration as
a college and School of Nursing for their own Sisters, was in need of a chaplain to head the
campus ministry department. The school administration wanted a Franciscan presence to
enhance their Franciscan identity and so they sent out letters to various communities while
the Sisters stormed heaven with their prayers. One of the letters landed on the desk of Fr
John Puodziunas who was Vicar Provincial of the ABVM Province of Franciscan Friars. Fr John
contacted the University and began a series of on-again and off-again conversations.
In 2011, a team of three friars was cobbled together: a newly retired Marine Corps chaplain,
a former Secretary of the Province and a newly ordained friar. Fr Conrad Targonski was the
campus chaplain; Fr Richard Tulko was chaplain to the Sisters at St Rose Convent and Fr David Kelly was the chaplain to the Mayo-Franciscan Health Care Systems in La Crosse.
Richard Tulko, OFM
A member of the Viterbo Board of Trustees offered the use of his daughter’s house for the
use of the friars. With the blessing of Most Rev. William Callahan, OFM Conv., San Damiano
Friary was canonically erected in 2012. Fr Robert Konopa joined the community in 2012 as
an itinerant preacher. In a short time, he developed brain cancer and the friars cared for him
until his death in 2015.
All the friars contribute to the focus of the campus, convent and hospital with traditional
core values which are distinctive to all three institutions, viz., contemplation, hospitality, integrity, stewardship and service.
Left: Conrad Targonski, OFM,
Richard Tulko,OFM
With the death of Fr. Robert Konopa in 2015 and the transfer of Fr David Kelly to Cedar Lake,
IN, the friar community proceeds to the Provincial Chapter of 2017 with the hope that other
friars would answer the call to continue the Franciscan presence here at campus and convent.
The current friary is one side of a rented four-bedroom duplex located in nearby Onalaska,
less than a mile from the majestic Mississippi River and a 20 minute commute to campus and
convent.
For further information contact Fr James Gannon, OFM, 414-791-7433 or
[email protected]
Richard Tulko, OFM offering a blessing to the runners in the Friar Frolic, Viterbo, University
Conrad Targonski, OFM
4
David Kelly, OFM blessing animals
Down Under ... And Back -- Twice
T
o have a friar of the Province asked to serve as a pastoral Visitator to another province is an acknowledgement that the
Province has capable and exemplary men. Andrew Brophy
has been asked five times to visit and work with friars from
other entities as they evaluate, focus, and determine direction for their fraternity. Below is Andy’s reflection from
his recent experience as he visited the friars in Australia.
After 19 hours of flying and 35 hours of not having slept in a bed, my
plane landed safely in Milwaukee on October 22, following four months
of visitation in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.
It is unusual for a General Visitator to be asked to conduct the
visitation of a Province twice and, even more rare, to be asked to do
so twice in three years. Eliot Bacia once told me that he enjoyed doing
visitation. As he said, “you get to tell them what you think, then you
leave.” Well I did that for the Province of the Holy Spirit in 2013 but then I was asked to
return again. In the words of Yogi Berra, it was like déjà vu all over again. Unfortunately, as is my custom, I destroyed all of my previous notes from the first visitation in 2014.
Andrew Brophy as an Aussie.
This visitation took me to three corners of Australia, over to Auckland, New
Zealand, up to Singapore and to both East and West Malaysia. Somewhere along the
way, I lost track of how many different beds I slept in. The start of visitation took me to
Sydney during their winter, which turned out to be a mild one, then on to Singapore
and Malaysia where the daily temperature is usually close to 90. All of the friars were
very welcoming and showed me excellent hospitality.
Their Provincial Chapter took place the last week of September where Phillip
Miscamble was elected as minister provincial. Following a week of my writing reports,
the Congressus was held and moved along quickly since the funeral of a friar was to be
held later in the week. My departure from Australia included a stop in Singapore with
a stay at Greccio Friary, the formation house for the temporary professed friars of the
Custody. Despite my many offers to work, the students made sure that I did not get
sweaty in the heat. On my last Sunday in Singapore, we attended Mass at the US Naval
base where Michael D’Cruz, OFM, has served as a sacramental minister for several years.
The nine formation students served in various roles at the Mass. Ah, it was good to hear
the American accent once again.
Visiting with Aiden Peter, OFM
When I departed Sydney in 2013, I bid goodbye to all the friars and to a part of
the world that I never expected to see again. This time I told the friars that this was my
“retirement visitation” and really do not expect to be back to that part of the world
ever again. Bro. Ambrose Kyne insisted that I will keep coming back until I get it right.
The friars of Francis and Clare Friary gave me a warm welcome upon my return
to Franklin. While they gathered for a friary chapter, I went to bed. Despite the effects
of jet lag and a cold, I quickly resumed my day job here in the office. --Andrew Brophy, OFM
Enjoying dinner in Singapore.
