Father Don's Vocation Blog Archives - Vocations - Franciscan Friars - Province of St. John the Baptist in Cincinnati, Ohio

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Fr. Jeff comments

Earlier this week, Fr. Jeffrey Scheeler, O.F.M., our Provincial Minister, commented on the post about the four new men recently accepted for our Postulancy Program. Because I was in Albuquerque, NM at an Interprovincial Initial Formation Conference I was not able to post his comments until today. Fr. Jeff wrote:

Welcome to the postulancy programs. brothers. We're glad to have you come and share our life with us. May God bless your discernment with us. It is a great life.

P.S. I did some video taping at the conference and hope to have a video up here and on Facebook shortly.

Saturday, March, 27, 2010 10:30:17 AM | Comments (0)

More info on the four men newly approved for Postulancy

When I posted the note about the four men newly approved for our Postulancy Program, I was in a bit of a rush. I wanted to get the good news out quickly. This morning I can add a few details on these men.

Dan Bircher(29) is from Harrisburg, PA where he works in the restaurant business serving in a number of roles including bartender. He had thought of joining the Harrisburg Diocese and put in a few semesters at the Josephinum, but felt the call to the religious life. He is the eldest of three boys.

Adam Farkas(21) is from Richmond, MI where he lives with his parents and younger sister. Adam also works in a restaurant and has taken some college courses. He recently visited relatives in Hungary where his parents were born.

Joe DiAte(20) is from Chapmansboro, TN and attends Aquinas College in Nashville. He lives at home with his parents and younger brother. He presently works in the school library. Joe seems to be open to new challenges as he participated in a hot wings eating contest this weekend while visiting with us. (He didn't get all twelve down.) Joe was involved in his high school theater productions.

Jonathan Beer (19) is from Hamilton, OH. He is an only child and presently is attending Franciscan University. Jonathan is musically talented; he can play a number of instruments and has sung in choirs. He has also wrestled and done some acting in school plays.

Monday, March, 22, 2010 10:30:59 AM | Comments (1)

Eric Seguin comments

Eric Seguin, who was approved for Postulancy in January, welcomes his four new classmates. Eric writes:

I want to congratulate Dan, Adam, Joseph, and Jonathan on their acceptance into the postulancy program. I am looking forward to begining postulancy with them in July. May the Holy spirit continue his work and bless this province with more vocations. God Bless Pax

Sunday, March, 21, 2010 12:48:18 PM | Comments (0)

Four Approved by Admission Board

The Admissions Board of the Franciscan Province of Saint John the Baptist Province approved four more men for the Postulancy class of 2010. Daniel Bircher, Adam Farkas, Joseph DiAte and Jonathan Beer(l to r) will be joining Eric Seguin who was approved at the January meeting of the Admissions Board.

Dan Bircher (29) comes to us from Harrisburg, PA; Adam Farkas (21) from Richmond, MI; Joseph DiAte (20) from Chapmansboro, TN; and Jonathan Beer (20) from Hamilton, OH.

The Admissions Board will meet again in April and May to consider other prospectives.

We welcome these men and assure them of our prayerful support as they prepare to begin living our Franciscan life in Initial Formation

Saturday, March, 20, 2010 2:47:55 PM | Comments (1)

Admission Board Meeting

This weekend four prospectives go before the Admissions Board. By Saturday afternoon we should know whether or not they will be admitted into the 2010 Postulancy class.

Please remember them in your prayers and say a prayer for the Holy Spirit's guidance of the board members as well.

Friday, March, 19, 2010 10:35:43 AM | Comments (0)

Come and See Weekend

This past weekend the Vocation Office hosted two men for a Come and See weekend at Saint Anthony Friary in Cincinnati. This was the fourth such gathering this academic year. The total number of men having made a weekend this year is now seventeen.

The participants this weekend were Matthew O'Hearn from Cambridge, NY (left) and Jeffrey Schmitz from Silver Spring, MD. Matthew has studied philosophy and theology. Jeffrey has degrees in engineering and education.

Also this weekend, Friars Joshua van Cleef and Roger Lopez represented the Vocation Office at a Here I Am Lord conference in St. Charles, IL

Sunday, March, 7, 2010 8:34:18 PM | Comments (0)

Adam Farkas comments again

Referring to the videos I have on YouTube, Adam comments:

For anyone that is looking into the Franciscans and is interested in this wonderful province, YOU TUBE also has wonderful videos that offer great insight into different aspects for what it means to be Franciscan like the receiving of the habit. These videos help inspire all those who are looking into religious life.

Friday, March, 5, 2010 3:30:19 PM | Comments (0)

Stan comments

Stan, who has been a supporter of this blog almost since its inception, comments on the video of Friar Michael Charron posted on this blog and on YouTube:

Greetings and Peace! The videos were superb. I think Michael's honesty and candid responses were grace-filled. No spin, no "canned" answers, just the heart-felt journey of what it takes to follow the Lord in the way of Francis. The struggle and tensions of following the Lord are very real; I am edified by Michael's articulation of the struggle and the grace. Mostly, the peace and joy that is evident in Michael's eyes and face as he talks about his life reveals more than anything said. Maybe that's what Francis meant when he said "only if necessary use words." For sure, words were necessary. More deeply, though, was communicated something beyond words. Thanks to you Fr. Don, thanks to Friar Michael and thanks to God's grace which is doing great things for your Province!

Tuesday, March, 2, 2010 3:50:24 PM | Comments (1)

Jonathan Beer comments

Jonathan Beer, a prospective for this summer's Postulancy class, comments on the recent posted videos:

Great and inspiring videos. Really well done. This just shows the beauty and grace that can come from community life, and the Franciscans. Congrats to all of the men in intial formation! I am a perspective postulant for the fall. God Bless all of the past, present, and future Franciscans in this wonderful province.

Monday, March, 1, 2010 3:08:36 PM | Comments (0)