Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. (JPIC Province Chairman) serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Franciscan Action Network (FAN). FAN’s Mission Statement:
“Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform United States public policy related to peace making, care for creation, poverty, and human rights.”
Our Lady of the Angels Province student friar, brother Tim Blanchard, OFM Conv. is majoring in Media and Communications at The Catholic University of America. Over this past summer, he interned with FAN and our Province’s JPIC Ministry. This new FAN Video was part of his work:
The week of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4th) includes many celebrations in our ministries throughout the province. These are intended to be avenues through which our friars can share our Franciscan lives with those whom we serve.
One example ministry holding several celebratory events is through the Duke Catholic Center, served by two Our Lady of the Angels Province friars; Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv. – Director of Camps Ministry and Fr. Brad Heckathorne, OFM Conv. – Associate Director of Campus Ministry. Francis Week 2018 is a way to highlight around campus the different things Franciscan available to the Duke University community.
We encourage everyone to find one of our ministries nearest to you and join us for some of the events next week, including our Transitus Commemorations. Find a ministry near you on our Locations page.
Several of our friars serving in the Archdiocese of Atlanta attended the September 10-13, 2018 Convocation of Priests including those pictured here: Fr. John Voytek, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Atlanta), Fr. Calixto Salvatierra Morena, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of Holy Cross Catholic Church – Atlanta), Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church – Jonesboro) The Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, S.L.D. (Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta), The Most Reverend Bernard E. Shlesinger III (Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta), Fr. Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church -Jonesboro) and Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of Holy Cross Church – Atlanta). In addition to these friars, also currently serving in the Archdiocese of Atlanta are Fr. Jude Michael Krill, OFM Conv. (Pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church – Atlanta) and Fr. John Koziol, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church – Jonesboro).
The Serra Club of Atlanta sponsored the 41st Annual Day of Appreciation and Recreation for Priests preceding the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Archdiocesan Priest Convocation, September 10-13, 2018. The event was held at Lake Lanier Islands, where the priests serving the Atalanta Archdiocese could enjoy several forms of relaxation. The Convocation itself began immediately after Morning Prayer on Tuesday and ended with lunch on Thursday, September 13th.
The program focus was “Gathering for Mission: Open to Transformation,” a project of Catholic Committee of the South (CCS) in partnership with Glenmary’s Commission on Peace, Justice and Care for Creation and Maryknoll Media, as an inspired response to Pope Francis’ call for dialogue in the Church, providing practical experience in the dialog process to ecclesial leaders.
On Saturday, September 8, 2018, the celebration Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at our Shrine of St. Anthony included the Celebration of Mass for the Solemn Profession of Vows of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Brother Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. During the Rite of Religious Profession, the Director of Formation for our province, Fr. Mark Szanyi, OFM Conv. called the name of the candidate (Br. Manny) for profession, who stood and responded, “Present.” Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. then asked of Br. Manny, “My dear brother, What do you ask of the Lord and of his Holy Church?” By standing and responding, Br. Manny indicated his desire to profess. Friar James served as the Main Celebrant and Homilist for the Mass and when he had completed the homily, he again addressed Br. Manny; questioning his readiness to consecrate himself to God and to seek perfect charity according to the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
The Litany of the Saints was then sung, as Br. Manny lay prostrate before the altar; a symbol of petition, submission and adoration. Br. Manny rose and joyfully knelt before Friar James with his hands between our Minister Provincial’s palms, resting on the Book of the Gospels, as he recited the formula of profession. “To the praise and the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, I, Friar Emmanuel Wenke, inspired by Divine Grace to follow the Gospel more closely, in the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ, with firm faith and will, in the presence of my brothers, into your hands, Friar James, vow to God, the Holy and Omnipotent Father, to live for the entire time of my life, in obedience, without anything of my own, and in chastity, and I also promise to observe faithfully the Life and Rule of the Friars Minor, confirmed by Pope Honorius, according to the constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Therefore, I commit myself to this fraternity with my whole heart, so that by the working of the Holy Spirit, the example of Mary Immaculate, the intercession of our father Francis and all the saints, with the help of my brothers, in the service of God, the Church and humanity, I may attain perfect charity.” Friar James then accepted the reception of the Solemn Vows of Br. Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. and they proceed to sign the Book of Profession, as witnessed by Fr. Joseph Dorniak, OFM Conv. and Fr. Dennis Mason, OFM Conv. Friar James confered a Solemn Consecration of the Professed and all of the friars present joined in the traditional Franciscan antiphon, “O Patriarcha Paperum.” The friars ended the Rite with a Fraternal Embrace, as all of the Solemnly Professed friars came forward to welcome Br. Manny as newly professed into the Order.
