Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. serves as Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of Our Lady of the Angels Province. His ministry hub is now located in Washington DC. Featured here is one of the last projects he worked on, just before he left his prior ministry assignment location – where he also served the people of the Newman Student Center Parish of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as Administrator.
An online Yale Climate Connections article featuring this video states: In a recent video produced by David Salvesen of the University of North Carolina Institute for the Environment, Lasky reflects on the “Canticle of the Creatures,” composed by St. Francis in 1225. It contains praises for the natural world, including “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon.”
Information gleaned from a letter to the friars written by Benjamin Pesante, Mission Trip Student Leader for the Dominican Republic, CUA Class of 2017:
This Spring break, a group of students from the Catholic University of America, along with Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and Associate Chaplain for Faith Development for the Office of Campus Ministry at CUA, Fr. Ericson de la Pena, OFM Conv., went on a mission trip to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The group volunteered in the small, impoverished neighborhood of Los Tres Brazos, serving as English Instructors at a local elementary school (grades 1-5), run by Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. The participants were challenged; making lesson plans, controlling the classroom environment, and most importantly making sure the students understood the material, all while making the class lessons very interactive and fun. After the school day, participants visited the townspeople, including the very sick. The joy of those people, through strong faith and supportive families, was a source of inspiration for the CUA students, although limited medical care availability was a profound source of frustration for those who are used to the healthcare availability of the USA. This experience magnified the importance and necessity of faith, not only the lives of the people of the Dominican Republic, but in the lives of the student participants. There was a realization that although we live very different lives, we all have Christ, and that is the most important connection that closely unites us, universally.
The group also provided some food and school supplies for which they had raised funds from donors in the USA. Overall, it was an incredible week.
Served by Friar Max Avila, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial, The Very Reverend Fr. Jame McCurry, OFM Conv., flanked by our Province MI Assistant ~ Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. and CFF Assistant General of the Order, Friar Jude Winkler, OFM Conv.
March 24, 2017: On Friday Evening, our province celebrated the first of two planned celebrations of the Centenary of the founding of The Militia of the Immaculata by St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., on October 16, 1917. Our friars serving at the Shrine of St. Anthony (St. Joseph Cupertino Friary) graciously hosted friars from Italy, Australia and Canada, as well as those living and serving in the local area. In August, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., our Province MI Assistant will lead a Conventual Franciscan Pilgrimage to Italy and Poland, also celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Militia Immaculata.
Joyful News from the Provincial Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa
Newly Ordained Fr. Maximilian Mary Martin, OFM Conv. blessed His Grace, Archbishop Kevin McDonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark, while the newly Ordained Fr. Rory Doyle, OFM Conv. awaits to grant his blessing on the Archbishop.
March 25, 2017: On the Feast of the Annunciation; the day Our Lady first said “Yes!” to her vocation, Friar Maximilian Mary Martin, OFM Conv. of England and Friar Rory Doyle, OFM Conv. of Ireland, two friars from our Province Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa, answered “Yes!” to God, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, at the Greyfriars Church of St. Anthony of Padua – Mossley Hill, Liverpool.
His Grace, Archbishop Kevin McDonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark led the Priesthood Ordination Mass Celebration attended by their confreres, family, and friends from all over Great Britain, Ireland, and the world! Some of the students in formation joined the parish choir, as Altar Servers from the parish and several friars assisted the 25 priests who con-celebrated the Mass.
Please keep Friar Maximilian and Friary Rory in your continued prayers,
as they serve the people of God, as His holy priests.
Thursday – March 23, 2017: Friar José Guadalupe Matus Castillo, OFM Conv. received his naturalization certificate during a March 23rd Oath Ceremony; became an American Citizen. Please join us in congratulating Fr. José!
Originally from Mexico’s Provincia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (at the time a Custody), Fr. José transfiliated to become a member of our province during his work in ministry with us. In his prior years of ministry in the USA, Fr. José has served in our prior ministry of St. John Vianney Catholic (Lithia Springs, GA), in St. Lucie Catholic Church (Port St. Lucie, FL) and at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus – Bishop & Martyr (Chicopee, MA). Fr. José also served in the Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Chicopee.
Friars from our different provinces often work together in ministry. Although Fr. José is a friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, he currently serves as Associate Pastor of Saint Ita Catholic Church, in Chicago, a ministry of the St. Bonaventure Province.
Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America
into the hands of Mary Immaculate
in order that she may present the country to You.
Through her we wish to thank You for the great resources of this land
and for the freedom which has been its heritage.
Through the intercession of Mary,
have mercy on the Catholic Church in America.
Grant us peace.
…
Protect the family life of the nation.
Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations.
Through the intercession of our Mother,
have mercy on the sick, the tempted, sinners—on all who are in need.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, our Mother, patroness of our land,
we praise you and honor you and give ourselves to you.
Protect us from every harm.
Pray for us, that acting always according to your will
and the will of your divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God. Amen.
(Excerpt from a prayer attributed to Archbishop John Carroll, first bishop of the United States)
Last year, a video Stations of the Cross series was created through the Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith-in-action program for families and faith communities ~ CRS Rice Bowl. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Robert A. Twele, OFM Conv., Esq., who serves as the Director of the CRS Office of Legal Counsel as well as legal counsel for our province, narrated Station XII: Jesus Dies on the Cross. CRS provided not only the video series, but a printable prayer resource, through this same site.
