Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. receives the Solemn Vow Profession of Fr. Julio Martinez, OFM Conv. (kneeling), on December 8, 2016 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), as witnessed by Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. (left) and Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. (right seated)

During the Mass in celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th), the friars of St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, in Ellicott City-MD, welcomed the confreres serving in the surrounding area to the Profession of Solemn Vows by Fr. Julio, Martinez, OFM Conv. Four years ago, Fr. Julio professed his Simple Vows on the during the same Feast Day celebration, and has been serving in many ministries throughout the province, including the Shrine of St. Anthony and Archbishop Curley High School, ever since. He has now moved onto his newest ministry as Parochial Vicar at our pastoral ministry of St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Church, Baltimore, MD.
In addition to the friars on hand, Friar Julio’s brother, Jose, joined for an evening that included a celebratory meal and fraternal fellowship after the profession. Fun Fact: Our Minister Provincial, Fr. James taught Jose at what is now called Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport, CT (then under the direction of our friars and the title of Kolbe Boys High School before it merged with Cathedral Girls High School, in 1976). This was the year that Julio was at St. Joseph Cupertino Novitiate.

Friar Julio signs the document of profession which is placed upon the altar, as witnessed by Friar James

In a December 15, 2013 Facebook post by our pastoral ministry of the Roman Catholic Church of Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary (Brooklyn, NY) it was stated that “with great joy, we welcome Friar Julio Martinez, OFM Conv., “home” to Trinity! Fr. Julio was ordained to the priesthood at Trinity on May 1, 1982 and spent several years here ministering to our people. We are delighted to have him with us on this Gaudete Sunday, so let us rejoice! Praise God!

A very young Friar Julio and some of the youth he served during his years at Most Holy Trinity parish (1981-1985).

Fr. James places the crucifix in the friary chapel, stating: We display in this friary, the sign of love & salvation. May it be the source of our hope & inspiration.

Washington, DC: On Wednesday, December 7, 2016, the Very Rev. Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, blessed and dedicated the new residence of our friars working in Campus Ministry, at the Catholic University of America. and our Province JPIC Commission (Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation).  In all actuality, this friary simply changed locations but also now has the unique opportunity to be a multi-ministry friary. Originally located on the campus of CUA, the new friary building, is still under the patronage of Saints Francis and Clare, but is now located less than five minutes off campus and will better afford the friars the opportunity to host more friary functions, for the students they serve. Friar residents of the new friary were joined by friars serving in surrounding areas, including those from St. Joseph Cupertino Friary (Ellicott City – MD), Portiuncula Friary (Ellicott City – MD), St. Bonaventure Friary (Silver Spring – MD), members of our Province Definitory and other visiting friars, for the fraternal festivities. The Blessing and Dedication took place in the context of Evening Prayer and included songs of praise, readings, prayers and intercessions.

Prayer of the Guardian
(Shared by Fr. Jude DeAngelo, OFM Conv.)
Lord God, Father ever close to us,
You lead and guide those who love You
by the light and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
May this same Spirit be with us today, to purify and direct our endeavor,
to kindle the fire of Your love in our hearts, so that our lives under a new roof
may be truly renewed in prayer, brotherhood and service.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Local Vicar’s Blessing of the Entrance
(Shared by Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv.)
Most High and loving God,
Through the prayers and intercession of our Holy Father Francis,
and our Holy Mother Clare, bless our new home.
Make holy our entrance and always direct the steps of our feet.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Minister Provincial’s Prayer of Blessing
(Shared by the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.)
Father, bless this place and all who live here.
May they become an image and manifestation of Your eternal home in heaven,
where You live and reign with Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
Amen

Prayer of the Members of Saints Francis and Clare Friary
(Shared by Fr. Jude DeAngelo, OFM Conv., Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv.,
Fr. Ericson de la Pena, OFM Conv., Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv.
and Fr. Albert Pulliyadan, OFM Conv. )
Most High and Good God,
You bring us together in the celebration of this new friary.
Grant that we may serve You constantly and live together in fraternal love,
sincerity and mutual peace.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Las Antorchas Guadalupanas (Guadalupe Torch) is a relay race in which the united popular traditions and faith of Mexican heritage are in focus to express the message that they are “Messengers for the Dignity of a People Divided by the Border.” The torch is a symbol of purification as people are illuminated by the symbol of the Virgin, as love of the migrant and the realization that the message of Christ’s redemption is for all who honor her. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Americas. She appeared in 1531 in Mexico, on the site of the Basilica in her honor, to a the peasant, St. Juan Diego. The miracles shown through him helped unite the people and continue to convert millions to Catholicism.

Now in its 15th year and arranged by the Asociación Tepeyac de New York, this year’s race began on September 18th, at the Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe), in Mexico City and will end in New York City on Monday, December 12, 2016.

Our Siler City, NC pastoral ministry of St. Julia Catholic Church hosted the runners and event organizers this year. The torch arrived at 6:00 p.m. on November 23, 2016, and the parish celebrated with a 7:00 p.m. recitation of the Rosary and then gathering for Holy Mass, as a community. The faithful held vigil all night that included singing, dancing and sharing a community meal. At 11:00 a.m. the following morning (November 24th), the runners left from St. Julia to move onto the next stop, in Greensboro NC.

Friar Jacek Leszczynski, OFM Conv., pastor of Iglesia Catolica de St. Julia (St. Julia Catholic Church) holds the torch as the runners reach the parish grounds.

Throughout the night the faithful filled St. Julia’s with song, dance and joy in preparation for the morning departure of the runners.

