On Friday, July 14, 2017, friars, staff and friends gathered to celebrate with Friar Peter Damian Fehlner, OFM Conv., on the 60th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood. After celebrating Mass with the pilgrims to our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellcott City, MD) the festive occasion was remembered with cake and fellowship.
Congratulations Friar Peter Damian!
In his own words… Friar Peter Knaapen, OFM Conv.: St Bonaventure Parish has a long history of helping refugees settle in our community. It all began in the late 70s when we sponsored a family of “boat people” from Vietnam who were seeking freedom and a better life. In the 90s it was a Bosnian family seeking safety from the ethnic cleansing and civil war in the former countries of Yugoslavia. In 2010 Archbishop Collins asked the Catholic Community to come to the aid of Iraqi Chaldeans, Assyrians and others Christians displaced from their homelands and undergoing systematic elimination. St Bonaventure generously answered the call and sponsored an Iraqi family of four. We had money left over from our refugee fund so we decided to sponsor another family. The Office of Refuge of Archdiocese of Toronto recommended three families and in 2015 we decided to help a single mom with her two children who were refugees from Rwanda. In 2016 the Archdiocese of Toronto initiated Project Hope, a campaign to sponsor 100 families from Syria. Because we were in the midst of our yearlong sponsorship of our Rwandan family we could not commit to another family but our parishioners generously gave over $12,000 to support Project Hope.
In Canada in order to sponsor refugees an organization must be a Sponsorship Agreement Holder. In our case the SAH is the Office of Refuge of Archdiocese of Toronto. So for all refugee sponsorships we work closely with the Office of Refugee. They have information sessions explaining the whole process, timelines and responsibilities of the sponsoring parish. These responsibilities include finding and furnishing an apartment, providing food, clothing and all the other basic necessities of life for the whole year, enrolling them if necessary in an English as a Second Language course and helping them to find a job or enroll in school. It can take from one to two years for the whole process. Finally the best part is meeting them at the airport and bring them to their new home.
There are two types of sponsorship that our parish participates in. One as the parish is to sponsor and raise the money, find the apartment and get the name of the family from the Office of Refugees. The other is the parish as a co-sponsor. In this second case, a family member is trying to sponsor relatives to come to Canada. They have to supply the money (up front), provide accommodations for them and jobs. The parish cosigns the agreement with them, gives them moral support, and helps them through the process. We were successful in helping one Iraqi and two Syrian Kurdish families this way.
We have all seen the pictures of Alan Kurdi dead on the beach and the boy covered in dust pulled from the ruble in Aleppo and our hearts and prayers go out to them and their families. It is a much different feeling when a family member is in your office pleading with you to help their family get to safety. This has happened to me seven or eight times. In two cases we were able to help by co-sponsoring their family members. Because the Canadian Government had pledged to bring in 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016, our co-sponsorship was fast tracked. Instead of taking a year and a half to process the case the family members were here within six months! One man sponsored his mother, brother, sister and her husband to come to Canada. He helped them financially to get out of Aleppo and into Turkey. It is only about 30-40 miles to the Turkish border, but it took them 8 hours to go through or around different checkpoints and then to sneak across the border. The man was there to meet them, found them an apartment and paid the rent for a whole year. This gentleman sold his house in Toronto and moved to a smaller house in the outskirts of Toronto so he could help his family.
It was great to be able to help this individual and his family. But on the other hand it is tough when you have to say “I am sorry we cannot help you.” This happened several times; twice because the families were still in the country where they were born so could not be classified as refugees. Sadly one person said we will have to try and buy them passage on a boat to Europe or Indonesia. Other times it was because the quota was full. This happened last year because Canada made Syrian refugees their priority and so people from other countries were overlooked. This year we were all set to help an individual from Iraq co-sponsor his relatives. However the quota for 2017 given to the Office of Refugee was already filled by April. Unfortunately I had to say to the individual that he would have to try some other Sponsorship Agreement Holder. Sadly he has been trying for three years to get members of his family to Canada.
One of our most beautiful ministry sites is that of our National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, in Fonda, NY. This past weekend (July 14-16, 2017) was packed with Feast Day Celebrations at the Shrine. On the Friday Feast Day, pilgrims gathered to celebrate 9:00 a.m. Mass with Solemn Blessing with the relic of Saint Kateri. On Saturday the festivities began with a 1:00 p.m. Welcome and Opening Ceremony, followed by joyful song presented by members of the award-winning, all women drum group Spirit of Thunderheart, and 2:30 p.m. prayer and worship with our First Nations friends from Akwasasne, Terry Steele, Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa, and other special guests. The 4:30 p.m.Vigil Mass included a Traditional Purification Rite and Solemn Blessing with the relic of Saint Kateri and the evening ended with a 7:00 p.m. prayer and healing circle with Deacon Ron Boyer and Terry Steele. The weekend celebration ended with 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass that also included the Traditional Purification Rite and Solemn Blessing with the relic of Saint Kateri, followed by a Solemn Offering and burning of the prayer petitions. All weekend long the Shrine collected donations of non-perishable food items for those in need. For more pictures and videos from the weekend, be sure to visit the Shrine’s Facebook Page.
Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (at center holding reliquary) was on hand for the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Feast Day celebrations, pictured here with Deacon Ron Boyer at his left, Terry Steele at his right alongside members of the Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa, Akwasasne Mohawk Territory, and the Shrine Advisory Council.
The Annual Linda’s Walk began in 2010 and is the largest fund raiser supporting St. Clare Inn, a transitional housing program helping homeless women with mental health challenges rebuild their lives. These homeless women (aged 30-60) find community, care, shelter, and support in their healing journey. The walk is named in honor of Linda Houston, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and who died of a heart attack, alone and homeless, in 1997. The people and the friars of the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure, who often helped her out with some money and food, were moved by her tragic life circumstance and her resulting death. In 2007, St. Clare Inn was established by the Friends of Saint Francis, a group of dedicated professional lay men and women, along with our area friars. St. Clare Inn’s also holds an Annual Soirée. This past April, 230 people were on hand to join the celebration of St. Clare Inn’s 10th anniversary. In its 8th year, Linda’s Walk 2017, an easy 5k walk through their neighborhood that is more of a fun get together than a physical labor. Last year’s walk raised over $45,000 for St. Clare Inn and we hope that this year’s walk will be even more successful.
The St. Clare Inn operates under the direction of
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and Executive Director,
Friar Tom Purcell, OFM Conv.
He and all of our friars thank you for your support.
On July 1, 2017, Fr.Tony Kall, OFM Conv. (Guardian of the Immaculate Reception Friary in Rensselaer, NY) received the Renewal of Temporary Vows of br. Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. (friar Manny) during the Friary Community Eucharist. The family of friar Manny was visiting from Olean, NY for the weekend and several of his brothers were able to participate. Three of friar Manny’s brothers provided the music and lectored, while another served. Friar Manny spent the first part of the summer assisting at our Senior Friars’ Residence. He will next be assigned to Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore.
The friars of our province join Franciscan Friars Conventual around the world in living the Missionary Charism of St. Francis. Specifically in our province, this vital work is served through our Franciscan Mission Association. Most recently, individual friars from around our province worked closely with our Mission Advancement Director, Mr. Joseph Hamilton (who also serves as Director of our Evangelization and Development Ministry – The Companions of St. Anthony – located in the lower level of the Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City, MD) to gather over 5000 books on Theology, Philosophy and Church History that Mr. Hamilton and his staff shipped to St. Joseph Vaz Formation House (Kandy, Sri Lanka); of the 8yr-old Sri Lankan Mission of St. Maximilian Kolbe Province (India).
In a noon time ceremony outside of the Shrine of St. Anthony, our friars who serve on the Province Definitory, and FMA/Companions of St. Anthony staff members, joined our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., as he blessed the donated books prior to their departure to the year-old Franciscan Friars Conventual Formation House, named for the Sri Lanka’s first saint, the Indian missionary priest St. Joseph Vaz, who died in Kandy in 1711 and was canonized by Pope Francis during his 2015 papal visit to Sri Lanka.
Fr. Joseph Blay, OFM Conv. with Fr. Emmanuel Acquaye, OFM Conv., a Ghanaian friar who is in the USA for graduate studies. Friar Emmanuel also serves our province in Ellicott City, by assisting at the Shrine of St. Anthony.
In May 2017, Friar Joseph Blay, OFM Conv., the Delegate General for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (elected January 15, 2016), visited the USA to attend a JPIC meeting with our US Provinces. While here, he also spoke at a seminar for our Postulants in Chicago.
His first stop was at our Provincial House, in Ellicott City, MD – also the home of our province’s Shrine of St. Anthony. Friar Joseph was hosted by Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., who serves as our province Chairman of JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission). He was impressed that our Ellicott City complex has a vast solar array and organic farming.
Friar Joseph (bottom left) and Friar Michael (top left) with the postulants on retreat, in Chicago, IL
Friar Michael accompanied Friar Joseph to our Multi-Province Postulancy located the territory of the St. Bonaventure Province – Chicago, IL. There, Friar Joseph led a retreat for the postulants, assisted by Friar Michael, and the two presented a seminar on JPIC and LAUDATO SI’: the second encyclical Letter of Pope Francis on Care for Our Common Home.
While still in Chicago the meeting of three of the four USA Provincial Delegates for JPIC took place at the St. Bonaventure Friary. In the words of Friar Joseph: “The Provincial Delegates for JPIC shared their experiences. They discussed what they do in their Provinces and how it is possible to work together as friars in the same country.” Friar Joseph also presented JPIC projects from around the world that other Provinces of the Order are implementing, and how he will be attending a GPIC meeting convened by Friar Marco Tasca, OFM Conv. – Minister General of our Order – in Rome. He was very grateful for our friars’ fraternal hospitality during his USA visit.
