Volume 3 ~ Issue 11; July 1-14, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE:
  • Farewell Masses

  • Immigration Resources

  • Plenary Council (PCO) in Nairobi
  • Icon + Relics on Pilgrimage

  • Letter on Climate Change

  • Juntos Como Hermanos
PRAYING OUR ‘GOODBYES’
San Carlos Mission (AZ) 
St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Los Angeles) 
An Interview with Friar Martín Ibarra, Vicar Provincial

With recent ‘farewell Mass’ celebrations, the Province of St. Barbara is completing its process of returning ministries at San Carlos Mission in Arizona (June 24, 2018), and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Los Angeles, California (July 1, 2018) from Franciscan leadership to diocesan control.  Provincial Minister Martín Ibarra reflects upon the process involved in the relinquishment of ministerial commitments. -ct

When and how did you first become involved in preparations for departure from / closure of various ministries in the Province?

It began in 2012 when I was elected Definitor and John Hardin was Provincial. We began the process of returning the two Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes-- one in Delano; the other, in San Jose. I think this was the first time we had a transition plan. We actually went to the parish and worked with the people in transitioning the leadership to the Diocese. We owe this process to John Hardin who, having in mind the People of God, pushed for having a transition time. He asked Robert Rodrigues to help put together an outline and materials for this. We have been using it in all the parishes ever since. By July 1 of this year, we will have returned 11 places since 2012. I have not participated in all of them, but in several of them.

Can you list some of the places where you have been involved in the transition process?

I have worked with 4 of the 11 places we have returned to dioceses.  The other 7 places I have participated in indirectly or not at all. For example, after finishing the transition process in the two Guadalupe (OLG) parishes, I was assigned as Director of our Mission Casa Franciscana in Guaymas, Mexico. During that time, places such as Mescalero, Tularosa, and Ascension Parish in Portland, Oregon were returned to their respective dioceses. Then, in 2016, when the new administration was elected, we had St. Francis, Sacramento returned. They used the transition process we had developed and it went very well. After that, we moved from Immaculate Conception Chapel in San Francisco and at the same time, we were doing the process at Old Mission San Miguel in which I was involved directly carrying on the transition. Although we had only two months and things were a bit rushed, it was a powerful transition. This experience thought us one big lesson: Never do transitions in just two months!  

One week after finishing the process at San Miguel, in November 2017 I started at St. Francis, LA. At the same time, we withdrew from the Apache reservation at Whiteriver (May 20, 2018). But there we didn’t use the transition process. It’s a different culture; we listened to the pastor ( Eddie Fronske). He told us that he would prepare the people personally and then arrange for the final Mass.  

Recently, I went to the San Carlos Apache reservation. We are returning our ministry there to the Diocese of Tucson as of June 24.  It’s the same process, as at Whiteriver—the transition process would not work in Apache culture. Leaving is not a celebration for them or for us. Hopefully, a representative of the diocese will be on hand to receive the ministry.  

Until now, our relinquishing of all of these places has been driven by the reality that there was just one “last man standing” and we didn’t have another friar to send in his place. We are returning St. Francis because there is no one to send there. As of July 1, we will hopefully be entering into a time that it is going to give us the possibility to breathe a bit, and be proactive instead of reactive in the process of planning and continuing our process to renew and restructure our ministries.

Can you describe the process that you use? Has it been effective?

I believe it has been a great blessing for the people and the friars in all the transitions we have worked on. There are three stages involved: 

Stage ONE: The first step--before anything else is done-- I go to the parish and assemble a “Transition Team” (TT), composed of a representative leadership of the Parish. In our first meeting, I work with the TT to create a plan and timeline for the transition. The following weekend, we officially announce at all the weekend Masses that we are beginning the transition period prior to returning the leadership of the parish to the diocese. We read letters from the Provincial and the Bishop directed to the faith community which explain the reasons why we as Franciscans are leaving and assuring, on behalf of the Bishop, his commitment to send them a new pastor. Naturally, this announcement will awake many concerns in people. Therefore, immediately after the announcement, the members of the transition team (TT) are stationed outside church at the end of Masses to begin the process of the First Stage. This will allow people to express their anger, doubts, fears, and even their feeling of abandonment. This stage takes at least two months—ideally, it take six months—to put everything into effect.  CLICK HERE FOR FULL TEXT

