Fr. Peter Fehlner has left the Friars of the Immaculate to rejoin the Conventual Franciscans

Fr. Peter Fehlner was a prominent member of the Franciscans of the Immaculate and former rector of the Guadalupe Shrine in LSE.  Since I've been asked about it I thought I would post the information I had.  It's worth noting the state of the FFI (sorry for an aside, but I laughed out loud, everybody in that article's comments called me Steve for some reason), and that Father Peter was one of the signees of the request for papal intervention, along with Fr. Angelo Geiger (whom remains in the FFI and as I understand pursuing doctoral studies).  It seems that there had been individual FFI friars that had expressed frustration to him over the visitation.

Back around October the FFI US Provincial superior was notified by Fr. Peter that he was returning to the Conventual Franciscans.  Fr. Peter is currently stationed at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, MD, still staying busy and keeping in touch with many of the FFI friars quite regularly.

The FFI provided me with some of the details with this in conclusion:

We greatly miss Fr. Peter, no doubt, and trust that he was acting according to his conscience with such a difficult move, desirous only of doing God's Will.

Profession of Religious Vows of Peter Damian Fehlner, OFM Conv.: The candidate approaches the Minister Provincial (the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.), kneels before him, folds his hands between the Minister’s palms resting on the book of the Gospels, and recites the formula of profession. Witnesses: Friar Jim Moore, OFM Conv. (Guardian of the St. Bonaventure Friary Post Novitiate) and Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. (Guardian of the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, in which Friar Peter Damian resides) {Novice, friar Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. kneeling at center}

On Saturday, September 17, 2016, Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner, OFM Conv. professed Solemn Vows in the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary Chapel (Ellicott City, MD), in the company of many of his confreres, as well as some visiting seminarians from the Diocese of Savannah. Friar Peter began his life as a Franciscan as a member of our community. For the past few decades, he has been a member of another Order but on Saturday returned “home” to us and is assigned to the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary which serves the needs of the pilgrims to the Shrine of St. Anthony. We welcome him home and ask for you to keep him and all of our friars in your continued prayers. For more pictures from the day, please visit our Province Facebook page.

Our Lady of the Angels Province

Two more Conventual Franciscan priest join new Viterbo(La Crosse) chaplain

Fr. Conrad Targonski, OFM,
blessing two of the many animals
present at the pet blessing on
St. Francis Day.

Though retired from the Navy after 22 years as a chaplain, this motorcycle-riding Franciscan friar who had been involved in the Fallujah offensive in Iraq, is far from done serving.

Targonski arrived at Viterbo University in March 2011 to fill the very large void left when Viterbo's previous priest, the Rev. Tom O'Neill, a former Jesuit, died in 2009. He had served at Viterbo since 1994.

Targonski is the first Franciscan friar to serve at Viterbo as its chaplain and has been joined by two other friars who minister to St. Rose Convent and the Mayo Health Center.

"Father Conrad is a real gift to Viterbo and our community," said Rick Artman, university president.

"His life experiences help him relate extremely well with students. He also is very well versed in the scriptures, very knowledgeable about other religions, and he is an excellent homilist. He is a perfect fit for Viterbo."

LaxTrib

The La Crosse diocese has in the past needed to devote at least a couple of priests for the whole campus.  I don't know the details but this might free up some for parish duties.