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Mission Statement
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Franciscan Fire
Living and proclaiming the Gospel
is our goal. We do so:
as brothers to each other
and to the world;
Living with and for the poor;
Promoting justice, peace and
the care of creation.
Working with all women and men
of good will;
Inviting them to share
our Franciscan spirit.
Facing our future with hope,
we echo
Francis of Assisi who said,
"Let us begin again."
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Franciscan life is about people: those to whom we
minister, those with whom we work, family and friends who support and inspire us.
Gallery is a look at the faces of our province and the events that shape our lives
as friars. |
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The dome has come home to Oldenburg, Feb. 3, 2010 |
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PHOTO BY DAVID KOBAK, OFM
In 1949, the 100-year-old Onion Dome at Holy Family Parish in Oldenburg, Ind., was removed for structural reasons. Sixty years later, thanks to community donations, a newly fabricated aluminum dome was delivered.
PHOTO BY DAVID KOBAK, OFM
Interior view of the new steeple, crafted by Campbellsville Industries in Campbellsville, Ind.
PHOTO BY DAVID KOBAK, OFM
An enormous crane latches a cable onto the dome.
PHOTO BY DAVID KOBAK, OFM
The crane lifts the dome toward its resting place, the Old Stone Church in back of Holy Family.
PHOTO BY DAVID KOBAK, OFM
The Onion Dome is set in place.
PHOTO BY FRANK JASPER, OFM
Oldenburgers celebrate the end of a decades-long campaign to raise funds and raise awareness about the need for a new dome.
PHOTO BY FRANK JASPER, OFM
Second from left, a new addition to the skyline of the Village of Spires.
PHOTO BY DAVID KOBAK, OFM
The cross that will cap the dome is unpacked.
PHOTO BY DAVID KOBAK, OFM
Mission accomplished: The dome is capped with the cross.
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Visit to Tokyo was brief but memorable, Jan. 14, 2010 |
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In Tokyo, the last leg of his trip to Asia, Provincial Minister Jeff Scheeler visited friar Bernardin Schneider, who has spent more than 50 years translating the Bible into a critical, annotated Japanese edition.
Age (he’s 92) and physical ailments have not dampened missionary Bernie Schneider’s enthusiasm for his ministry.
In Tokyo, Jeff stayed at the Franciscan Chapel Center in Rippongi.
Jeff’s tight schedule did allow for a brief stop at a Shinto temple in Tokyo.
At a Japanese restaurant: With Jeff are friars Donnon, Bede, Callistus and Provincial Jun Hasegawa.
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Jeff finds Philippines is a land of contrasts, Jan. 10-13, 2010 |
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PHOTOS BY JEFF SCHEELER, OFM |
During his recent trip to the Far East, Provincial Minister Jeff Scheeler (top row, center) visited SJB missionaries near Manila. Pictured are Elgar Nadon (second from left, top row), Jeff (center, top row), and Harold Geers (top right), with friars of the Franciscan Renewal Center.
Missionary Harold Geers on the beach behind the Renewal Center.
Missionaries Roger Covero, Harold Geers and Elgar Nadon.
A side entrance to Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, where Phil Wilhelm lives.
A squatter area in Manila, shot from the back yard of the friary.
Jeff Scheeler leaned out this car window to snap this picture of the “main street” of a squatter settlement.
Tomb outside a church where some SJF friar-missionaries are buried.
Jeff at an “inserted” community; at right is Pastor Reu Galoy, who once lived at St. Joseph’s in Chicago.
Philip Wilhelm with Gus Fraszczak and Bertram Tiemeyer at Rieti House.
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New rectory in Jamaica is a step closer to reality, Jan. 24, 2010 |
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Friar Jim Bok and Bishop Charles Dufour of Montego Bay are among those looking on as Pastor Felix D’Souza breaks ground for a new rectory at St. Joseph Parish in Savanna-la-mar, Jamaica. The friars have served there as missionaries since 2000. |
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SJB Provincial Minister visits Pakistan, January 2010 |
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PHOTOS BY JEFF SCHEELER, OFM (and the friars of Pakistan) |
SJB Provincial Minister Jeff Scheeler in Pakistan with Custos Moghal Peter and his Vicar, Mohan, at the friars’ annual assembly.
The friars’ formation house in Karachi.
An informal gathering with (left to right) friars Babar, Mohan, Saleem, former Custos Samson Shukardin and Younas.
Custos Moghal Peter, right, with the family of a friar employee.
Pakistani children at a home where Jeff and Moghal visited.
Left, Friar Ken Viegas, a former missionary in Jamaica, with friar Louis.
Jeff with Pakistani friars at the Curia in Karachi following their assembly.
At the concluding Mass of the assembly, Jeff blesses crosses carved by the novices.
At the concluding Mass of the assembly, Jeff blesses crosses carved by the novices.
Francis, a Japanese friar living in Pakistan, gives Jeff a cross following the closing Mass.
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Council sees rebirth, renewal in Galveston, January 2010 |
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PHOTOS BY FRANK JASPER, OFM |
Last month, the Provincial Council held its monthly meeting in Galveston, Texas, and toured the churches that make up Holy Family Parish, formed from the union of eight parishes following Hurricane Ike. St. Patrick’s houses the largest congregation.
Pastor John Bok, right, describes the hurricane damage and cleanup to friars Bill Farris, Mark Soehner, Mike Dubec and Jeff Scheeler.
The present St. Patrick Church, dedicated in 1902, was rebuilt following the devastating storm of 1900 which left 6,000 dead.
Gene Mayer, John Bok and Dennet Jung ride the ferry to a new church on the Bolivar Peninsula.
Provincial Vicar Frank Jasper on the ferry headed to Bolivar.
“I enjoyed the ferry ride,” said council member Mike Dubec, here with John Bok.
John Bok rustles up dinner for his friar guests.
Children of Galveston Catholic School, which will become Holy Family School.
Holy Rosary Church, historically an African American parish, now part of the Holy Family community.
The Council visits Sacred Heart Church.
Parishioner Joyce Daniels with Mark Soehner and Bill Farris at a pot-luck dinner.
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