January 31, 2017: A press conference was held in Augusta, GA featuring several speakers including Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. of the Diocese of Savannah, a friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province. A plea was made for the new Acting District Attorney, Hank Syms to reverse the decision to seek the death penalty in the case against Steven James Murray, in Superior Court of Burke County, for the murder of Father Rene Robert.
The letter read by Bishop Hartmayer was written by Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
The following is an excerpt taken from an email sent to all of the friars of our province, by Friar James:
“In April 2016, a former friar, Rev. Rene Robert, who in 1995 incardinated into the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, was murdered by an ex-convict to whom he was ministering. After the police caught Mr. Steven James Murray, the ex-convict led them to the body of Fr. Rene where he was slain, near Augusta, Georgia (in the Diocese of Savannah). Now the State of Georgia is preparing to prosecute Mr. Murray for murder as a capital crime for which they will seek the death penalty. …when Fr. Rene first began his ministry to prisoners several years earlier, he wrote a “Declaration of Life,” asking that, if he should be murdered, the death penalty not be used against his killer(s). … After consultation with Bishop Gregory, I asked the OLA Definitory to approve a letter of support for the Bishops’ petition.”
Sunday, January 29, 2017: Before beginning his Apostolate Year, in our ministries in Chicopee, MA, friar Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. visited our friars at St. Lucie Catholic Church, in Port St. Lucie, FL. Our Lady of the Angels Province Prefect of Formation, Fr. Mark Szanyi, OFM Conv. (who also serves as pastor of St. Lucie Catholic Church) installed friar Luis to the Minor Ministry of Acolyte. (the chief offices of an acolyte are to light the candles on the altar and carry them in procession, to prepare wine and water for the sacrifice of the Mass, and to assist the sacred ministers at the Mass and other public services of the Church.) Friar Luis now begins his Apostolate Year, which is often the precursor to the Profession of Solemn Vows.
Our Lady of the Angels Province Vicar Provincial, Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. traveled to Brazil, January 14-18, 2017, to meet with the Custos and the Custodial Definitory for an entire day (Jan. 17) and then help facilitate a Custodial assembly (Jan. 18) to prepare for the friars’ upcoming Ordinary Chapter in, April 2017. During the day-long assembly, marked by fraternity, fine food, discussion, and prayer, the friars took a straw vote that expressed a firm resolve to move toward becoming a province and to make a reasonable timeline for this goal a central piece of their next four-year plan. The friars spent a good portion of time in small groups to provide input for chapter planning. A special commission was formed to evaluate the current ministries of the Custody and help the friars envision possibilities for future ministries. The friars in Rio continue to be grateful for the prayerful support of the Province as they move forward.
Taken from an article to our friars, written by Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., who serves as Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of Our Lady of the Angels Province:
On January 1st, Pope Francis marked the 50th World Peace Day with an address entitled Nonviolence: a Style of Politics for Peace. In his conclusion he names many of the difficulties and conflicts in our world today, and then he says, “Every such response, however modest, helps to build a world free of violence, the first step towards justice and peace.”
One of the best responders, a masterful practitioner of non-violent responses, is the co-president of Pax Christi International, Marie Dennis. Marie was recently named the National Catholic Reporter’s Person of the Year for 2016. She believes that making peace in today’s world requires not only new ways of acting, but also of seeing, and thinking. If you are interested how we: as individuals, as a community, as a people of faith might make what the Pope calls a “modest response” to the many forms of violence found in our communities, then consider reading Marie Dennis’ book, St. Francis and the Foolishness of God, revised edition.
Marie and her co-authors use scripture and stories from the life of St. Francis to speak to contemporary difficulties that we as Americans face. Through their commentary they challenge us to see and think differently. Each section ends with an invitation for the reader to respond with prayer and in action. I have personally used this book for my own spiritual reading, for the book club at the Newman Center/UNC Chapel Hill, and in the friary in Durham, NC for spiritual sessions of house chapter. Each time new insights and challenges emerge.
