Br. James Peterson was appointed chancellor of the Diocese of Portland, Me., effective Sept. 1. Brother Jim served the Archdiocese of Boston for many years as vice chancellor and assistant to the moderator of the curia for canonical affairs. He was also a member of the archdiocese’s review board in the assessment of complaints of child sexual abuse by clerics. He holds a law degree from Villanova University School of Law in Villanova, Pa., and a doctorate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. In a meeting with the local ordinary, Bishop James Ruggieri, and the vicar general, Msgr. Marc Caron, Fr. Robert Abbatiello, provincial minister, expressed his gratitude for their confidence in our brother to hold this important position in the diocese. “We congratulate Brother Jim on this new position, and we’re grateful for all his work in the Archdiocese of Boston. I’m sure he will be sorely missed,” he said. 

Fr. Norbert D’Souza was appointed assistant director of post-novitiate formation at San Lorenzo Friary, Jamaica Plain, Mass., effective Sept. 1. Previously, he was hospital chaplain at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, N.Y. He collaborates with Fr. John Koelle, director of the post-novitiate program in Jamaica Plain, in guiding the post-novices through academic studies and ministry preparation as they progress toward final profession of vows.

Fr. Eric Forbes, a published author, has invested his literary talents once again. He has written a biography of Madeleine Bordallo, one of Guam’s most distinguished citizens. Now 91, Bordallo served as Guam’s delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for 16 years. She was also a lieutenant governor of Guam, a senator in the Guam legislature, and Guam’s first lady. Father Eric’s book was launched on Monday, July 22, before a large crowd at a local bookstore. “Madeleine Bordallo is a living legend on Guam,” he said.

Fr. Matthias Wesnofske was recognized for his many years of service as spiritual assistant to the Secular Franciscans. He received the San Damiano Award from the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn at their annual celebration of the feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula on Aug. 3 at St. Anthony High School in South Huntington, N.Y. “The brothers always celebrate the Portiuncula with the seculars that we minister to in the region as spiritual assistants,” said Br. Richard Contino, OSF. “The San Damiano Award is given each year to those who share in the charism of the Franciscan Brothers. We try to select a lay person, a brother, and someone involved with the seculars.” From 1991 to 2020, Father Matthias served as a local, regional, provincial, and national spiritual assistant to the Secular Franciscan Order, including three decades of service to the Tau Cross Region on Long Island.

Br. Paul Fesefeldt and Br. Anthony Zuba led a retreat for Capuchin Mobile Ministries volunteers on July 20 at Holy Cross Retreat House in North Easton, Mass. The retreat was an introduction to Franciscan spirituality and the Capuchin charisms (see box on Page 2). The volunteers learned about God’s calling of St. Francis of Assisi through his encounters with lepers. They also had an opportunity to share how God called them to minister to the homeless with the friars. The retreat talks and small-group discussions helped volunteers learn about the Franciscan approach to building community and serving others.

Fr. Patrick Sullivan, a living organ donor, earned three medals in track and field events for his age bracket at the Transplant Games of America in Birmingham, Ala., July 5-10. Representing Team Liberty of the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metro area and competing in the 70 years-and-over age group, he took the gold in both the 5K race and the 400-meter dash, and he earned the silver medal in the 60-meter dash. With his comrades, he earned the gold medal in the less vigorous Trivial Pursuit team competition. Father Pat also concelebrated a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham, with many of the participants from the games present.