Friar Noel (at left) serves as pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church.
Friar Bob serves as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Mary Magdalen Mission.
Over the weekends of January 26-28 and February 2-4, 2019, our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. visited our province’s newest friary, the friars living in community there, as well as their ministry sites (Columbus, GA).Franciscan Martyrs Friary is home to five friars of our province: Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. (pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Parish), Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar at St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Mary Magdalen Mission), and Fr. Manny Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of St. Anne Catholic Church).
This friary, and our ministries served by the friars living there, are located in the Diocese of Savannah, GA. Fr. James was also able to take the opportunity to visit with another one of our friars living and serving there; Bishop of Savannah, The Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Besides being a guest of honor at the Diocese’s annual Deimel Legacy Ball at Fort Benning, Fr. James celebrated and preached at the principal liturgies in all three parishes (St. Anne Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, and St. Benedict the Moor Parish), as well as the small mission church of St. Mary Magdalen in Buena Vista.
Fr. James also celebrated Mass for the 730 students of St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School to mark the opening of Catholic Schools Week. Parishioners repeatedly expressed their gratitude for the reviving presence of the Franciscan Friars in their local churches.
Please note that Bishop Gregory has invited Fr. Bortolino Maistrello, OFM Conv. of the Basilica of St. Anthony (Padua, Italy) to the Diocese of Savannah to visit with two holy relics of Saint Anthony of Padua, from February 22 – March 3, 2019. One of the stops near the end of the tour is our pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church, on March 2nd. If you are in the area, our friars welcome and encourage you to visit. Clicko on the insert and follow to the link for more details.
Currently on sabbatical in India, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. serves as our Delegate to the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.). In addition, Friar Jobe is a well respected, published Canon Lawyer and professor of Canon Law. In 2018, he released a 3rd Edition publication of KANONIKA 07 | ” Two Codes in Comparison.” (ebook version).
Friar Jobe (in green) with the Friary Guardian, Fr. Kuriakose Mattahil, OFM Conv. and six of the simply professed students who had just returned from classes.
As part of my sabbatical, I was invited to Bangalore, India to give lectures and the convocation address (January 28-29, 2019) at the Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Pontifical Athenaeum of Theology, Philosophy and Canon Law. After that, I was blessed to spend time with the friars of our Order’s Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe (India) who are building a new seminary complex in the area of Bangalore. What a joy to see the young and hopeful faces of our friars! They have 22 novices and, this June they expect to begin the new academic year housing the philosophy students in the building under construction in this photo. There will be rooms for 32 simply professed friars and 8 solemnly professed friars as well as guests. Situated on a three-acre property, the friary has room to grow and is well-situated; one kilometer from the long-awaited subway system for Bangalore.
500 patrons in evening gowns, tuxedos and military dress uniform joined our grey-habited friars for the annual Deimel Legacy Ball at Fort Benning. The friars featured here serve in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church (left to right) Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. – Pastor, Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar and Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar.
The 14th Annual Deimel Legacy Ball was held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at the National Infantry Museum. The black tie optional event proceeds support tuition assistance at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School, the parochial school affiliated with three of our newest pastoral ministries and hosted by Diocese of Savannah Bishop Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., a friar of our province. The event is supported by the entire Columbus (GA) deanery of the Diocese of Savannah, which includes: Christ the King, Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Anne, and St. Benedict the Moor parishes. The celebration of the Catholic Faith, was also attended by Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. and our friars serving in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Benedict the Moor Parish.
On Sunday, January 27th, Bishop Gregory served as the main celebrant and homilist at St. Anne’s parish Mass – joined by our friars serving in Columbus and Fr. James, who remained in Columbus in order to visit with Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv., Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv., Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (all in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church) and Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at St. Benedict the Moor Parish). This visit also afforded Fr. James the opportunity to celebrate the 9:30 a.m. Catholic School’s Week all school (PreK through 12th grade) Mass, on Monday, January 28, 2019, at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. Monday was a day devoted to celebration Vocations & Volunteers and also included Primary Grade Students decorating prayer rocks to use to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Students in grades 3-5 will engaging in a special presentation on Benediction with Friar Manny, Middle School Students enjoying vocationally-themed activities in their Religion classes, High School Students playing lunchtime games that celebrate vocations, and all St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School Volunteers receiving a special treat via email.
Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. launched “Catholic Schools Week” in Columbus, Georgia, on January 28th, as main celebrant and homilist at Mass for the whole student body (numbering over 700) of St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. This largest school in the Savannah Diocese enrolls pupils from pre-K through 12th grade.
December 10-14, 2018: The annual retreat for our Custody of the Immaculate Conception of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was held in Juiz de Fora. On December 13th, the Simple Vows of friar Jesus Rodrigues do Amaral, OFM Conv. and friar Ricardo Elvis Arruda Bezerra, OFM Conv. were accepted by the Custos, Fr. Ronaldo Gomes da Silva, OFM Conv.
