First Professions
Yesterday was my day off, so my mother and I decided to go to the Bronx. A couple of years ago I read in the travel section of a newspaper how the Bronx is becoming a vacation center here in the Northeast. Yes, I am talking about Bronx, NY. Hey, if some people like to do dangerous activities like rock climbing, scuba diving, or safari hunting on their vacations, and call it exotic, why not take a walk through the Bronx for a vacation?
Vacationing was not what Mom and I were doing in the Bronx. We went to St. Adalbert’s Parish, and the attached St. Crispin’s Friary. During one of my years as a deacon, I was assigned to the Sacred Heart House of Priestly Formation. There was another deacon assigned there with me, and three seminarians. One of those seminarians was attending Seton Hall University to finish his BA, and his name was Ian. When I was ordained a priest I was assigned to St. James Church in Red Bank, NJ, and around the corner from the church Ian’s parents has a store, so I got to know his family as well as see Ian frequently. After completing his undergraduate degree, Ian discerned that God was calling him to check out the Community of Franciscan Friars of Renewal (CFRs), the community started by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Fr. Andrew Apostoli, et al.
Ian spent about 6 months in postulancy at one of the CFRs parishes in NY, and then a year ago formally entered into novitiate with the CFRs in Newark, NJ. Ian was given the name Br. Luke Joseph of Red Bank (the CFRs continue the practice of giving new names to their members, and adding where they are from). I have kept in touch with Br. Luke Joseph during his time of novitiate. He shared with me that it was a time of joys, and some struggles, but definitely a time of drawing closer to the Lord.
Yesterday Br. Luke Joseph, and six other brothers, made their first professions; promising for a year to live the evangelical counsels while ministering in the CFRs. Br. Luke Joseph will continue his ministry at St. Felix’s in Yonkers. The Profession Mass was very nice. Of course the priests of the Order concelebrated, as did myself and a number of other priests who are friends of the Order. Frs. Groeschel and Apostoli were there. Also present were the Community of Franciscan Sisters of Renewal, the Sisters of Life, and the Missionary Sisters of Charity. The seven brothers were so very happy. One amusing moment was when the seven of them, quite quickly, removed their caperones; what looks like small, grey scapulars wore by the non-professed members of the community. Observing the number of caperones still present, it looks as if the CFRs will have a good number making first professions next year as well. The Church is blessed.
