INTRODUCING OUR NEW PROVINCIAL PROMOTER

– Fr. Ignatius John Schweitzer, O.P. 

Greetings dear brothers and sisters in St. Dominic,

I have some joyous news to share with all of you. You may have heard that we have a new Provincial Promoter! Let me introduce Fr. Ignatius John Schweitzer, O.P. to you all. Father was appointed as the Promoter for the Laity by the friars Provincial Chapter that ended last week, recall they began meeting at the beginning of June. This same Chapter also elected Fr. Darren Pierre, O.P. as the Province of St. Joseph’s new Prior Provincial, following Fr. Ken Letoile, O.P. whose term ended last week.

I’ve spoken with Fr. Ignatius several times already, gave him an overview of the Laity, and how we roll as well as listening to his ideas for us. You will love and embrace them. Since Fr. Ignatius has had limited workings with the laity, we thought a Zoom session for the laity in general to meet him and ask a question or two would be in order. Here is the Zoom link for you to join should you desire. This meeting will be Wednesday July 13th at 8pm. We will start with the Rosary.

Fr. Ignatius will bring us a wealth of contemplation, prayer, conferences and his love for our sister, St. Catherine of Siena. I’m looking forward to this. One of his main goals will be to appoint Religious Assistants with the full support of Fr. Darren and myself. This will take some time so we have to be patient a bit longer. More to follow for sure so do nothing now as some of the friars are moving to new locations based on their new assignments. So far, Fr. Ignatius will be able to attend all the scheduled regional meetings. Be sure to check with your regional president for the date and come and meet him in person! Regional meetings are open to all members of the region. I remember going to my regional meetings when I was in formation. It is a wonderful way to meet other members of your region and strengthen our Community Pillar!

So what happened to Fr. Carlos? Nothing actually, the Holy Spirit didn’t move the friars to have him continue in his current capacity with us and we will miss him very much, but …. he will stick around and help Fr. Ignatius to become more familiar with his new duties and help us best he can. I told him he will always be a part of us and we would not like to just say goodbye. Fr. Ignatius is fine with this. Recall that Fr. Carlos was a member of the LFSD before he became a friar so he has a very special place in his heart for the laity.

Fr. Ignatius will help us implement Bible studies and Inquiry Meetings as well as helping us to help us grow. He will help find friars to conduct regional retreats or do them himself if he is able. His enthusiasm is contagious!

Let us praise the Lord for His blessings to us, continue to pray for one another and for the intentions of the Order.

I remain your little sister in St. Dominic,