Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province is progressing in our efforts to more fully tap into this devotion from our Kolbean heritage, through the example of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., and the continued efforts of his Militia of the Immaculata’s (M.I.) unconditional consecration to the Immaculate. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has completed the third and fourth stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Over the next few years, Friar Jobe will preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to enroll in the M.I.
On the weekend of July 13-14, 2019, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars ~ Fr. Michael Lorentsen, OFM Conv (pastor), Br. Jim Moore, OFM Conv. (Friary Guardian & Senior Friars Director, Rev. Antone Kandrac, OFM Conv. and Br. Stephen Merrigan, OFM Conv. ~ welcomed Friar Jobe to our St. Catharine of Siena Friary and St. Junipero Serra Parish (Seaside Park/Seaside Heights, NJ) for the third and fourth stop – shared weekend – on our M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. St. Junipero Serra Parish is one parish with two worship sites: St. Catharine of Siena Church (50 E Street, Seaside Park, NJ – at left) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (100 Grant Avenue, Seaside Heights, NJ – at top)
Some of the parishioners from St. Junipero Serra Parish at the St. Catharine of Siena Church worship site in Seaside Park, NJ, who made their consecration that day.
As expected, great crowds attended the Masses at both worship sites. The M.I. Initiative and the consecratory prayer cards together with the miraculous medal were so well received that Friar Jobe ran out of envelopes after the second Mass. During the recent Jubilee Celebration at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD), Friar Michael stocked up on another 250 envelopes and distributed them during the celebration of the August 15 2019 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a highlight of the season at the Jersey Shore.
Celebration of the August 15 2019 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
