Back in April 2018, Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., Chairman of Our Lady of the Angels Province’s Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Ministry hosted an Interfaith Forum and Symposium on Environmental Justice and Service to Vulnerable Populations, at our Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City MD. One of the relationships to evolve and flourish from the event was between our friars, Howard County conservation organizations and the area’s Presbyterian faith community. On October 9, 2018, Friar Michael (at left) joined volunteers from our Shrine’s Garden Ministry, Earth Forum of Howard County and First Presbyterian Church of Howard County to plant seven Cherokee Brave Dogwood trees and three Rising Sun Redbud trees in the area around the Shrine’s Outdoor Stations of the Cross. Instrumental in this undertaking was Nancy Fayer, the Coordinator of Earth Forum of Howard County, at First Presbyterian Church. This organization partners with other environmentally conscious groups such as The Municipal Online Stormwater Training (MOST) Center and Howard County’s Restoring the Environment and Developing Youth (READY) program, which created and maintains the rain-gardens on the Ellicott City Complex. Nancy was able to obtain the ten trees donated through Sun Nurseries, while working closely with Friar Michael and Shrine staff members – Carol Derenge and Jared Luttrell to plan and execute the planting, including procuring the compost, leaf grow, or organic soil amendment needed to maintain an environmentally conscience planting process.
The Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province are committed to creating safe environments for children and vulnerable adults. Our safeguarding processes for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults are routinely reviewed by the accrediting organization Praesidium, in accordance with strict Church norms. Any allegation regarding the Franciscan Friars Conventual of this Province receives an immediate response, according to Praesidium’s rigorous standards. This includes the Province’s full cooperation with local law enforcement authorities and Ordinaries who have ecclesial jurisdiction over the matters, as well as a duly diligent investigation by a qualified third party in order to substantiate credibility. This investigative process is being followed with respect to the questions currently being raised about Fr. James Smyka, who is suspended from public ministry.
Born in 1952 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Friar Jobe received his B.A. from Carleton University (Ottawa, ON) in 1972 and his LL.B. from Dalbousie University (Halifax, N.S.) in 1975. He was admitted to the Bar of Nova Scotia in 1975 and practiced civil law until 1979.
A few years later, he entered Religious Life as a Franciscan Friars Conventual, first professing vows in 1981. Friar Jobe continued his studies and received a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary (Rensselaer, New York) and was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1985.
Although he did spend a few years in pastoral ministry, Friar Jobe later went to Rome to earn a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1989 and his Doctorate in Canon Law in 1992 (Pontifical Oriental Institute). He remained there to teach until 2004, when he returned to North America and took a position as a professor on the Faculty of Canon Law of Saint Paul University (Ottawa, ON). In addition to his work with M.I., Friar Jobe currently serves the province as the Guardian of our “international” Saint André Bessette Friary (Ottawa, ON), home to three friars of our Order who hail from the Philippines, India and Romania.
America Recycles Day (ARD) is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. To learn more, organize an event, or attend an event near you click here.
The majority of the friars of our province live and minister in North America. For all of the citizens of Canada and the USA, November 11th holds a special place in our hearts. We take a moment to remember.
Remembrance Day in Canada: Flanders Fields and the Poppy click here.
Veterans Day in the United States: Prayers for veterans, soldiers, their families, refugees of war, and more click here.
Halloween – All Saints Day – All Souls Day Hallow means a holy person or a saint. Halloween (October 31st) is another word for All Hallows’ Eve, because the next day, November 1st, is the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. Observed all over the world by many Christian Faiths, it is a day of celebrating the communion of saints; ordinary human beings who lived holy lives, in obedience to God’s will, and who now – in death – are in heaven for eternity. Everyone in heaven is a saint. As we respect & admire all of the deceased people who helped make the world a better place while still alive, we also honor the saints as the deceased who are especially honored by the Church, for having served God so faithfully. On November 2nd, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) we remember all those who have died before us, while we ask God’s mercy for them.
As we enter into the month of November, we are called to remember the souls of all of the faithfully departed. We friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province remember all our friars who have been called to the Father this past year.
+Friar Donald Kos, OFM Conv. 02/04/2018 +Friar Peter Damian Fehlner, OFM Conv. 05/08/2018 +Friar David Stopyra, OFM Conv. 07/01/2018 +Friar Emmett Carroll, OFM Conv. 08/20/2018 +Friar Patrick Gallagher, OFM Conv. 09/04/2018
Daily Prayers for the Deceased
(Psalm 130)
V. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord, Lord hear my voice!
R. O let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.
V. If You, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?
R. But with You is found forgiveness; for this we revere You.
V. My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on His word.
R. My soul is longing for the Lord, more than watchmen for daybreak.
V. Let the watchmen count on daybreak, and Israel on the Lord.
R. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption, Israel indeed He will redeem from all its iniquity.
V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
R. and let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May all our departed brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and benefactors, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen
Let us pray. Lord God, You are the glory of believers and the life of the just. Your Son redeemed us by dying and rising to life again. Since our departed brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and benefactors of our Order believed in the mystery of our resurrection, let them share the joys and blessings of the life to come. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our pilgrims walking the “Way of the Cross” (the Shepherd’s Way) within the Santuário de Fátima. This path was traveled by Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco from Aljustrel to Cova da Iria, it ends at the Hungarian Calvary, (in the background).
