I am a Franciscan priest. I spent my early years of ministry in New Mexico
working among the Pueblo Native Americans and the Hispanics. In 1978 I began my years in academics
working as a chaplain, faculty member, and administrator at various universities in the southwest
and the midwest. I taught various course in theology, especially in my area of specialty which is
moral theology. I have been the Vocation Director for the Province of Saint John the Baptist since
2003.
Fr. Don Miller shares his views and observations about travel and vocation
experiences in his personal web log. He welcomes your comments and
reflections in this informal—and we hope, thought-provoking—conversation.
Back from Retreat; Preparing for a "Come and See"
I got back from retreat on Friday and am spending the week preparing to welcome eight young men to St. Anthony Friary this Friday for the academic year's first Come and See weekend. Please remember these gentlemen in your prayers as they discern a possible vocation with our community.
Off to Retreat
I'm leaving tomorrow morning (Sunday, August 22) for St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, PA for a week-long retreat. I will be back in Cincinnati late Friday evening and back in the office on Monday morning, August 30.
Back home from a week-long vacation
I've returned to Cincinnati after spending a week in Peoria, IL visiting family. It was a good week--relaxing, enjoyable, and fun. The highlight was a surprise birthday party for my older sister. We actually managed to set it up without her even getting suspicious. It was a good gathering and a fine way to end the vacation.
I also helped out at the parish where I grew up. I had a couple of Sunday Masses last Sunday (August 8) and this morning. It was good to celebrate with my home community.
Now it's back to work for a very busy week including two days of teaching introductory moral theology to the Postulants. I look forward to the week and the challenge of getting a lot done before I leave on retreat next Sunday.
Stan comments on new video
Stan writes:
Fr. Don,
Thanks for this excellent video! Watching it was sort of like a mini
retreat. The scenery is magnificent... and the videographer was pretty
good too! Watching the video in Florida's 90+ degree heat and 100%
humidity was absolutely refreshing! Thank you for sharing your journey.
Video of the Meeting in Colorado
Forty-some Friars from five English speaking countries met for five days at St. Malo Retreat Center in the mountains above Denver, CO. The setting was beautiful as you can see in the video. The gathering was very worthwhile. There was a good spirit (Spirit) among the Friars and good fraternity.
Meeting in Colorado
Sunday, August 1, through Thursday, August 5, the members of our formation teams will be attending an international meeting of Franciscan Formators at St. Malo Retreat in the mountains above Denver, CO. This is a bi-annual meeting of the directors of the various stages of formation from the English speaking provinces. As Vocation Director I will be attending for the fourth time.
Two years ago I posted pictures of the retreat house as well as of the surrounding scenery including our trek farther up the mountains on our afternoon off. This time I will be taking the video cam so I hope to be able to post even more spectacular shots. (The scene at the upper left is of a lake at the high altitudes above the retreat house.)
With questionable internet connections, I may not be able to post until i return to the heat and humidity of the Midwest. :-(
Steve Krause comments
Steve Krause comments:
Looks like a great group of guys. Wishing them a wonderful experience
and discernment!
New Newsletter
The July Vocation Office Newsletter is available in pdf form below:
Dan Bircher, one of our new Postulants, responds to Friar Richard:
Thank you very much for the welcome, Richard. St. Anthony's does feel
like a home already and it has only been a week. Fr. Carl and Frank (and
Br. Gene), as well as the rest of the friars have made us all feel
welcome from the door. I am glad to be a part of this family and there
are so many more brothers to meet. Peace be with you as well down in
"Rasta Land." I'll be praying for you. Pax. . .
Friar Richard comments from Jamaica
Richard Goodin, O.F.M., 3rd year Temporary Professed Friar doing a STIP year in Jamaica, writes:
Thanks, Fr. Don for putting together a great video of the postulant
reception liturgy! I don't feel so out of touch having now viewed it.
And I would like to send my warmest (and by that I mean a sunny, hot,
"One Love", Caribbean sea, "No Problem", Jamaican style) welcome to the
new postulants. Welcome home to the fraternity fellas!
Fr. Frank, Fr. Carl and Bro. Gene, will take great care of you; of that
I'm sure! Enjoy the tour of the province. When you get to New
Orleans, hop a boat going south and head past Cuba to the west end of
the island of Jamaica. I'll be the only red head on the beach and I'll
show you the SJB mission fields of Jamaica! Improbable I know, but it
sounds nice doesn't it? ;-)
peasah 'n gooda (that's Jamaican for peace and good!)
STIP = Supervised Year in Province, an assignment outside a formation context for our Temporary Professed to experience Franciscan life in the "real word." This year Friar Richard asked for and received a year in our Jamaican missions.