To give credit where credit is due…Thank you to Fr. Curt Kreml, OFM Conv. for introducing me to this book, which keeps giving. Also thank you to Fr. Andy Santamauro, OFM Conv. and your good example, of using the book for a day of recollection for Holy Cross Parish, in Durham, NC.
In hope,
Friar Michael
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Br. Michael Duffy, (OFM Conv.) DNP, APRN-BC serves as the Coordinator of the Accelerated Second Degree Program and a Professor in the Elms College School of Nursing. He is pictured in the lower picture center. Each year he and his student put their education into practice by serving the people of Jamaica through this International Clinical Experience.
Each year, our Friars celebrate Epiphany Extractions. Franciscans hold great reverence for the saints. We customarily celebrate the Epiphany as a feast for promoting personal holiness. During the para-liturgical ceremony of the Extractions, each friar draws the name of a saint (who becomes his patron for the year) and a short spiritual exhortation (as a focus for spiritual refinement). During Epiphany the community also renews the sanctity of our homes (friaries) by processing to bless each room.
Early in Franciscan history, this tradition developed for our friars. We Franciscan Friars Conventual would like to share this cherished tradition with you. The ritual is simple. Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Choose a card randomly. On the card will be the name of a saint, a mystery in the life of Jesus or perhaps a particular devotion. Announce your choice to the people praying with you. Some of them may have their own experience with your choice. Read up on it in Catholic literature or on the internet. With the help of the Holy Spirit, look for some direction in your life and spirituality from these “living words of God.” You may be surprised how your choice touches your journey of faith.
Remember too, that we are all saints. Sinners too, but saints nonetheless. What can others see in us that reflects “the living word of God?” Your Epiphany patron may help you plan your resolutions or just be your companion in prayer, in the New Year. Look at this as just one more gift from God on Epiphany, the Feast of Gifts.
Peace!
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us Pray: God, Who instructs the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that we may be truly wise in the same Spirit and ever rejoice in His consolation.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
On Friday (January 6, 2017) evening the friars of Immaculate Heart of Mary Friary (Baltimore, MD) hosted our friars serving and studying from the Washington DC, Silver Spring MD Ellicott City MD and Baltimore MD friaries, for the extraction of patron saints and saying for the coming year. Following the extractions was a social and dinner. During the meal prayer the friars participated in the traditional oplatki (Christmas wafers) and shared a fond wish to one another for the coming 2017 year.
On Sunday (January 8, 2017), our Jersey Shore Friars gathered for the annual Epiphany Extraction Liturgy which was also a farewell celebration for Friar Greg Spuhler, OFM Conv. (moving to Our Lady of Guadalupe Friary, in Pittsboro, NC) and Friar Phil Blaine, OFM Conv. (moving to a care center in Enfield, CT).
FrancisCorps volunteers joined our friars from the Syracuse area to celebrate the Solemnity of Epiphany with a sumptuous meal and a lot of laughs, while snow fell dutifully outdoors.
Our friars in the Shamokin, PA area celebrated a belated Epiphany celebration including the friary blessing (shown here with the “Chalking of the Door” by Friar Martin Kobos, OFM Conv.), a festive dinner and Epiphany Extraction service. Once again, the Friars of Mother Cabrini Friary also invited area Religious Sisters and other guests to join them for this year’s Epiphany and Extraction of Patron Saints celebration. Extractions took place following a delicious meal and desserts. The Wisdom of the Holy Spirit was most evident in who got which patron saint and scripture quote for 2017!
Photo taken by our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. Eleven friars gathered for Christmas dinner prepared by Fr. Tom Lavin, OFM Conv. (2nd from left) and Br. Douglas MacMillan, OFM Conv. (4th from left) and their helpers. Fr. Vincent Lachendro, OFM Conv. (seated) was well enough to join the brethren for a few hours at the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, in Ellicott City.
Our friars of Saint John Paul II Friary, Holyoke shared Christmas dinner with the Italian Missionary Sisters of Assisi.
The friars of St. Bonaventure Friary (Toronto, Ontario) share a wonderful Christmas Dinner together.