The visitors also brought along two large portraits put on display in the sanctuary space, of Our Lady of Guadalupe and of St. Juan Diego

In celebration of the December 12th Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the parish will start at noon on December 11, 2016, as the faithful celebrate throughout the night with Holy Mass, followed by dancing, music and and praise to Our Lady of Guadalupe, a 9:00 p.m. Rosary, 10:30 p.m. Mass, Midnight Mariachi, 4:30 a.m. Mañanitas (morning songs of awakening), 5:00 a.m. Holy Mass, a 6:00 p.m. Rosary and finish with 8-10:00 a.m. Mariachi.

Our Lady of Guadalupe ~ Pray for Us!

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin of Guadalupe,
that in your apparitions on Mount Tepeyac
you promised to show pity and compassion to all who,
loving and trusting you, seek your help and protection.
Accordingly, listen now to our supplications
and grant us consolation and relief.
We are full of hope that, relying on your help,
nothing can trouble or affect us.
As you have remained with us through your admirable image,
so now obtain for us the graces we need.
Amen.

2016: Taken by Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Martin Breski, OFM Conv., as Franciscan Friars renew their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, at The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (Assisi), home of the Portiuncula

November 29th is a special feast day for all Franciscans. On this day in 1223, the definitive Rule of Life of St. Francis of Assisi was approved by Pope Honorius III. St. Francis and his first companions presented themselves to Pope Innocent III in 1209, seeking oral approval of their evangelical form of life. At Santuario di Fonte Columbo, Francis drew up the final Rule that was approved by the Bull Solet Annuere, issued by Honorius III, November 29th. The original copy of the Rule is preserved in the Basilica Papale e del Sacro Convento di San Francesco (Papal Basilica of Saint Francis), the mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual, in Assisi. Permission was granted, allowing the Fraternity to expand to become the Friars Minor (Lesser Brothers). Following the Lateran Council IV, Pope Honorius III approved the definitive Rule and that Christmas, the Pope also consented that St. Francis re-enacted a living nativity at Greccio.

The Feast Day: To commemorate the November 29, 1223 approval of the Rule of Life, each year on that date, all of the saints of the Franciscan Order are remembered at Franciscan churches and communities around the world, as we celebrate the Feast of All of the Saints of the Order. Although St. Francis died in 1226, he left the great legacy of the Franciscan Order and its almost 800 years of saints, giving credit only to God’s Grace and following in the footsteps of St. Francis. Friars all over the world renew our vows, at our ministries or in our smaller friary community (symbolically, as our vows are perpetual/permanent).

Excerpt from a sample “Renewal of Vows” celebrated during Morning or Evening Prayer:

Let us pray that, with the help of God and the intercession of St. Francis,
all our Franciscan saints, and Mary, Queen of the Franciscan Order,
we may rekindle our initial fervor and recommit ourselves
to the ideals of the Franciscan way of life.

RENEWAL OF VOWS
All praise be Yours, O Lord,
for all creation gives You glory.
All praise be Yours, O Lord,
for all good things come from You.
All praise be Yours, O Lord,
for You call us to the life of Your Risen Son.

Today, we Your sons, renew and re-dedicate ourselves to the call You have given us. We renew our profession of the Rule of our Father Francis, and we ask Your help to continue to live the life of the Gospel with obedience to Your Spirit and Your Church, with poverty that imitates the life of Your Son and His holy mother, and with chastity that frees us to love You and Your people, with unmeasured love. All praise be Yours, O Lord, now and forever. Amen.

As mother of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv., Mrs. Kathleen Reist holds the distinction of being the eldest living parent of a living friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province.  Friar Tom serves with the Greyfriars in Great Britain (our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), as the Guardian of St. Anthony of Padua Friary and the Principal of the Franciscan International Study Centre – Canterbury, Kent. Since Friar Tom is currently in the the USA for a visit, on November 22th, our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. took the opportunity to join Friar Tom and his sister Kathy in Boston, to celebrate Mrs. Reist’s 99th birthday.  Over tea and cake, Friar James was able to present her with the “Golden Walking Stick.”  Despite Friar Tom’s fears that his mother would “clobber” someone with it, the ever-spunky Mrs. Reist resisted the temptation.  Famous for her quips and wisecracks, Mrs. Reist did not disappoint.  When Friar James told her that he hoped to return next year to celebrate her 100th, she quipped: “If you’re still around!”
Our Province’s most recent holders, may the Rest in Peace, of the “Golden Walking Stick” were: +Mrs. Helen Sabol (mother of Fr. George Sabol, OFM Conv. – who currently serves at St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Church, Baltimore, MD); +Mrs. Mary Cymerman (mother of Fr. Alex Cymerman, OFM Conv. – who currently serves at St. Francis of Assisi Novitiate, in Arroyo Grande, CA); +Mrs. Kathryn Curesky (mother of Fr. Mark Curesky, OFM Conv. – who currently serves as pastor at St. John Catholic Church, in Cromwell, CT); and +Mrs. Violet Maslar (mother of Fr. George Maslar, OFM Conv. – who currently serves at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, in Bridgeport, CT as well as chaplain at the Bridgeport Health Center).

Prayer for Parents
O Almighty God,
You gave us the commandment to honor our father and mother.
In Your loving kindness hear our prayers for our parents.
Give them long lives and keep them well in body and spirit.
Bless their labors; keep them always in Your care.
Bless them generously for their loving care for us.
Grant that, through Your Grace,
we may always be their support and comfort,
and that, after our life together on earth,
we may experience the joy together praising You forever.
Amen

At the 10:30 a.m. Mass, on Sunday October 29, 2016, during “Family Weekend” at Syracuse University and SUNY ESF, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. was officially installed as Chaplain of the Catholic Campus Ministry by the Bishop of Syracuse, Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham. Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. was also on hand for the celebration.

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