Br. James Donegan was appointed liaison officer for Franciscans International earlier this year. Franciscans International brings the voice of the world’s Franciscan communities to the United Nations. It alerts the UN to human rights concerns around the globe. Brother Jim works in the organization’s New York City office near the UN headquarters. Previously, he was a member of Franciscans International’s board of directors. Brother Jim, who is also director of the Province’s mission office, brings years of international experience to his current post. He served the Order in Central America for six years. Following that he worked at the Capuchin general curia in Rome to support the economic development of the Order’s growing circumscriptions in Africa and Asia

Fr. Scott Surrency has agreed to assume the position of dean of seminarians at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Mass., at the conclusion of this academic year, said the Very Rev. Brian R. Kiely, rector of the seminary. Father Brian expressed gratitude to Father Scott for his willingness to serve in this capacity and is excited to welcome him to the leadership team of the seminary. Father Scott has requested to continue teaching as a member of the faculty as well, a request that Father Brian said he is more than willing to grant because of his tremendous knowledge and skills. He looks forward to collaborating with our brother as he undertakes this additional responsibility. 

Br. Richard Therrien is spiritual assistant to the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Council #4065, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. He has given a couple of spiritual conferences to the Knights, beginning just before Lent. On Feb. 29, he was made a Third Degree Knight in a public initiation ceremony known as exemplification. He was initiated along with six others, including our Capuchin brother Fr. Meena Varaprasad Gude of the Stigmata Province, who is guardian at St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon, N.Y., where Brother Richard resides.

Fr. John Koelle is the codirector of post-novitiate formation and director of priestly formation in Jamaica Plain, Mass. He has worked with Br. Lake Herman for the past year. With Brother Lake returning to Milwaukee in July to resume leadership of the inter-provincial postulancy program, Father John will helm the Jamaica Plain program, whose objective is to guide our post-novices through academic studies and ministry preparation as they progress toward final profession of vows. Father John is also the guardian at San Lorenzo Friary. In addition to formation ministry, he celebrates Mass at local parishes and conducts Matt Talbot retreats.

Fr. Patrick Sullivan, who donated a kidney at the age of 56 in 2002, was among the speakers at the annual TRIO Remember & Rejoice interreligious service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Saturday, April 6. Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) is an independent, not-for-profit, international organization committed to improving the quality of life for transplant candidates and recipients, organ and tissue donors, and their families.

Fr. Felixberto LeonGuerrero is the spiritual director for the Confraternity of Christian Mothers on Guam. He directed a Lenten day of prayer for the mothers who belong to the confraternity on March 17. The confraternity describes itself as “a pious association intended for mothers, which has for its special object the promotion of the good Christian and Catholic education of their children.