Also serving at the Mass were Friar Christopher Dudek, OFM Conv. (Deacon), Br. Nicholas Romeo, OFM Conv. (Master of Ceremonies), brother Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv. (Server), friar Franck Sokpolie, OFM Conv.(Server), friar Bede Thigpen, OFM Conv. (Server), friar Christopher Garcia, OFM Conv. (Server), Br. Manny’s brother – Jude Wenke (Lector), Trisha Dorgan (Pianist/Organist), Christine McComas (Cantor) and Gene Jancuk (Vocal/Guitar). The gifts were presented by the father and mother of the professed, Matthew & Mary Wenke, & Sr. Eleanor Beret, OSF.
Today, September 5th, we fondly remember Saint Teresa of Calcutta, on her Feast Day. She and our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (pictured here in 1997) enjoyed a rich friendship. He was blessed to be in attendance at St. Peter’s Basilica as she was canonized by Pope Francis, on Sept. 4, 2016.
Monday, September 3, 2018: Having been approved for re-admission to the Order by our Minister General, the Most Reverend Fr. Marco Tasca, OFM Conv. and his General Definitory. Br. Vincent Vivian, OFM Conv. was re-invested in the habit of the Order as a member of Our Lady of the Angels Province, by our Minister Provincial – the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., during Mass in the Provincialate chapel. He will now begin the canonically required 3-year period of probation – living with and ministering as a healthcare assistant with our friars of St. Catharine of Siena Friary in Seaside Park, NJ.
On August 15, 2018, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Reto Davatz, OFM Conv. moved from the sunny state of Georgia, USA (where he served as chaplain at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School) to Flüeli-Ranft, Switzerland, where the Swiss Franciscan Friars Conventual have a friary located at the pilgrimage site of the birthplace, hermitage, and final resting place of Switzerland’s patron saint, Niklaus von Flüe, aka “Bruder Klaus” (1417-1487). Friar Reto will minister with the friars of the Konvent St. Franciscus, serving with his confreres as chaplains to the pilgrims who visit the Bruder Klaus Pilgrimage Site.
Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. visited Friar Reto, from August 27-30th. There, he met with Friar Daniele Brocca, OFM Conv., the Custos of the Provincial Custody of St. Leopold and St. Nicolas of Flüe (of the Province of St. Elizabeth – Germany) and with the local friars with whom Friar Reto be living and working. These friars will help in the efforts to rebuild the presence of our Order, in the Alpine region – North of Italy.
Konvent St. Franciscus – Gemeinschaft der Franziskaner Konventualen (St. Francis Friary – Community Franciscan Conventual)
The Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi ~ October 3rd
The Solemnity of Our Seraphic Father Francis ~ October 4th
Known as the Transitus (Latin: crossing/passage), the Vigil of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated by Franciscans all over the world with prayer, scripture readings, joyful songs of praise and thanksgiving. It is the night commemorating the death (in 1226) of our beloved Seraphic Father, as he crossed over from life on earth to eternal life with the Lord. Just as with all of the saints, he holds a special place in the Body of Christ, of which Christ is the Head (Colossians 1:18). Through intercessory prayers, saints in heaven (members of the Church who have arrived at perfect union with Christ) play an integral role in the life of the Church, by praying for those still on our earthly pilgrimage of faith.
Traditionally the celebration of a Saints’ Feast Day is marking the date of the saint’s death and is remembered by the faithful with special mention, prayers, and scripture readings. For Franciscans, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4th) is so much more. It is a day filled with celebration and joy, including the traditional Blessing of the Animals and gatherings of fellowship with our brothers and sisters, in Christ. Join our friars for the celebrations surrounding the Feast Day. To find contact information for our ministry nearest to you, please visit our Locations page.