Photo of Martin Ibarra, OFM, C. Peter Jordan
Photos Below: Courtesy, Martín Ibarra OFM
(l to r) Friars Sebastian Sandoval, Martín Ibarra, René Juarez at Healing Mass.
Friar Sebastian Sandoval
Parish reception at Healing Mass.
From Friar Sam Nasada: Farewell Mass at San Carlos
 
On Sunday, June 24, 2018, the San Carlos Apache Catholic Community bid farewell to the Franciscan Friars, who are turning the care of this mission parish to the Diocese of Tucson. The diocese will be sending a priest to live and minister at San Carlos, but he will be an associate of the pastor of Holy Angels Church in Globe. 

According to Friar Ignatius DeGroot, the outgoing pastor, the friars have been in San Carlos since 1918. This long history with the San Carlos Apaches makes the decision to leave this place a very difficult one. At the end of Mass, Provincial David Gaa shared with the assembly how he was deeply moved the evening before whe he, along with Ignatius and Vicar Provincial Martin Ibarra, went to visit Friar Bartholomew Walsh’s grave in the cemetery close to the church. Bart, who was pastor there for many years, was given an honorary membership to the San Carlos Apache tribe and therefore had the right to be buried in this cemetery.

In his homily, Ignatius asked the parishioners to keep the love relationship that they have for one another. He reminded them that God has always been with the Apache people, even before the Franciscans arrived, and will continue to be with them after the friars leave. At the end of Mass, Ignatius invited people to write to or visit him at his new place: St. Elizabeth Friary in Oakland.

Also in attendance were other friars who live in Arizona: Friars Bob Brady, Scott Slattum, Phillip Polk, Sam Nasada, Luis Runde (SHP), and soon to be novice Andrew Dinegar.
Friars (l to r):  Phillip Polk, Minister Provincial David Gaa, Vicar Provincial Martín Ibarra, Andrew Dinegar (postulant) , Ignatius DeGroot, Luis Runde (SHP), and Bob Brady.
Provincial Minister Martín Ibarra (l)
and Pastor Ignatius DeGroot.
Friar Ignatius DeGroot, outgoing pastor, with San Carlos parishioners.
IMMIGRATION

World Refugee Day (June 20)
Video statement by Provincial Minister David Gaa.

Please click here to view Provincial Minister David Gaa's video statement.
IMMIGRATION CRISIS UP CLOSE
FROM FRIAR SAM NASADA
ITE NUNTIATE FRATERNITY
ELFRIDA, ARIZONA

The US government's zero-tolerance policy and the separation of families on our southern border have caused pain in all our hearts. Our work here in Elfrida has not been affected much by this, but I would like to share a valuable information from our friend and collaborator, Sister Judy Bourg, SSND. Sister Judy worked with Southwest Key in the past and she holds this organization in high regard. There has been much conflation of information in the media about Southwest Key. Yes, they do hold migrant children at their facilities, but they were first designed as a response to the surge of unaccompanied (not with their parents) minors from Central America a few years ago. These were mostly teenagers. Southwest Key is a not-for-profit organization and they treated these children with respect and care. The recent zero-tolerance policy, however, has caused Custom and Border Protection (CBP) to send younger children to those facilities, which are not prepared to treat that particular age group. This is the actual problem. Sr. Judy suggested that the pressure is directed not at organizations like Southwest Key, but our immigration law enforcement agencies. 

