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.
Friar Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. (photo cred) is currently in his Apostolic year in Formation with our province, living in the St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Friary (Chicopee, MA), in primary ministry to our Senior Friars in the area, as well as serving at our pastoral ministry at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr.
On Sunday June 18, 2017, he joined one of our student friars, br. Tim Blanchard, OFM Conv., on a visit to the nearby Our Lady of the Angels Care Center of the Felician Sisters (Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice, in Enfield, CT), where six of our Senior Friars reside. While there, they met up with another confrere, Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv., Chaplain for the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice, who gave the group that included br. Tim’s parents a tour to the facility. They had a great time with the Senior Friars, in particular with Fr. Firmin Finn, OFM Conv.
Friar Firmin is the one who had originally encouraged br. Tim to consider joining our Order. They met while br. Tim was still in high school, working in the kitchen of one of the homes run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, for whom Friar Firmin then served as Chaplain. Friar Firmin’s spiritual direction was a gift in the discernment of br. Tim for which he is profoundly grateful.
The visit also included a stop to see some of the Little Sisters of the Poor who minister in the neighboring facility of St. Joseph’s Residence. These young friars really enjoy sharing in the Franciscan joy of our Senior Friars, and benefiting from their experience.
This summer, br. Tim has been enjoying living with our friars at St. Paul Friary, and serving at our pastoral ministry of St. Paul Catholic Church, in Kensigton, CT. Please keep praying for an increase in vocations to our Franciscan community.
On Friday, June 9, 2017, Friar Saviour Karamvelil, OFM Conv. arrived in Canada as the first friar to join us at our new international house in Ottawa (St. André Bessette Friary). Friar Saviour is 46 years old and one of eight children; two of whom are also priests (a Carmelite and a Diocesan). He made first profession in 1994 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2003, as a member of our Syro-Malabar Eastern Catholic Province in Kerala, India. Before entering the order, Friar Saviour earned a diploma in Electrical Engineering and Psychology. He has served as guardian and rector of the minor seminary and, most recently, served as parish priest in the Latin Church outside his native Kerala. We are excited to have Friar Saviour in Ottawa and we very much look forward to the rich and multi-talented contribution he will bring to our community and to the province.
In the next few months, Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. – Guardian of the new St. André Bessette Friary and Friar Saviour will welcome Friar Dominic Lim, OFM Conv. from the Philippines and Friar Jeremiah Budău, OFM Conv. from Romania.
{lefto to right: Fr. Ed Debono, OFM Conv., Fr. James Fukes, OFM Conv. – Guardian, Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. – Guardian of the new St. André Bessette Friary, Friar Saviour, and Fr. David Collins, OFM Conv.} On Wednesday, June 14th, the friars of St. Anthony Friary, in Kingston, Ontario warmly welcomed Friar Jobe and Friar Saviour to share a delicious “welcome” meal together.
Friar Tony is holding the New York State Resolution by Senator Neil Breslin, acknowledging his recognition.
On June 9, 2017, several of our friars were in attendance as “Assisi in Albany” honored Fr. Tony Kall, OFM Conv., as the Friar representative serving on its Board since 2005. “Assisi in Albany” was founded by Fr. Paul Lininger, OFM Conv. (also an Our Lady of the Angels Province friar) and Dr. Bill Cromey. The organization provides free employment placement assistance to Albany’s undeserved and homeless population.
Their Mission Statement: “Rooted in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare, we want to be of service to the People of God, especially those within the Center City of Albany. As followers of Jesus, we choose to be instruments of peace & healing, and a visible sign of hope to each other and to all we meet in service.”
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
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 
Friar Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. (photo cred) is currently in his Apostolic year in Formation with our province, living in the St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Friary (Chicopee, MA), in primary ministry to our Senior Friars in the area, as well as serving at our pastoral ministry at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr.
