A short film featuring our student friar, br. Tim Blanchard, OFM Conv. and his vocation story.

On the evening of Friday, October 4, 2019, before the people of our pastoral ministry of  Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community (Burlington, NC) celebrated the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, this beautiful work of art, a large Franciscan oriented cedar wood bas-relief, carved in Mexico and brought to the USA by parishioners, was revealed and dedicated in the gathering space in honor of the ministry of Fr. Briant Cullinane, OFM Conv., and his 60th Jubliee of his Ordination as a Franciscan Priest. Friar Briant, who had also served as pastor at the parish from 1999-2001, has been in residence there since 2010. Now 88 years old, Friar Briant is their Pastor Emeritus, where he remains a well loved presence in the life of the parish.
The community welcomed our Minister Provincial, the Very Rev. Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., who gave the blessing and dedication, as well as presided and preached at the Liturgy. Several of Friar Briant’s confreres were there to join in the celebration, including those who reside in the Blessed Sacrament Friary with him: Fr Vincent Robino, OFM Conv. (Friary Guardian & Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament), Fr. Paul Lininger, OFM Conv. (Pastor of Blessed Sacrament), and Fr. Peter Tremblay, OFM Conv. (Associate Chaplain for Catholic Life – Elon University Campus Ministry). Also there to honor Friar Briant ~ from neighboring Our Lady of Guadalupe Friary (Pittsboro), Br. Raymond Sobocinski, OFM Conv. (Friary Guardian) and Fr. Julio Martinez, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. Julia Catholic Church, Siler City) ~ from St. Anthony of Padua Friary, Fr. Bill Robinson, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar & Associate Campus Minister – Newman Catholic Student Center Parish at UNC Chapel Hill), Fr. Bart Karwacki, OFM Conv. (Pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Durham) ~ from Our Lady of the Angels Friary, Fr. Joseph Angelini, OFM Conv. (Friary Guardian & Pastor Emeritus at Our Lady of Mercy, Winston-Salem) and Fr. Carl Zdancewicz, OFM Conv. (Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy).

Friar James & Friar Briant unveil the new work of art.

For Franciscans, the Feast Day of St. Francis is not limited to just October 4th. This year, we celebrated Transitus on October 3rd at many of our different ministries. We started Blessing Animals last weekend and will continue at different ministries throughout the week. We celebrated special Liturgies in our parishes, parish schools,  in our high schools, univeristy ministries and shrines on October 4th’s actual Feast Day of St. Francis.

In addition to these “standard” activities, celebrations, prayer services and liturgies, we often gather together with other Franciscan communities to share in fellowship. On October 2nd, our friars of St. Mark Friary, in Boynton Beach, FL shared a meal with eleven Franciscan Sister. These friars serve in pastoral ministry at St. Mark Catholic Church: Fr. Daniel Fink, OFM Conv. (pastor), Fr. Richard Florek, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar), Fr. Germain Kopaczynski, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar), and Fr. Joseph Dorniak, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar).

Friar Germain enjoyed his time with the sisters.

Friar Joe and Friar Richard sharing a delicious meal with the sisters.

At our Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City, MD

October 3, 2019: Our Student Friars of the St. Bonaventure Friary (Silver Spring, MD) organized and directed the Transitus celebration with a candlelight procession, at our Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD. The procession into the Shrine Chapel was led by the student friars, as well as a friar from Tanzania newly assigned friar to the Shrine, Fr. Everest Valentine Nyaki Mkenda, OFM Conv., and two Secular Franciscans (at left). After a greeting by our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Reading I and II were both read by Friar Israel Arauz-Rosiles, OFM Conv., a student friar of St. Joseph Cupertino Province. Between these readings, the Gospel was read by Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Nick Rokitka, OFM Conv., who serves the province as Treasurer, as well as Co-Director of the Post Novitiate Friary in which the student friars reside. Several languages were represented when the intentions were read, including Chaldean read by our student friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. and German read by Fr. Paul Schloemer, OFM Conv., a friar of Our Lady of Consolation Province and the other Co-Director of the Post Novitiate Friary.
One of our student friars, br. Alejandro María Arias Mosquera, OFM Conv. painted an icon of the Stigmatized St. Francis for the occasion (upper right).
Guests of Honor were the Archdiocese of Baltimore Auxillary Bishop Ermeritus, Most Rev. Denis J. Madden, and from the Priory of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies, in Washington DC, Fr. C. Antoninus Niemiec, O.P. (pictured lower left with Director of the Shrine of St. Anthony, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Eric de la Pena, OFM Conv. In accord with the ancient tradition of Franciscans and Dominicans exchanging pulpits on their respective Feastdays, Fr. Antoninus served as Homilist for the celebration.