The pictures and videos of kids in cages that were distributed widely recently were not from a Southwest Key facility. They were mostly from a processing center for detained migrants that is run by CBP in McAllen, Texas. The friars from Assumption (ABVM) Province have had a presence in McAllen for year and have been very active in helping the migrant population there. In fact, one of our confreres there, Friar Tom Luczak, said that their church is only 3 blocks away from this facility. 

If you would like to help or urge your friends or parishioners to help, I suggest donating to the Florence Project ( https://firrp.org). They are a group of immigration lawyers that provide free legal help to detained migrants in Arizona, especially in Eloy and Florence detention centers. I volunteer at Eloy sometimes, just to visit with some of the migrants there. I know Florence Project has been overwhelmed by the influx of migrants who go to detention and have been charged by the government. I know one migrant who has a serious medical condition but has not been able to get proper treatment. His lawyer, from the Florence Project, is overwhelmed with other cases and has not had much time to fight for his case. Donating to this organization would help them hire more staff to represent more migrants.

Postscript: 
Friar Luis Runde (SHP), postulant Andrew Dinegar, and I attended an interfaith prayer service for migrants at St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church, Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, June 23, 2018. The event was organized by the Pima County Interfaith Council. Here are some photos from the event:

Photos: All photos by Sam Nasada, OFM
Prayer service inside the church.
Banner hung on the perimeter wall of the church, facing the streets.
The Rev. Robert Hendrickson, rector of the church, gives a welcome message to participants.
REFUGEE REPORTS
FAMILY SEPARATION &
THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS

Press, television, and social media have all been abuzz and ablaze with stories concerning the separation from their parents of infants and children at the US border. Here are a number of resources which, hopefully, be of help to friars in terms of information and organizations. If you or your parish/ retreat center is engaged in a particular activity in this regard, please let us know and we’ll post the information. -ct






FROM FRIAR BOB BRADY
St. Francis and the Novices
Icon & Relics: Pilgrimage of Prayer
Tucson, Arizona area
June 13-18, 2018

The icon and relics were placed in our living room, with a couple of lit candles, upon its initial arrival. 

Wednesday, 13 June, we were able to have the icon present, during our 6:30 A.M. Eucharist, with parishioners.

Thursday, 14 June, ( Friar Tom Frost had received some difficult news of an infection affecting his remaining heel bone, that same day). Max, Steve and myself brought the icon and prayer service to Tom at the Life Care Center, in Tucson. During the prayer service, when it addressed the possible darkness about the Province’s future considerations, we were also able to share together about our own fears as pertained to Tom's difficult news.

Sunday, 17 June: The icon was brought to Atria del Compaña del Rio, to be viewed during their 10:00 A.M. Sunday Eucharist, and viewed by all of those gathered that included our four friars in residence: Friars Peter Verheggen, Leo Spriestma, Elias Galvez, and José Zermeño.

Monday, 18 June: the icon and relics were packed up and prepared for pick up, for its route to the Ite Nuntiate friary in Elfrida, Arizona.

Our brother, Friar Clifford Herle was most moved by the visit of the icon and relics.  Friar Manuel Viera (SJBP) took a photo of the icon and we will provide Clifford with a framed copy of it for his 70th Anniversary as a friar, as our community will celebrate on Monday, 9 July. Peace and all good! (and very grateful for the visit of the icon and relics!).






St. Francis and the Novices
Artist: Kelly Lattimore. 
Photo: DT Tandy OFM
FROM FRIAR SAM NASADA
ICON VISIT
ITE NUNTIATE FRATERNITY
Elfrida, Arizona
June 18-26, 2018

For morning prayer, we usually go to the church. We normally have Angie Valdez, a faithful parishioner and caretaker of the church, pray with us. Although David Buer couldn't be with us, we had postulant Andrew Dinegar staying with us for three weeks before he moves on to novitiate. Also, we had a visit from our pastor, Fr. Tom, who’s going back to India and the next pastor, Fr. Mohana, who will take over in July. I invited them to write on the prayer journal and also to share their reflections.

