Left to Right: Fr. Marty (a former Parochial Vicar), Fr. Roland (a former pastor 2014-16), Friar Richard-Jacob, Fr. Peter (the current pastor), Fr. Rick (a local pastor in their Diocese of Norwich & a vocation from the parish), Friar Jude, and Fr. Ray (a retired priest of the Diocese of Norwich who was also a vocation from the parish). Friar Hugh (not pictured) was seated with the congregation.
On Saturday, October 13, 2018, three of our friars returned to their former pastoral ministry assignment of St. Edward the Confessor Church (Stafford Springs,CT) to join with parishioners and the community for the 150th Anniversary Celebration Mass and Dinner. Current pastor, Fr. Peter Liszewski served as the main celebrant and the homilist was Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and former pastor (1997-2010), Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv., who serves now as our Province Secretary, Spiritual Guardian of our Companions of St. Anthony and Guardian of the Portiuncula Friary. Also on hand for the celebration were former parochial vicar of St. Edward – Fr. Jude Surowiec, OFM Conv. who now serves as a Professor at the College of Our Lady of the Elms (Chicopee, MA) as well as a Province Definitor, and former pastoral associate at St. Edward – Br. Hugh Dymski, OFM Conv. who serves as the Procurator for St. Hyacinth Friary (Chicopee, MA). The parish has enjoyed many events over this past year and our friars are grateful to have been included and remembered. The parish’s pastoral care has not been a part of our province ministries since 2014.
friar Franck Lino, OFM Conv. ~ While still a full time student at The Catholic University of America (Washington DC), his friar formation includes serving as the Youth & Young Adult Minister of our Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD. _________________
Friar Eric, Mike Washabaugh, Dan DiBiase & friar Franck (courtyard of our Shrine of St. Anthony Courtyard)
It has been such a busy few months here at the Shrine. There are so many activities in motion for which I am very excited. Here are a few I would like to share: On September 26, 2018 the Shrine Hosted EWTN Catholic Radio Network’s Washington Metropolitan Area Affiliate (Guadalupe Radio Network 1160 AM) for an hour live broadcast. Fr. Ericson de la Peña, OFM Conv. (Director of the Shrine of St. Anthony) and I were interviewed by the General Manager – Dan DiBiase and the Community Relations Director – Mike Washabaugh, in an effort to promote the Shrine and highlight our developing Youth and Young Adult Ministry. After the interview Friar Eric give our guests a tour of the shrine. On October 3, 2018 the Shrine hosted the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to the Friars of St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, my fellow Student Friars from St. Bonaventure Friary, the area Conventual Confreres in attendance, as well as the Secular Franciscans, the Felician Sister, the Dominican Friars and the Shrine Pilgrims who celebrated with us, for enabling such a wonderful multi-community event.
Tout pour la gloire de Dieu, Par amour et miséricorde, (With every good wish, and a grateful heart), Your Brother Franck Lino S. OFM Conv. Keep me in your Prayers
Upcoming Events at the Shrine: October 16, 2018, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. ~ Marian Consecration
Become a Knight of the Immaculata, commemorating the 101st Anniversary of the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.), a worldwide evangelization movement founded in Rome on October 16, 1917, by St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. The evening will being with 6:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a gathering, refreshments and the opportunity to meet some of the members of the M.I. October 19, 2018, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ~ Shrine Young Adult Ministry Bonfire
First official gathering of the Shrine Young Adult Ministry. Gather at the Shrine’s beautiful bonfire pit which overlooks the grounds and the pond for an evening including mulled cider, hot dogs, Lancashire hotpot, bonfire toffee, and perfectly toasted marshmallows! All are welcome to come find out more about the Shrine Young Adult group and how to get involved.
TRANSITUS: Each year, on October 3rd friars from all over the world gather to celebrate the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi. Transitus is Latin for crossing or passage, and is commemorated on the Vigil of the Feast of St. Francis with prayer, scripture readings, joyful songs of praise and thanksgiving. The often candle lit night service commemorates the 1226 death of our beloved Seraphic Father, as he crossed over from life on earth to eternal life with the Lord. Traditionally the celebrations of these Feast Days are chosen to mark the date of a saint’s death and are remembered by the faithful with special mention, prayers, and scripture readings. For Franciscans, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4th) is much more. It is a day filled with celebration and joy, including the traditional Blessing of the Animals and gatherings of fellowship with our brothers and sisters, in Christ.
