Who We Are - Franciscan Friars - Province of St. John the Baptist in Cincinnati, Ohio




	introduction history of the province life of St. francis of assisi province ministries related links province newsletter child protection our mission 150th Anniversary

ministry of the month

“Altruistic” is a word you seldom see because so few people fit the description: “unselfish concern for the welfare of others.” But the life and work of Fr. Dennet Jung, OFM, is a study in selflessness. In his ministry as a pastor, a Vocation director, a formation team member and a Provincial Councilor, he’s always been the quietly capable friar who takes on the work and leaves others the glory. Versatile and adaptable, Dennet is the go-to guy: ready, willing and able to step in or pitch in whenever his province needs him. The legacy he leaves each community is a spirit of hope and the confidence he works to instill in others. A tribute written by parishioners in 1999 when Dennet left St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Lafayette pretty much sums it up: “He lived in a simple manner, walked humbly and acted justly.” At 72, Dennet recently joined the friar fraternity at St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, Pa. It’s not the first time he’s taken on an entirely new role – and it probably won’t be the last.

friar facts

Lady Poverty Favorite term for St. Francis' love of the virtue of Poverty.

Introduction

When I ministered as a psychologist at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, folks were always curious about the Franciscans. Some who knew me would come up and joke, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.” Others just wanted to know who the friars are and what we do. We are ordinary men who strive to be brothers to one another and brothers to those to whom we minister. We pray together; we share our faith together. We try to live and share the Gospel message of Jesus in the spirit of St. Francis. Thanks for checking out our web site. We're happy to share our story with you.

Fraternally,

Frank Jasper, OFM

Provincial Vicar


		Inspired by the life of St. Francis

The 170 friars of St. John the Baptist Province (SJB) are members of the Order of Friars Minor, a Franciscan brotherhood inspired by the 13th-century example of St. Francis of Assisi. We serve the Catholic Church as brothers and priests, devoting our lives to the search for God in a communal life of poverty, prayer, and service to others.

Globally, the Order is divided into geographic areas known as "provinces." Most of the Friars from SJB province, which has its headquarters in Cincinnati, live and work in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Texas and Jamaica. Others serve in New Mexico, Arizona, Missouri and Washington, D.C. Individual friars presently minister around the world in Kenya, Japan and the Philippines.

We serve as parish and campus ministers; as hospital, military and prison chaplains; as counselors; as educators and administrators in high schools, colleges and our formation program; as preachers and retreat directors in evangelization efforts; as directors of anti-poverty programs; as skilled craftsmen and in support services; as writers and communicators; and as missionaries—all ways of spreading the Good News.