Shrine Open: May 1 – October 31
Saturday 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass & Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass
Shrine Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. every day. Hiking trails open dawn to dusk.
Gift Shop: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
For more information please contact:
National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
PO Box 627
Fonda NY 12068-0627
518-853-3646
nationalkaterishrine@gmail.com
Saint Kateri Feast Day Celebration Weekend 2015
A great way to introduce yourself to the Shrine is during this year’s St. Kateri Feast Day Celebration Weekend, July 14-16- 2017:
7/14/2017 – St. Kateri Tekakwitha Feast Day Mass with solemn blessing with the relic of St. Kateri. 7/15 – 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass 7/16 – 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass
More activities will be announced.
Check back on the Celebration Weekend Event Posting on Facebook.
MORE 2017 EVENTS
8/13/2017 – Annual Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Pilgrimage Day
8/18-19/2017 – 19th Annual 2017 Kateri Tekakwitha Peace Conference Prophets, Rabble Rousers & Agitators: A Call to Creative Activisim
9/16-17/2017 – Saint Kateri Sacred Art Exhibit and Sale 9/24/2017 – Guided Nature Walk following 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass
Celebration of Saint Francis of Assisi 10/1/2017 – 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, followed by Blessing of the Animals 10/3/2017 – 7:00 p.m. Transitus Service A Franciscan commemoration of the death of Saint Francis / Blessing with the relic of Saint Francis / Procession to Saint Peter’s Chapel / Reception to follow in Grassmann Hall 10/4/2017 8:30 a.m. Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi Mass with Solemn Blessing with the relic of St. Francis
Native American & First Nations Weekend 10/7/2017 – 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass with Traditional Purification Rite 10/7/2017 – 7:00 p.m. Prayer and Healing Circle with Theresa (Terry) Steele 10/8/2017 – 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass with Traditional Purification Rite After Mass, the Solemn Offering and burning of the prayer petitions from the Shrine season
10/28/2017 – 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass – Closing of the Summer Season 10/29/2017 – 10:30 a.m.Sunday Mass – Closing of the Summer Season
Our Lady of the Angels Province Secretary, Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. traveled to Costa Rica to serve as the Provincial Representative and Homilist at the Solemn Profession of Friar Milton Torres Albarran, OFM Conv., at the Convento Nuestra Señora de la Asunció, in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Fr. Jorges Dobles Ulloa, OFM Conv., Provincial Delegate of our friars in Costa Rica, was the main celebrate for the Mass, translated Friar Richard-Jacob’s Homily and received Friar Milton’s Solemn Vows. It is with great joy that our friars in Ellicott City will soon welcome Friar Milton to stay in one of our friaries. Please keep him and all of our friars in formation, in your continued prayers.
During Catholic Education Week, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. James Fukes, OFM Conv. (center) and Fr. David Collins, OFM Conv. (right) received the Annual Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board’s Contribution to Catholic Education Award, on behalf of all our The Franciscan Friars Conventual of Kingston.
The Contribution to Catholic Education Award recognizes those who have made a significant visible contribution to the school system. The Franciscan Friars Conventual of Kingston, both past and present have gone above and beyond their vocation of pastoral ministry, in supporting the Elementary Catholic School communities of St. Patrick, St. Peter & Holy Family, (in Fall 2017 these three schools will consolidate into one under the patronage of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School), as well as that of the oldest Catholic High School in Canada, Regiopolis-Notre Dame. Our friars have supported students and staff through the RCIA/RCIC programs, supported families in need, provided professional development to staff, were involved in a Nativity Project, accompanyed students to Providence Manor, provided altar server training for students, and were involved in the transition process to the new St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. In addition they support academic achievement through regular participation in Religious Education classes at Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School and class visits at the elementary level; most recently helping the students learn more about St. Francis of Assisi. The long-service of the Friars in Kingston has been interwoven with the rich history of the four Catholic Schools there, and will continue with the opening of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in the fall.
Currently Fr. James Fukes, OFM Conv. serves as Guardian of the St. Anthony Friary, pastor of Holy Family Parish, chaplain of Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School, and as administrator of St. Barnaby Catholic Church (Seeleys Bay, ON).
Currently Fr. David Collins, OFM Conv. also resides in the St. Anthony Friary, serving as pastor of the Parish Community of St. John the Apostle.
The other friar living in the Kingston ON Friary, Fr. Edward Debono, OFM Conv. serves as the Sunday chaplain for the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, as well as a contact for Vocations.ca. Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. was de familia to the St. Anthony Friary, serving as a professor in the St. Paul University Canon Law Program. As of August 1, 2017, he will become Guardian of our newest friary under the patronage of St. Andre Bessette (Ottawa, ON)
Congratulations to our friars of Kingston, Ontario. Please keep them, their ministries and those whom they serve in your continued prayers.