All the comments/reflections:

  • Although some of our confreres had concern and fear for the consolidation of our provinces, I have a much more optimistic view. Given an element of grief, at the eventual disappearance of our individual provinces, there is also an excitement about the new possibilities. . . .It is my hope that some more new (interprovincial) communities will soon be formed to respond the "the signs of the time."

  • There is a feel of warmth and openness, joy and peace coming from Francis and the brothers. It’s what I feel from the friars from the 6 provinces who have decided to join together.

  • The theme of fire kept coming back to me. I finally got to watch the video of Episcopal Bishop Curry’s sermon at the royal wedding. Quoting de Chardin, he talked about how humanity had its first big turning point when we were able to use fire as energy for different things to advance our civilization. And if only we could do the same thing with love, then we would definitely create a new earth, the kingdom of God here. I hope we friars can really harness this love energy and use it to change the world.

  • I like how the friars look different. I think the diversity of cultures of the 6 provinces will enhance and grow our existing provincial culture. 

Photos: Courtesy, Sam Nasada OFM
Icon placement at St. Francis of Assisi Mission, Elfrida, AZ
Icon in place at Ite Nuntiate fraternity.
FROM FRIAR KEITH WARNER
PLENARY COUNCIL OF THE ORDER (PCO)
Nairobi, Kenya
June 12- 26, 2018

Greetings from Nairobi, where the Plenary Council of the Order has just concluded after some 2.5 weeks, with considerable success because it provided practical guidance to the Minister General for setting his agenda for the next few years. I knew little of these councils until I actually arrived. These were an innovation within the Order, created after Vatican II to help the Order navigate changes in Church and society, and take place in between General Chapters. They function somewhat like a Chapter of Mats, but with the primary purpose of providing counsel to the Minister General and his administration. Apparently, the last Council was rather acrimonious and unfruitful. 

Minister General Michael Perry and the General Definitorium initiated a completely different approach to this Council, using a “synodal process,” akin to that deployed by Pope Francis, a process that is consultative and deliberative, but not decisional. Every conference of the Order was asked to submit a report on the changes in society and Church, and the Friars’ responses. We received the written reports prior to arrival, and then for the first days, each conference presented highlights. From those reports, we identified seven recurring themes. During the second week, we then discussed those themes in small rotating groups through a process known as World Cafe. http://www.theworldcafe.com/key-concepts-resources/world-cafe-method/ This was an enjoyable process, and everyone was pleased at how the small groups were able to overcome language barriers. 
 
The topics we addressed were Fraternity in Mission, a rapidly changing world, youth, evangelization in light of Laudato Si, engaging youth, instruments of peace in the face of contemporary violence, and religious life in the vision of Pope Francis. I was very pleased with these topics, because they are many fundamental challenges facing the humanity, the Church and the Order. In other words, we were talking about the real issues. Summaries of these conversations were developed, and shared with the council and the administration of the order. The last week we discussed a number of practical issues and made suggestions to the Minister General regarding 2015 General Chapter mandates, finances of the Order, the location of next General Chapter, and an open mic session with the Minister General. You can see some pictures here https://photos.app.goo.gl/J3hpjsQ2PNBrDsNo8

FOR THE REST OF THE TEXT, CLICK HERE .
Friars Keith Warner & Rodrigo Ortiz
Brothers on the Bus. 
MP Isauro Covili (Chile), center, rear.
Photos: Courtesy of PCO & Keith Warner OFM
PCO: PLENARY COUNCIL OF THE ORDER
An Interim Report
Dimesse House of Spirtuality
Nairobi, Kenya
June 12-28, 2018

For the full text of Minister General Michael Perry's final remarks, CLICK HERE.

With its theme inspired from the Book of Revelation(2:7)-- “Those who have ears, let them listen to what the Spirit is saying …to the Friars Minor today”—friars from virtually around the world assembled in Nairobi for more than two weeks’ worth of meetings to discern and articulate the present and future needs of the Order. As the conference organizers noted on the Order’s website-- www.ofm.org-- noted “ . . . as we move towards the eighth centenary of the meeting of St Francis with the Sultan al-Malik al Kamil in 1219, this gathering is an invitation to embody a life of dialogue by seeking concrete ways of listening, discerning, and putting into action .”

