Congratulations friar Roberson Lubin, OFM Conv. (St. Joseph of Cupertino Province), friar Jacob Minjarez, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of Consolation Province) friar Brian Mary Tougher, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa – Custody), friar Jaime Zaragoza, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of Consolation Province), friar Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), {bottom row} friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province) and friar Marco Antonio Didden, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa – Custody). They are flanked by their Conventual Franciscan Novitiate Formators; Fr. Giles Zakowicz, OFM Conv. (Director – far left, back), and Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. (Assistant Director – far right, back) ~ both friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province.

July 21, 2016: The friars of the CFF (all Franciscan Friars Conventual Provinces of North America) celebrated the joy of the Profession of Simple Vows (also known as First or Temporary) as Franciscan Friars Conventual, of seven Novices, at St. Paul’s Church, in Pismo Beach, California. Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington (a friar from the Province of Our Lady of Consolation) presided at the Mass. Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. preached and presided over the Profession.

Br. Daniel Geary (Formation Director of our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), friar Brian Mary Tougher, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province of which Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody is a part), friar Marco Antonio Didden, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody) and friar Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province).

Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. (front center) pictured with the Ministers Provincial of the four North American Provinces, the Assistant General and the Newly Professed

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial receives the Simple Vows of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv., witnessed by Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. – Assistant Director of the Novitiate

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial receives the Simple Vows of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custoday friar Marco Antonio Didden, OFM Conv., witnessed by Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. – Assistant Director of the Novitiate

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial receives the Simple Vows of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar Timothy Blanchard, OFM Conv., witnessed by Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. – Assistant Director of the Novitiate

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial receives the Simple Vows of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custoday friar Brian Mary Tougher, OFM Conv., witnessed by Fr. Maurice Richard, OFM Conv. – Assistant Director of the Novitiate

After their Simple Profession of Vows in St. Paul’s Church, Pismo Beach, California, the newly professed carried two large bouquets of flowers to the altar of the Blessed Mother, then sang the “Salve Regina.”

Brazil – Mission Congress Official Photo – July 15, 2016

July 13-17, 2016 ~ Brazil:  The goal of the Mission Congress of the Federación Conventuales America Latina (FALC), was to deepen the reflection of the scenarios and the missionary and evangelizing practice of Franciscan Friars Conventual. This year marked a 70 year presence in Latin America and the Caribbean and it was a cause for great celebration and reflection. Read More in this article from the CNNB site. (Original text)

Read about the April 2016 Provincial Visit to Brazil

The North American Friars on hand at the Congress (the Very Reverend Jim Kent, OFM Conv – Minister Provincial of the Our Lady of Consolation Province ~ Fr. Justin Biase, OFM Conv. – former Minister Provincial of Immaculate Conception Province that is now part of Our Lady of the Angels Province ~ the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. – Minister Provincial of our province of Our Lady of the Angels) take a photo with Bishop Elias James Manning, O.F.M. Conv. ~ Bishop Emeritus of Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Frei Ronaldo Gomes da Silva Pároco – Custódio Vicar of our Immaculate Conception Custody, Frei Ilson Fontenelle Júnior – Pároco (formation director in Petropolis) and Friar Isidoro (Custos of Honduras), along with two of the Postulants

1st Order friars represented by the Assistant General of the FALC – Friar Carlos A. Trovarelli, OFM Conv. (far right), Friar James (far left) and Friar Ronaldo (center). 2nd Order represented by the Poor Clares of Rio de Janeiro (cloistered sisters who had special permission to attend). 3rd Order represented by the Leaders of the Region’s OFS (Ordo Franciscanus Sæcularis aka Secular Franciscans)

Joey Dziok, former director of the youth music program at our pastoral ministry at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr (Chicopee, MA) now works for NBC News and is in Brazil covering the Olympics. He has a moment to take a picture with our Friar James and Friar Justin.

While participating in the Order’s Mission Congress in Brazil, our Province’s own native brother, Bishop Elias James Manning, O.F.M. Conv. (Bishop Emeritus of Valença, Rio de Janeiro) presented to our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., with two gifts for the Province Archives – the pectoral cross presented him by his home parish of St. Michael in Troy, New York on the occasion of his episcopal ordination in 1990, and a newly published collection of some of his spiritual writings during the years of his active ministry as Bishop of Valença, Brazil.  He retired in 2014, but remains a very active Bishop Emeritus.