5
Healthy Friar Living
Provincial’s
Schedule
November 9,10,11; Provincial Council Meeting, St.
Francis Friary, Greenwood,
MS
November 16-19: Annual
Franciscan Pilgrimage
Programs Staff Meeting,
Franciscan Renewal Center,
Scottsdale, AZ
November 20: Order of
Franciscan Seculars, profession, Francis and Clare
Friary Chapel, Franklin, WI
November 20: Investiture of
Novices. St. Francis Friary,
Burlington, WI
December 5,6,7: Provincial
Council Meeting, Francis +
Clare Friary, Franklin, WI
December 5: Evening
Prayer + Christmas Dinner
with Friars at Milwaukee
Catholic Home
December 6: Mid-Day
Prayer and Christmas
Luncheon with Friars at St.
Ann’s Salvatorian Campus.
December 7: Franciscan
Pilgrimage Board Meeting
and Christmas Party.
December 9: Visit Friars at
Holy Family Friary, Manitowoc, WI.
General Visitation:
The Visitation Schedule has
been sent out with a letter from
Jim Bok, OFM, our General Visitor.
Carefully review the schedule. If
adjustments need to be made,
please contact the Provincial Offices. Please remember Jim Bok
in your prayers as he participates
in the General Visitors School,
Rome, Italy and prepares for the
visitation of our province, beginning January 2017.
6
Dealing With Anger By Carmen Scuderi, OFM
Anger is an emotion everyone experiences at some point in their life.
According to Dr. John Schinnerer Ph.D. most people experience anger
around 3 to 4 times/week and in a study conducted by Dr Howard Kasinove, according to Dr Schinnerer, 58% of experiences of anger involve
either shouting or yelling, the object of the outburst was someone
closely related to or in relationship with the one having the outburst
and 10% of these outbursts involve some kind of physical violence varying from pencil throwing to real physical force causing harm or injury
to the recipient.
Carmen Scuderi, OFM
Anger is a pressing problem in today’s society and more so in the hectic pace of today’s
work-a-day world, a booming population demanding closer living quarters so private space
is increasingly encroached upon and with no resolution in sight the possibility for explosive
and inappropriate expressions of anger increase dramatically. In the words of Dr Schinnerer,
“Learning to manage anger is vital to ensure the peaceful and productive continuation of
the human race” (“What are the best treatments for anger?” Dr. John Schinnerer, Ph.D., April
2016, WebAngerManagement.com).
How do I know if I have an anger problem?
According to Research by Dr. Schinnerer, problematic anger in people reveals itself in the
frequency, severity, and intensity of the outbursts. People with anger issues report expressed
anger with high frequency, physical aggression which is extreme in its intensity, and very high
levels of negative verbal responses. This leads to an increase in drug use (including alcohol)
and an increase in hypertension (high blood pressure), destruction of personal relationships,
and marked decreases in work performance; in short the anger takes control of the life of the
person and interferes in every aspect of their existence.
While there is no specific diagnostic category for Anger in Psychology (intermittent explosive
disorder being the sole exception), there is a divided consensus between the desire of some to
have a category to empower those who need treatment to receive it from an insurance point
of view. There are the other camps who define extreme anger and a symptom of another
defined disorder such as borderline personality, narcissism, anxiety or depression.
In the next installment in this series, ways of
recognizing the symptoms of anger and how
to go about dealing with these symptoms will
be presented: the benefits of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), what “trigger-points”
are and the benefits of hyper-vigilance in
recognizing the trigger points in our persons
that begin the cascading effect of out-ofcontrol anger and rage outbursts; the benefits of relaxation techniques, meditation and
mindfulness and in further issues the role of
compassion and forgiveness in releasing, and
neutralizing the deleterious effects of anger
in our lives.
This newsletter was designed, printed and distributed by the
Communications Office of the Assumption Province.
9230 W. Highland Park Avenue
Franklin, Wisconsin 53132
Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs
During its 129 years of existence, the Assumption Province has had a huge printery,
three high schools, two retreat centers, a nationally known home misionary program, a college of philosophy, a theologate, many parishes, a weekly radio program,
a summer camp, numerous foreign missionaries -- and the many ministries you could
add as you read this.
Today, the Province, as a corporation has Franciscan Pilgrimage Programs and St.
Francis Mission in Greenwood, Mississippi.
The pilgrimage program was started by Damien Isabell (Sacred Heart Province) in
1972 as an opportunity for young friars before solemn profession to visit the Franciscan places inItaly. Roch Niemer (†2010) joined the program in 1978 and, when
Damien decided to do missionary work, Roch became director in 1981.
