Friar Chris Dudek, OFM Conv., sent photos from the Assisi Pilgrimage. There were 33 participants which included youth from St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee, Mass., UNC Chapel Hill, N.C., Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore, and St. Francis High School, Athol Springs, N.Y. We visited Rome, Bagnoregio, Assisi, La Verna, Padua, and Venice. It was great to see young people from various locations and life experiences bond, learn, and pray together at the major sites in the life of Francis and Clare.
Our Lady of the Angeles Province welcomed a new friar priest: Friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv., who was ordained to the priesthood by Friar-Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
During his homily, Archbishop Hartmayer, archbishop of Atlanta, said, “It is obviously a great joy for me to be with you, my Conventual Franciscan family, to ordain our brother, Friar Franck-Lino Sokpolie, to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. God not only calls, he equips. Christ Himself places His words in your mouth making you His herald, His preacher, His minister of the sacraments.
“A priest’s credibility is never about age or status. It is about holiness. Not only in your preaching but in your conduct, through humility, Franciscan simplicity, and joyful service. Be a witness in love, especially toward the difficult, in faith, proclaiming Christ crucified, even at a cost. In purity, keeping your heart undivided for the Lord.”
“Be a witness in love, especially toward the difficult, in faith, proclaiming Christ crucified, even at a cost. In purity, keeping your heart undivided for the Lord,” said Archbishop Hartmayer.
Born in Togo, West Africa, Friar Lino is the son of Emilie and Ange Sokpolie. Twenty years ago, he and his family, including his sisters Sonia, Angela, and Elodie, moved to Richmond, Virginia. He hails from a family with multiple vocations to the Catholic Church: his aunt is a Benedictine nun in France, and two uncles are priests in Togo, one a Benedictine abbot and the other a rector of a diocesan seminary. Growing close to his aunt and uncles and witnessing their joy in their vocations inspired Friar Lino to consider his own calling. He recalls, “Although their vocation story deeply moved me, I had believed throughout my teens that priesthood was merely a childhood dream. However, during my first year of college, I began to discern my vocation once again.”
Of the Sokpolie family’s many vocations to the Church, Archbishop Hartmayer said, “For a family rooted in prayer, it is a testimony in faith.”
“The Church is blessed to call you a friar-priest,” said Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., minister provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province.
At the conclusion of the ordination Mass, Our Lady of the Angels Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., said: “On behalf of all the friars, I want to thank your mom and dad, your sisters, your grandparents, your entire family for entrusting you to us. Lino: here, in the deep south, we are blessed to call you our brother.
“The Church is blessed to call you a friar-priest. You remind us that by the grace of Christ, our Franciscan brotherhood, our Franciscan relationships, they are stronger than any racial or cultural barriers that may arise. Please, be who you were born to be. Celebrate your culture. Honor your point of view. Live from the depths of your heart. By your yes, you make Holy Cross Parish, the Church, and the Franciscan order richer.”
While exploring religious life, Friar Lino considered various communities. At each Come and See discernment weekend, he felt something was missing and couldn’t quite identify what it was. His mother suggested he also consider the Franciscans or Dominicans, but he was leaning toward the Benedictines. One day, he googled “Franciscans,” and the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City was the first site he clicked on. “Finally, I emailed the shrine and the Benedictine Abbey of St. Meinrad, leaving it to God to guide me. Whoever responded first, I would consider a sign.
“The shrine responded the next morning. I trusted that was God’s way of leading me, and nearly twelve years later, I am being ordained as a friar priest.” Friar Lino often reflects on St. Benedict Joseph Labre’s words: “The Providence of God is never wanting to him who confides in God as he ought,” which he finds very true. During his first Come and See weekend with the friars, he realized what was missing wasn’t food but community seeing the friars be their authentic selves, joking, laughing, supporting one another. That experience cemented his calling, and the rest was history
“Beginning this new chapter in my Franciscan journey has left me with no words but gratitude,” Friar Lino shared. “I look forward to the experiences that come with being a friar priest. I am at peace, happy, and grateful that God has allowed me to live out my vocation in this way.”
Friar Lino with his brother Franciscans.
Friar Lino earned his Master of Divinity in 2025 from the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. He holds a B.A. in French and Francophone Studies from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he also minored in philosophy and received an Advanced Certificate in European Studies. His first assignment as a friar-priest will be to serve the people at Holy Cross Parish in Atlanta, working closely with the Hispanic community. He spent two summers in Colombia, learning Spanish and ministering alongside friars in Bogotá and Medellín.