Kevin Gordon’s 54″ by 39″ oil portrait of St. Kateri was the featured altar piece at the canonization ceremony at the 10,000 seat shrine of Our Lady of the Martyrs, Auriesville, NY

Saint Kateri Weekend at the National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

07-14-2016 (Thursday)
8:30 a.m.  Saint Kateri Feast Day Mass (USA) Celebration – Solemn Blessing with Relic

07-16-2016 (Saturday)
4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass – Solemn Blessing with Relic
Native American (Akwesasne & Kahnawake) Traditional Purification Rite
7:00 p.m.  Prayer and Healing Circle with Terry Steele

07-17-2016 (Sunday)
10:30 p.m.  Mass – Solemn Blessing with Relic
Native American (Akwesasne & Kahnawake) Traditional Purification Rite

Follow Up Message from:
Mr Bill Jacobs, Shrine Director
National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
“A Sacred Place of Peace and Healing”
3636 State Hwy 5, PO Box 627
Fonda, NY 12068-0627 USA

National Shrine Celebrates Saint Kateri Feast Day Weekend
Fonda, NY, July 18, 2016 – The National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda, NY held a Saint Kateri feast day celebration on July 14, 16, and 17. More than 400 people attended Masses on Saturday and Sunday to honor St. Kateri Tekakwitha and to celebrate the Gospel of Jesus. Participants included our Native American and First Nations friends, including a choir comprised of members of the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne and renowned Algonquin member Terry Steele
Masses were celebrated by Friar Mark Steed, Shrine Chaplain, and Father Edmund, a missionary from Peru. Cub Scout Pack 233 from the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Irondequoit, NY participated in the procession with a first-class relic of St. Kateri. The scouts camped at the shrine on Friday and Saturday nights.
Participants in celebrating Masses contributed $2,300 toward the operation and preservation of the Shrine. A buffet on Saturday night for Native American and First Nations friends was provided by the Winner’s Circle in Fonda. Flowers were provided by Damianos Flowers in Amsterdam.
[Photos by Bill Jacobs]

Mass celebrated by Friar Mark Steed, OFM Conv. – Shrine Chaplain & Father Edmund, Missionary – Peru.

Choir of the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne and renowned Algonquin member Terry Steele

Friar Mark, Shrine Chaplain, with First Nations friends from the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne and Cub Scout Pack 233 from Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Irondequoit, NY.

Friar Mark Steed with First Nations friends from the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne and renowned Algonquin member Terry Steele

July 8, 2016 ~ Syracuse, NY: The FrancisCorps – FC17 Volunteers (Erin, Brady, Caroline, & Johanna – Costa Rica / Blake, Marie, Corrinne, Ana, & Joe – Syracuse, NY ) have grown through their experiences. They see the world a bit differently, with a matured awareness of the complexity of living with others, of the poverty found at sites, and of their own spirituality.

Mr. A.J. LaPoint, Director of FrancisCorps spoke to those in attendance, while the 9 volunteers from FC17 were presented to those in attendance.

FrancisCorps Pride!!!!

Representing the next generation of FrancisCorps volunteers!

July 13-17, 2016 ~ Rio de Janeiro: A Congress of the Order will take place in Brazil to celebrate the 70Year presence of our Conventual Franciscans in Latin America. The meeting’s focus will be based on a reflection on the missionary efforts of the friars in Latin America and the Caribbean, since the founding of the Immaculate Conception Custody (a Custody of Our Lady of the Angels Province) in 1946. Those in attendance will take on the challenges of the New Evangelization. Participants include friars of our Order as well as those outside of the Order; Brazilian lay people ~ men, women and youth and members of other Franciscan Orders, including the Poor Clare Sisters.
A special graphic was created to commemorate these past 70 years. It takes the form of the TAU. St. Francis of Assisi had an affinity for the sign of the Tau. He spoke of it often and even used it to sign correspondence. Early Christian students of the Old Testament would have used a Greek version called “Septuagint,” in which the tau (last letter of the alphabet) was written as a T. The natural transition from the TAU was to a T representing the cross of Christ as a fulfillment of Old Testament promises. Saint Francis of Assisi was very familiar with this symbol, as it was used as an amulet by a Religious Community that cared for lepers in the area of Assisi; a service he took close to his heart upon his conversion. Today, Religious and Lay followers of Francis wear the tau cross as an exterior symbol of a remembrance of the victory of Christ.
Within the body of the TAU is a map of Latin America & the Caribbean. The color band within the body reflects historical struggle, violence and torture, while the red of the map indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the land. Look close and you will see a friar dressed in the grey of our habit, with his arms outstretched, as a welcoming presence and fullness of service.

