April 30-May 2, 2010: April-May 2010 Discernment Weekend

Our April 30, May 1, May 2, 2010, "Come and See" discernment weekend will focus on the theme, "Franciscan Peace-Making in a Culture of Violence".  Our presenters for the weekend will be Paul Crawford, O.F.M., Cap., and Tom McNamara, O.F.M., Cap.

Brother Paul Crawford was solemnly professed September 4, 1976.  He graduated from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work with an M.S.W., and Community Organization Public Policy Administration Concentration.  For the past seven years, Brother Paul has been working as Manchester District Office Outreach Coordinator for New Hampshire Catholic Charities.  His talks will focus on welcoming the stranger - accepting and walking with Manchester's refugee population.  Different cultures, diversity and learning more about myself from the stories of others; the Langdon Mill Project and the experience of the closure of the Jac Pac Meat Cutting Plant.

Father Tom McNamara was solemnly professed August 19, 2006 and ordained to the Priesthood September 8, 2007.  He joined the Capuchin Franciscans in 2000, after working years in the landscaping industry and teaching high school agriculture.  His first assignment was to work with day laborers seeking employment on Long Island where he also assisted in local parish work.  Since September 2009, Father Tom has been working largely with Puerto Rican and Dominican communities of the lower east side of Manhattan in the various celebrations of their lives as well as the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows.  In his talks, Father Tom will share some insights and experience during his time on Long Island and in the few months that he has been in Manhattan.

At the close of the weekend, on Sunday, we will witness Brother Michael Ramos receiving the habit of our Order.  We will also bid farewell to our Postulants and pray for their safe journey as they continue on to Pre-Novitiate. 

To learn more about these "Come and See" Discernment Weekends, meet many Capuchin Franciscans and other men such as yourself discerning God's Call in your life, please contact Brother Tim Jones, O.F.M., Cap. 212-567-1300 / brotimjones@yahoo.com.