Conventual Franciscan Friars Responding to Real Needs
Helping to Turn Strangers into Neighbors
On February 21, 2017, Pope Francis in an address to the VI International Forum: Migration and Peace, felt compelled to address the nature of contemporary migratory movements, which increases challenges presented to the political community, civil society and to the Church, and which amplifies the urgency for a coordinated and effective response to these challenges. Our shared response, according to our Holy Father Francis, “may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate.”
Have you ever wondered what it is like living in a world, city, or local neighborhood, where your very presence arouses contempt, suspicion, prejudice or common indecency? Where judgements are made of you based on the tone of your skin, the first language you speak or the accent present in your words? Where you as the stranger are literally untrusted, despised or rejected? Where your description begins with a negative – illegal? Where the term friend, neighbor, brother or sister are unspoken?
Sometimes we forget that the words we choose to identify another person do make a difference in whether they meet with our approval, are treated with respect and dignity or vilified and turned away.
Ever given a second thought, to what is to be in hand to enter your child’s school, pick-up a pharmacy prescription, enter a hospital, sit in a library or present when you use a credit card?
Most of us perhaps fail to ponder and take for granted that when a person, be they an officer of the law, pharmacist, teacher, sports coach or cashier, ask for a picture identification we readily show a driver’s license, passport or BJ’s / Costco ID which has a picture, address and baseline information stating who we are and where we live. It is not so easy for everyone.
Essentially, it is the reality of tens of thousands reaching into the millions now living within our country’s borders, cities, villages, towns and rural areas. They are the souls we greet in the market, on the streets, in our churches, work places and gatherings. They are the anawim of God, loved and cherished by Jesus, and named by him as our brothers and sisters.
As part of small but growing effort, the Blessed Sacrament Faith Community and the Conventual Franciscan Friars together with the local Burlington Police Chief, law enforcement officers, and a dedicated group of volunteers representing various religious traditions and families came together two years ago – May 2015 – hoping to make a meaningful dent into a lived problem. Namely, “How to help turn strangers into neighbors”. The result of our coming together was the formation of the Faith ID Card Task Force of Alamance County, linked to an expanding program here in North Carolina known as the FaithAction Network.
The Faith ID Card Program is a connected group of faith communities, nonprofits, and grassroots movements that recognize the urgency of valid ID cards for members of our community who may have limited access to government issued forms of identification, and the importance of creating a unified model and vetting process that community partners (law enforcement, health centers, schools, businesses, and other city agencies) can trust and use to better identify, serve, and protect all residents in cities across North Carolina and the United States.
Ensuring each program has a strong home base that can effectively communicate and coordinate a community ID drive with staff and volunteers
Utilizing the same policies, procedures, and vetting process to receive an ID card
Ensuring partnership with local law enforcement and other community partners who formally agree to support the program and attend ID drives
Utilizing the 4 stage ID drive model in a large, safe space (welcome, orientation, document check, photo/computer intake)
Facilitating dialogue throughout the ID drive between ID participants and law enforcement and other community partners with the goal of building greater understanding, trust and cooperation
Providing the same or similar look as other network programs on the front of the card, and signifying you are a part of the FaithAction ID network on the back
Printing and distributing hundreds of ID cards within two weeks of each drive, and securing the personal information of all participants
*There may be some flexibility and unique characteristics of each program, depending on the needs of each community. *All participants must attend a mandatory orientation at an ID drive, and provide proof of photo identification (passport, foreign national ID card, driver’s license, matricula consular) and proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, current rental agreement, medical record) in order to receive an ID card from a FaithAction ID Network member.
Finally, network members believe it is crucial we continue to work for a driver’s license for all residents at the state level, as well as lasting immigration reform at the federal level. In the meantime, we believe community ID programs represent a very important step forward in creating safer, more inclusive, and united communities for all – a much needed example of positive collaboration at this divided time in our nation’s history.
To date, the Faith ID Card Program here in Burlington, NC, has distributed over 5000 Faith ID Cards. The challenge now is to keep moving forward towards the realization of its mission and vision, a place where strangers become neighbors.
Pilgrims gather for Adoration, in the Chapel of the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua, as the Director of the Shrine, Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. leads the Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
All over our province and throughout the world, Conventual Franciscans celebrate this very special Feast Day in honor of our confrere, St. Anthony of Padua.
This past weekend, at our Province Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City – MD, pilgrims gathered to kick off the celebrations with our friars and guest speaker and guest presider, Fr. Leo Patalinghug, at the Annual St. Anthony Day Pilgrimage. Fr. Leo Patalinghug, a native of Baltimore – MD, is a priest member of a community of consecrated life called Voluntas Dei, who founded “Grace Before Meals,” an apostolate to strengthen families around the dinner table. He is an internationally renowned speaker, author, TV & radio host. He is also a decorated martial artist and break dancer. Our friars serving at the Shrine were joined by Fr. Leo in providing pilgrims with fellowship festivities, outdoor Masses, Adoration, recitation of the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy,and opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Dennis Mason, OFM Conv., who serves our province through his ministry at the Shrine of St. Anthony including traveling to other parish and ministry locations preaching and facilitating retreats – talks – informational sessions, presided as the main celebrant for one of the Outdoor Masses, alongside his confreres, Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv. & Friar Matt Foley, OFM Conv. and their guest, Fr. Leo. Follow this link to enjoy his HOMILY from that Mass.