Here is an example of the prayers for the 12th Station from that same resource:
TWELFTH STATION: Jesus Dies on the Cross
Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. All: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Leader: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
(All kneel together for a reflective pause, and then rise.) By human standards, the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus is the ultimate failure. Members of the Jewish community had waited so long for the Messiah, had put their faith and hope in a man they believed had come to liberate them, and he died a horrific death. It was a devastating, final moment, and so many of Jesus’ friends had already fled the scene, abandoning hope in a better future. It’s a good thing the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus are not to be judged by human standards. Rather, what we see as failure, God transforms into victory. Where we see nothing but hopelessness and devastation, God is at work in surprising and spectacular ways. When we think of the hardships so many in our world face, we might easily grow discouraged; but our God offers us hope, and wants all of us to work together to build a world of peace and justice.
How does this perspective of Easter inspire our own work in seemingly hopeless, failed situations? How does God want us to look upon problems like poverty, natural disasters and environmental decay—by human standards, or something more hopeful? All: Christ Jesus, even in the most devastating failures, you show us the importance of hope. May we have the courage to work patiently and tirelessly with those in need, always keeping our sights on you.
As of March 8, 2017, the solar array of Ellicott City has generated its first Giga Watt Hours of electricity, since going online in 2013.
One of the ways our friars who are based in Ellicott City, MD have worked diligently to be good stewards of God’s creation, respecting the environment and promoting of a loving respect for all of God’s creatures, is by adopting an extremely practical path of energy efficiency. Since February 2013, our friars have incorporated solar panels to support the energy needs of the two friaries and the several ministries that are part of the Ellicott City Complex. Read More: Franciscan Conservation in Action & Catholic Social Justice – Franciscans at Work for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation
One of our unique ministries in the Toronto, Ontario community of Don Mills is St. Clare Inn, a transitional housing project that offers accommodation to homeless women between the ages of 30-60 who are struggling with a diagnosed mental health issue. This year, we celebrate its 10 year of service and ministry. If you would like to join our friars in celebration, please visit the St. Clare Inn website to buy your tickets.
St. Clare Inn is not a shelter. It is a transitional home where women can live with dignity while rebuilding their lives. Within this safe, drug and alcohol free environment – respect, peace, safety, and dignity are key values. Here, women can begin to heal and start to build a better future. A spirit of hospitality and community are an integral part of life at St. Clare Inn which is guided by the following principles:
respect for each individual;
a simple lifestyle;
the healing benefits of living in community; and
an atmosphere of peace
While you are on the website, please take a moment to learn even more.
JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) Friar Focus:
From the January 2017 Newsletter by Br. Michael Duffy, OFM Conv. DNP, APRN-BC,
Elms College School of Nursing Professor &
Coordinator of the Accelerated Second Degree Program
Br. Duffy pictured 3rd from left – top
This newsletter has been created to offer a word of thanks to our sponsors and benefactors and to update you on our recent nursing clinical experience in Mandeville, Jamaica, West Indies. Senior nursing students from the Elms College, Accelerated Second Degree Program and second year DNP students spent two weeks in country completing ten days of clinical in a variety of settings.
Clinical Experiences This year our time began on a National Holiday, January 2nd, so clinics were not operating. Sr. Barbara Whyte, FMS, Director of Nursing at St. Joseph Hospital, Kingston, JA gave us a tour of the facilities. The day was punctuated with an opportunity to help “make gauze pads in the OR.” During the days that followed we staffed session clinics in Bull Savanah, Santa Cruz and Maggotty. These clinics were staffed by one faculty NP, one student NP, one faculty RN and three student RNs. The recurring theme: making use of the resources you have.
Cultural Experience
These ten days of clinical are intertwined with opportunities to visit the open-air market in Mandeville – and experience the crowds, the taxis, the un-refrigerated meat market and the ever-present aromas of cooking soup and roasted breadfruit, burning styrofoam or ganga. No trip to the Caribbean would be complete without a trip to YS Falls and Treasure Beach; or a stop along-the-way for curry goat, jerk pork or coconut water
Because of Your Support
These days allowed our students from the Elms College, School of Nursing, to see 1,000 patients, and travel the length and breadth of the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica, WI. Special thanks to the College Administration, the School of Nursing, the Franciscan Friars – OLA Province and Mr. Henry and +Dale. No one was denied care (and treatment) because of your financial help– THANKS!
Side Note: One of the very successful projects created by Br. Duffy is the caRe vaN, which provides free healthcare to the homeless and underserved of Chicopee, including blood pressure checks and monitoring, blood sugar checks, foot care, episodic first aid, minor wound care, patient education on these and other topics, and other healthcare needs that may arise. For more information, please visit a prior post on one of the events that featured this very needed service.
One of the Profession Class of 2016, listed in the article is our very own Friar Maximilian Avila, OFM Conv. (at right, as he and Friar Manny celebrated their 8-15-2016 Solemn Profession of Vows).
If you feel called to Conventual Franciscans, or if you want more information on our way of life, as you travel on your discernment journey, our Vocation Director is readily available to chat with you.
Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. serves as Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of Our Lady of the Angels Province. His ministry hub is now located in Washington DC. Featured here is one of the last projects he worked on, just before he left his prior ministry assignment location – where he also served the people of the Newman Student Center Parish of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as Administrator.
