Hello from Singapore!

I am here with the Friars from March 1-18 to preach their Custody Retreat.
There are 30 Friars in this Custody, attached to the Province of Australia.

Singapore has a population of 4.5 million people. The Catholic Population in this city-state-country numbers 177,000 with 30 parishes, 70 diocesan priests, 67 religious priests, 98 Religious Brothers, 189 Religious Sisters. The OFM’s arrived here 50 years ago.

I am living in their Formation House with twelve friars.

The Guardian, Council Member and Head of Formation is Clifford Augustine OFM, who lived at St Peter’s in the Loop for two years while taking classes at CTU. The retreat for the Custody will be in Malaysia – a four

Hour bus ride from Singapore. The 90 degrees and 97 percent humidity is a welcome change from Chicago’s winter.

For more info on the Custody go to their website: http://www.franciscans.sg/ The friars are most hospitable and welcoming.

Please remember the retreat in your prayers – March 9-13. Peace!