Students from the Catholic University of America stopped for a quick photo with our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (center). Our friars included here, in studies at CUA: (left to right) friar Raad Eshoo, OFM Conv. friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv., friar Richard Rome, OFM Conv., Jonathan Garcia Zenteno (postulant in blacks shirt), br. Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv., br. Alejandro María Arias Mosquera, OFM Conv. and friar Joseph Krondon, OFM Conv.

At St. Benedict the Moor Parish, Columbus, GA

This is the second year our friars have been serving in pastoral ministry in Columbus, GA. Again this year, Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (pastor ) invited his confreres of the Franciscan Martyrs Friary to celebrate Transitus at St. Benedict the Moor Parish. Surrounded by those in attendance for the celebration, behind the altar you can find Friar Noel (leaning on the altar) along with Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. (pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Manny Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of St. Anne), Fr. Paul Pantiru, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of St. Anne) and Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church).

At the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Chicopee, MA

Several Junior High students of St. Stanislaus School participated in the Transitus Service at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr, served by Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Joseph Bayne, OFM Conv. (pastor), Fr. Paul Miskiewicz, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar), Fr. Mieczyslaw Wilk, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar) and Fr. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv. (priestly assistance).

At Assumption Church, Syracuse, NY

Elias Arias Rojas, a volunteer with FrancisCorps, took on the role of St. Francis in the Transitus Service celebrated at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, led by Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv. (pastor)

At St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, Jonesboro, GA

Parochial Vicar at our pastoral minstry of Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Atlanta, GA – Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv. (top left) joined his confreres serving at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, as they celebrated Transitus with the congregation, led by  Santo Cricchio, OFM Conv (at left). Friar Santo recently returned to the area after serving his country and continuing his education through the GI Bill. He now serves as a counselor through the Holy Family Counseling Center, via an office at the St. Philip Benizi Parish Center. Serving in pastoral ministry at the parish are Fr. John Koziol, OFM Conv. (pastor), Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar), Fr. Louis Palacious Rodriguez, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar) and Fr. Martin Breski, OFM Conv. who took these photos.

Franciscans from around the world celebrate both the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi (on October 3rd) and his Feast Day (on October 4th). For Franciscans, Transitus marks the night Francis left his earthly life, to move onto a life in heaven with Our Lord Jesus. He died, on the evening of October 3, 1226, a small man in his forties who had wanted to live a simple life in service to God. Traditionally Saints’ Feast Days mark the date of death and are remembered with special mention, prayers, and scripture readings. For us, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4th is so much more. It is a day filled with celebration and joy. We mark the days surrounding the Feast Day with the blessing of animals, gathering for meals and enjoying the fellowship of our brothers and those we serve. Just as with all of the saints, it is the day Francis obtained Eternal Life.
Starting on the weekend before the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, several friars from throughout our province began this year’s traditional Blessing of Animals; a simple act that helps us share the charism of St. Francis by blessing these special “companions” of those we serve. It is always a source of great joy for our friars in our varied ministries.

As ministries send in photos from the Blessings, we will share them here for all to enjoy.

St. Lucie Catholic Church, Port St. Lucie, FL

This year’s medal given to all those who were blessed at St. Lucie’s

Fr. Curt Kreml, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar) blessing a young parishioner’s pet bird.

