May 1, 2006

One of the hallmarks of the Easter Season is the celebration of ministry. This year we are celebrating our ministry for 2 very important reasons. First, this year, 2006 marks our celebration of 50 years of Franciscan Ministry in Providence. Second, during this Easter Season it gives me great joy to announce that our Franciscan Ministry in Providence is expanding to include the pastoral care of St. Mary Parish on Broadway. Not only am I happy to announce this, I am happy to put all the rumors to rest!

This has been a very long process for this community and for the Franciscans of Holy Name Province. As you know the Province determined sometime ago that we could no longer maintain ownership of this old and historic building. It requires too much work and capital expense, and it does not meet our real ministerial needs. We explored many avenues for this ministry including a new chapel to be built here and the purchase of another building in downtown Providence. Neither of those options proved feasible. After a number of conversations between our Provincial Fr. John O'Connor and Bishop Tobin of Providence we determined that the best way for the Franciscans to remain in Providence and build on our rich heritage was to assume the pastoral care of a parish and maintain the chapel in downtown Providence. We will do just that.

Beginning June 1 the friars will care for St. Mary Parish. That will necessitate changes in our schedule here. We will take the summer to make the full transition to Sunday worship at St. Mary. There will also be changes to the daily mass and confession schedule. Once that transition schedule is finalized it will be published in the bulletin. On behalf of all the friars who have ministered here over these last 50 years I thank you for your love and support. You have been with us through many transitions and have been through the growing pains with us. Thank you for that, and we pray that as we commence our next 50 years in Providence you will continue to minister with us, worship with us and live in community with us.

Sincerely,

Fr. Frank Sevola, OFM
Guardian and Executive Director

April 2, 2006

 
Dear Friends,

May the Lord give you peace!

As we prepare for our upcoming transition I have been asked many times if the Franciscan Spirit that we have come to cherish at St. Francis Chapel will still be evident in our new location. I must admit that sometimes that question frustrates me, but I understand it. At the same time, as a Franciscan Friar I am honored and humbled that you have come to love and cherish the Franciscan Spirit.

The Franciscan Spirit is much too large and much too great to be contained in a building or in a room. The Franciscan Spirit is much too diverse to be held by only a few people. The Franciscan Spirit is a way of being, a way of praising and a way of loving. In short the Franciscan Spirit is a way of life.

The Franciscan Spirit is rooted in the understanding that the "Church seeks a solitary goal; to carry forward the work of Christ himself under the lead of the befriending Spirit. And Christ entered this world to give witness to the truth, to rescue and not sit in judgment, to serve and not be served."

At St. Francis Chapel we have always strived to minister in this way. Any success we have had is due to a commitment on the part of you and the Friars to make the Franciscan Spirit a reality. When people say they feel welcome, or at home, or like they belong then I know that we are successful.

In short, sisters and brothers, the Franciscan Spirit that we cherish and love so well comes from you! Your presence, your love, your forgiveness and your ministry make the Franciscan Spirit a reality.

All change and transition is a source of anxiety. It is much easier to stay with what we know rather than venture into the unknown. But it is through change that we grow. The Franciscan Spirit is larger than any one of us and it is even larger than our community. This Spirit will embrace us as we move. The Spirit will mold us and shape us into a wonderful community faithful to the Gospel and to the call of St. Francis to “heal wounds, unite what has fallen apart, and bring home those who have lost their way.”

Thank you for ministering with us!

Sincerely,

Fr. Frank Sevola, OFM
Guardian and Executive Director

February 19, 2006

Dear Friends,

 
May the Lord give you peace!

There are many rumors circulating about the future of St. Francis Chapel & City Ministry Center and the Franciscan presence in Providence. I am taking this opportunity to let you know what is actually happening.

Nearly two years ago the Minister Provincial and the Provincial Council of Holy Name Province came to the conclusion that the Province could no longer maintain 58 Weybosset Street. It is an old and therefore expensive building to maintain. It was finally decided that the property should be sold and that other arrangements for St. Francis Chapel & City Ministry Center and future Franciscan Ministry in Providence be explored.

Finally, in December 2005 a purchase and sales agreement was entered into with a local developer. Although a firm closing date has not been set, it is safe to say that ownership will change hands in the spring of 2006.

In the meantime the Minister Provincial, Fr. John O’Connor, OFM and I have been in negotiations with the Diocese of Providence regarding future Franciscan Ministry. Holy Name Province is committed to keeping a Franciscan presence in the City of Providence. Specifically we wish to stay downtown to continue the good ministry begun by the friars 50 years ago and we hope to take over the pastoral care of a parish in the City of Providence. The logistics of both of these goals are still being explored.

You now have the most up to date information regarding our future. I thank you in advance for your patience and for your prayers for a smooth transition. You will be kept up to date with pulpit announcements and letters like this one.

Today we kick off the celebration of 50 years of Franciscan Ministry in Providence. Our ministry takes place because of your kindness, your prayers and your generosity. We friars are grateful to you and we pray that over the next 50 years and beyond, you continue to minister with us in the City of Providence.

Sincerely,

Fr. Frank Sevola, OFM
Guardian and Executive Director