“As the theme suggests,” they continued,” the PCO is being viewed as a listening opportunity, allowing us to better welcome the voice of God and to hear whatever He wishes to say to us today. We want to pay attention to and discern God’s will so that we may be guided along his paths. In addition, we wish to listen to one other as brothers and to deepen our awareness of the many changes occurring in the Church and in societies in every Continent — in all the places where the Order has a presence.”

According to communications director Friar Alvin Te, the sessions included participation by 63 friars (including 18 support staff), representing 48 separate entities in 31 countries.
The intense and multi-faceted activities of the fortnight worked to put into concrete form the hopes and ambitions of this project.  The World Café, for example, served as a structured conversational process for sharing in which groups of people discussed a given topic at several tables for a brief, 20-minute period of time.

St. Barbara Province was well represented by our brother, Friar Keith Warner, who served as one of the moderators for proceedings.  Minister Provincial Jack Clark Robinson of OLG province was present as well (video clip:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgZM7c6Rmpk ). Friar Francis Lee of Korea (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H8QD_kP7m8) but well-known to friars of our Province, also served as an articulate spokesmen during the Conference.

In his homily at the opening liturgy for the Conference—” A jar that does not go empty”— Minister General Michael Perry led a meditation into the encounter between the prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarapeth who, though facing certain starvation, nevertheless accorded him hospitality by offering the last of her food and drink. In a reference certainly applicable to our current world situation, Michael noted that: God is listening to those who are open to allowing God’s miracle to transpire in their lives, those who are willing to abandon all for the sake of keeping God at the center of their lives. This story, however, points to a larger reality. It seeks to inspire, to re-awaken, and to challenge the people of the Covenant to return to God.” He concluded his remarks by addressing those present: “My dear Brothers, the message of the Scriptures for each of us and for the entire Order is clear: if we return to God; if he once again becomes the center of our lives, the center of our fraternities and our Order – the same promise of the prophet Elijah will also come true for us: our jars will never be empty, nor shall our jugs ever run dry!God will transform our despair, our concerns about the future of the Order, the Church, and the world into a new song of hope, and a renewed sense of mission. Take courage, my Brothers, for God is here! Let us begin!” (For the full text of the homily CLICK HERE)

Over the ensuing two weeks, the structure and progress of the Conference began to develop their own rhythm and form. Initially, contributions from experts provided participants with a general overview of the Church and the world of today. Other sessions were devoted to listening to presentations from the Council Members from the different continents. Note, especially, remarks by Friars Tiburce Agbohouto (Togo) and Alvaci Mendez la Luz (Brazil):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq5P0JN4TwA&t=23s
  
Creative interchange was fostered by small group work and plenary discussions, focusing on the most important issues raised in the Council Members’ presentations. From a process of sharing and discussion, ideas were refined until a synthesis emerged that in turn would lead to directions and guidelines from the PCO. This material will then form the basis for a final document to be sent to the Order by the Minister General and Definitory.

For a more detailed, day by day report of the proceedings of the PCO, go to the Order’s website:  https://ofm.org/cpo2018/

For informative video clips providing cameo comments by individual friars at the Conference, see:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnMIPERO63-ZUWmVO1N4_IQ?view_as=subscriber

