From April 18-20, 2023, the leadership of the Conventual Franciscan Federation met for their Spring Assembly in St. Bonaventure Friary in Chicago.

By Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv.

Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., minister provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, was among the attendees at the Conventual Franciscan Federations Spring Assembly in Chicago. Among the topics discussed was further collaboration among the jurisdictions, initial and continuing formation issues, and justice and peace initiatives. The spiritual service of the friars to the Secular Franciscans (OFS) and the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.) were also considered.

Procurator General Friar Maurizio DiPaolo, OFM Conv., was present for a workshop on questions concerning the abuse crisis in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland and Australia. The Most Reverend John Stowe, Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky, participated via Zoom, as did Dr. Paul Ashton, an expert who works with religious communities and dioceses on these issues.

On Apr. 20, the friars visited the nearby Conventual Franciscan Parish of Mary, Mother of God, which is the combination of three parishes: St. Thomas of Canterbury, St. Ida, and St. Gregory the Great. The Parish of Mary, Mother of God has the largest number of different ethnicities in the Archdiocese of Chicago, more than thirty. The staff and parishioners are greatly committed to serving the poor, the new evangelization, and fostering culture.

The next CFF assembly will take place next November in Florida. It will be followed by a joint assembly with the friars of the Federación América Latina Conventuales in Bogota, Columbia, in January of 2024.

Originally published by OFMCONV.net