Annually our young men in Initial Formation meet for a weekend of fraternity and support--without their Directors. Often, it gives those in Temporary Vows a chance to meet the new Postulants and vice versa. It also gives each group a chance to take courage in those ahead and behind them. They're not in this alone; there is a young community.

This year the guys met at St. Anthony Friary in Cincinnati. Friday evening they met with Frs. Jeffrey Scheeler, O.F.M. and Frank Jasper, O.F.M., Provincial Minister and Vicar. The Vicar, Fr. Frank, is also the Secretary for Formation overseeing the entire Initial Formation Process and Programs. Saturday they met among themselves and for discussion and recreation. Sunday morning they met for Morning Prayer and Mass before returning to their home friaries. 

In the photo (l to r) Tim Tran, O.F.M.; Daniel Helfrich, O.F.M.; Adam Calder; Joshua van Cleef, O.F.M.; Richard Goodin, O.F.M.; Roger Lopez, O.F.M. Clifford Hennings, O.F.M.; Michael Charron, O.F.M.; Colin King; Andrew Farwick; and Kevin Janke, O.F.M.

Friars Tim, Daniel, Joshua, Roger, and Clifford are in their first year of Temporary Vows; Friar Richard is in his second year of Temporary Vows; Friars Michael and Kevin are Novices; and Adam, Colin, and Andrew are Postulants. The six Friars in vows reside in Chicago where they are pursuing studies while engaged in Formation. The Novices reside in Cedar Lake, IN at the interprovincial novitiate. The Postulants are at St. Anthony Friary in Cincinnati.