Photos: All photos courtesy OFM Curia.
PCO site, Dimesse House of Spirituality, Nairobi, Kenya.
Friar Keith Warner (2nd left) next to Minister General Michael Perry.
Minister General Michael Perry
greeting friars.
PM Jack Clark Robinson (OLG) addresses the meeting.
Friars chat in sessions.
World Café
The World Cafe is a structured conversational process for thought sharing in which groups of people discuss a topic at several tables. Individuals switch tables periodically and are then introduced to the previous discussion at their new table by a “table host”. Each table conversation lasts for 20 minutes and is conducted in an informal and inclusive fashion. 
The table hosts gather the opinions of the friars and write these on a large tablecloth (paper!) and then present this collection of thoughts, comments, and opinions to the next group. The participants in their turn are “ambassadors of ideas’, bringing the product of their previous group conversations to the table. 
SB PROVINCE LEADERSHIP ENDORSES
U.S. CATHOLIC CLIMATE DECLARATION

The leadership of the St. Barbara Province recently announced its endorsement of the Catholic Climate Declaration. The Declaration announces support for the Paris Climate Agreement and affirms our shared commitment in prayer, word and deed to meet its goals for the sake of the one human family and Our Common Home. To date, nearly 600 institutions, including some 40 archdioceses and dioceses, have signed the Declaration. The leaders also shared the remarkable faith-based actions they are taking in charity and justice to address climate change. The nationwide petition drive will culminate in a September 12-14 Global Climate Action Summit to be held in San Francisco.  

Additional Resources:




  • Use our letter template to encourage your bishop or priest to sign the declaration.


 
 Catholic Climate Declaration Telepresser June 18 2018
FROM PROVINCIAL MINISTER DAVID GAA
Province to Help with 
Juntos Como Hermanos Gathering
Registration Fee
September 17-20, 2018

Dear Brothers,

May the Lord give you peace! This year's Juntos como Hermanos gathering will be held in Washington, DC from September 17 to 20, 2018. This is a good opportunity to gather together for those who work or are interested in the Hispanic community. If you are interested in attending, please do. Since this is part of the Revitalization + Restructuring process, the Provincial Office is offering to pay the $200 ticket cost to attend. Each friar would be responsible for his own travel expenses. Please email me if you are attending and would like the Provincial Office to pay for the cost.  Please click here to view the flyer 
FROM FRIAR SAM NASADA
PROVINCE FATHERS’ DAY VIDEO

Just in time for the celebration of Father’s Day in the US on June 17 this year, Sam has produced this photo tribute to the ordained friars (aka “fathers”) of our Province. Most of the photos are c. Peter Jordan. You can view it at:  https://youtu.be/npgTzZvg830
IN MEMORIAM

Mr. Otto E. Buer, father of Brother David Buer, died on Tuesday June 26, 2018. He was 88 years old and at home surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Life service was held on June 29, with burial on Saturday June 30, 2018 at Calvary Cemetery in Edwardsville, Illinois.
FROM FRANKLIN FONG
ST. BONIFACE WELCOMES
PRESIDENT OF GERMANY

The recent Sunday readings speak about mustard seed and the fruits which come about from the plant that grows from the seed. It was a beautiful way to share with the President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke about how the beautiful Gubbio Project and St Anthony Foundation are but only a few of the wonderful fruits arising from the seeds of faith planted by the early German immigrants to San Francisco in the 1860's resulting in the founding of St Boniface Church as the German national church. Though our status as a national church ended in the 1960's when we became a general parish, the parish applied its many lessons of working with immigrant and refugee groups to result in the parish of 5 cultures that we have today, e.g. Filipino, Hispanic, Vietnamese, African American Gospel, and retired. And more importantly, in these past 14 yrs how we found the courage to make the leap of faith to minister to the homeless through the Gubbio Project. The tree of faith which grew from the seeds sown by the German immigrants in the 1860's has yielded a bountiful harvest in the eyes of God !

The teacher in me merged with the preacher in me as I spoke with these guests. The president is an evangelical Protestant and his wife is Catholic! So the parable of the mustard seed was perfect for the moment!

