April "Come and See"

Friday, April 13, we began our last Come and See weekend for the present academic year at Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati, OH. Attending (l to r) were Matt Schmidt and Josh Roth.

Matt, 23, is presently a student at Cincinnati State working on his second undergrad degree in engineering. He comes to us from Wheaton, IL.

Josh, 21, comes to us from Union, KY and is presently working at Verst Group Logistics. Josh attended Larry A Ryle High School.

This brings the number of men who have joined us this year for a look at the Franciscan life to eleven.

First Member of Class of 2012

This morning the Admissions Board of St. John the Baptist Province recommended Ramón Castellon as the first member of the Postulancy Class of 2012. Ramón is from Santa Ana, CA and is twenty-one years old.

 

There will be more Admissions Boards yet this spring at which other young men will be presented for recommendation to Postulancy. The exact number is yet to be determined.

 

 

Please remember Ramón and the other men discerning a vocation to the Franciscan way of life in your prayers.

Bro. Al's latest "hit"

Bro. Al Mascia, O.F.M. has been writing and performing music for a number of years now. It is a ministry to which he is very dedicated and he uses it to preach the gospel message to the world. His latest attempt is a bit more humorous, but it also has a very serious message. I think that you will enjoy it.

Bro. Al's "O Thank You Hallmark"

February Newsletter Linked here is a new Newsletter from the Vocation Office. Download February 2012 Newsletter Tuesday, February, 14, 2012 3:46:40 PM | Comments (0)

Linked here is a new Newsletter from the Vocation Office.

Download February 2012 Newsletter

This weekend Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati, OH hosted a Come and See weekend with five young men attending. Pictured left to right are: Clinton Collins, Antonio Rigonan, Joshua Laporte, Shawn Fontaine, and Corey Knapke.

Clinton Collins (38) is an independent painting contractor from Kansas City, MO. Antonio Rigonan (49) is an Air Force Chaplain in Wichita Falls, TX. Joshua Laporte (22) is from Rochester Hills, MI and a student at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit Michigan. Shawn Fontaine (18) is from Dunedin, FL and a student at Saint Petersburg College in Clearwater, FL. And Corey Knapke (23) is from Saint Henry, OH and a senior at the University of Cincinnati.

Please pray for these men as they continue to determine the Lord's call in their life.

Here is the latest news from the Vocation Office. Things have been very busy and that is good.

Download December 2011 Newsletter

November 17-19, about 23,000 Catholic teens gathered att the Convention Center in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference. Along with many vendors, there were games and the Vocation Village where approximately 40 Religious Communities were present. Friar Richard Goodin, OFM and I were there and spent three days talking with wonderful young people and there sponsors. What an inspiration our young Catholics are. It is so good to spend time with them and the young adults from the National Catholic Collegiate Conference who joined us each morning. I find these events very tiring--we stood at our booth every day from 9:00 am until closing around 6:00 pm--but it is worth every minute. Many have never had a chance to meet a Religious. It is an honor to be able to represent the Franciscans in such a context. We'll hopefully do it again in two years.

Three men joined the community at Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati for a Come and See weekend. Stephen Vincent from Sulphur, LA; Justin Bell from Cincinnati, OH; and Stephen Tosterud from Bush, LA. They arrived Friday, November 4 and finished up Sunday, November 6. Brothers Richard Goodin, O.F.M. from Chicago and Roger Lopez, O.F.M. from Cincinnati assisted Fr. Don Miller, O.F.M. and Bro. Timothy Lamb, O.F.M., the Vocation Directors, with the weekend. The present class of Postulants also helped with the program.

Attached is a new newsletter from the Vocation Office featuring the reception of our new Postulants and the Solemn Profession of Friar Richard Goodin, O.F.M.

Download September 2011 Newsletter

Since the Solemn Profession ceremony on August 27th, I have been on the road--or, rather, in the air--a great deal. The trip to Spain for World Youth Day put me behind in the Vocation Office and I am trying to catch up. Lately I have visited prospectives in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas. In the near future I will be back in Pennsylvania and in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The class of 2012 is beginning to take shape but, as always, this time of the year it is too early to tell what size class we will have.

