Fr. Ross Syracuse, OFM Conv. in his chaplain uniform.
Monday, May 11, 2015: Fr. Ross Syracuse, OFM Conv., was chosen to offer the homily at the Buffalo Police Department’s Memorial Service, held at St. Joseph Cathedral. The annual event, held in conjunction with National Police Week, commemorates those officers in the WNY area who died in the line of duty. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop emeritus of Buffalo, presided. He and Father Peter Drilling, the cathedral rector, represented the Diocese of Buffalo. Local, county, state and federal law enforcement officials, as well as police officers from Canada were represented. Chaplains of the Buffalo Police Department hosted the event and area police department chaplains also took part. As the names of the fallen officers were read, each agency presented a large version of its shield or coat of arms.
Friar Ross is not only a police chaplain, he is the guardian of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Friary and the Fr. Justin Senior Friar Residence, as well as the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church. He is a musician and a pilot, with a great affection for and appreciation of creation, especially animals. He feels we are all called in a special way to care for creation and the environment in the spirit and example of St. Francis of Assisi.
Friday, May 1, 2015: Frei (Friar) Paulo Fernando Vicente, OFM Conv. was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Elias Manning. OFM Conv., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Valença, Brazil. The ordination took place in Frei Paulo’s home parish of Nossa Senhora da Gloria in Simão Pereira. With this ordination, the friars of the Custody have ordained three men this year, and there are still two ordinations yet to come. Our prayers for increased vocations are working – thanks be to God.
May the Province of Our Lady of the Angels also receive such a great blessing.
Saturday, April 25, 2015: Fr. Michel Alves, OFM Conv. was ordained to the Presbyterate by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, Dom Pedro Cunha Cruz. The ceremony took place at the historical Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo da Antiga Sé (Church of the Old Cathedral Our Lady of Mount Carmel) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our Province Secretary, Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. was on hand for the ordination as well as Friar Michel’s First Mass (Sunday, April 26, 2015), held at the Church of St. Rita, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the faithful were filled with great joy, celebrating Good Shepherd Sunday and a new shepherd of the flock!
Br. Andre mixes and pours each batch of candles by hand, assuring the quality of every one.
Friar’s Craft Provides for Aged Brothers: Friar Andre Picotte, OFM Conv. was always creative. Earning a Graphic Design degree, however, didn’t fully prepare him for his unique ministry. Three years ago, while shopping at the mall, Br. Andre noticed the high price of commercially produced scented candles. Looking over the candle, Br. Andre said to his confrere, Br. Ray, “I can do this cheaper … and better!” That very Christmas (2012) he began making scented candles in his home, the Immaculate Conception Friary, in Rensselaer, New York. A new ministry to care for his aged and infirm brothers was born. Named Franciscan Soy Candles, Br. Andre’s venture uses clean-burning, environmentally friendly soy wax, a wood wick, and oil based perfume-grade fragrances, in a lidded glass container. Due to the materials and care Br. Andre puts into each candle, Franciscan Soy Candles burn down evenly and for a longer duration than most commercially available candles. Br. Andre’s candles also have fragrance distributed evenly throughout the wax, guaranteeing a quality scent for the life of the candle. There are many signature candles available in several sizes and scents, and each season new designs have been created, along with new seasonal fragrances. Proceeds from the sale of the candles benefit the aging and infirmed friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province.
Though it began as a hobby, Franciscan Soy Candles has quickly grown into a busy ministry, retailing on line. You can also purchase Br. Andre’s candles at our National St. Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in Fonda, NY, Franciscan Place in Destiny Mall, Syracuse, NY, and The Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, MD, in addition to several more of our pastoral ministries throughout our province. Br. Andre has produced thousands of candles. A unique feature of Franciscan Soy Candles, and one which uses Br. Andre’s design background, is the ministry’s ability to make customized candle labels. Customers can submit the names of loved ones they want to memorialize or honor, occasions they want to celebrate or commemorate, or any personal idea or concept, and Br. Andre incorporates that into the candle’s label. Another common option is for organizations or institutions to create a custom Franciscan label. These make wonderful milestone or seasonal gifts.