Photo: Friar Franklin Fong greets German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke at a recent service at St. Boniface Church, San Francisco. Photo: Courtesy, Franklin Fong OFM
FROM FRIAR BOB BRADY
JUDY PARKER HONORED BY FRIARS
June 26, 2018

After serving as gift shop manager here at San Xavier del Bac for 29 years, Judy Parker has been incorporated into the Province. Judy is shown here (photo) with her husband John along with Minister Provincial David Gaa and Vicar Provincal Martín Ibarra at the festivities held at Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, AZ on June 26. We thank God as we celebrate Judy’s many years of her sharing her service, talent and skill shared in so very many ways!! Photo: courtesy, M Ibarra OFM.
FROM FRIAR ANTHONY GARIBALDI

Friar Mark McPherson, who just transferred to our province this year, is in Jerusalem at the moment (June 15) fetching his belongings to move to our province. I asked him to say hello to Brother Leo Gonzalez for all of us and asked him to take a picture of him to put into OFM/FYI.







Friars Leo Gonzalez (l) and Mark McPherson (r ) in the Holy Land.
MAJOR EARTHQUAKE REPORTED IN SANTA BARBARA:
FRIAR LARRY GOSSELIN
TURNS 70

Our brother Larry Gosselin’s recent dance session with Chubby Checkers (originator of “The Twist”) was just the lead up to festivities surrounding Larry’s 70th birthday. If this is what 70 is like, we can’t wait to see what Larry’s 71st birthday will be.

Photo: Courtesy, Larry Gosselin OFM
BIRTHDAYS:
Dan Lackie ~ July 4
Antonio Gregory ~ July 6
Armando Lopez ~ July 6
Arturo Lopez ~ July 8
Henri Djojo ~ July 13
Paul Botenhagen ~ July 16
Gary Swircyznski ~ July 17
Tom West ~ July 17
Michael Doherty ~ July 18
Richard Juzix ~ July 24
Ponchie Vasquez ~ July 25
Joseph Schwab ~ July 26
Robert Valentine ~ July 26
John Summers ~ July 27
Michael Blackburn ~ July 29
Edward Sarrazin ~ July 29
FEAST DAYS:
Tom West ~ July 3
John Gibbons ~ July 12
Henri Djojo ~ July 13
Eugene Burnett ~ July 13
Elias Gomez ~ July 20
Keith Warner ~ July 22
James Lockman ~ July 25
James Seiffert ~ July 25
Joachim Grant ~ July 26
2018 Calendar
~ From Lara Hansen ~
~ UPCOMING EVENTS ~

Evan Howard Jubilee
July 8 ~ San Damiano Retreat, Danville, CA, 3-5 pm

Rite of Reception of the New Novices
Monday, July 16 ~ Serra Chapel, Old Mission Santa Barbara, CA, 11am.

First Profession of Current Novice Class
August 6 ~ Mission Church, Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 10:30 am

Guardians & Vicars
August 7–9 ~ St. Francis Retreat, San Juan Bautista, CA

SPUTY
August 7–10 ~ Holy Name College, Silver Springs, Maryland

Discernment Dinner & Prayer/Discussion
August 18 ~ St. Elizabeth Friary, Oakland, CA - 5pm

Zeno Im Solemn Profession
September 8 ~ Holy Trinity Church, Los Angeles, CA, 11am

Fall 2018 Convocations (2 sessions)
October 23–25 ~ St. Francis Retreat, San Juan Bautista, CA
October 29–31 ~ Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ

Chapter Agenda Assembly
January 7–10, 2019 ~ San Damiano Retreat—Danville, CA (NOT St. Elizabeth- Oakland)

Spring Convocations (2 sessions)
March 12–14, 2019 ~ St. Francis Retreat, San Juan Bautista, CA
March 26–28, 2019 ~ Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, CA

Chapter 2019
June 23–28, 2019 ~ Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ

OFM.FYI, the bi-weekly newsletter of the Franciscan Friars Province of Saint Barbara, is published on the 1st and 15th of each month. Editor: Charles Talley, ofm. 
Relevant submissions of texts, photos, etc., are welcome at any time 
and will be placed in the next appropriate issue. 
 Send submissions to: ofm.fyi@gmail.com