Since joining the province, his assignments have included St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro, Georgia; St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Kensington, Connecticut; working with retired friars in Rensselaer, New York; and ministering at St. Ann-Pacelli Catholic School in Columbus, Georgia. Friar Lino professed simple vows on July 21, 2016, and solemn vows on July 30, 2021. He was ordained a deacon on April 6, 2024, at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower in San Antonio.
In his free time, Friar Lino enjoys playing tennis, reading, sleeping, and occasionally hiking with friends, though he admits with some reluctance.
At the end of his ordination Mass, Friar Lino shared, “What a profound gift God has given me, not only the gift of my vocation but also the blessing of seeing all of you here today, the many people who have helped shape me into who I am. Today, I see the tapestry of my vocational journey, with every thread representing a moment, a person, a step along the way. Thank you! Thank you! And thank you!” He added, “At my solemn vows, I said ‘I do’ to living my life in a particular way; at my diaconate, I renewed that commitment to serve God’s people. And now, as a friar priest, I say once again, ‘I do’ with all my heart. I have become what I love, and what I love has shaped who I am, first as a friar, and now as a friar priest. Thank you! Please pray for me, and be assured of my prayers for you all.”
“I have become what I love, and what I love has shaped who I am, first as a friar, and now as a friar priest. Thank you! Please pray for me, and be assured of my prayers for you all.”
We give thanks to Almighty God for vesting five new novices for our Order in the United States. On Saturday, July 12, 2025, friars from all around the United States gathered at the St. Francis of Assisi Novitiate in Arroyo Grande, California, USA., to celebrate the vesting of five novices in the habit of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Friar Martin DAY, the Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation (OLC), presided over the Rite of Vesting, which was conducted during Evening Prayer.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the men being vested, and beginning their time of probation, were called forward. They are Daniel Paul DEVERA and Matthew FLAHERTY, members of the OLC Province; Tristen PARAISO and Kole RESLER, members of the Province of Our Lady of the Angels (OLA); and George HARRIS, a member of the Province of St. Bonaventure (SB). Friar Martin questioned the men about their intentions and if they were willing to live the Gospel Life, to which they wholeheartedly agreed.
“This past Sunday (July 13, 2025), I had lunch with our novices, Tristen and Kole, along with Friar Joe Dorniak. During our meal, we reflected on what drew us to become friars,” said Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine OFM Conv. “Our newly invested shared that one of the strongest attractions was our communal life. Young people today are looking for authentic community—for a sense of belonging—and they are drawn toward communities, who live what they profess. We pray the Lord gives us the grace to live faithfully and authentically, so we may truly be who we say we are.”
Friar Michel Heine, OFM Conv., (far right), with Friars Tristen Paraiso (left) and Kole Resler (middle).
The psalms were prayed, and three readings were read. The first was from the Book of Samuel (Speak Lord); the second, from the Major Legend (Life of St. Francis) by St. Bonaventure; and the third was from the Gospel of St. Mark (10:24-30). Friar Martin gave a beautiful reflection on the need to be open to the voice of the Lord and how we as friars receive formation from a variety of places and in a variety of ways―not only from our designated formators, but also from our peers, and especially from the friars who have come before us.
The new Conventual Franciscan habits were blessed, and each of the Ministers Provincial came forward to vest their novices. There was great jubilation as all the friars welcomed each new novice friar with an embrace of peace and congratulations. The novices were officially entrusted to their Novitiate Directors, Friars James CIARAMITARO and Antony Varghese VATTAPARAMBIL, as the assembled friars prayed for them and for their ministry as formators.
Evening Prayer continued with the recitation of the Canticle of Mary, the intercessions, and a final prayer and blessing. Please keep these five novices in your prayers as they undertake this year-and-a-day of probation and deeper formation in the Franciscan life.
The Vatican’s decree issuing the new formulary of the Missa pro custodia creationis (Mass for the Care of Creation), is an important pastoral resource to support the celebrations of “Creation Day” on September 1, 2025, also known as the “Feast of Creation” or “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.”
After three decades of ever-growing grassroots celebrations of Creation Day, many voices have called for a more intentional celebration of this observance. There is a deep thirst in the people of God to celebrate the gift of Creation, and God as Creator, in the liturgy. This new “Creation Mass” is a positive first step to enable that. In fact, many Christian denominations are already taking steps towards liturgical celebrations of these observances, inspired by Creation Day’s ancient liturgical roots in the Eastern Church. This new Mass formulary is a small but useful first step in that direction for us Catholics as well.