Spain was both a disappointment and a thrill. The disappointment came in the lack of organization and confusion that we all faced. There was a severe lack of communication. But the thrill came in getting to briefly see the Pope and spend time with two of our younger Friars as we visited and witnessed to the millions of young people from all over the world. I personally spent a number of hours every day hearing confessions and that was extremely satisfying.

I have also recently moved into a newly formed house in the Cincinnati area. We are in need of additional space in the city so three of us have begun a new friary in an old house which the province bought in the St. Bernard area. Things are going well as we settle in, but I haven't been home enough to really make it home yet.

This morning I am in the Kansas City airport preparing to return home. This morning I woke up to a flat tire on my rental, but AAA came to the rescue. God is good and taking care of me!!!

February 2012 Come and See Weekend This weekend Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati, OH hosted a Come and See weekend with five young men attending. Pictured left to right are: Clinton Collins, Antonio Rigonan, Joshua Laporte, Shawn Fontaine, and Corey Knapke. Clinton Collins (38) is an independent painting contractor from Kansas City, MO. Antonio Rigonan (49) is an Air Force Chaplain in Wichita Falls, TX. Joshua Laporte (22) is from Rochester Hills, MI and a student at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit Michigan. Shawn Fontaine (18) is from Dunedin, FL and a student at Saint Petersburg College in Clearwater, FL. And Corey Knapke (23) is from Saint Henry, OH and a senior at the University of Cincinnati. Please pray for these men as they continue to determine the Lord's call in their life. Sunday, February, 12, 2012 3:57:35 PM | Comments (0)

This weekend Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati, OH hosted a Come and See weekend with five young men attending. Pictured left to right are: Clinton Collins, Antonio Rigonan, Joshua Laporte, Shawn Fontaine, and Corey Knapke.

Clinton Collins (38) is an independent painting contractor from Kansas City, MO. Antonio Rigonan (49) is an Air Force Chaplain in Wichita Falls, TX. Joshua Laporte (22) is from Rochester Hills, MI and a student at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit Michigan. Shawn Fontaine (18) is from Dunedin, FL and a student at Saint Petersburg College in Clearwater, FL. And Corey Knapke (23) is from Saint Henry, OH and a senior at the University of Cincinnati.

Please pray for these men as they continue to determine the Lord's call in their life.

Here is the latest news from the Vocation Office. Things have been very busy and that is good.

Download December 2011 Newsletter

November 17-19, about 23,000 Catholic teens gathered att the Convention Center in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference. Along with many vendors, there were games and the Vocation Village where approximately 40 Religious Communities were present. Friar Richard Goodin, OFM and I were there and spent three days talking with wonderful young people and there sponsors. What an inspiration our young Catholics are. It is so good to spend time with them and the young adults from the National Catholic Collegiate Conference who joined us each morning. I find these events very tiring--we stood at our booth every day from 9:00 am until closing around 6:00 pm--but it is worth every minute. Many have never had a chance to meet a Religious. It is an honor to be able to represent the Franciscans in such a context. We'll hopefully do it again in two years.

Three men joined the community at Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati for a Come and See weekend. Stephen Vincent from Sulphur, LA; Justin Bell from Cincinnati, OH; and Stephen Tosterud from Bush, LA. They arrived Friday, November 4 and finished up Sunday, November 6. Brothers Richard Goodin, O.F.M. from Chicago and Roger Lopez, O.F.M. from Cincinnati assisted Fr. Don Miller, O.F.M. and Bro. Timothy Lamb, O.F.M., the Vocation Directors, with the weekend. The present class of Postulants also helped with the program.

Attached is a new newsletter from the Vocation Office featuring the reception of our new Postulants and the Solemn Profession of Friar Richard Goodin, O.F.M.

Download September 2011 Newsletter

Since the Solemn Profession ceremony on August 27th, I have been on the road--or, rather, in the air--a great deal. The trip to Spain for World Youth Day put me behind in the Vocation Office and I am trying to catch up. Lately I have visited prospectives in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas. In the near future I will be back in Pennsylvania and in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The class of 2012 is beginning to take shape but, as always, this time of the year it is too early to tell what size class we will have.

Spain was both a disappointment and a thrill. The disappointment came in the lack of organization and confusion that we all faced. There was a severe lack of communication. But the thrill came in getting to briefly see the Pope and spend time with two of our younger Friars as we visited and witnessed to the millions of young people from all over the world. I personally spent a number of hours every day hearing confessions and that was extremely satisfying.