The recognition of 65 years as a friar is something extraordinary. What is even more extraordinary is that this year (2017) our province proudly has 6 friars celebrating just that: Friar Ronald Sermak, OFM Conv. (August 15, 1952) Friar David Stopyra, OFM Conv. (August 15, 1952) Friar Giles VanWormer, OFM Conv. (August 17, 1952) Friar Duane Mastrangelo, OFM Conv. (August 17, 1952) Friar Alvin Somerville, OFM Conv. (August 17, 1952) and the focus of this post – Friar Briant Cullinane, OFM Conv. (August 17, 1952).
Friar Briant is still quite active in our province work and currently serves as Pastor Emeritus of our pastoral ministry Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community as well as the Guardian of our Friary there; home to four of our friars.
The responsibility of a Guardian is extensive. He is responsible for all that pertains to the community and prayer life of the friars, and for the necessities of life of the friars in the local fraternity (friary), each of which is made up of at least four friars, and is led and governed by the Guardian, either alone or with the Friary Chapter. The Guardian and Director of Ministry for each friary collaborate through fraternal dialogue, particularly with regard to scheduling and calendars, to ensure that each can faithfully fulfill his respective responsibilities. The purpose of this service is to correctly order the life and mission of the entire fraternity. Guardians are bound to their friary residence so as to be available for service to the friars assigned to them. It is the duty of the Guardian to safeguard the rights of each individual in the friary and to respect and implement the decisions of the majority in matters which require a deliberative vote.
Fr. Briant is a well respected and knowledgeable friar, who friars characterize as someone known for his equanimity, gentleness and wisdom. He professed his Solemn Vows on September 17, 1955, was Ordained to the Priesthood on February 8, 1958 and has served in varied ministries throughout his 65 years as a friar, including pastor-ships, diocesan offices (Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Toronto) and roles of high province leadership. Even though he will be turning 85 this year, he continues to give freely to the Province, the needs of our friars and of our ministries.
If you “Google” Fr. Briant you will find more information that you would have time to read, but here is a very nice blurb from the “About Us” page of our pastoral ministry, The Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure (Toronto, ON).
“The appointment of Friar Briant Cullinane (OFM Conv.) as pastor in 1970 was very well received, since he had already been a lively, energetic part of the parish team for more than seven years. Nobody worked harder than he did, though it’s fair to say he pushed many parishioners to try! And they did try, since Friar Briant showed himself to be a truly inspirational leader, capable of getting the best out of his flock. The Franciscan community was very vibrant and various friars lived among us including Friar Raymond Sobocinski, (OFM Conv.) and Fr. George Sabol, (OFM Conv.). They and Friar Regis Rodda, (OFM Conv.) were also involved in the establishment of our “daughter” parish of Blessed John XXIII. In his 13 years with us (6 as pastor) Friar Briant helped create a warm spiritual home that was also the focus of many social and sporting interests. Friar Briant led the renovation of St. Bonaventure’s Church and expansion of the Parish Centre. He brought an exceptional level of care to this project which resulted in the excellence and beauty of our parish facilities. St.Bonaventure became the jewel of the Archdiocese. Friar Briant’s farewell party at the parish hall in 1976 (he was elected Vicar Provincial for his province) is remembered as a joyous occasion tinged with more than a little sadness. It was attended by just about the whole parish as well as fellow priests, well-wishers and clergy of other denominations. It would come as no surprise when, shortly afterward, Friar Briant was elected Minister Provincial ...”
November 2016: Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Paul Lininger, OFM Conv. (at left) and Fr. Briant Cullinane, OFM Conv. (at right) welcomed Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge to Blessed Sacrament School, Burlington to celebrated his his final school Mass before his departure to the Diocese of Arlington.
Here are the other 2017 Jubilarian Friars of our Province.
Our friars will hold a special celebration in their honor at the
Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD,
starting with noon Mass, on July 24, 2017.
A message from Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv. May 18, 2017: “Today I had the privilege of becoming a citizen of The United States of America. While forever grounded in my Canadian roots and values I commit myself to this generous and great nation, its founding principles and Constitution. In these turbulent times there is no place for spectator citizens but rather active participation in shaping the future.”
The General Secretariat for Mission Animation (SGAM) had an opportunity to share with the community of seven students from the four Provinces of the United States. The students are currently studying theology at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., guided by their formators, Friar Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. and Friar James Moore, OFM Conv.