Now we are waiting for the liturgy commissions of episcopal conferences to translate this new Latin formulary into various other languages. At present, the Mass parts are available in Latin, Italian, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German, while the Liturgy of the Word is only available in Latin and Italian. Here is the website with the new decree and links to the Mass parts and readings:
It is worth noting that, given the timing of this announcement, the majority of episcopal conferences will likely take more than two months to do the translations and get them approved by their various internal and Vatican authorities before publishing the official liturgical texts. Therefore, in most countries, this new Mass will likely become available at a later date.
In the meantime, Creation Day can still be celebrated with other prayers and pastoral resources. See (in English): “Ideas to celebrate Creation Day.”
Pope Leo XVI celebrated the first Mass for the Care of Creation at Castel Gondolfo on July 9, 2025. “We hear the cry of the earth and of the poor,” he said, “for that cry has reached the heart of God. Our indignation is His indignation; our work is His work.”
Friar Patrick Allen, OFM Conv., professed his temporary vows on July 9, at St. Francis of Assisi Novitiate in Arroyo Grande, Calif. Friar Patrick belongs to the Provincial Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa in Great Britain and Ireland. Friar Max Martin, OFM Conv., custos, traveled across the pond to accept Friar Patrick’s vows. Vicar Custos Friar Colin Edwards, OFM Conv. was also present. Friar Joseph Dorniak, OFM Conv., a member of OLA Province and wisdom figure at the novitiate was a witness.
After some time for a break, Friar Patrick will begin studies in San Antonio, Texas.
+ Friar Herman (Robert) Benedict Czaster, OFM Conv., 86, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Sunday, July 6,2025, at Enfield, Conn. Born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Sept. 7, 1938, he was the only child of the late Benedict and Stella (nee Karas) Czaster, who owned a restaurant together in Buffalo. Friar Czaster was planted and grew in Franciscan soil, first as a parishioner and student at Corpus Christi Parish in Buffalo and then as a boarder at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, N.Y. During his secondary schooling, he spent his summers working part-time in a lumber yard and whiskey warehouse.
Friar Czaster joined the Conventual Franciscan Friars following high school graduation in 1956, entering the novitiate in Becket, Mass. He professed simple vows on Aug. 15, 1957, and then began studies at St. Hyacinth College Seminary in Granby, Mass. After making his solemn profession on Aug. 15, 1960, he earned his B.A. in Philosophy in 1963. He completed seminary studies and was ordained to the priesthood on June 17, 1965.
His first assignment as a friar-priest was to Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Md., where he taught for nine years. In 1973, he became associate pastor of Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Buffalo, ministering in that capacity until 1976, when he was elected provincial secretary and later vicar provincial, stationed in Baltimore. After serving in provincial leadership, Friar Czaster moved to St. Adalbert Parish in Elmhurst, N.Y., where he served a nine-year term as pastor.
In 1991, he transitioned to St. Casimir Parish in Riverside, N.J. In 1994, he began another nine-year ministry, this time at St. Paul Parish in Kensington, Conn. He was named pastor of St. Paul’s in 2002. In 2005, he returned to St. Adalbert’s, ministering there as parochial vicar for 18 years (two more nine-year experiences, back-to-back). In 2023, Friar Czaster was moved to St. Hyacinth Friary in Chicopee, awaiting what he always referred to as his “final assignment to St. John’s.”
Visitation hours will be held on Thursday, July 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., at St. Adalbert Catholic Church (52-29 83rd Street, Elmhurst, N.Y. 11373). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 10, at 11:00 a.m., in St. Adalbert’s, followed by burial in St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, N.Y.
Donations in memory of Friar Czaster can be made to The Franciscan Education Fund, 12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042.
The Vatican’s decree issuing the new formulary of the Missa pro custodia creationis (Mass for the Care of Creation), is an important pastoral resource to support the celebrations of “Creation Day” on September 1, 2025, also known as the “Feast of Creation” or “World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.”
After three decades of ever-growing grassroots celebrations of Creation Day, many voices have called for a more intentional celebration of this observance. There is a deep thirst in the people of God to celebrate the gift of Creation, and God as Creator, in the liturgy. This new “Creation Mass” is a positive first step to enable that. In fact, many Christian denominations are already taking steps towards liturgical celebrations of these observances, inspired by Creation Day’s ancient liturgical roots in the Eastern Church. This new Mass formulary is a small but useful first step in that direction for us Catholics as well.
