Our province is privaledged to have twenty friars from other countries and other provinces serving in the ministries of our province. From October 14-18, 2019, four were able to participate in the World Priest Workshop presented by the Institute for Priests and Presbyterates of the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, in St. Meinrad, IN. The workshop was created to assist international priests in managing a successful transition into effective ministry in the United States. Presentations addressed the cultural orientation needs of international mission priests, as outlined in Guidelines for Receiving Pastoral Ministers in the United States, 3rd edition (USCCB, 2014) and Bridging the Gap: International Priests Ministering in the United States (Our Sunday Visitor, 2014).

Three friars serving at our Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD ~ at far left – Friar Thomas Bahn, OFM Conv. (South Korea), next to him – Friar Rijo Mulavarickal Polachan, OFM Conv. (India) and fifth from left – Friar Everest Valentine Nyaki Mkenda, OFM Conv. (Tanzania) ~ were in attendance, as well as ~ third from right – Friar Paul Pantiru, OFM Conv. (Romania), who serves as Parochial Vicar at our pastoral ministry of St. Anne Catholic Church, in Columbus GA.