Fi News #117 – Dark Nights ( 01min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

We’re in our 4th day without power here in Griswold Connecticut at the Franciscan Friary of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It’s not that bad; we travel about 3 miles to take showers, collect water for drinking and house hold cleaning, we charge the laptops by car battery and read by candle light and a few flashlights. Our Canon 7D is out of battery juice, so I’ll try to get them charged tomorrow. The power was eventually restored on Friday, September 2nd, five days after it went out.

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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It is with great sorrow that we announce that Fr. Alphonsus M. Sutton of our New Bedford Friary passed away at the age of 91 years early Saturday morning, May 7.

From Fr. Louis Maximilian, the superior at New Bedford:

Fr. Alphonsus was among the original group of friars when the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate was erected as an Institute of diocesan right in 1990. As many of you know, he suffered from deteriorating health for the past several years. The various ailments, some very serious and at times life-threatening, from which he suffered are too numerous to recount here. It was the joy of the friars at New Bedford to take care of Fr. Alphonsus faithfully day in and day out for as long as he was able to stay at the friary.

His final decline in health began early this year when he contracted a bout of pneumonia which had more serious side effects than previous bouts. From this past January onward he required specialized care that prevented him from ever returning to the friary. During this stay at the hospital the friars, sisters and various lay people who knew Fr. Alphonsus well visited him daily and prayed with him. He did not speak during these last months, but, still very much conscious and alert, he would make the sign of the Cross at the beginning and end of the rosaries we prayed with him, and he would impart his blessing and give us gentle pats of the hand.

After a fairly long period of stability Father Alphonsus contracted one final bout of pneumonia. A group of friars and sisters maintained a vigil at his bedside during the hours prior to his passing away. He expired in peace very early in the morning on Saturday, May 7.

We will certainly miss Fr. Alphonsus, but at the same time we have the confident hope that he is already with Our Lord and His most holy Mother. Of course we ask you to offer up your prayers for the repose of his soul. Without a doubt he has already obtained many blessings for our religious Family and for each one of us individually.

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A wake service will be held for Fr. Alphonsus at Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, Tuesday, May 10, at 6:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady’s Chapel, followed by burial at St. Marys Cemetery in nearby North Dartmouth.

Obituary in the Standard Times/SouthCastToday

Fr. Alphonsus, we will miss you.

Ave Maria!

Another post for Scotus month. Here are some photos from the recent Newman-Scotus Symposium held at the Washington Theological Union on Oct 22-24, 2010. Photos by Fr. Martin Breski, OFM Conv.

Washington Theological Union

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Fr. Edward Ondrako, OFM Conv. organizer par excellance

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The presenters and organizers.

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Some attendees from the Conventual Franciscan Seminary

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Discussions abound

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Drinking on the job (coffee), me at the the FI book stall.

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Two book stalls, the FIs and another local theological book seller toward the back.

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Much of the art in the building was modern and strange but I liked this one.

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The library was pretty nice.

They had some beautiful models of churches on display in the lobby.

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Here’s another

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The welcoming committee and able assistant oraganizer.

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Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. gives the opening address

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Some attendees

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Rev. Dr. John Ford, C.S.C., editor of Newman Studies and Professor of Historical Theology at the Catholic University of America gave the first lecture of the symposium

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Dr. Timothy Noone, Professor of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America and member of the International Scotus Commission gives the second talk.

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These attentive attendees are also presenters.

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Seminarians during a break

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Fr. Peter Fehlner, FI and Dr. Timothy Noone having a discussion. Someone has to tell that other friar not to look at the camera!

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Fr. Peter in full swing giving the third lecture

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Making a sale, … er donation.

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The panel discussion

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Deacon Jack Sullivan gives his personal testimony on the miracle that happened to him which led to the beatification of John Cardinal Newman.

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One of the only remaining first class relics of Cardinal Newman, clippings from his hair brought to the symposium by Deacon Jack.

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The relic being venerated.

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The cafeteria

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Lunch with laughter

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Dominican nun with her black and white habit and matching black and white computer.

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Even Dominicans can enjoy a good Scotistic talk

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“Wait, are you trying tell me that prime matter actually exists?!!”

Just kidding, making up a Franciscan caption. (Whether prime matter exists by itself or not is a hotly debated subject between Franciscans and Dominicans but such contentious issues were not discussed at the symposium)

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Sr. Mary Beth Ingham gives the Keynote Address for the Symposium.

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Fr. Edward Ondrako gives his lecture

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Clearing up those lingering questions

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Another round of lectures

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The Chapel at WTU

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Inside the Chapel at CTU

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Sr. Pat Hutchison, OSF, Ed.D gives the summary statements

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Seminarians guarding the rear … and the gear.

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Fr. Breski’s cool cameras.

Stay tuned for the videos.

Ave Maria!

Homily #100517 ( 09min) Play – Today is the Memorial of St. Paschal Baylon who was a humble friar who had an extraordinary focus on God as being the greatest treasure, above and before all else. He especially was know for adoring God in the Eucharist. Fr. Angelo compares this to the useless and even harmful distractions that our high-tech, sensual world submerges us in.
Ave Maria! St. Paschal Baylon – Mass: EF, In Omnia Opera – Readings: 1st: 1co 1:26-31 – Gsp: mat 11:25-30

Audio (MP3)

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Fi News #65 – Construction begins on a new Friary for Our Lady in Bloomington, IN ( 04min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Just when you thought no more exciting news could come from Bloomington we have here the video of the Ground Breaking Ceremony for our new friary which is to hold 35 friars. Thank you to all our benefactors and please keep this project in your prayers.

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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Fi News #66 – Rare Abominable Snow Friar spotted and video taped at Bloomington, IN ( 03min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Yes, I know another video of sledding friars. Apparently, I was supposed to post this one first and the one I posted first was simply to give the “friar-cam” views that weren’t included in this one. Well, I guess I lost track. Its hard to keep up with these sledding friars from Bloomington, IN! Anyways, this one is done to some rather humerus music and features some classic friar wipe outs and beards full of snow. Enjoy!

Ave Maria!

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Fi News #64 – Fr. Elias with sled on the precipice. ( 03min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Fr. Elias and the other friars and local youth sled down the l-o-o-o-o-ng steep hill at our Bloomington, IN Friary. He even carried a friar cam with him so you can get an on-sled view of the action.  So click play and hang on tight!!

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)

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Face of Pro-Life #78 – ( 29min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

Fra Isaac Haas, FI outlines his experience in the battle for marriage while he worked with National Organization for Marriage (NOM) before he became a friar. He covers the reason for NOM being created, how it counters the very well funded machine that is advocating for the radical changes in the definition of marriage which has far ranging consequences in regard to religious freedom and the ill effects on family and children.

Ave Maria!

Audio (MP3)