Now we are waiting for the liturgy commissions of episcopal conferences to translate this new Latin formulary into various other languages. At present, the Mass parts are available in Latin, Italian, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German, while the Liturgy of the Word is only available in Latin and Italian. Here is the website with the new decree and links to the Mass parts and readings:
It is worth noting that, given the timing of this announcement, the majority of episcopal conferences will likely take more than two months to do the translations and get them approved by their various internal and Vatican authorities before publishing the official liturgical texts. Therefore, in most countries, this new Mass will likely become available at a later date.
In the meantime, Creation Day can still be celebrated with other prayers and pastoral resources. See (in English): “Ideas to celebrate Creation Day.”
Hundreds gathered on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at The Shrine of St Anthony in Ellicott City, Md., for the concluding Mass of the Marian Apostolate Relic Tour. Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., spoke to an overflowing crowd about the lives of St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Faustina Kowalska, and St. Pope John Paul II.
The pilgrims were encouraged to become who they receive, Jesus Christ, today on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. The three Saints, who received our Lord in the Eucharist, lived out their vocation to be the presence of Jesus in the world. Their lives were broken and poured out for love of God’s people.
On May 17, 2025, the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine in Fonda, N.Y., a ministry of Our Lady of the Angels Province, partnered with Montgomery County History & Archives and County Tourism for a special commemoration. In May 1775, 250 years ago, a conflict took place around the raising of a Liberty Pole on what is now the shrine grounds, leading to the county’s first bloodshed of what would become the Revolutionary War. The practice of raising a red “Liberty Cap” on the end of a pole or spear as a symbol of a freedom began in ancient Rome.
Liberty Poles were used in symbols during the Renaissance when there was dissent over who was ruling a nation and were erected during Colonial times to express opposition to British rule. The shrine’s event marked the importance of its grounds during the founding of New York and the United States.
The day-long event also featured educational demonstrations of traditional crafts and a number of booths from other local history organizations. Approximately 125 people attended, in addition to the various reenactors, volunteers, and staff. The shrine was excited to hold the inaugural event for the commemoration of the American Revolution in the Mohawk River Valley.
Kateri was declared Venerable by Pope Pius XII on January 3, 1943; beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II on June 22, 1980; and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012. This National Shrine was established to honor Saint Kateri and to continue her legacy of devotion, healing, and intercultural encounter between Native and European Americans.
Submitted by:
Melissa Miscevic Bramble
Director of Operations
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha National Shrine and Historic Site
Friars, family, and friends gathered in Kuczbork, Poland on May 31, 2025, for the Requiem and burial of + Friar Stanley Sobiech, OFM Conv., who died on Dec. 10, 2024, in Enfield, Conn., at the age of 91.
“His home village of Kuczbork (population 700) gave him an enormous welcome home,” said Friar James McCurry OFM Conv., former minister provincial, who delivered the homily. “After the Requiem, we carried + Friar Stanley’s cremains in a procession to the local parish cemetery, where he was interred in the tomb with his departed parents. His family expressed their profound gratitude to all the friars in the United States who lived with Friar Stanley, loved him, and cared for him until the end of his life.”
In his sermon, which he preached in Polish, Friar James said, “Father Stanislaw, in his humility, never wanted to be a guardian or a pastor. He was content to take the secondary role of a hard-working assistant. He once described himself to me in the following words: ‘I am like a spare tire in the trunk of a car, but if I am needed, then you only must open the trunk and take me out. I never wanted to be a boss.’”
“Father Stanislaw was noted for smiling all the time. His smile bespoke the teeth which he proudly boasted as having got in Poland at a very low price. He was friendly with everyone. If he saw anyone looking downcast, his standard word of advice was simple: ‘Smile.’”
+ Friar Stanley’s niece, Kasia (second from left) is holding the urn with his cremains. Friar James McCurry, OFM Conv., center, joined family members and the local pastor, Father Boguslaw Sabat.
Five other priests including the vicar provincial of the Warsaw Province, Friar Wiesław Chabros, OFM Conv., and four diocesan clergy concelebrated along with Friar James. The Parish Church of Saint Bartholomew was full.
Born in Kuczbork, Warsaw, Poland on July 20, 1933, he was the elder son of Tadeusz and Stefania (nee Szczepaniak) Sobiech. He had one younger brother and four sisters. Growing up in occupied Poland, Stanley worked the family farm, though considered himself to be more of a shepherd—herding cows, pigs, sheep, and lambs. This shepherd’s heart would eventually be directed to the service of the Church. Having dreamed of becoming a priest since he was a young child, Stanley entered the Novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Niepokalanow, Poland in 1955.