“The two most famous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in modern times took place in Lourdes (France) and Fatima (Portugal). Saints and Popes, as well as believers from all over the world, have visited these miraculous sites. Since 1982, the Franciscans have been guiding pilgrimages in the footsteps of their fellow friar St. Maximilian Kolbe, the “Knight of the Immaculate,” who himself once went on pilgrimage to Lourdes. This trip with the Friars … immersed participants in an unforgettable experience of culture, history, religion, and spirituality…”
Our friars arranged an October 9-21, 2018 Pilgrimage to Paris, Lourdes, Fatima and Lisbon with Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province M.I. Assistant) serving as Pilgrimage Director and the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Our Minister Provincial) serving as Spiritual Guide. The other friars of our province among the pilgrims were Fr. Dan Fink, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church, in Boynton Beach, FL) and Fr. John Voytek, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Atlanta, GA).
Before heading to Lourdes, the pilgrims enjoyed some time in Paris including a sightseeing tour of La Ville Lumière, Tour Eiffel, Montparnasse, and Mass in the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse a (where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré), La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre, Île de la Cité, Place Vendôme, La rue de Rivoli, Jardin des Tuileries (Musée du Louvre), Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and l’Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile on the Champs-Élysées (pictured here behind Friar John). The pilgrims also celebrated Mass at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.
The Pilgrimage ended in Lisbon, Portugal, with a stop on the way for Mass at the Gothic Igreja do Santissimo Milagre, home to the 13th century Eucharistic Miracle of Santarém. Once in Lisbon they visited the Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa built on the site of the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua (Pictured here are the four friar pilgrims with Fr. Jobe holding a wrist bone relic of St. Anthony of Padua and Fr. James holding a pouch companion intentions that had been placed on the Altar at each Mass throughout the pilgrimage, now left at this site., as well as the font in which he was baptized. The last day of Lisbon was a tour day of the Belem Tower, 15th century Monastery of Jerónimos and the oldest part of the city, the Alfama Quarters. The entire pilgrimage ended with an excursion to the Santuário de Cristo Rei, overlooking Lisbon.
On Thursday, November 1st the faithful around the world celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. What began in the early fourth century as a feast honoring the martyrs, the Solemnity of All Saints is now a day when we celebrate all ordinary and typical human beings who, through God’s grace, lived holy lives. These lives given to God’s will granted the saints the peace and joy of eternal life in heaven. Some of the lives of these saints are well known to us and we consider them friends whose intercession aids us as we travel on our earthly journey. We are often inspired by their examples of faith and good works, encouraging us all to give our best in our own lives, devoting every act for the greater glory of God.
Several more Social Justice minded saints have Feast Days celebrated in November including:
November 3 – Feast of St. Martin de Porres St. Martin de Porres is the patron of African Americans, race relations, and healthcare workers. Franciscan Media tells us how, “Father unknown” is the cold legal phrase sometimes used on baptismal records. “Half-breed” or “war souvenir” is the cruel name inflicted by those of “pure” blood. Like many others, Martin might have grown to be a bitter man… to read more click here.
November 13 – Feast Day of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini is the patroness of immigrants. Mother Cabrini’s community of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus responds to the Gospel call for justice and love in today’s circumstances by focusing on 5 words: Welcome, Support, Educate, Re-Examine, Work. To read more click here.
One of our most beautiful ministry locations is our National Shrine (in Fonda, NY) dedicated to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks. On Wednesday, October 17, 2018 the Saint Kateri National Shrine and Historic Site celebrated its 80th Anniversary with a Gala in honor of the Most Reverend Edward B. Scharfenberger, D.D. – Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. The Gala took place at River Stone Manor, the historic estate on the banks of the Mohawk River. From 6-9:00 p.m. around 90 guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, desserts, cash bar, a silent auction and drawings. Among those in attendance were renowned Algonquin member Terry Steele, several of our friars {including the Shrine Chaplain – Fr. Timothy Lyons, OFM Conv.& our Vicar Provincial – Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv (at right)} as well as many lay-staff, volunteers and pilgrims of the Shrine. If you would like to help our friars promote this important shrine and historic site, visit the Shrine website’s “Get Involved” page.
The College of Our Lady of the Elms (Chicopee, MA) has promoted Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Br. Michael Duffy, OFM Conv. (DNP, ANP-BC) to the position of associate dean of the School of Nursing.
Back in April 2018, Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., Chairman of Our Lady of the Angels Province’s Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Ministry hosted an Interfaith Forum and Symposium on Environmental Justice and Service to Vulnerable Populations, at our Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City MD. One of the relationships to evolve and flourish from the event was between our friars, Howard County conservation organizations and the area’s Presbyterian faith community.
On October 9, 2018, Friar Michael (at left) joined volunteers from our Shrine’s Garden Ministry, Earth Forum of Howard County and First Presbyterian Church of Howard County to plant seven Cherokee Brave Dogwood trees and three Rising Sun Redbud trees in the area around the Shrine’s Outdoor Stations of the Cross. 
Instrumental in this undertaking was Nancy Fayer, the Coordinator of Earth Forum of Howard County, at First Presbyterian Church. This organization partners with other environmentally conscious groups such as The Municipal Online Stormwater Training (MOST) Center and Howard County’s Restoring the Environment and Developing Youth (READY) program, which created and maintains the rain-gardens on the Ellicott City Complex. 
Nancy was able to obtain the ten trees donated through Sun Nurseries, while working closely with Friar Michael and Shrine staff members – Carol Derenge and Jared Luttrell to plan and execute the planting, including procuring the compost, leaf grow, or organic soil amendment needed to maintain an environmentally conscience planting process.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. serves as our Delegate to the 
On Thursday, November 1st the faithful around the world celebrate the 
From 6-9:00 p.m. around 90 guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, desserts, cash bar, a silent auction and drawings. Among those in attendance were renowned Algonquin member Terry Steele, several of our friars {including the Shrine Chaplain – Fr. Timothy Lyons, OFM Conv.& our Vicar Provincial – Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv (at right)} as well as many lay-staff, volunteers and pilgrims of the Shrine. If you would like to help our friars promote this important shrine and 