Roch Niemier, OFM, †2010
Roch’s contribution was to emphasis the spirituality of place. The idea was that insight into Sts. Francis and Clare could be gained through the places where he lived.
Thus the pilgrims journeyed to places important in the life of Francis. Through pilgrimage, participants would come to know the depth of St. Francis’ soul and the call
to conversion he felt in his heart.
Eventually this experience was open to all Franciscan families and anyone who had a
devotion, love and interest in St. Francis and St. Clare.
After twenty-four years as director, Roch stepped down and John Cella assumed responsiblity for the management and development of Franciscan Pilgrimages in 2005.
John had a vision to expand pilgrimages to Ireland, Mexico and the Holy Land along
with special programs to celebrate annual church events that would have a relationship to Franciscanism. He expanded the staff to more than 40 people from all the
Franciscan families and includes many oustanding Franciscan scholars.
John Cella, OFM, current Director of Franciscan Pilgrimage
Programs.
Franciscan Pilgrimages is very healthy with an annual, average number of more than
six hundred pilgrims. It continues to be a strong, powerful contribution to the Franciscan movement in the 21st century.
A very practical effect the pilgrimage programs has for the province is the fact that
people associate this ministry with the Assumption Province, thereby giving the province an International reputation.
Visit www.FranciscanPilgrimages.com and see the pilgrimages for 2017, current staff and videos about Franciscan Pilgrimages.
Photo: Basilica of St. Francis, Francis as a defeated knight, Assisi, Italy
Sr. Linda Tan, OSF, joined the
staff in 2008 as Administrative
Assistant. Her background in
leadership roles in her community and as president of the
Franciscan Federation, serves
her well as she deals with the
many questions and logistics of
our pilgrims.
The above narrative was
partially sourced from “The
Pulaski Franciscans: A History
of the Assumption Province
1887-2011”, by Jerry Tokarz,
OFM, 2013, pp. 583-584.
7
Jubilarians Honored at Leadership MeeƟng in Techny
The friars who were celebrated are: Sergius Wroblewski, 75 years of simple
profession; David Typek and
Melvin Wierzbicki, 70 years
of simple profession; Blase
Karas, Rene Barczak, Laurian Janicki, Henry Kolbok,
Placid Stroik, Adam Szufel,
Theodore Tokarz and Jerome
Zawada, 65 years of simple
profession; Stephen Dupuis
and Regis Howitz, 50 years
of simple profession; Brendan Wroblewski, 65 years of
solemn profession; Nathan
Jaskulski and Richard Tulko,
60 years of solemn profession; Carl Graczyk, Leslie
Hoppe, and Jerry Tokarz,
50 years of solemn profession; Bronislaus Jaskulski
and Sergius Wroblewski, 70
years of priesthood; Stanley
Janowski, 50 years of priesthood; and Michael Surufka,
25 tears of priesthood.
On the final day of the Province’s Leadership Meeting, September 29, 2016, in Techny,
Illinois the 2016 Jubilarians were blessed, feted and celebrated as approximately 35+
friars joined them for this special event.
Prior to this celebration, the leadership of the Province held its annual meeting.
Guardians, vicars and directors gathered to hear reports. Brian Bangart updated
the friars on financial accountability and office procedures; Charleen Duley spoke
about the expanded and changing needs of the aging of the Assumption Province.
Featured speakers from St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point, Indiana spoke
about the psychological causes of hoarding. Having desribed this abberation, ways
of helping people deal with the problem were offered. Another speaker gave suggestions to deal with confrontation.
During the banquet for the Jubilarians, there was an “open mic” for frairs to offer
their reflections on the experiences they had with friar jubilarians. It was an opporunity to remember and give thanks publically for the effect the celebrants have had
on others during their many years of fraternal living. PR
Below: Participants in the Leadership meeting and Jubilarian Celebration, Techny, Illinois.
Melvin Wierzbicki, OFM, 70 years of simple profession
m
m
Below: Melvin’s family which
included: newphews, nieces,
great nephews and great nieces,
great, great nephews and nieces.
On November 5, 2016, a jubilarian celebration was held for Melvin Wierzbicki,
OFM,who is a resident at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus, Milwaukee, along with Raymond Zsolczai, OFM. Michael May arranged
a Eucharist celebrated by Provincial Minister,
James Gannon, which was followed by a
sumptuous meal.
Standing, left: Finian Zaucha, OFM, Michael May, OFM, Kevin Schroeder, OFM,
Bronislaus Jaskulski, OFM, Leslie Hoppe, OFM, Joachim Studwell, OFM, Stephen
Malkiewicz, OFM. Seated, left: Melvin Wierzbicki, OFN, Raymond Zsolczai, OFM