Considering how his new ministry has grown, Br. Andre is both practical and philosophical: “I like making the candles, I like designing the labels and the graphics for them, but I especially love being able to do these things to benefit my aging and ill brothers. It is a blessing that my gifts can serve them in this way.”
Franciscan Soy Candles offers a seasonal selection of candle designs and fragrances as well as their standard line of candles. All can be purchased online at www.Franciscancandles.org or by emailing Br. Andre at friars@franciscancandles.org or place your phone order by calling 518-496-4805.
In early December 2014, Maryland state officials announced that Carrollton Hall (12280 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042) was one of nine statewide recipients of historic preservation tax credits from a fund administered by the Maryland Historical Trust. The program began in 1996 as part of the Maryland Department of Planning and for several years has been made available to religious and other non-profit organizations. In January 2015, Carrollton Hall was officially entered into the National Register of Historic Places!
Steps toward opening Carrollton Hall to the wider public began in earnest in early spring of this year. If you would like more information, please write the Director, Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, 12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042. He can also be reached at 410-531-2800 .
April 8 -12, 2015: Frei Leonardo Rodrigues, OFM Conv., Frei Paulo Vicente, OFM Conv. and Frei Michel Cross, OFM Conv. held their preparatory retreat for priestly ordination in the Monastery of St. Benedict (Rio de Janeiro), under the guidance of Bishop Elias Manning, OFM Conv. They were days of intense encounter with God in which the Bishop Emeritus of Valencia exposed aspects of the life of Christ inviting the future priest brothers to become filled with Jesus and His way of being; able to overflow Jesus to the world. It is worth noting that this year, Bishop Elias completes 50 years of priestly ordination and 25 years of episcopal ordination. In this sense, the retreat was also a fruitful meeting of generations, where youngsters could sat at the feet of elders to drink in the experience provided by years of walking, and where those older could drink in the vigor and enthusiasm of youth . Let us pray for brothers who will be ordained priests in the coming days: Frei Michel (April 25), Frei Paulo (May 10) and Frei Leonardo (May 30).
Do dia 08 ao dia 12 de abril, Frei Leonardo Rodrigues, Frei Paulo Vicente e Frei Michel da Cruz realizaram o seu retiro preparatório para a ordenação presbiteral no Mosteiro de São Bento (Rio de Janeiro) sob a orientação de Dom Frei Elias Manning. Foram dias de profundo encontro com Deus nos quais o bispo emérito de Valença expôs aspectos da vida de Jesus Cristo convidando os futuros frades presbíteros a se tornarem plenos de Jesus e do seu jeito de ser para poderem transbordar Jesus para o mundo. Convém destacar que, neste ano, Dom Elias completa 50 anos de ordenação presbiteral e 25 anos de ordenação episcopal. Neste sentido, o retiro também foi um profícuo encontro de gerações, onde os mais jovens puderam se assentar aos pés dos mais velhos para deles beber da experiência fornecida pelos anos de caminhada e os mais velhos puderam beber do vigor, entusiasmo e anseios próprios da juventude. Rezemos pelos irmãos que serão ordenados presbíteros nos próximos dias: Frei Michel (25 de abril), Frei Paulo (1de maio) e Frei Leonardo (30 de maio).
Honor Guard bearing the remains of King Richard III in the Anglican Cathedral of Leicester
Presented by Fr. Peter Damian Massengill, OFM Conv., Custos ~ Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody of Our Lady of the Angels Province: The week of 23-26 of March 2015 saw a special moment in the history of the Greyfriars of Great Britain and Ireland. The body of King Richard III, the last of the Plantagenet Kings who was also the last King of England to die in battle – the Wars of the Roses – had been discovered in a parking lot which was built over the ruins of the Choir of the Greyfriars Friary in Leicester England. After much scientific analysis for authenticity, and a great deal more political maundering on where to re-bury him, he was finally laid to rest in the Anglican Cathedral of Leicester on 26 March 2015.
