Fr. Nicholas Swiatek, OFM Conv. served the people of Japan from 1974 – 2001, returning in 2012 to serve in his current capacity as pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption. Akabane Catholic Church.
While currently serving the parishioners of Our Lady of the Assumption, Akabane (Japan), Our Lady of the Angels Province Friar, Fr. Nicholas Swiatek, OFM Conv., was able to visit the Church of St. Mary’s in Naze City, Amami Oshima, Japan, on the Feast Day of the Assumption. It was there that he visited the memorial for +Fr. Jerome Lukaszewski, OFM Conv., also of our province, along with Fr. Luke Dyjak, OFM Conv. – the first American Conventual Franciscan Friars in mission on the islands of Amami Oshima Japan. St. Maximilian Kolbe went to Japan in 1930.
Fr. Luke went on to study Japanese in Tokyo, so Fr. Jerome was our only friar to continue the mission, when the American Capuchins ended their work there. Since Fr. Jerome had only a few months of Japanese study, he learned “on the job” in Amami and therefore learned the dialect which was spoken by most of the people. Fr. Nicholas was blessed to hear many stories of the missionary life of Fr. Jerome while they lived in the same house for 6 years and every week, traveled to Naze city (1.5 hours) together.
On March 20, 2006, three years after his death at age 80, a book was published commemorating +Fr. Jerome’s 51 years of work on the island. Printed in Japanese, in 2006, the 230-page book Ugaminshoran: Memories of Fr. Jerome, Apostle of Amami Oshima was made available for 2,300 yen. (“Ugaminshoran”is the Amami Oshima dialect word for hello.) If you are interested in a copy, the Japanese contact at the time for the publication committee was Tel: 0997-52-1107 or Fax: 0997-52-1197.
Affectionately known as the “Walking Missionary,” +Fr. Jerome spoke the local Amami Oshima dialect and loved the people (and food) of the island, spending much time visiting hospitalized sick. When he found out that the government was forcing mothers infected with Hansen’s disease (Leprosy) to abort their babies, he founded a safe home for them. He was the first foreigner to be named by Naze City, now Amami City, as an honorary citizen. At the time of his funeral, the city paid for the Nze City Cultural Center to be used as there were too many people to fit inside of the church, and there were many dignitaries present. The Furutacho Church in Amami Oshima displays many items the priest left behind in a small museum, naming the church hall in his honor, “Jerome Hall.”
+Fr. Jerome’s own English handwriting, marking the 2012, 50th Anniversary of the Mission
In Great Britain and Ireland our friars of Our Lady of the Angels’ Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa are known as the Greyfriars. Our Order’s first presence there began when St. Francis of Assisi sent them in 1224. During the English Reformation, our friars loyal to the Holy Father were forced to flee. Although the Greyfriars returned in the early 20th Century, this year marks another historical milestone.
Please visit www.thegreyfriars.org to read the Latest News on our brothers serving in the Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody, under the jurisdiction of Our Lady of the Angels Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
The Guardians of the Friaries of the Our Lady of the Angels Province
A modern Provincial Chapter is reminiscent of the 1221 version when St. Francis called more than 3,000 friars to the Portiuncula chapel in Assisi for a general meeting or “Chapter of Mats.” At that time, the friars lived in huts made out of reeds and brought their sleeping mats with them, to the area surrounding the chapel so as to have a place to sit. Modern day friars, instead, do meet in a conference center and get to sit on actual chairs. It is however still thought of as a coming together as a family, offering witness of brotherhood and celebrating Franciscan life. Days are filled with meetings, presentations as well as the much needed work of organizing the general needs of the friars and ministries of the Province. It is also a time to just enjoy Franciscan Brotherhood. Upon the formation of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, two Chapters took place in May and August of 2014. As we friars proceed in our ministries, we ask for your continued prayers and we thank you for your ever present support.
Bishop Richard J. Malone, of the Diocese of Buffalo Presided over the Votive Mass for Peace and Justice, served by Friar Nader Ata, OFM Conv.
Many of our friars, celebrating 2014 Profession and Ordination Jubilee Years, were on hand for a Special Jubilarian Celebration
The Franciscan family extends the Sign of Peace to the newly professed
With praise and gratitude to the Most High God, the Franciscan Friars Conventual of the Our Lady of the Angels Province joyfully announce that their brothers, Friar Gabriel Mary Scasino, OFM Conv. and Friar Nicholas John Rokitka, OFM Conv. professed solemn vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for life, into the hands of the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial, on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at 4:00 p.m., at Saint Louis Church, in Buffalo, NY.