Fr. Mark Szanyi, OFM Conv. (pastor) blessed a family’s best friend.

St. Anne Catholic Church (& St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School), Columbus, GA

Fr. Paul Pantiru, OFM Conv. enjoys his first Blessing of the Animals at his new ministry with us. Friar Paul is a friar from Romania who is serving as Parochial Vicar at our pastoral ministry of St. Anne Catholic Church.

Fr. Manny Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar) spent some time with the school children and staff, blessing the classroom pets.

Ledger~Inquirer Online Article (By Mike Haskey – October 03, 2019 09:23 PM)

Blessed Sacrament School, Burlington, NC

The school families gathered to have their animals of all sizes (living and stuffed) blessed by Fr. Paul Lininger, OFM Conv., pastor of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community.

The Franciscan Church of the Assumption, Syracuse, NY

Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv. (Pastor)

Br. Joe Freitag, OFM Conv. (Pastoral Associate)

Archdiocese Pastorate of
St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Church, St. Michael the Archangel Church & Church of the Annunciation

Fr. Tim Dore, OFM Conv. (Pastor of the Baltimore, MD Pastorate) even got to bless a few turtles at the October 6th Blessing at St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Church.

Friar Tim had as much fun as the parishioners and their pet, at the October 5th Blessing at the Church of the Annunciation.

St. Paul Catholic Church, Kensington, CT

Fr. Joe Benicewicz, OFM Conv. (Pastor – center), Fr. Michael Englert, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar – far left) and Fr. Piotr Tymko, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar – 2nd from left) bless the animals for a crowd of gathered parishioners.

Friar Piotr enjoyed getting to know a few of those being blessed.

Last fall, the Franciscan Mission Association (FMA) appealed to help provide clean drinking water to villages in Ghana, West Africa, via the “Wells for Ghana” project. Through the generosity of benefactors, the friars were able to turn one well into THREE!

Read More

Each summer, the FMA brings Friar Missionaries serving in other countries to speak at our pastoral ministries; preaching appeals on behalf of the FMA. Friars of our own province, who have served as missionaries, also participate. Fr. Emmanuel Oposika Acquaye, OFM Conv. is a friar of the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana (of the Italian Province of St. Anthony of Padua in Northern Italy) who has been living, studying and working in our Province. He has preached FMA Mission Appeals since his arrival in the USA several years ago. In March of 2018, he was the subject of a video filmed by our FMA, at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD). In it he explained the great need for a source of clean drinking water in many villages in Ghana.

Thank you, to all who contributed to this effort!
For more information, visit the FMA Website’s “Ways to Give” page.

Fr. Peter Knaapen, OFM Conv. Celebrates 40 Years!

September 21, 2019: The parish community of The Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure, in Toronto, Ontario marked the 40th Anniversary of Friar Peter’s Ordination with a special Liturgy followed by a festive gathering at the Parish Centre.
Ordained to the Priesthood in May of 1979, Friar Peter has served for decades, in pastoral ministry at St. Bonaventure. He currently serves the people of God, as Associate Pastor.

Friar William Robinson, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar & Associate Campus Minister), Very Reverend Scott E. McCue, V.F., and Friar Timothy Kulbicki, OFM Conv. (Pastor & Campus Minister)

The Oath

Sunday, September 29, 2019: Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Timothy Kulbicki, OFM Conv. was formally installed as the Pastor and Campus Minister of the Newman Catholic Community (Chapel Hill, NC) by the Very Rev. Scott E. McCue, Vicar Forane of the Piedmont Deanery of the Diocese of Raleigh, where many of our Province ministries are located, including Newman Catholic Student Center Parish – UNC, Chapel Hill; Duke University’s Duke Catholic Center, Durham; Holy Cross Catholic Church, Durham; Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community, Burlington; Catholic Campus Ministry at Elon University, Elon; and St. Julia Catholic Church, Siler City.