Friar Peter Damian Massengill (not pictured) along with Friar Joseph Fenton, Friar Gerard Mary Toman, Friar Benedict Abugu and Friar Matthew Bond (pictured below in front of the last remaining wall of the Greyfriars Friary in Leicester) were invited to be special guest on Monday evening, 23 of March, for a Solemn Requiem Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. The Mass was held in Holy Cross Dominican Church a few blocks from the Leicester Cathedral.
On the 26th itself, Friar Peter Damian was interviewed by English television just prior to being escorted into the Cathedral to his seat among other dignitaries. The celebration for the re-burial of King Richard III was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and blended the best of Anglican and Catholic traditions. The first burial by the Greyfriars was a rush job given all that was happening at the end of the war, so this celebration was indeed one fit for a King.
March 30, 2015 – Provincial Blessing of Holy Cross Friary: Our Lady of the Angels Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (lower left row) blessed the new friary and visited with the area friars. The friars of Holy Cross, serve Atlanta’s Holy Cross Catholic Church, Roswell’s Blessed Trinity Catholic High School and Lithia Springs’ St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Also pictures here, for the visit, are the friars who live in St. Philip Benizi Friary, in Jonesboro, GA. serving the people of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church.
Our Friars are serving in over twenty (Arch)Dioceses along the East Coast, of the United States and in four within Ontario, Canada. As Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Religious gathered this week in each of diocese to celebrate Chrism Mass, it was such a joy for our friars to participate along side their brothers in Christ. The Bishops blessed the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism to be used by priests and deacons of each individual diocese throughout the year. During the Chrism Mass, our priest friars present, join all priests of the diocese where they serve, to renew their own commitment to service and to receive the prayers of the people. This unique liturgy is an expression of unity of the diocesan Church with her Bishop in preparation for all liturgies throughout the year.
Diocese of Charlotte Chrism Mass 2015: Three of our friars serve in ministries within the Diocese of Charlotte. Fr. Joseph Angelini, OFM Conv. is the Guardian of Our Lady of the Angels Friary, Fr. Carl Zdancewicz, OFM Conv. serves as the pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Mission and Our Lady of Mercy Church, where Friar Joseph also serves as Parochial Vicar. Fr. Charles Jagodzinski, OFM Conv. is the Campus Minister for Wake Forest University, Salem College and the University of North Carolina, School of the Arts. All three of our friars are serving in Winston-Salem, NC. As Bishop Jugis stated during his homily, “Why is this Cathedral always filled to overflowing? On this day…because the Faithful love their priests.” All of our province friars feel the same way about the Faithful we are so blessed to serve. The Catholic News Herald, Diocese of Charlotte posted a highlight video of the Mass featuring Bishop Peter Jugis’ homily.
During this Mass, the Bishop blesses the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism. The chrism is freshly prepared for the baptising of catechumens at the Easter Vigil and the other oils are blessed on this day as well. As the Bishop is the only minister who can bless chrism, this liturgy ritualises his presence through the chrism that will be used by priests and deacons of the diocese throughout the year.
During the Chrism Mass, all priests are invited to renew their commitment to service and to receive the prayers of the people. This unique liturgy is an expression of unity of the diocesan Church with her Bishop in preparation for all liturgies throughout the year. All are welcome.
– See more at: http://www.calgarydiocese.ca/liturgy/diocesan-celebrations/896-chrism-mass-liturgy.html?tmpl=component&print=1&page=#sthash.TShmzka1.dpuf
Bishop blesses the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism. The chrism is freshly prepared for the baptising of catechumens at the Easter Vigil and the other oils are blessed on this day as well. As the Bishop is the only minister who can bless chrism, this liturgy ritualises his presence through the chrism that will be used by priests and deacons of the diocese throughout the year.
During the Chrism Mass, all priests are invited to renew their commitment to service and to receive the prayers of the people. This unique liturgy is an expression of unity of the diocesan Church with her Bishop in preparation for all liturgies throughout the year. All are welcome.