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
~ St. Francis of Assisi
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Brother Michael Duffy, OFM Conv., Associate Dean of the Elms College School of Nursing, delivered the Keynote address on December 5, 2018, Elms College Doctor of Nursing Practice White Coat Ceremony.
September 8, 2018: The postulants helped raise funds and awareness to end hunger, through the 33rd Annual Hunger Walk – supporting the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s network of soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters. It is Chicago’s largest annual anti-hunger rally and this year over twelve thousand participants raised more than $190,000.
The week after Thanksgiving, Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. of our province’s Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Ministry met with all of the postulants of the Conventual Franciscan Postulancy USA, in Chicago, IL for two days of JPIC workshops.
Roberto (Our Lady of Consolation Province):
“I can personally relate to a lot of what was being mentioned in the workshop. Coming from México and being raised in two different cultures was a challenge but it is certainly one that helped me to more fully understand our current political climate. Definitely learned a lot and am looking forward for what God and the world has to offer in my vocation. Gracias y que Dios los bendiga.”
Luke (Our Lady of the Angels Province):
“Social justice begins in our stories. As Christians our stories carry the power and presence of Christ, our Brother and Healer. Humanity today is ‘Doubting Thomas’ and we must show unbelieving Thomas our wounds, which have become scars by the life and light of Christ. Catherine Doherty says it well enough: the time of ‘mere talking is over.’ We must live the Gospel without compromise, because when we don’t, who will?”
Alex (Our Lady of Consolation Province):
“I gained a substantial knowledge on how to live out the vow of poverty in a way that supports the poor and the environment. Spending a little extra and investing a little more energy in order to support the poor is a part of our charism.”
Christopher (Our Lady of the Angels Province):
“In the past 10 years of my life I have been very humbled in encountering the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth around the world. It’s been really eye opening to meet people and explore places that experience varying dimensions of poverty—even here in the US. What a blessing it is now at this point in my life and my vocation to begin developing my understanding of JPIC in a Franciscan framework. With my continued exploration of foundational principles in caring for creation and for our common home I have become more confident in living out Laudato Si and integrating a more holistic lense and approach to matters of poverty and environment. I consider it an obligation in our world to use the privileges afforded me as a first-generation, Latino-American, Catholic, Ecologist, to aid in local and global discussions regarding JPIC and actually heeding the gospel calling to be Christ to others and renew the face of the earth for the glory of our Creator.”
The encyclical — as well as the government’s report — serves to remind the human family that the focus is not what’s best for an individual or one country, but what’s best for the entire planet, said Father Michael Lasky, a Conventual Franciscan who serves as director of Justice, Peace and Care for Creation Ministry for the order’s Our Lady of Angels Province based in Ellicott City, Maryland…
“We are brother and sister to one another. In that context, don’t you sacrifice for the one you love, especially if the one you love is hurting? That means we have to live differently. We have to do a radical shift,” Father Lasky said
Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv. serves as Director of Campus Ministry at the Duke Catholic Center (Duke University). Each year, he shares weekly reflections for Advent and for Lent.
A Message from Br. Ed Handy, OFM Conv. “Rejoice with me,”
with great joy and thanksgiving to Almighty God, after 30 years of ministry with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ! In 1988, I began a ministry as a teacher of special education with the Mt. Carmel Guild School for Students with special needs. Eight years later I was assigned to St. Bridget’s Transitional Housing and Supportive Services Program for Homeless Men Living with HIV/AIDS as a residential counselor. This year, after 22 years at St. Bridget’s, I retired from Catholic Charities and will move from Clifton, NJ. to my birth city of Baltimore in the near future.
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The following excerpt was taken from a post on our site, where Brother Ed shared this description of his ministry of service with St. Bridget’s Residence Program:
St. Bridget’s is one of many community services provided by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. It is not a hospice nor a medical facility, but a transitional housing program, providing a safe and healthy environment necessary to enable each resident to empower himself with skills necessary to obtain a permanent home.
“Ministering to homeless men with HIV/AIDS at St. Bridget’s reminds me of how St. Francis, with love and compassion, approached the leper 800 years ago. Many of our men have shared with me their personal stories of how they have been rejected by society, family and friends because of their HIV/AIDS condition. Much education is still needed in this area. ‘What you did for the least of these…, you did for me’ (Mt 25:40). This is our testimony and our challenge to offer a better life for those who seek our services. My weekly ministry hours and days at St. Bridget’s are from 3:00 p.m. to 12.00 a.m. – Monday through Friday. Compassion and Service has been the hallmark of my … years ministering at St. Bridget’s.“
On Sunday, January 27th, Bishop Gregory served as the main celebrant and homilist at St. Anne’s parish Mass – joined by our friars serving in Columbus and Fr. James, who remained in Columbus in order to visit with Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv., Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv., Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (all in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church) and Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at St. Benedict the Moor Parish).
This visit also afforded Fr. James the opportunity to celebrate the 9:30 a.m. 
December 10-14, 2018: The annual retreat for our 
A Message from Br. Ed Handy, OFM Conv.