I have also recently moved into a newly formed house in the Cincinnati area. We are in need of additional space in the city so three of us have begun a new friary in an old house which the province bought in the St. Bernard area. Things are going well as we settle in, but I haven't been home enough to really make it home yet.

This morning I am in the Kansas City airport preparing to return home. This morning I woke up to a flat tire on my rental, but AAA came to the rescue. God is good and taking care of me!!!

December Newsletter Here is the latest news from the Vocation Office. Things have been very busy and that is good. Download December 2011 Newsletter Monday, December, 19, 2011 12:44:25 PM | Comments (0)

Here is the latest news from the Vocation Office. Things have been very busy and that is good.

Download December 2011 Newsletter

November 17-19, about 23,000 Catholic teens gathered att the Convention Center in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference. Along with many vendors, there were games and the Vocation Village where approximately 40 Religious Communities were present. Friar Richard Goodin, OFM and I were there and spent three days talking with wonderful young people and there sponsors. What an inspiration our young Catholics are. It is so good to spend time with them and the young adults from the National Catholic Collegiate Conference who joined us each morning. I find these events very tiring--we stood at our booth every day from 9:00 am until closing around 6:00 pm--but it is worth every minute. Many have never had a chance to meet a Religious. It is an honor to be able to represent the Franciscans in such a context. We'll hopefully do it again in two years.

Three men joined the community at Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati for a Come and See weekend. Stephen Vincent from Sulphur, LA; Justin Bell from Cincinnati, OH; and Stephen Tosterud from Bush, LA. They arrived Friday, November 4 and finished up Sunday, November 6. Brothers Richard Goodin, O.F.M. from Chicago and Roger Lopez, O.F.M. from Cincinnati assisted Fr. Don Miller, O.F.M. and Bro. Timothy Lamb, O.F.M., the Vocation Directors, with the weekend. The present class of Postulants also helped with the program.

Attached is a new newsletter from the Vocation Office featuring the reception of our new Postulants and the Solemn Profession of Friar Richard Goodin, O.F.M.

Download September 2011 Newsletter

Since the Solemn Profession ceremony on August 27th, I have been on the road--or, rather, in the air--a great deal. The trip to Spain for World Youth Day put me behind in the Vocation Office and I am trying to catch up. Lately I have visited prospectives in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas. In the near future I will be back in Pennsylvania and in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The class of 2012 is beginning to take shape but, as always, this time of the year it is too early to tell what size class we will have.

Spain was both a disappointment and a thrill. The disappointment came in the lack of organization and confusion that we all faced. There was a severe lack of communication. But the thrill came in getting to briefly see the Pope and spend time with two of our younger Friars as we visited and witnessed to the millions of young people from all over the world. I personally spent a number of hours every day hearing confessions and that was extremely satisfying.

I have also recently moved into a newly formed house in the Cincinnati area. We are in need of additional space in the city so three of us have begun a new friary in an old house which the province bought in the St. Bernard area. Things are going well as we settle in, but I haven't been home enough to really make it home yet.

This morning I am in the Kansas City airport preparing to return home. This morning I woke up to a flat tire on my rental, but AAA came to the rescue. God is good and taking care of me!!!

NCYC Conference November 17-19, about 23,000 Catholic teens gathered att the Convention Center in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference. Along with many vendors, there were games and the Vocation Village where approximately 40 Religious Communities were present. Friar Richard Goodin, OFM and I were there and spent three days talking with wonderful young people and there sponsors. What an inspiration our young Catholics are. It is so good to spend time with them and the young adults from the National Catholic Collegiate Conference who joined us each morning. I find these events very tiring--we stood at our booth every day from 9:00 am until closing around 6:00 pm--but it is worth every minute. Many have never had a chance to meet a Religious. It is an honor to be able to represent the Franciscans in such a context. We'll hopefully do it again in two years. Monday, November, 21, 2011 11:40:01 AM | Comments (0)

November 17-19, about 23,000 Catholic teens gathered att the Convention Center in Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference. Along with many vendors, there were games and the Vocation Village where approximately 40 Religious Communities were present. Friar Richard Goodin, OFM and I were there and spent three days talking with wonderful young people and there sponsors. What an inspiration our young Catholics are. It is so good to spend time with them and the young adults from the National Catholic Collegiate Conference who joined us each morning. I find these events very tiring--we stood at our booth every day from 9:00 am until closing around 6:00 pm--but it is worth every minute. Many have never had a chance to meet a Religious. It is an honor to be able to represent the Franciscans in such a context. We'll hopefully do it again in two years.

