On April 13-15, 2018, following the Provincial Chapter, the Minister General visited some Conventual communities in California.
On Friday, April 13, the Minister General, Friar Marco TASCA; the Assistant General for the Federation of Asian Minors Conventual (FAMC), Friar Benedict BAEK; and the Assistant General for the Conventual Franciscan Federation (CFF), Friar Jude WINKLER, visited the novitiate of the CFF Federation in Arroyo Grande, California.
The novitiate has seven novices: three from the Province of St. Bonaventure; three from the Province of Our Lady of the Angels; and one from the Province of Our Lady of Consolation (OLC). The friars discussed the status of the Order, the need for an authentic lifestyle, the need for collaboration among the friars and the immeasurable value of a common life among the friars.
On Sunday, April 15, the Minister General met one of the oldest friars in the world, Friar Maurus HAUER, who celebrated his 100th birthday last October.
Friar Maurus spoke of his call to the community and shared his sense of gratitude for all that God has done for him. He did parish ministry until he turned ninety-two. Currently, he continues to study commentaries on the Bible for his ongoing formation.
Friar Jude WINKLER, Assistant General for the CFF