Christmas Mass with our friars and the congregation of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, in Syracuse NY
Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Donald Kos, OFM Conv. (5th from right standing in center isle) and Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. – also our Assistant General (2nd from right standing in center isle) were on hand for this historic event.
December 19, 2016 – Rome: The historic second canonical recognition of the relics of St. Philip and St. James the Lessor was held at the Basilica Santi Apostoli, the Roman Basilica that has been in our Order’s care since the 14th century. The Minister General of our Order, the Most Reverend Fr. Marco Tasca, OFM Conv., along with the pastor of the Basilica, Fr. Aniello Stoia, OFM Conv., many of the confreres, as well as ecclesiastical authorities, gathered for vespers of the apostles, during which Friar Aniello gave a presentation on the reason for this new recognition. The event was followed by a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv. (Regent Emeritus of the Apostolic Penitentiary), to allow the people of Rome the opportunity to pay tribute to the two Apostles.
The last time these relics were canonically recognized was in 1879, when the decision was made to put the relics in the catacomb type crypt under the main altar. It was recently brought to light that there was a new need for restoration of the crypt. Through that restorative work, it was concluded that the humidity level created a need for a (so far – 9 month) study, to establish the well-being of the relics. It will take a few more months for the study of the ashes, teeth, bone and cloth to be complete. The studies are coordinated by Dr. Nazareno Gabrielli of the Vatican Museum, in cooperation with the Italian Government, who has charge of the care for historical churches.
On April 5, 2016 they extracted a “double urn” of wood and tin containing six glass containers filled with the ashes of the bodies, the ashes of a colobion (ancient liturgical vestment), cloth, 5 teeth, scapular bone, and other bone fragments. Scholars on the project include Prof. Francesco D’Andria of the Università del Salento (Lecce, Italy), who is also excavating the sanctuary of Hierapolis, the “Sacred City” located at present-day Pamukkale (South Central Turkey); home of the tomb of St. Philip. Studies unite the two sites and in May 2017, some of the relics studied in Rome will return to Turkey accompanied by our friars, to be received by the Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church. This closing of the reliquary is only the 1st step in a process that will carry St. Philip and St. James the Lessor to be evangelizers in the Middle East, where modern day Christians are still bearing witness as martyrs for Christ.
A new sealed sarcophagus of crystal and iron holds a scroll signed by the dignitaries present, along with the the remains. The Auxiliary Bishop of the Vicariate of Rome, Bishop Gianrico Ruzza worked with the examiners, Friar Aniello and Friar Marco throughout this process. According to Friar Aniello, this is a great witness for the future, as it is the vocation of the churches in the center of Rome to cherish the memory and tradition of the Universal Church. He addressed those on hand, “May the light of the apostles shine forth for all Christians in Rome.”
Fray (Friar) Antonio Sandoval Poveda, OFM Conv. of our Convento Nuestra Señora de la Asunció, in Alajuela, Costa Rica C.A., professed his Solemn Vows on December 12, 2016 … The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. His vows were received by Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. in the Chapel of our St. Francis College in Moravia, San Jose. The day was celebrated by many of his confreres and friends, as well as members of his family. In addition to the local friars on hand, also participating in the celebration were some of our friars from the United States, including Br. James Moore, OFM Conv. (Silver Spring-MD), Fr. Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv (Syracuse-NY) and Fr. Justin Biase, OFM Conv. (Brooklyn-NY), and Minister Provincial of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, the Very Reverend Fr. Jim Kent, OFM Conv.
While in Costa Rica, Br. Jim Moore, OFM Conv., who used to serve the volunteers of our FrancisCorps ministry, took the opportunity to share Sunday Mass (12-11-2016) at Manos Abiertas (one of the service sites) with some of this years FrancisCorps volunteers.
Each year, our Friars celebrate Epiphany Extractions. Franciscans hold great reverence for the saints. We customarily celebrate the Epiphany as a feast for promoting personal holiness. During the para-liturgical ceremony of the Extractions, each friar draws the name of a saint (who becomes his patron for the year) and a short spiritual exhortation (as a focus for spiritual refinement). During Epiphany the community also renews the san