Three men joined the community at Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati for a Come and See weekend. Stephen Vincent from Sulphur, LA; Justin Bell from Cincinnati, OH; and Stephen Tosterud from Bush, LA. They arrived Friday, November 4 and finished up Sunday, November 6. Brothers Richard Goodin, O.F.M. from Chicago and Roger Lopez, O.F.M. from Cincinnati assisted Fr. Don Miller, O.F.M. and Bro. Timothy Lamb, O.F.M., the Vocation Directors, with the weekend. The present class of Postulants also helped with the program.

Attached is a new newsletter from the Vocation Office featuring the reception of our new Postulants and the Solemn Profession of Friar Richard Goodin, O.F.M.

Download September 2011 Newsletter

Since the Solemn Profession ceremony on August 27th, I have been on the road--or, rather, in the air--a great deal. The trip to Spain for World Youth Day put me behind in the Vocation Office and I am trying to catch up. Lately I have visited prospectives in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas. In the near future I will be back in Pennsylvania and in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The class of 2012 is beginning to take shape but, as always, this time of the year it is too early to tell what size class we will have.

Spain was both a disappointment and a thrill. The disappointment came in the lack of organization and confusion that we all faced. There was a severe lack of communication. But the thrill came in getting to briefly see the Pope and spend time with two of our younger Friars as we visited and witnessed to the millions of young people from all over the world. I personally spent a number of hours every day hearing confessions and that was extremely satisfying.

I have also recently moved into a newly formed house in the Cincinnati area. We are in need of additional space in the city so three of us have begun a new friary in an old house which the province bought in the St. Bernard area. Things are going well as we settle in, but I haven't been home enough to really make it home yet.

This morning I am in the Kansas City airport preparing to return home. This morning I woke up to a flat tire on my rental, but AAA came to the rescue. God is good and taking care of me!!!

Come and See Weekend Three men joined the community at Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati for a Come and See weekend. Stephen Vincent from Sulphur, LA; Justin Bell from Cincinnati, OH; and Stephen Tosterud from Bush, LA. They arrived Friday, November 4 and finished up Sunday, November 6. Brothers Richard Goodin, O.F.M. from Chicago and Roger Lopez, O.F.M. from Cincinnati assisted Fr. Don Miller, O.F.M. and Bro. Timothy Lamb, O.F.M., the Vocation Directors, with the weekend. The present class of Postulants also helped with the program. Sunday, November, 6, 2011 8:31:57 PM | Comments (0)

Three men joined the community at Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati for a Come and See weekend. Stephen Vincent from Sulphur, LA; Justin Bell from Cincinnati, OH; and Stephen Tosterud from Bush, LA. They arrived Friday, November 4 and finished up Sunday, November 6. Brothers Richard Goodin, O.F.M. from Chicago and Roger Lopez, O.F.M. from Cincinnati assisted Fr. Don Miller, O.F.M. and Bro. Timothy Lamb, O.F.M., the Vocation Directors, with the weekend. The present class of Postulants also helped with the program.

Attached is a new newsletter from the Vocation Office featuring the reception of our new Postulants and the Solemn Profession of Friar Richard Goodin, O.F.M.

Download September 2011 Newsletter

Since the Solemn Profession ceremony on August 27th, I have been on the road--or, rather, in the air--a great deal. The trip to Spain for World Youth Day put me behind in the Vocation Office and I am trying to catch up. Lately I have visited prospectives in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas. In the near future I will be back in Pennsylvania and in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The class of 2012 is beginning to take shape but, as always, this time of the year it is too early to tell what size class we will have.

Spain was both a disappointment and a thrill. The disappointment came in the lack of organization and confusion that we all faced. There was a severe lack of communication. But the thrill came in getting to briefly see the Pope and spend time with two of our younger Friars as we visited and witnessed to the millions of young people from all over the world. I personally spent a number of hours every day hearing confessions and that was extremely satisfying.