Tuesday, May 15, 2017: The Minister General of our Order, Friar Marco Tasca, OFM Conv. (pictured in front row in the chasuble), installed six friars as acolytes and four friars as lectors, at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure – International College Seraphicum, in Rome. The home nations and provinces of these friars include Venezuela, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Poland, Italy and the USA. Among them was our own Friar Chris Dudek, OFM Conv. (far left front row). The evening Mass was attended by the members of the community at the Seraphicum along with the General Definitory.
These friars ask for your prayers, as they continue their studies and formation in Rome. Friar Chris Dudek, OFM Conv. (left) is in Rome in study at the Seraphicum. He was one of the six friars installed as acolyte by the Minister General of our Order, Friar Marco Tasca, OFM Conv.
With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God,
we Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province
joyfully announce the ordination of Friar Nicholas Carmelo Spano & Friar Nader Nabil Ata
to the sacred Order of Presbyter
through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit
by the Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham, Bishop of Syracuse
on Saturday, the twenty-seventh of May, two thousand and seventeen
at eleven o’clock in the morning
Br. Michael Duffy, OFM Conv. and Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. help cut the banquet cake.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv., pastor and rector of our pastoral ministry at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr, in Chicopee, MA, prepared his parish with this post in the April 30th parish bulletin:
Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Mass homilist) enjoyed visiting with parishioners at the banquet.
“Our year-long 125th Anniversary celebration will come to a close this coming Saturday, May 6th. We will begin with the Closing Mass at 4:00 p.m. Bishop Mitchell Rozanski will be the Principal Celebrant and Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., our Provincial, will be the homilist. Part of the prayers to be offered are the My Acts of Faith booklets that you received last year. At the Closing Mass during the Offertory Procession we offer all of our prayers and good works to God. So, please return your booklet any time now or bring them to the Closing Mass. They can also be dropped off in the Parish Office. The evening will conclude with a banquet at the Castle of the Knights. Let us join together to give God praise and honor for all of the blessings that He has so lavishly heaped upon us these first 125 years and pray for His grace for the parish and ourselves as we continue our mission of proclaiming the Good News.”
The Diocese of Springfield’s Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski served as Principal Celebrant.
The parish celebrated all year and concluded with this May 6, 2017 Mass and Banquet. They have posted many more photos from the day’s events on their newly refurbished parish website. https://ststansbasilica.org/
In his own words… Friar Christopher Dudek, OFM Conv.: Memorable moments of my formation include ministering with the Latino community in Silver Spring and Central America. Through these experiences, I have come to understand immigration from immigrants in the US, as well as those who live in Latin America. This issue is not about numbers, but real persons with hopes, desires, and difficulties. My experiences became amplified with my living at the Seraphicum with friars from all over the world, each with their own viewpoints and experiences. In a very Franciscan way, a chance dinner conversation about immigration one evening evolved into a morning symposium on the topic of immigration. I presented on immigration in the USA, while Friar Victor Mora from the delegation in Costa Rica offered a biblical perspective. There were other presentations, including a powerful and moving talk by refugees, whom the General Curia has taken into La basilica dei Santi XII Apostoli(Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles, in Rome). My presentation (a great personal accomplishment for me, giving a presentation for 45 minutes in Italian) included a panorama of the situation on the US/Mexican border. I spoke about the many social problems facing many in Latin America and the great problem of inequality in the Americas. I also spoke about the dangers immigrants face while trying to cross the border. One of the most moving and accurate accounts of the dangers involved in migration through Mexico and over the US border is Sonia Nazario’s Pulitzer Prize winning book ENRIQUE’S JOURNEY, our JPIC book of the month! This is story of a Central American boy’s dangerous journey to reunite with his mother in North Carolina. Our own Friar Luis Palacios tells the story of how, as a kid, he and the members of his youth group used to go to the hill by the train tracks to throw clothes and food on top of the passing trains. The migrant children, riding on the top of the trains, relied on such charity as they were often robbed and exploited throughout the long and perilous journey. Another part of my presentation focused on what the US bishops have taught in recent times, along with the texts of the 2000 pastoral statement: Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity and the 2003 pastoral statement: Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope. This was an enriching and challenging experience for me. I learned that many, including myself, are in many ways ignorant to the current situation of immigration. This makes it difficult for us to truly understanding the debates we are currently having. One of the best aspects of our symposium was the ability to share various points of view from many different cultural and experiential backgrounds. Through such an expression of the universal church, coming together and sharing ideas and viewpoints, I realized that the world could be truly united around the call for human dignity that is given to all of us equally by God.
MORE 2017 EVENTS
A message from Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv.
Tuesday, May 15, 2017: The Minister General of our 
Friar Chris Dudek, OFM Conv. (left) is in Rome in study at the 