For more, visit: Facebook Page

A bit of history (Taken from the International Missionary Congress OFM Conv. of January, 2006,  in Cochin, India: “Lights and Shadows” pg 7, Completed by former Secretary General for Missions, Fr. Enrique Montero, OFM Conv., a friar from our province – Bishop Gabriel Enrique Montero Umaña, O.F.M. Conv., of the Diocese of San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica)

The 1940’s-1960’s: the first Latin American frontier
This new phase opens in 1946 with the opening of the first friaries in Brazil by the American Province of the Immaculate Conception: a Province that experiences a great missionary boost both in Brazil as well as in Central America, with friaries in Costa Rica (1946), followed later in Honduras (in 1968) by the American Province of Our Lady of Consolation, already engaged in New Mexico with the Hispanics.
A year later, in 1947, the South-American season of the Paduan Province of St. Anthony had its beginning, with the opening of the first houses in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil: a commitment in gratitude to the memory of St. Anthony, proclaimed doctor of the Church in 1946 and possibly thanks also to the exuberance and vitality of many young friars. It was also an answer to the expressed requirements of the Church that was asking a serious commitment in the South-American continent, that had always lacked an adequately prepared clergy, despite its wide-spread Catholicity. Some twenty years later, in 1968, these two Provinces are joined by the Province of Rome with the opening of a mission in the heart of Brazil, in the region of Maranhão. With the 1960’s the Order is present in four countries. Card. Canali, then protector of the Order, in his speech to the General Chapter of 1960 (which would elect Fr. Basil Heiser as Minister general) expressed the satisfaction of the Holy See for the response that the Conventual Franciscans had given to the request of the Church for a missionary commitment: “It is consoling to realise that in only 15 years the number of friars who work in Latin America has reached a hundred and with that the Order has answered generously to further appeals of the Holy See, that holds dear the apostolate in that vast continent.”

Although St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church began 125 years ago and began under the leadership of two pastors from the Diocese of Brooklyn, our friars began serving there just 5 years later. In 1896, the Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop Charles McDonnell (1892-1921), entrusted the young Polish Parish to our Order of Franciscan Friars Conventual. Over these past 120 years, the parish has remained in the hands of our friars, served by 20 Franciscan Pastors. The current Pastor, Fr. Miroslaw Podymniak, OFM Conv. was installed as St. Adalbert’s 22nd Pastor, March 1, 2015.

As published in a April 22, 2016 Saint Adalbert Parish Facebook Post:

St. Adalbert’s Parish is the oldest Polish parish in Queens, New York. Its history dates back to December of 1891, when Father Jozef Fyda, at the suggestion of Bishop John Loughlin – the Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn – made preparations for the creation of a new parish.
On March 1, 1892, the Society of St. Adalbert was formed with Father Fyda as its chaplain. The Society counted fifty members. A decision was made to form a new Polish parish called “St. Adalbert’s – Bishop and Martyr.” A seminal meeting was held in St. Mary’s Parish in Winfield (today’s Woodside, Queens), NY. Father Fyda handled all of the formalities associated with the creation of this new parish and would become the parish’s first Pastor when it was formally created in March of 1892.
With the assistance and generosity of the parishioners, Father Fyda raised the necessary funds to purchase the land on which the church would be built from Mrs. Julianne Berheimer in Newtown, NY (today’s Elmhurst, Queens). After eight months of construction, a small wooden church and rectory were erected. On November 13, 1892, the new Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop Charles McDonnell, blessed the new church.
Initially the parish counted only thirty-five Polish families. That figure rose drastically as more Poles learned about a new church in the neighborhood that offered them the opportunity to pray in their native tongue. They came from near and afar: from Maspeth, Flushing, Bayside, Blissville, Winfield, Jamaica, Floral Park, Hempstead, Mineola, and other neighborhoods.
As church membership grew, there was a need to create a parochial school where children could be educated in their Catholic faith and Polish culture. An elementary school was created on November 18, 1892. Initially the school offered a four grade level program. It was not until 1914, that an eight grade level program was offered. At first, classes were held in the church’s basement. Mr. Trynicki was the first educator to teach at the school. As the student body increased, Mr. Trynicki found himself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work. In 1896, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth joined the parish and undertook teaching at the school which they continue to do to this very day. In 1921, an official school building was constructed. In 1925, a new rectory was also built.
In 1896, Father Fyda resigned as Pastor. He was succeeded by Father Boleslaw Puchalski. Later that same year, Bishop McDonnell entrusted the parish to the Order of Franciscan Friars Minor Conventual, commonly known as the Conventual Franciscans. Father Feliks Baran (OFM Conv.) became the parish’s first Franciscan Pastor. He served in that role from 1896-1906.
In 1947, under the auspices of Father Jerzy Roskwitalski (Pastor of St. Adalbert’s from 1937-1957), a decision was made to construct a masonry church. The chief architect was Anthony DePace. On July 3, 1949, Bishop Thomas Molloy of the Diocese of Brooklyn, blessed the new church.
“Built on a hill, the church towers over the surrounding area. The beige and light-brown bricks and sandstone give its grandiose gothic style a sense of lightness. It is wonderfully lit during the night. It stands in place of the old wooden church … It was the first church to be constructed in the Diocese of Brooklyn after World War II.”
The current Pastor, Father Miroslaw Podymniak, was installed as St. Adalbert’s twenty-second Pastor on March 1, 2015.
On April 24, 2016, Bishop Witold Mroziewski, the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, celebrated the beginning of the Jubilee Year of St. Adalbert’s 125th Anniversary.
St. Adalbert’s Parish in Elmhurst is the oldest Polish parish in Queens and the fourth oldest Polish parish in New York. The older Polish parishes include: St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Church in Manhattan (1872); St. Casimir Parish in Brooklyn (1874) (merged with Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish); St. Valentine Parish in the Bronx (1890).
“Every day constitutes a new page in St. Adalbert’s more than one-hundred year history. It is written by its parishioners and its Franciscan friars, with their black robes girded by a white rope.”

