May 1, 2022: The Minister General of our Order, the Most Rev. Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv. (above pictured in front of the Tomb of St. Francis in Assisi) and Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province friar serving as Assistant General for the Conventual Franciscan Federation) visited our Province’s Syracuse, NY pastoral ministry ~ Assumption Church, where our friars have been serving for over 100 years. Friar Carlos and Friar Jude toured the newly remodeled the lower level of the church; a space called the Grotto. The friars serving at Assumption Church use the space to invite local people of the area to join them for coffee, dinner, etc. The aim is to build friendships, which will hopefully lead them to deeper participation in the life of the community. It is hoped this program will lead some of them to want more, to participate in Mass which is celebrated in the upper level of the church. The program corresponds with St. Francis’ call to “heal wounds, bind what is broken, and bring home the lost.” Read More
Our newly elected Minister Provincial ~ the Very Rev. Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. will be at Assumption Church, June 5, 2022, to celebrate Mass and bless the Grotto.

May 5-7, 2022: After visiting the Province Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland [Gdańsk] (May 2-5, 2022 Montreal, Canada) and before attending the United States for the provinces’ chapters, Friar Carlos made his first visit to Canada, including a fraternal visit to our Province’s Canadian Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi, with a stop at our St. Bonaventure Friary in Toronto, ON. The friars gathered with the general and Friar Jude to offer their opinions and hopes for the future as we work at re-founding the Order’s presence in Canada. After the meeting and following the Minister General’s encouraging words, the friars present took this picture in the friary chapel.