I have also recently moved into a newly formed house in the Cincinnati area. We are in need of additional space in the city so three of us have begun a new friary in an old house which the province bought in the St. Bernard area. Things are going well as we settle in, but I haven't been home enough to really make it home yet.

This morning I am in the Kansas City airport preparing to return home. This morning I woke up to a flat tire on my rental, but AAA came to the rescue. God is good and taking care of me!!!

September Vocation Office Newsletter Attached is a new newsletter from the Vocation Office featuring the reception of our new Postulants and the Solemn Profession of Friar Richard Goodin, O.F.M. Download September 2011 Newsletter Monday, September, 19, 2011 9:02:03 AM | Comments (0)

Attached is a new newsletter from the Vocation Office featuring the reception of our new Postulants and the Solemn Profession of Friar Richard Goodin, O.F.M.

Download September 2011 Newsletter

Since the Solemn Profession ceremony on August 27th, I have been on the road--or, rather, in the air--a great deal. The trip to Spain for World Youth Day put me behind in the Vocation Office and I am trying to catch up. Lately I have visited prospectives in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas. In the near future I will be back in Pennsylvania and in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The class of 2012 is beginning to take shape but, as always, this time of the year it is too early to tell what size class we will have.

Spain was both a disappointment and a thrill. The disappointment came in the lack of organization and confusion that we all faced. There was a severe lack of communication. But the thrill came in getting to briefly see the Pope and spend time with two of our younger Friars as we visited and witnessed to the millions of young people from all over the world. I personally spent a number of hours every day hearing confessions and that was extremely satisfying.

I have also recently moved into a newly formed house in the Cincinnati area. We are in need of additional space in the city so three of us have begun a new friary in an old house which the province bought in the St. Bernard area. Things are going well as we settle in, but I haven't been home enough to really make it home yet.

This morning I am in the Kansas City airport preparing to return home. This morning I woke up to a flat tire on my rental, but AAA came to the rescue. God is good and taking care of me!!!

Update Since the Solemn Profession ceremony on August 27th, I have been on the road--or, rather, in the air--a great deal. The trip to Spain for World Youth Day put me behind in the Vocation Office and I am trying to catch up. Lately I have visited prospectives in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas. In the near future I will be back in Pennsylvania and in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The class of 2012 is beginning to take shape but, as always, this time of the year it is too early to tell what size class we will have. Spain was both a disappointment and a thrill. The disappointment came in the lack of organization and confusion that we all faced. There was a severe lack of communication. But the thrill came in getting to briefly see the Pope and spend time with two of our younger Friars as we visited and witnessed to the millions of young people from all over the world. I personally spent a number of hours every day hearing confessions and that was extremely satisfying. I have also recently moved into a newly formed house in the Cincinnati area. We are in need of additional space in the city so three of us have begun a new friary in an old house which the province bought in the St. Bernard area. Things are going well as we settle in, but I haven't been home enough to really make it home yet. This morning I am in the Kansas City airport preparing to return home. This morning I woke up to a flat tire on my rental, but AAA came to the rescue. God is good and taking care of me!!! Sunday, September, 11, 2011 10:18:02 AM | Comments (0)

Since the Solemn Profession ceremony on August 27th, I have been on the road--or, rather, in the air--a great deal. The trip to Spain for World Youth Day put me behind in the Vocation Office and I am trying to catch up. Lately I have visited prospectives in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Kansas. In the near future I will be back in Pennsylvania and in Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The class of 2012 is beginning to take shape but, as always, this time of the year it is too early to tell what size class we will have.

Spain was both a disappointment and a thrill. The disappointment came in the lack of organization and confusion that we all faced. There was a severe lack of communication. But the thrill came in getting to briefly see the Pope and spend time with two of our younger Friars as we visited and witnessed to the millions of young people from all over the world. I personally spent a number of hours every day hearing confessions and that was extremely satisfying.

I have also recently moved into a newly formed house in the Cincinnati area. We are in need of additional space in the city so three of us have begun a new friary in an old house which the province bought in the St. Bernard area. Things are going well as we settle in, but I haven't been home enough to really make it home yet.

This morning I am in the Kansas City airport preparing to return home. This morning I woke up to a flat tire on my rental, but AAA came to the rescue. God is good and taking care of me!!!