OFM.FYI - The Newsletter of the Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Barbara

Volume 5 ~ Issue 3

Rest in Peace, Brother Anthony

Anthony Lavorin celebrated his 100th birthday on February 28, 2020—our oldest friar ever. His caretaker, Fr. Bob Valentine, organized a great birthday party for him. “It really was a historic and blessed day,” he says. “Anthony was in good spirits, surrounded by friends and family. In a group discussion, everyone expressed appreciation for Anthony's life and work. It was testimony not just to Anthony, but for everyone's vocation.”

We are blessed to have celebrated this day with him, as he was called home on March 20, 2020. A small service was held today (March 27) in Oakland.

Here is a slideshow with images from Brother Tony's birthday and service:

Brother Anthony Lavorin, OFM,

Born: February 28, 1920

Investiture: July 11, 1948

Solemn Profession: July 8, 1961

Died: March 20, 2020

Inurned at Old Mission Santa Barbara

The Rule and Life of the Friars Minor is this: to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without anything of one’s own, and in chastity. May our brother who promised to observe all this be filled in heaven with the blessings of the Most High Father. Amen.

Merciful Father, we commend our brother into your hands. We return to you the gift you have given us in his life among us and in the service of your people. We thank you for all that you have done for him and for all you have done for us through him. Welcome him into your kingdom, and comfort us who remain. Strengthen our faith, increase our hope, and deepen your love within us. We make this prayer through your Son Jesus who is our Resurrection and Life. Amen.

May He Rest in Peace.

Celebrating Br. Ivo Toneck´s Life

by Tommy King

Br. Ivo Toneck, OFM—carpenter, construction worker, motivator of youth in mariachi and classical music, lover of the poor, visionary, construction project developer… the list goes on. As Ivo requested, he went out in ceremonies filled with beautiful music.

Wednesday, March 4th, 2020, was Ivo´s wake service. From 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, people from all over Guaymas and from other cities came to pay their respects. Ivo´s body laid in the simple wooden casket he made himself in the social hall of Bellas Artes, where the Youth Symphony rehearses. Bellas Artes rents out the space for weddings, quinceñeras and other social events to bring in income for the Youth Symphony. From 6 to 8 PM, in a packed house of about 300 people, we prayed the seven mysteries of the Franciscan crown interspersed with reflections of praise from friars, friends, and public figures, with music from several different ensembles from the Youth Symphony and Choir. From 8 to 11 PM, the mariachi music went nonstop, all in honor of Ivo. At about 11:30 PM, a small group of friends and friars looked on as the lid of Ivo´s casket was nailed shut.

The funeral started at 10 AM on Friday morning, also in Bellas Artes to a packed house of more than 300 people. I presided at the Mass while Fr. Martín Ibarra officially represented the Province of St. Barbara. Fr. Fredy Gálvez Ángulo, the Provincial from the San Junípero Serra Province concelebrated with Martín and me. A small ensemble of members of the Youth Symphony under the direction of conductor Daniel Moreno provided superb music for the Mass. Martín´s inspired preaching reminded us of Ivo´s love of beauty and the poor. We were challenged to put that love into practice as Ivo did.

Ivo´s body left Bellas Artes to the applause of all present and was loaded into his small old pick up truck. Hundreds of admirers walked behind Ivo´s body in procession to the almost completed Fray Ivo Toneck Music Conservatory, located beautifully on Guaymas Bay. People then continued in cars, following Ivo´s casket to the cemetery across town. Hundreds were present at the cemetery as we prayed together for Ivo one last time and to bless his grave. A wonderful group of mariachis, who were formed by Ivo in their youth, gave him a final send-off with another hour of spirited music. ¡Que viva Fray Ivo!-a great man and a great friar.

Welcome to Our New Vocations Assistant

Andrés F. García was born in Medellín, Colombia. In 1996, when he was 11 years old, his mother decided to move to the U.S. and brought the family to live in Queens, New York. The diocesan priests at their parish were very influential in helping Andrés’ transition and adjust to his new life in this country. He became very involved in the life of the parish. He joined the youth group and became an altar server. All throughout his upbringing, Andrés felt called to help others and was very inspired by priest’s actions towards the parish and the poor. He felt that he wanted to be like them and started discerning his vocation to the priesthood. He later joined the Vincentians of St. Vincent de Paul.

Andrés finished his B.A. in philosophy in from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, and went to the novitiate at the Miraculous Medal Internal seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He did a year of the Masters in Divinity theology program at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA. After doing some deep discernment, Andrés decided to leave formation and work in ministry as a layperson. He had the great opportunity to work with the Hispanic community in Idaho and New Jersey, and his last job was with the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in Los Angeles working in Mission Education with teachers, catechists, parish leaders, and vocation outreach. Andrés is very excited to start his new journey at the vocational office of the Franciscan Friars of the Santa Barbara province. You can email him at [email protected].

A Mission Integration Reflection

Leading Through a Crisis - Tips from Explorers & Saints

In 1914, renowned explorer Earnest Shackleton, set out on an expedition to Antarctica with 27 men. Shackleton failed, he never made it to Antarctica, yet he is acclaimed for his extraordinary leadership of his crew through an almost unimaginable crisis. After months in the bitter cold they were navigating through icebergs when they became wedged in between tons and tons of ice. Despite their best efforts they could not budge the ship and decided they’d have to wait for the thaw. It never came. They were stuck on the ship for 10 months before the ice crushed the ship and it fell apart. They lived the next 10 months in tents on the ice, with no sense of if, or how, they would be rescued.