By: Father Stanislaw Czerwonka OFMConv
Citations: D. Piatkowska, Polish Churches in New York, “St. Adalbert’s Parish and Church” Chapter, pgs. 429-48.

Take a moment to read:  The Tablet January 28, 2016 online article:
“Campaign Comes to Parish Just In Time for Anniversary.”

Fr. Miroslaw Podymniak, OFM Conv. – Pastor and Polish Friar of the Prowincja Matki Bożej Niepokalanej {Province of the Immaculate Mother of God} in Warszawa, Poland, serving with Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Raphael Zwolenkiewicz, OFM Conv. – Friary Guardian and Parochial Vicar, Fr. Herman Czaster, OFM Conv. – In Residence, Fr. Patrick Gallagher, OFM Conv. – In Residence, and Fr. Stanislaw Czerwonka, OFM Conv. – Pariochial Vicar & Polish Friar from the Prowincji św. Antoniego i bł. Jakuba Strzemię (Province of St. Anthony of Padua & B. James of Strepa). Photo taken at the 2014 Our Lady of the Angels Province Chapter

Friar Antony at left with some of the friars of our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody

Through the years, our own friars who have served in the Missions, as well as friars from around the world have traveled throughout the East Coast of North America, preaching and celebrating Mass with thousands of varied parish communities on behalf of our Franciscan Mission Association (FMA). Vital donation assistance made to our FMA has afforded a multitude of Franciscan Friars from around the world, a continuation of their missionary zeal; serving in circumstances unimaginable to most of us. This year, we have six friars from five countries (USA, Poland, Ghana, India and Japan) preaching our Summer Mission Appeal.

Fr. Antony during a 2012 Province Lay Staff and Friar, Co-Worker Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome

One of the 2016 FMA preachers is Fr. Antony Nallukunnel, OFM Conv, who since 2007 has been serving the Faithful alongside the friars of our Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa. St. Francis sent Blessed Agnellus to the people of England in 1224. Our friars came to be known simply as the “Greyfriars.” The friars of the Custody, members of our province, serve in England, Ireland, Scotland and Italy, under the leadership of our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. It has been a very exciting few years for our friars in Great Britain and Ireland, as many new vocations are strengthening the Order and our presence is returning where it once was lost. After a 500 year absence caused by the danger of the English Reformation, our friars are again living in and serving the people of Oxford (2014).
Friar Antony most recently served in pastoral ministry at The Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Fairview, Dublin, Ireland. He began his life as a Conventual Franciscan Friar at his home Province of St. Maximilian Kolbe (India) and was first assigned as the Director of the Franciscan Centre for Peace & Dialogue, in 1996. He was Ordained to the Priesthood on December 31, 1998 and his years in India included work as a Vice Rector, Novice Master and the Rector & Guardian of the Post Novitiate, Kolbe Ashram, Major Seminary, Alwaye, Kerala, India. While in the USA, Friar Antony will preach at 12 churches in 8 Diocese, in 2 months. Please keep the travels and mission of Friar Antony, and all of our friars preaching on behalf of the Franciscan Mission Association this year, in your prayers, as they travel up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

Financially support the Franciscan Mission Association’s Appeal by clicking on the following link.
Be sure to type in “Franciscan Mission Association” in the box that asks if you want your donation to go in honor of someone or to support a specific ministry.
If you have any questions about the FMA, please feel free to call the Our Lady of the Angels Province Director of Mission Advancement, Mr. Joseph Hamilton, at 410-531-9200. He is also the Director of our evangelization and development offices of The Companions of St. Anthony. You can also read about last year’s campaign in the October 2015 Online Newsletter.
Donations may be made over the phone by calling 410-531-9200, as well.
If you would prefer to mail in a donation, please make the check payable to:
Franciscan Mission Association
12290 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, Maryland 21042-1419

Your 2016 generosity helps our Franciscan missions around the world
Ghana ~ caring for those afflicted with leprosy and other debilitating diseases.
Philippines ~ serving in prisons and parishes, many in remote locations.
India ~ built HIV/AIDS clinic & work with the hospital to care indigent patients.
Peru, Zambia, Paraguay, Romania, and Sri Lanka ~ building houses of study where new vocations are renewing the face of the Church.