+ Friar Richard Florek, OFM Conv. (1944-2025)
Friar Richard Florek , OFM Conv., a Franciscan Friar of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, died on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Born in Buffalo on Dec. 23, 1944, he was son of the late Walter and Genevieve (nee Kuzara) Florek. He is survived by his sisters, Geraldine Weiss and Marianne Vidal, along with many nephews and nieces. Friar Richard grew up with the Conventual Franciscans, first as a parishioner and student at St. Casimir Parish and then as a student at Bishop Ryan High School, both in Buffalo.
After graduating high school, Friar Richard entered the Novitiate of the Conventual Fraciscans in Ellicott City, Md., being given the religious name “Chrysostom.” He professed simple vows on Aug.15, 1963. He then attended St. Hyacinth College & Seminary in Granby, Mass., earning his bachelor’s in philosophy before professing solemn vows on Aug. 15, 1966. He completed theological studies at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, N.Y., and was ordained to the priesthood in Albany on May 20, 1972.
At a time when most friars went into the high school apostolate after completing initial formation, Frair Richard bucked the trend and dove into parish life. His first assignment was to St. Casimir Parish in Riverside, N.J., where he ministered from 1972-1982. He then served three years as pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Mt. Joy, Penn., before commencing a 10 year assignment as co-pastor and then pastor of St. Paul Parish in Kensington, Conn. In 1995, he started another decade of ministry as pastor of St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Parish in Baltimore, Md. Friar Richard then moved to Boynton Beach, Fla., where he served as pastor of St. Mark Parish until 2014. He continued living in residence at St. Mark Friary until his death.
Visitation hours will be held Thursday, March 27, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at St. Mark Catholic Church (643 NE 4th Avenue, Boynton Beach FL 33435), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mark’s on Friday, March 28 at 11 a.m. Another Funeral Mass will be celebrated, in the chapel of St. Francis High School (4129 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg NY 14075) on Wednesday, Apr. 2, at 12:00 p.m., preceded by an hour of visitation. Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Buffalo N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Aged & Infirm Fund (12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City MD 21042).
Missionaries Received by Custody of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil
On Feb. 22 and 23, the Custody of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil had the joy of receiving eight missionaries and volunteers from the Militia of the Immaculate Conception in São Bernardo do Campo/SP at the Santa Cecília Parish in Belo Horizonte/MG.
They went to spread the word about the charisma and the new open Catholic TV channel in Belo Horizonte/MG: TV Imaculada 15.1. The missionaries were received by the parish priest, Friar Fábio Soares da Silva, OFM Conv., and by the other confreres of the Convent of Our Lady of the Angels: Friar Marcelo dos Santos Silva, OFM Conv. and Friar Lindomar de Jesus Carvalho, OFM Conv. The missionaries were sent to the various chapels that make up the Santa Cecília Parish.
In addition to the publicity, miraculous medals and magazines of the Militia of the Immaculate, inspired by the evangelizing style of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, were offered to the faithful who participated in the Celebrations. Full of gratitude, we praise God for such great benefits!
An Ash Wednesday Message from our Minister Provincial
“As we begin these 40 days of Lent, we ask the Lord to help us to change. We pray that the Lord helps us to change so that we may be able to experience the warmth and the sun of Jesus the Son, risen from the dead at Easter.”
~ Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv.
Bringing Lent to Brooklyn: Inviting Young Adults to Encounter Faith
By Friar Richard Riccioli, OFM Conv., Pastor
As we begin the sacred season of Lent, we at Most Holy Trinity-St. Mary’s Parish’s in Brooklyn, N.Y., are reaching out to the many young adults in our Williamsburg neighborhood, inviting them to take part in this time of reflection and renewal.
We know that many of our neighbors, especially young adults, may not currently be connected to a faith community. Some may have grown up Catholic but drifted away, while others may simply be searching for something deeper. Our hope this Lent is to meet them where they are and offer simple, meaningful ways to reconnect with Jesus.
One new initiative is Express Ashes, an accessible way to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday without attending a full Mass. Those who participate will be invited to take a moment for personal prayer (with a guided prayer sheet we provide) before receiving ashes from one of our friars. This allows for a personal and reflective experience, even for those who may feel hesitant about stepping into a church.
We’re also using Instagram to share brief (30-60 second) Lenten reflections, offering messages of hope, encouragement, and renewal throughout the season. By meeting people in digital spaces where they already are, we hope to extend an open invitation to return, reflect, and rediscover the faith.
Follow us on Instagram @TrinitySaintMaryBK and journey with us this Lent!
Simple Profession and Silver Jubilee Celebration for Brazilian Friars
On Feb. 8, 2025, the Custody of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil had the joy of celebrating the Eucharist, presided over by Provincial Custos Friar Carlos Roberto de Oliveira Charles, OFM Conv., in which five young men made their First Profession of Vows. Making their vows were Friar Adilson Fernandes, OFM Conv., Friar Gabriel Florenço, OFM Conv, Friar Jaime Sabino, OFM Conv, Friar Marcos Jesus, OFM Conv., and Friar Ramon Nascimento, OFM Conv.
And together with this celebration we join in giving thanks for the 25 years of religious profession of Friar Humberto Martins, OFM Conv. We praise and thank God for the gift of life and vocation of these brothers of ours and we ask that God grant them perseverance in their vocational journey.
Submitted by Friar Willian Gomes Mendonça, OFM Conv., Custodial Secretary