One such celebration will be held at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD) and co-hosted by our student friars studying at The Catholic University of America (Washington DC).
Our province has two shrines where our friars serve. In addition to the Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD) we have a shrine in Fonda, NY ~ The Saint Kateri National Shrine and Historic Site. They will also host a Transitus celebration the night of October 3, 2018, including a 7:00 p.m. Candlelight Procession and service in the Shrine’s St. Peter’s Chapel. All are Welcome!
Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., a friar from our province serving as Bishop of Savannah, GA, issued this August 23, 2018 letter regarding the “Morality Crisis” in the Catholic Church today.
On Saturday, September 8, 2018, the celebration Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at our 
During the Rite of Religious Profession, the Director of Formation for our province, Fr. Mark Szanyi, OFM Conv. called the name of the candidate (Br. Manny) for profession, who stood and responded, “Present.” Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. then asked of Br. Manny, “My dear brother, What do you ask of the Lord and of his Holy Church?” By standing and responding, Br. Manny indicated his desire to profess. Friar James served as the Main Celebrant and Homilist for the Mass and when he had completed the homily, he again addressed Br. Manny; questioning his readiness to consecrate himself to God and to seek perfect charity according to the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
Br. Manny rose and joyfully knelt before Friar James with his hands between our Minister Provincial’s palms, resting on the Book of the Gospels, as he recited the formula of profession. “To the praise and the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, I, Friar Emmanuel Wenke, inspired by Divine Grace to follow the Gospel more closely, in the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ, with firm faith and will, in the presence of my brothers, into your hands, Friar James, vow to God, the Holy and Omnipotent Father, to live for the entire time of my life, in obedience, without anything of my own, and in chastity, and I also promise to observe faithfully the Life and Rule of the Friars Minor, confirmed by Pope Honorius, according to the constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. Therefore, I commit myself to this fraternity with my whole heart, so that by the working of the Holy Spirit, the example of Mary Immaculate, the intercession of our father Francis and all the saints, with the help of my brothers, in the service of God, the Church and humanity, I may attain perfect charity.”
Friar James then accepted the reception of the Solemn Vows of Br. Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. and they proceed to sign the Book of Profession, as witnessed by Fr. Joseph Dorniak, OFM Conv. and Fr. Dennis Mason, OFM Conv. Friar James confered a Solemn Consecration of the Professed and all of the friars present joined in the traditional Franciscan antiphon, “O Patriarcha Paperum.” The friars ended the Rite with a Fraternal Embrace, as all of the Solemnly Professed friars came forward to welcome Br. Manny as newly professed into the Order.
, friar Bede Thigpen, OFM Conv. (Server), friar Christopher Garcia, OFM Conv. (Server), Br. Manny’s brother – Jude Wenke (Lector), Trisha Dorgan (Pianist/Organist), Christine McComas (Cantor) and Gene Jancuk (Vocal/Guitar). The gifts were presented by the father and mother of the professed, Matthew & Mary Wenke, & Sr. Eleanor Beret, OSF.
Monday, September 3, 2018: Having been approved for re-admission to the Order by our Minister General, the Most Reverend Fr. Marco Tasca, OFM Conv. and his General Definitory. Br. Vincent Vivian, OFM Conv. was re-invested in the habit of the Order as a member of Our Lady of the Angels Province, by our Minister Provincial – the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., during Mass in the Provincialate chapel. He will now begin the canonically required 3-year period of probation – living with and ministering as a healthcare assistant with our friars of St. Catharine of Siena Friary in Seaside Park, NJ.
On August 15, 2018, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Reto Davatz, OFM Conv. moved from the sunny state of Georgia, USA (where he served as chaplain at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School) to Flüeli-Ranft, Switzerland, where the Swiss Franciscan Friars Conventual have a friary located at the pilgrimage site of the birthplace, hermitage, and final resting place of Switzerland’s patron saint, Niklaus von Flüe, aka “Bruder Klaus” (