FEAST DAY FRATERNAL FELLOWSHIP: Throughout the province, our friars shared this joyful day with the people we serve. We also took the opportunity to celebrate our Franciscan Brotherhood with Mass, prayer, meals and laughter together in our friaries and in our ministries. Archbishop Curley High School stated it well on their Facebook post that day. “The Church celebrates the Poor Man of Assisi on October 4th and so do we at Curley. St. Francis is the founder of the Franciscan Order and he is the patron saint of Archbishop Curley High School. Since its doors opened, Curley has been imbued with the Spirit of St. Francis through the Friars who have staffed the school for 57 years. Today the Curley community celebrated Mass and heard Friar Chris Dudek, OFM Conv. preach about how St. Francis was engaged, excellent and holy. Friar Chris, who is a deacon just like St. Francis was, challenged us to accept the call of Jesus as St. Francis did.”
In celebration of the October 4, 2018 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, our friars of St. Philip Benizi Friary (Jonesboro, GA) hosted our friars of Holy Cross Friary (Atlanta,GA) and Franciscan Martyrs Friary (Columbus, GA), as well as their confrere – the Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. of the Diocese of Savannah. These friars serve as pastors and parochial vicars in six Georgia parishes. It was the first time that all of our friars ministering in Georgia were able to come together to share a meal, fellowship and fraternity.
The friars living, serving and studying (current and some prior) in the Washington DC area gathered for Mass with the faithful at the Catholic University of America.
For the feast of St. Francis the local St. Francis Hospital near Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church where Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. serves as pastor holds an annual Mass and Muffins. Before and after Mass the chaplains of the hospital distribute the Muffins to each nursing station, as well as the back office staff, offering a prayer at each stop. This year they invited our friars to have the honor of praying with the staff and distribute the Muffins and our Friar Bob enjoyed the opportunity. The staff and nurses were extremely grateful for the prayers and the muffins.
Fr. Carl Zdancewicz, OFM Conv. blessed a new born pony (Our Lady of Mercy Church, Winston-Salem, NC)
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: This year, on the weekends prior to and after, as well as several days during the week of the October 4th Feast Day, friars from throughout our province ministries enjoyed the traditional Blessing of Animals; a simple act that helps us share the charism of St. Francis by blessing these special “companions” of those we serve. It is always a source of great joy for our friars and it was wonderful to have others who serve through several of our special ministries there to join in the fun. Here are just a few shots from around the province. This is one of the most fun filled days of the year for our friars.
Included among the ALETEIA.ORG 10-5-2018 online article’s photos of the Blessing of the Animals from around the world, are shots from last year’s blessing with our very own Fr. John Ruffo, OFM Conv. when he was serving at The Church of St. Catharine of Siena, in Seaside Park, NJ. Friar John is currently serving as a Parochial Vicar of the Baltimore, MD Pastorate which includes St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Church, St. Michael the Archangel Church and the Church of the Annunciation.
On the morning of October 3rd, Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv. (pictured here) and Fr. Emanuel Vasconcelos, OFM Conv., who both serve as Parochial Vicars at St. Anne Catholic Church (Columbus, GA), blessed many pets, including this beautiful chicken, in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.
On September 30th, the Franciscan Church of the Assumption Community (Suracuse, NY) gathered with Fr. Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv. (pastor – pictured here) and Fr. Nader Ata, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar and director of the Franciscan Place Chapel & Gift Shoppe at Destiny USA) for the Blessing of the Animals.
Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv., parochial vicar at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Franciscan Action Network (FAN) approached Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Br. Ed Falsey, OFM Conv., to work on developing what they are calling Franciscan Solidarity Table (FST).
The purpose of the Solidarity Tables is to organize groups of Franciscans and Franciscan minded people to work together in the areas of peace, justice and the care of creation. These qualities are intrinsic to our Franciscan charism. They propose to help each group to deepen its knowledge and spiritual awareness of the Franciscan tradition from which these values come.
Friar Ed was part of the setting up of the Franciscan Action Network eleven years ago. When he moved to Syracuse, NY he ended up taking over the Franciscan Collaborative Ministries along with working in Pastoral Planning for the Diocese of Syracuse. He therefore had to withdraw from working with FAN but is now able to work again for the Network, as the new FST Director.
In taking on this challenge, he hope to support the work of the Friars, the Sisters, the Seculars and other Franciscan people in the area of justice and social action. They are all doing great work in bringing these Gospel values into the lives of the people they collaborate with and those they meet in need.
If you are interested in more information about this project and how it may connect to what you are doing or want to do, please contact him at efalsey@franciscanaction.org.
Our friars of residing in the newest friary of our province, the Franciscan Martyrs Friar (Columbus, GA) were invited by those who staff and serve the St. Benedict the Moor Parish Outreach Community Lunch Program, to come and share a meal with the more than 75 people they serve each day. Since August 2, 2018, Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (at far right) has been assigned as pastor of St. Benedict the Moor Parish. He was joined that day by his confreres, Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (at left back row – pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church), Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. (2nd from left back row – pastor of St. Anne Catholic Church) and Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv. (at right back row – parochial vicar of St. Anne Catholic Church).