– See more at: http://www.calgarydiocese.ca/liturgy/diocesan-celebrations/896-chrism-mass-liturgy.html#sthash.YesgD0Pg.dpuf
Bishop blesses the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism. The chrism is freshly prepared for the baptising of catechumens at the Easter Vigil and the other oils are blessed on this day as well. As the Bishop is the only minister who can bless chrism, this liturgy ritualises his presence through the chrism that will be used by priests and deacons of the diocese throughout the year.
During the Chrism Mass, all priests are invited to renew their commitment to service and to receive the prayers of the people. This unique liturgy is an expression of unity of the diocesan Church with her Bishop in preparation for all liturgies throughout the year. All are welcome.
– See more at: http://www.calgarydiocese.ca/liturgy/diocesan-celebrations/896-chrism-mass-liturgy.html#sthash.YesgD0Pg.dpuf
Bishop blesses the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick, and the oil of chrism. The chrism is freshly prepared for the baptising of catechumens at the Easter Vigil and the other oils are blessed on this day as well. As the Bishop is the only minister who can bless chrism, this liturgy ritualises his presence through the chrism that will be used by priests and deacons of the diocese throughout the year.
During the Chrism Mass, all priests are invited to renew their commitment to service and to receive the prayers of the people. This unique liturgy is an expression of unity of the diocesan Church with her Bishop in preparation for all liturgies throughout the year. All are welcome.
– See more at: http://www.calgarydiocese.ca/liturgy/diocesan-celebrations/896-chrism-mass-liturgy.html#sthash.YesgD0Pg.dpuf
Tantur Ecumenical Group on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, (Fr. Justin Biase, OFM Conv.~4th from right)
A Reflection from the Holy Land A letter to the Minister Provincial from Fr. Justin Biase, OFM Conv.
Peace and all good things from the Holy Land! The Mass at the Holy Sepulcher was wonderful, although a bit tight with seven priests and three women packed into the inner room, and a few more folks in the outer room. It was very moving and a moment to cherish forever. I remembered (special intention) at Mass as well as … all of the friars. Thank you so much for this marvelous opportunity to be here for six weeks. I apologize for not being in touch more often, but I have been trying to stay away from the computer and sending e-mails, etc. so as not be too distracted from this special time in the Holy Land. Nonetheless, prayers for you and all the friars have been plentiful at each and every holy place.
The program is wonderful — with time for lectures, visiting the holy sites together with free time to pray, relax, be quiet or wander around the city. The lecturers are first class and include Christians, Jews, Palestinians and Muslims. Two weeks ago we went to an Orthodox synagogue for services and then we broke up into groups of two and went with a family for their Shabbat Dinner. Both were quite the experiences, especially talking with the family and their children — very devout and knowledgeable about their faith and unlike many, very knowledgeable about Catholicism.
We spent a week in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. Despite the weather – cold, cloudy and rainy – we did get a chance to visit all the sites at a leisurely pace – with time in each place for quiet prayer and reflection — though at times it was difficult because of the crowds of pilgrims. We had a wonderful guide, a Palestinian Christian who was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, humorous and deeply spiritual. We returned to Jerusalem to find six inches of snow on the ground — the bus couldn’t get up our steep hill from the road, so most walked up to the building, but a few of us older folks were taken up in a cart pulled by a tractor! It was a sight for sore eyes!
Our group numbers 15 and includes 10 priests (2 Jesuits, me and the rest diocesan), two sisters, one minister and two lay women. It’s a very diverse group for sure, but we all get along very well and have our share of laughs along the way…
As you would imagine, there is no escaping coming face to face with the great suffering of the people here as a result of the current political situation. From whichever angle you look at it, it is so sad and breaks your heart. It is terribly complicated and difficult to understand. The longer you’re here the more you see how deep are the divisions and conflicts. The staff and the program provide multiple opportunities to explore the many dimensions of life in these parts.