Today, the actual Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua, please join our friars in ministries near you, as we celebrate in varied ways. At the Shrine today, our friars will celebrate Noon Mass in the Chapel, followed by a special blessing of the new statue depicting St. Francis and St. Anthony in the Shrine Courtyard. After the blessing, all are welcome to stay for a free hot dog lunch in the Shrine’s dining room. For more information on the Shrine or the events held there, please contact the Shrine office at 410-531-2800 or visit their website.
At the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, in Syracuse – NY, our friars, and the parishioners we serve, have been celebrating since Sunday.
Join them today (June 13, 2017) where the theme of the day is “Saint Anthony, Miracle Worker.” Celebrate the 7:00 p.m. Mass for the Solemnity of Saint Anthony of Padua and for Veneration and Blessing with the Relic of Saint Anthony.
To see what events might be happening near you, please visit our province “Locations” page and follow the link to your closest ministry.
St. Hyacinth Friary (Chicopee, MA) was formerly a Senior Friars Residence functioning as de familia and under the leadership of the Guaridan of the St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Friary. As of earlier this Spring, St. Hyacinth is now categorized as a friary with its own resident Guardian, with a separate friar in residence serving as Senior Friar Care Liaison. There are seven friars in residence there and six more who are de familia, while living in the nearby Our Lady of the Angels Care Center, under the watchful care of the Felician Sisters, in Enfield.
St. André Bessette Friary is part of the complex of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish
The second friary to celebrate is the brand new St. André Bessette Friary, in Ottawa, Ontario. This new Canadian friary will be the home of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and Guardian, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., as well as friars from the Philippines, India and Romania. The erection of our third friary in Canada strengthens the presence of the friars in Canada, in accord with the wishes of the Minister General. There will be a dedication of this new “International” Friary in Ottawa, and the 2nd of our Province Masses Celebrating the Centenary of The Militia of the Immaculata (MI), held on August 22, 2017, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Church (Ottawa, Ontario). Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. will be the principal celebrant and homilist of the 5:00 p.m. Mass. The Archbishop of Ottawa, Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J. will also preside. Following the Mass, the Archbishop will bless and dedicate the new friary in honor of St. André Bessette (Brother André).
Also in attendance were Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (left) and Dr. J. Isaac Goff (right), from Mount Angel Seminary College in Oregon, who is the General Editor of The Collected Works of Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner.
May 30, 2017 Notre Dame, IN: Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Rev. Dr. Edward J. Ondrako, OFM Conv. successfully defended his doctoral dissertation in the field of History of Christianity, at the University of Notre Dame. He will be awarded a Ph.D in Theology. His dissertation was: “Rebuild My Church:” Peter Damian Fehlner’s Appropriation and Development of the Ecclesiology and Mariology of Vatican 2. Fr. Ed already holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Humanities/Humanistic Studies ~ Syracuse Univ., Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), Humanities/Humanistic Studies ~ Syracuse Univ., Master of Arts (M.A.), Theology/Theological Studies ~ St. Bonaventure University, Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) ~ State University of New York at Albany, and a Master of Theology ~ St. Anthony of the Hudson Theological Seminary.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv. celebrated his Ordination to the Priesthood on Saturday, May 27, 2017, and his Mass of Thanksgiving (1st Mass) on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption. Father Nicholas currently serves as the Director of the San Damiano Mission, in Brookyn, NY. (Photo Cred: John Oles Photography)
Fr. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv. and Fr. Nader Ata, OFM Conv. are ordained as Priests, by the Bishop of Syracuse, Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham, as witnessed by a large number of their confreres, on May 27, 2017, at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, in Syracuse, NY
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Nader Ata, OFM Conv. celebrated his Ordination to the Priesthood on Saturday, May 27, 2017, and his Mass of Thanksgiving (1st Mass) on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, where he has been serving as Deacon. (Photo Cred: John Oles Photography)
Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., newly ordained Fr. Nader Ata, OFM Conv., the Bishop of Syracuse, Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham and newly ordained Fr. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv. stop outside of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, in Syracuse, NY, for a photo
Fr. Nader shares a moment of 1st Blessings with members of his family, after the Ordination
Fr. Nick receives a blessing from his confrere and fellow priest, Fr. Dennis Mason, OFM Conv.
Fr. Nader pins a beautiful corsage on his very proud mother.
Friar Nicholas and Friar Nader lie prostrate on the floor and the Litany of the Saints is sung.
Upon the February 3, 2017 peaceful passing of 99 year old Mrs. Kathleen Reist, a retired U.S. Army Nurse and the mother of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv., the Golden Walking Stick has been passed onto the next eldest living parent of a living friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province.
The newest recipient of the Our Lady of the Angels Province’s 2017 Golden Walking Stick is Mr. Henry Newbigging, the 98-year-old father of Br. Brian Newbigging, OFM Conv. The gold-handled cane is presented to the eldest parent of a friar in the Our Lady of the Angels Province. Mr. Newbigging is the first “father of a friar” ever to receive the award – all five previous recipients were friars’ “mothers.” The honor was gifted to Mr. Newbigging, on a recent visit by our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
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.
In his own words… Friar Paul Lininger, OFM Conv.:
