Reflection from the 15th international World Youth Day in Panamá City 02/13/2019
Dear Friars, Family, and Friends,
What a whirlwind of a January! I am very excited to be writing you all about my recent pilgrimage to World Youth Day (WYD) in Panamá City! I got permission from my formators to attend this international gathering when I was applying to postulancy. I had registered to travel as an individual young adult with my home diocese, the Diocese of Arlington (right outside of DC in Northern Virginia), before applying to postulancy. Thanks to all of you who were praying for me on pilgrimage and especially prayerfully supporting us postulants during this first year of initial formation! You have no idea how important those graces are in the times we most need them!
Before flying out to pilgrimage in Panamá, all of us postulants were on our respective province tours. In a sense priming my pilgrimage with a fraternal/ministerial experience in our province, I found myself excited to interact with friars from around the world!
Thanks to the help of Our Lady of the Angels Province JPIC Chairman, Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., and his connections to friars in Latin America in his travels through his Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) ministry, I was able to connect with Franciscan Friars Conventual present for the pilgrim festivities. There were in all about 10 friars from Central and South American custodies and provinces, in addition to 2 friars from Europe that I got to meet, not including a handful of others that were traveling as chaplains with pilgrim groups. The friars were helping with various events around Panamá city, alongside friars from the other branches of the order, in promoting prayer and conversations surrounding Laudato Si. In partnership with the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM), the friars were also able to participate in animating and singing to many young pilgrims from center stage after a couple of the main events with Pope Francis. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines gladly accepted the “Laudato Si Manifesto” on behalf of the greater church, this document presents the GCCM’s, Youth Franciscans (YouFra) and the friars’ challenge to the Church to actualize more action and consciousness in living out the lessons of Laudato Si and to reiterate (on the behalf of Young Catholics around the world) the need to incarnate and exemplify gospel values in our day to day lives as Christians caring for our common home—as promulgated by the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church (DOCAT). I was very fortunate to spend time with the friars and experience the graces of international fraternity, live out the missionary charism of Franciscan itineracy, and be present to the young church gathered before us.
Having experienced WYD once before in Madrid Spain 2011, it was exciting to be participating once again this year! It was actually back in Madrid where my experiences of the universal church really moved me to be more open to exploring my faith as a high school student. Little did I know that the graces I received on pilgrimage in 2011 cultivated the soils of my vocation today. Now returning on pilgrimage as a Franciscan Friars Conventual postulant made the experience all the more edifying.
Being functionally bilingual and further along in my faith life, it was neat to notice the details I was not aware of as a high schooler just eight years ago and even continue to unpack blessings from pilgrimage in Madrid. It’s funny, in English we call this pilgrimage “World Youth Day” but the majority of the other language groups and even the organizers refer to this pilgrimage as “la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud” (JMJ) which translates to “the World Journey of the Youth.” I have become a lot more fond of this title because I think it best encapsulates the experience and festivities. Getting to bump into youth of all ages—from middle school to young adult (<30’s)—and their accompanying family, Lay ministers and chaplains from all over the world and exchange fraternal cheers, songs, laughs, and even the few words that they can communicate in that moment (regardless of language) make the youthful energy very palpable. People from various walks of life journey to these youth pilgrimages all round the world to commune with the wider church and give witness that young people are still very much engaged as part of the mystical body of Christ and passionate about the gospel! Many fundraise and work real hard in the span of every two to three years to be able to travel on pilgrimage. Some have more arduous journeys than others to make it to respective JMJ sites. But in the end all return home convicted with the same drive to be missionary disciples and to live out our faith more authentically.
The Secretaries General for Mission Animation (SGAM) of the different obediences of the Seraphic Order encouraged the friars to participate in the youth festivities and pilgrim events with Pope Francis. The “Franciscan Ecological Village” hosted by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate hosted friars, Franciscan youth, and volunteers on their school ground. Together they mobilized various activities throughout the week (several I was able to partake in) motivating pilgrims to take time to reflect on modifying their lifestyles to live more simply in solidarity with the poor and heed the call for an ecological conversation. One evening, I was asked by our friars to help facilitate a small group in a wider panel discussion with YouFra (Youth Franciscans) and Ministers General from the different Franciscan branches about how the friars can improve their ministry and support of youth around the world. At the close of the JMJ a document summarizing the major points of the dialogue was sent to the Curias of the Orders in Rome.
The Holy Father encouraged us throughout our days with him to look to Mary for inspiration in her a humble and fearless fiat for how to live and love God’s mission for us. He exhorted us “You, dear young people, are not the future but the now of God. He invites you and calls you in your communities and cities to go out and find your grandparents, your elders; to stand up and with them to speak out and realize the dream that the Lord has dreamed for you.”
Now a two time veteran of JMJ experiences, I can’t emphasize enough how empowering it is to attend these pilgrimages. Whether youth or youth at heart, we should encourage youth to embrace opportunities to take pilgrimages and spiritually prepare for the blessings our Lord grants on such powerful experiences. I for one am grateful for the influence pilgrimage has had on my life discerning a religious vocation!
Pray for youth today, they are as much a part of the Church as the rest!
Peace and all good,
Christopher Fernández
OFM Conv. Postulant (of Our Lady of the Angels Province)
An Invitation to an Extraordinary Experience: Journey in the footsteps of Jesus through the Holy Land where He was born, lived, walked, preached, healed, suffered, died, and rose! We Franciscans have been guiding pilgrims through the Holy Land for over 700 years. Under the sponsorship of our Friars’ MI (Militia of the Immaculata) ministry, the Franciscans of Our Lady of the Angels Province will be conducting a pilgrimage through Nazareth, Galilee, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and numerous sacred sites sanctified by Jesus, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, and the holy men and women of the Bible.
WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US ON PILGRIMAGE.
Our Franciscan pilgrimages are a unique mix of people – young and old, lay and religious, married and single. Our daily Masses, devotions, scripture meditations, cultural experiences, and the simple joys of being together will become memories that you will cherish for your lifetime. We journey as pilgrims of peace, bearing the hope of the Beatitudes.
Per person, the all inclusive cost to join us from October 21-31, 2019 is $3,540. 00. If you would prefer a single room, please note there is an additional room supplement of $1,100.00. The fees include round trip flights from New York’s JFK to Tel Aviv, all airport taxes and fuel surcharges, accommodations in first class hotels, breakfast and dinner each day, round trip airport/hotel transfers, transportation by air-conditioned motor coach with free Wi-Fi, sightseeing and admission fees to all sites on itinerary, baggage handling for one bag each person, professional Christian guides and gratuities.
For more information, please contact Pat Tours at info@pattours.com or call 1-800-388-0988. Be sure to let them know you are interested in the Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 2019 led by the Franciscan Friars Conventual, October 21-31, 2019. A deposit is required at time of booking, so request your information soon. We would love for you to experience this pilgrimage with us.
Please Join Us!
Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. ~ Pilgrimage Director
The Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. ~ Spiritual Guide
Follow this link to read the English Translation of “HAGGLING FOR THE COMMON GOOD” written by Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv, the Director of the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Ministry for our province, as presented by the Seraphicum Press Office.
January 15-16, 2019: Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (second from right) and our Province Secretary, Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. (far left) welcomed the Minister Provincial of Prowincja św. Maksymiliana Marii Kolbego w Polsce (Gdańsk), the Very Reverend Fr. Jan Maciejowski, OFM Conv. (second from left) and their Treasurer, Fr. Leszek Łuczkanin, OFM Conv. (far right) to the Portiuncula Friary & Provincial House Offices for a few days during a visit to the USA.
Friar Leszek especially enjoyed his first introduction to an American favorite:
One of our province’s simply professed student friars, friar Fabian Adderley, OFM Conv. (second from left) was recently given a scholarship to attend the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CSMG). The four day conference was held in Washington DC and organized by the USCCB The Department of Justice, Peace & Human Development (JPHD), which promotes awareness of Catholic social teaching and opportunities to live the Baptismal call to love God and neighbor. In collaboration with seven additional USCCB departments and fifteen National Catholic organizations, the gathering of Catholic social ministry leaders in the U.S. annually brings together hundreds of participants whose faith inspires them to respond to pressing current domestic and global challenges relating to poverty, war, injustice and the promotion of human life and dignity.
Friar Fabian served as a Delegate to the Diversity Outreach Initiative (DOI), which seeks to develop leaders from diverse Catholic communities for ministry in the Church, encouraging members to lift up the richness and diversity of their gifts in a shared mission. Leaders from under-represented ethnic, racial and disability communities working in Catholic institutions were be eligible for limited financial assistance. Friar Fabian is currently continuing his academic studies, while living in community with other friar students from different provinces, in the San Damiano Friary, in San Antonio, TX. At left, you will find friar Fabian second from left and Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Gary Johnson, OFM Conv. fourth from left, celebrating Mass in the friary chapel with their confreres there.
Friar Gary serves as Guardian & Director of the San Damiano Friary, as well as a member of the Our Lady of the Angels Province Definitory.
Mexican American Catholic College – Winter 2019 Newsletter Online Article
“Journey to Meet God“
Friar Noel (at left) serves as pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church.
Friar Bob serves as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Mary Magdalen Mission.
Over the weekends of January 26-28 and February 2-4, 2019, our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. visited our province’s newest friary, the friars living in community there, as well as their ministry sites (Columbus, GA).Franciscan Martyrs Friary is home to five friars of our province: Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. (pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Parish), Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar at St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Mary Magdalen Mission), and Fr. Manny Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of St. Anne Catholic Church).
This friary, and our ministries served by the friars living there, are located in the Diocese of Savannah, GA. Fr. James was also able to take the opportunity to visit with another one of our friars living and serving there; Bishop of Savannah, The Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Besides being a guest of honor at the Diocese’s annual Deimel Legacy Ball at Fort Benning, Fr. James celebrated and preached at the principal liturgies in all three parishes (St. Anne Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, and St. Benedict the Moor Parish), as well as the small mission church of St. Mary Magdalen in Buena Vista.
Fr. James also celebrated Mass for the 730 students of St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School to mark the opening of Catholic Schools Week. Parishioners repeatedly expressed their gratitude for the reviving presence of the Franciscan Friars in their local churches.
Please note that Bishop Gregory has invited Fr. Bortolino Maistrello, OFM Conv. of the Basilica of St. Anthony (Padua, Italy) to the Diocese of Savannah to visit with two holy relics of Saint Anthony of Padua, from February 22 – March 3, 2019. One of the stops near the end of the tour is our pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church, on March 2nd. If you are in the area, our friars welcome and encourage you to visit. Clicko on the insert and follow to the link for more details.
Currently on sabbatical in India, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. serves as our Delegate to the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.). In addition, Friar Jobe is a well respected, published Canon Lawyer and professor of Canon Law. In 2018, he released a 3rd Edition publication of KANONIKA 07 | ” Two Codes in Comparison.” (ebook version).
Friar Jobe (in green) with the Friary Guardian, Fr. Kuriakose Mattahil, OFM Conv. and six of the simply professed students who had just returned from classes.
As part of my sabbatical, I was invited to Bangalore, India to give lectures and the convocation address (January 28-29, 2019) at the Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Pontifical Athenaeum of Theology, Philosophy and Canon Law. After that, I was blessed to spend time with the friars of our Order’s Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe (India) who are building a new seminary complex in the area of Bangalore. What a joy to see the young and hopeful faces of our friars! They have 22 novices and, this June they expect to begin the new academic year housing the philosophy students in the building under construction in this photo. There will be rooms for 32 simply professed friars and 8 solemnly professed friars as well as guests. Situated on a three-acre property, the friary has room to grow and is well-situated; one kilometer from the long-awaited subway system for Bangalore.
500 patrons in evening gowns, tuxedos and military dress uniform joined our grey-habited friars for the annual Deimel Legacy Ball at Fort Benning. The friars featured here serve in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church (left to right) Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. – Pastor, Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar and Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar.
The 14th Annual Deimel Legacy Ball was held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at the National Infantry Museum. The black tie optional event proceeds support tuition assistance at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School, the parochial school affiliated with three of our newest pastoral ministries and hosted by Diocese of Savannah Bishop Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., a friar of our province. The event is supported by the entire Columbus (GA) deanery of the Diocese of Savannah, which includes: Christ the King, Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Anne, and St. Benedict the Moor parishes. The celebration of the Catholic Faith, was also attended by Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. and our friars serving in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Benedict the Moor Parish.
On Sunday, January 27th, Bishop Gregory served as the main celebrant and homilist at St. Anne’s parish Mass – joined by our friars serving in Columbus and Fr. James, who remained in Columbus in order to visit with Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv., Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv., Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (all in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church) and Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at St. Benedict the Moor Parish). This visit also afforded Fr. James the opportunity to celebrate the 9:30 a.m. Catholic School’s Week all school (PreK through 12th grade) Mass, on Monday, January 28, 2019, at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. Monday was a day devoted to celebration Vocations & Volunteers and also included Primary Grade Students decorating prayer rocks to use to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Students in grades 3-5 will engaging in a special presentation on Benediction with Friar Manny, Middle School Students enjoying vocationally-themed activities in their Religion classes, High School Students playing lunchtime games that celebrate vocations, and all St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School Volunteers receiving a special treat via email.
Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. launched “Catholic Schools Week” in Columbus, Georgia, on January 28th, as main celebrant and homilist at Mass for the whole student body (numbering over 700) of St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. This largest school in the Savannah Diocese enrolls pupils from pre-K through 12th grade.
December 10-14, 2018: The annual retreat for our Custody of the Immaculate Conception of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was held in Juiz de Fora. On December 13th, the Simple Vows of friar Jesus Rodrigues do Amaral, OFM Conv. and friar Ricardo Elvis Arruda Bezerra, OFM Conv. were accepted by the Custos, Fr. Ronaldo Gomes da Silva, OFM Conv.
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
~ St. Francis of Assisi
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Brother Michael Duffy, OFM Conv., Associate Dean of the Elms College School of Nursing, delivered the Keynote address on December 5, 2018, Elms College Doctor of Nursing Practice White Coat Ceremony.
Reflection from the 15th international World Youth Day in Panamá City
Thanks to the help of Our Lady of the Angels Province JPIC Chairman, Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., and his connections to friars in Latin America in his travels through his Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) ministry, I was able to connect with Franciscan Friars Conventual present for the pilgrim festivities. There were in all about 10 friars from Central and South American custodies and provinces, in addition to 2 friars from Europe that I got to meet, not including a handful of others that were traveling as chaplains with pilgrim groups. The friars were helping with various events around Panamá city, alongside friars from the other branches of the order, in promoting prayer and conversations surrounding Laudato Si. 
In partnership with the Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM), the friars were also able to participate in animating and singing to many young pilgrims from center stage after a couple of the main events with Pope Francis. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines gladly accepted the “Laudato Si Manifesto” on behalf of the greater church, this document presents the GCCM’s, Youth Franciscans (YouFra) and the friars’ challenge to the Church to actualize more action and consciousness in living out the lessons of Laudato Si and to reiterate (on the behalf of Young Catholics around the world) the need to incarnate and exemplify gospel values in our day to day lives as Christians caring for our common home—as promulgated by the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church (DOCAT). I was very fortunate to spend time with the friars and experience the graces of international fraternity, live out the missionary charism of Franciscan itineracy, and be present to the young church gathered before us.
Having experienced WYD once before in Madrid Spain 2011, it was exciting to be participating once again this year! It was actually back in Madrid where my experiences of the universal church really moved me to be more open to exploring my faith as a high school student. Little did I know that the graces I received on pilgrimage in 2011 cultivated the soils of my vocation today. Now returning on pilgrimage as a Franciscan Friars Conventual postulant made the experience all the more edifying.
Being functionally bilingual and further along in my faith life, it was neat to notice the details I was not aware of as a high schooler just eight years ago and even continue to unpack blessings from pilgrimage in Madrid. It’s funny, in English we call this pilgrimage “World Youth Day” but the majority of the other language groups and even the organizers refer to this pilgrimage as “la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud” (JMJ) which translates to “the World Journey of the Youth.” I have become a lot more fond of this title because I think it best encapsulates the experience and festivities. Getting to bump into youth of all ages—from middle school to young adult (<30’s)—and their accompanying family, Lay ministers and chaplains from all over the world and exchange fraternal cheers, songs, laughs, and even the few words that they can communicate in that moment (regardless of language) make the youthful energy very palpable. People from various walks of life journey to these youth pilgrimages all round the world to commune with the wider church and give witness that young people are still very much engaged as part of the mystical body of Christ and passionate about the gospel! Many fundraise and work real hard in the span of every two to three years to be able to travel on pilgrimage. Some have more arduous journeys than others to make it to respective JMJ sites. But in the end all return home convicted with the same drive to be missionary disciples and to live out our faith more authentically.
The Secretaries General for Mission Animation (SGAM) of the different obediences of the Seraphic Order encouraged the friars to participate in the youth festivities and pilgrim events with Pope Francis. The “Franciscan Ecological Village” hosted by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate hosted friars, Franciscan youth, and volunteers on their school ground. Together they mobilized various activities throughout the week (several I was able to partake in) motivating pilgrims to take time to reflect on modifying their lifestyles to live more simply in solidarity with the poor and heed the call for an ecological conversation. One evening, I was asked by our friars to help facilitate a small group in a wider panel discussion with YouFra (Youth Franciscans) and Ministers General from the different Franciscan branches about how the friars can improve their ministry and support of youth around the world. At the close of the JMJ a document summarizing the major points of the dialogue was sent to the Curias of the Orders in Rome.
The Holy Father encouraged us throughout our days with him to look to Mary for inspiration in her a humble and fearless fiat for how to live and love God’s mission for us. He exhorted us “You, dear young people, are not the future but the now of God. He invites you and calls you in your communities and cities to go out and find your grandparents, your elders; to stand up and with them to speak out and realize the dream that the Lord has dreamed for you.”
On Sunday, January 27th, Bishop Gregory served as the main celebrant and homilist at St. Anne’s parish Mass – joined by our friars serving in Columbus and Fr. James, who remained in Columbus in order to visit with Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv., Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv., Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (all in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church) and Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at St. Benedict the Moor Parish).
This visit also afforded Fr. James the opportunity to celebrate the 9:30 a.m. 
December 10-14, 2018: The annual retreat for our 