Our place is near Bethlehem, right by the Wall and the Check Point. Looking at the wall is depressing enough, going through the checkpoint is heart-breaking. It is literally like going into a jail. We visited Bethlehem University run by the Christian Brothers. Marvelous! Seeing and meeting young Christians and Muslims together, side by side, with so many hopes and aspirations for peace, was more than inspiring. Much prayer, generosity and hard work at peacemaking are surely needed. Last week, we also visited Hebron which was particularly sad because of the multiple checkpoints and random checks and the suffering of the people. We visited the tomb of Abraham and Sarah (now officially a Mosque, but divided in two –one side for Jews and one side of Muslims). We followed that visit with meetings with groups of Muslims, Christians and Jews who are taking initiatives to bring people together to talk, get to know one another and work towards reconciliation. Uplifting for sure — met some of the most impressive people I have ever encountered.
A young Muslim boy at prayer
Last week we also went to the Old City and had the privilege of not only walking around the Temple Mount, but also entering the Dome of the Rock and entering the Al Aqsa Mosque – both were very moving. Attached is a photo of a small boy praying.
A few days ago, we had a lecture on Eastern/Byzantine spirituality by the Abbot of Dormition Abbey here in Jerusalem. It was fantastic — he was from Belfast and was very articulate, knowledgeable and witty (as most Irishman are!!). In addition to talking about the history of the Roman/Orthodox traditions – he spoke about the spirituality that flows from the Orthodox liturgy. On Sundays, we go to different Churches for Mass. Twice now I went to the Melkite Catholic Church in the Old City — mostly because it is a friendly and welcoming community, but also because the Archbishop is an older man who radiates peace, joy and deep faith.
We had a wonderful day visiting St. George’s Monastery in the Judean Hills below Jerusalem. Had to walk down a steep hill and then back up the other side to get to the place — beautiful. From there we hiked into Jericho along a path along the side of the hill. It took about an hour and a half with spectacular scenery all along the way. From there we visited Jesus’ Baptismal site. Thankfully I have had no problem with my knee, except having to pace myself going up or down hills. On the hike to Jericho, I had a cane to keep help keep me balanced — since the path was very rocky, but other than that, no problems at all. Of course, being the ‘oldest’ in the group, everyone is very solicitous!!
Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. (Bishop of Savannah, GA & friar from our Province) was also on a pilgrimage in the Holy Land. The two friars reunited to share a meal.
Gregory [Hartmayer] and I were able to get together on Sunday evening for a leisurely dinner at what else but an Italian restaurant!! Recommended by the hotel where he was staying, it wasn’t half bad! It was a fun evening. His group was literally on a marathon since they only had a week. Makes me appreciate all the more the six week spread that allows for time for prayer and relaxation, as well as multiple visits to favorite places.
Just returned from an overnight to Nablus — and the site of Jacob’s well. In the middle to the West Bank, it was amazing to see how friendly and warm the people were to us. It was the exception when people didn’t say ‘hello”, “good morning or afternoon”. Children would spontaneously wave to us and smile. Marvelous and much different than Jerusalem.
Hard to believe that I leave here for Padua in a couple of days. Unfortunately, I will miss the trip to Qumran, Dead Sea, Masada and Mt. Sinai. Not so bad since, except for Sinai, I have been to all the places before… But for now it is good to be here, in a totally different place and environment, and to be connected in a special way to Christ in the land that was His, complicated and messy as it is at the present moment.
Okay for now, my brother. Thanks again to you and the Province for allowing me this special time away. I will be in touch from Padua and then from Assisi. Assisi following the Holy Land — can’t get much better than that! From there to Bari on Easter Monday for a visit to the home town [of my family] and then on to Rome before heading back to the States on April 16th.
Note: Fr. Justin was the last Minister Provincial of the Immaculate Conception Province.
After the union of the Immaculate Conception Province and the St. Anthony of Padua Province, creating the new Our Lady of the Angels Province, he has spent some time on a much deserved renewing sabbatical, including his pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Please continue to pray for him and for all of our friars.