A supportive group of friars, family and friends, numbering over 200, witnessed this most joy filled event.
Solemn Consecration of the Professed: newly professed Friar Gabriel Mary Scasino, OFM Conv. (left) and Friar Nicholas John Rokitka, OFM Conv. (right) kneel before the Presider during the prayer of consecration
friar Paul Becka, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), friar Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), friar Colin Edwards, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody), friar Joshua Ferguson, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province), and friar Neil Scott, OFM Conv. (Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody)
This month, five of our friars professed First (Simple) Vows. After signing the book of profession, they were given the Book of the Gospels, the way and life of the Friars Minor. It is customary that during the year of Novitiate the friars wear a cord without the knots indicating the three vows. After profession the friars exchanged their straight for knotted cords.
July 14th is the Feast Day of one of the Church’s newest Saints; St. Kateri Tekakwitha. Click on her name here, for a short biographical video created by Fr. Martin Breski, OFM Conv., who is currently living and serving in Assisi.
The Inaugural Blessing
This year, our friars added to the celebration of the Feast Day with a dedication of a new outdoor Shrine of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, erected at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, Chicopee, MA, from funds graciously given by an anonymous donor.
Among the friars in attendance that day were (From Left) Fr. Pedro DeOliveira, OFM Conv., Fr. Eligius Kozak, OFM Conv. Fr. Donald Kos, OFM Conv. {on vacation from the Vatican}, Fr. Lucjan Krolikowski, OFM Conv. {seated}, Very Rev. Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. {wearing special vestments created and donated for the occasion}, Fr. Adam Maczka, OFM Conv. {from the Seraphicum, assisting for a few weeks in Chicopee}, Fr. Mieczyslaw Wit, OFM Conv, and kneeling, Fr. Boguslaw Dabrowski, OFM Conv. (Polish Missionary to Uganda, preaching Franciscan Mission Association {FMA} appeals throughout the East Coast of the USA, this summer.
National Shrine of St. Kateri Tekawitha, Fonda, NY
One of the many ministries where the friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province serve is the National St. Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine, in Fonda, NY. The shrine is a beautiful place to visit on the site of St. Kateri’s home from 1666-1677.
The friars hosted Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Harrisburg, and Diocesan Clergy for a cookout at the friary, followed by a perfect view of the parade from the front steps of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church. Quintessential Americana! Our Province Friars serve in three local parishes: Mother Cabrini Catholic Church – Shamokin, Our Lady of Hope Parish – Coal Township and St. Patrick Parish – Trevorton.
Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Bishop Robert Cunningham, and Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv.
Bishop Robert J. Cunningham of Syracuse, Our Lady of the Angels Minister Provincial, Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. and Vicar Provincial, Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv., were on hand at the July 1, 2013 dedication of the new St. Marianne Cope Museum, on the campus of St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Syracuse, NY. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities opened the museum to the public on July 8, 2014, at St. Joseph’s Hospital which she founded. “Mother Marianne,” a Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, was canonized on October 21, 2012. She is the first Franciscan woman from North American to be canonized, and only the 11th American saint.
Fr. Brad and Fr. James with the Leadership of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32
On Saturday, June 28, 2014, we friars joyfully celebrated with Friar Nader at his Ordination to the Diaconate, at St. Casimir Catholic Church, in Baltimore Maryland.
Our Lady of the Angels Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Called and Presented Friar Nader to Most Reverend Denis J. Madden, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, for the Election by the Bishop and Consent of the People. After the Bishop’s homily, Friar Nader made his Commitment to Celibacy, declared before the people his intention to undertake the Diaconate Office through the Examination of the Candidate by the Bishop, and then made his Promise of Obedience to the Bishop, his Provincial, and their successors. The assembly then made an intercession to God for Friar Nader as all Saints were called upon to join in this great act of intercession through the Litany of the Saints. Prior to the Liturgy of the Eucharist, there was the Laying on of Hands and the Prayer of Consecration by the bishop. Friar Nader was then Invested with a Stole and Dalmatic, knelt before the bishop for the Presentation of the Book of the Gospels and finally was given the Kiss of Peace by the bishop.
Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. (Assistant General – CFC), Friar Nader Ata, OFM Conv. (Newly Ordained Deacon), Bishop Denis J. Madden (Axillary Bishop – Archdiocese of Baltimore), Fr. James McCurry (Minister Provincial – Our Lady of the Angels). Fr. Dennis Grumsey, OFM Conv. (Pastor – St. Casimir Parish, Baltimore)