Friar Joseph Blay, OFM Conv. is from the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony Province, Padova, Italy (in Ghana). In 1977, missionary friars from St. Anthony Province ITALY and our missionary friar from the St. Anthony of Padua Province USA (after the 2014 union with Immaculate Conception Province USA – becoming “Our Lady of the Angels Province”) arrived in Ghana and worked in separate ministry there until 1991. Read more history here. Three Our Lady of the Angels Province friars were among those who ministered to the people of Ghana. Friar Joseph took his visit to the USA as an opportunity to reunite with Fr. Mitchell Sawicki, OFM Conv. (now serves as Province Treasurer – Provincial House) and Fr. Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv. ( serving the parishioners of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church – Kensington, CT) The third OLA friar who served in Ghana is Fr. Giles Zakowicz, OFM Conv. Since returning to the USA from in Africa (He served both in Ghana and in Kenya) in 2007, Friar Giles has served our USA Friars as Guardian and Novice Director, at the St. Francis Novitiate; first in Mishawaka, IN and then in Arroyo Grande, CA.
Friar Joseph visiting with the friars of St. Paul, Kensington, CT
Friar Michael is pictured here (lower left) with the early morning group that includes Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.)
Health Care Vigil: June 28-29, 2017
The Faith Community in Washington DC organized a 24 hour prayer vigil in front of the Senate, in support of Medicaid and just health reform that secures healthcare as a universal human right; mindful of the poor and marginalized. The Catholic portion of the prayerful vigil was during the 5-6:00 a.m. hour. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., who serves as our province Chairman of JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission) lead the group in prayer during a sunrise service. Friar Michael is also quoted in a FAN (Franciscan Action Network) online press release, concerning the current H.R. 1628, Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 that is making its way through the Senate.
On Sunday, June 25, 2017, in the Chapel of the Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD), our province friars celebrated Mass together, including the Rite of Ordination of Deacons with our own Friar Bishop, the Most Rev. Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Bishop of Savannah. The Ordinandi, Friar Moises Maximilian Avila, OFM Conv. (Friar Maximilian) and Friar Emanuel Ventura Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (Friar Emanuel) enjoyed the company of a multitude of family and friends, as well as their confreres; both Solemnly Professed and in Formation. The Master of Ceremonies was Friar Brad Milunski, OFM Conv., who also serves our friars as Vicar Provincial, as well as Co-Director of Post Novitiate Formation. We were blessed to have Deacon Curtis Turner, a visiting Deacon from the Archdiocese of Washington and friend of Friar Emanuel, serve the Bishop and Vest Friar Emanuel. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv., vested Friar Maximilian after the mothers of our two newest Deacons presented the vestments; Blanca Estela Pacheco (mother of Friar Maximilian) and Maria Celeste Vasconcelos (mother of Friar Emanuel). Even more family members served as lectors and gift bearers, as four of our friars in Formation were on hand as Servers: Friar Emanuel Wenke, OFM Conv., Friar Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv., Friar Jim Hoffman, OFM Conv. and soon to be Novice – Rich Rome.
The Rite of Ordination is beautifully moving, as the Candidates are Called, Promise Obedience, Prayerfully Prostrate for the Litany, Receive the Laying on of Hands & Prayer of Ordination, are Vested with the Deacon’s Stole & Dalmatic, are Handed the Book of the Gospels and Share Fraternal Peace, joining with those present in the Profession of Faith. More pictures are available on our Province Facebook Page. Please keep Friar Deacon Maximilian and Friar Deacon Emanuel in your prayers as they continue to serve the people of God in Sacred Orders. The summer assignment for Friar Maximilian will take him to Brooklyn, NY where he will be serving as Deacon at our pastoral ministry at the Roman Catholic Church of Most Holy Trinity – St Mary. The summer assignment for Friar Emanuel will take him to Port St. Lucie, FL where he will serve as Deacon at our pastoral Ministry at St. Lucie Catholic Church.
Pax et Bonum!
Photo Cred: Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Tom Lavin, OFM Conv.
“After forty-six years of existence, the Franciscan International Study Centre in Canterbury (England) will close on the 30th of June 2017.” Statement from the Board of Trustees
As a founding member of the Franciscan International Academic Federation (FIAF) the Study Centre worked to increase collaboration between Franciscans working in the academic field so as to ensure that the unique Franciscan approach to theology and spirituality continues to be available to the wider Church.
Fr. Thomas Reist, OFM Conv., the last Principal of FISC worked the grill at the Closing Celebration after Mass.
The St. Clare Inn operates under the direction of
The friars of our province join Franciscan Friars Conventual around the world in living the Missionary Charism of St. Francis. Specifically in our province, this vital work is served through our 