All of the friars of the Franciscan Martyr Friary gathered for their first Transitus Prayer Service with the faithful of Columbus, GA. The candlelight service remembering St. Francis of Assisi’s passage from death to glory was hosted by Friar Noel and St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. Parishioners from all three parishes served by these friars enjoyed the time for prayer, song and fellowship. (left to right: Friar Robert, Friar Bob, Friar Noel, Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. and Friar Mark David)
In celebration of the October 4, 2018 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, our friars of St. Philip Benizi Friary (Jonesboro, GA) hosted our friars of Holy Cross Friary (Atlanta,GA) and Franciscan Martyrs Friary (Columbus, GA), as well as their confrere – the Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. of the Diocese of Savannah. These friars serve as pastors and parochial vicars in six Georgia parishes. It was the first time that all of our friars ministering in Georgia were able to come together to share a meal, fellowship and fraternity. Pictured left to right: Friar Manny, Fr. Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. and Fr. John Koziol, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar and pastor of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, Jonesboro), Friar Bob, Friar Robert, Friar Noel, Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church), Bishop Hartmaryer, Fr. Calixto Salvatierra Morena, OFM Conv. and Fr. Jude Michael Krill, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar and pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Atlanta), Friar Mark David, Fr. John Voytek, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Atlanta) & Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv. (parochial vicar of Holy Cross Catholic Church)
On Wednesday evening, October 3, 2018, the Friars of St. Joseph Cupertino Friary and our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD) hosted a celebration of the Commemoration of the Passing (Transitus) of St. Francis of Assisi from Earthly Life to Eternal Life. Organized by our post-Novitiate friars of St. Bonaventure Friary (Silver Spring, MD), the celebration brought together our OFM Conventual Friars with Dominican Friars, Secular Franciscans, and Felician Sisters – who sang the Blessing of St. Francis at the close of the service. Fr. Eric de la Peña, OFM Conv. (at front center), Director of the Shrine of St. Anthony, was the celebrant and Fr. Albert Trudel, O.P. (next to Friar Eric) preached a vibrant homily including the story of the meeting of our founders; St. Francis and St. Dominic.
Our friars serving in Columbus, CT invited the parishioners they serve at St. Anne Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Benedict the Moore Parish, to their “Transitus of St. Francis” – a candlelight service remembering his passage from death to glory – at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. Many enjoyed the time for prayer, song and fellowship.
The Secular Franciscan Community of St. Clare of Assisi celebrated the Transitus of our Holy Father, Francis, into eternal life on Oct. 3, 2018, at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Winston-Salem, NC, along with their pastor emeritus, Fr. Joseph Angelini, OFM Conv.
Our friars serving on the “Jersey Shore” at our pastoral ministries of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ) and the Parish of St. Junipero Serra worshiping at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Seaside Heights, NJ) and the Church of St. Catharine of Siena (Seaside Park, NJ) gathered with the area’s faithful to celebrate the Transitus together at St. Peter’s.
Friar Nader Ata, OFM Conv. presenting at the Transitus Celebration at our pastoral ministry of The Franciscan Church of the Assumption, in Syracuse, NY.
All of the friars of the Franciscan Martyr Friary gathered for their first Transitus Prayer Service with the faithful of Columbus, GA.
Friars of our Province’s Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody returned to Walsingham, England in June 2018 and now three friars serve the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
‘We feel we’ve come home’: Franciscans return to Walsingham for first time in 480 years
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. (JPIC Province Chairman) serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Franciscan Action Network (FAN). FAN’s Mission Statement:
“Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus, and the example of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network (FAN) is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform United States public policy related to peace making, care for creation, poverty, and human rights.”
Our Lady of the Angels Province student friar, brother Tim Blanchard, OFM Conv. is majoring in Media and Communications at The Catholic University of America. Over this past summer, he interned with FAN and our Province’s JPIC Ministry. This new FAN Video was part of his work:
The week of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4th) includes many celebrations in our ministries throughout the province. These are intended to be avenues through which our friars can share our Franciscan lives with those whom we serve.
One example ministry holding several celebratory events is through the Duke Catholic Center, served by two Our Lady of the Angels Province friars; Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv. – Director of Camps Ministry and Fr. Brad Heckathorne, OFM Conv. – Associate Director of Campus Ministry. Francis Week 2018 is a way to highlight around campus the different things Franciscan available to the Duke University community.
We encourage everyone to find one of our ministries nearest to you and join us for some of the events next week, including our Transitus Commemorations. Find a ministry near you on our Locations page.
Several of our friars serving in the Archdiocese of Atlanta attended the September 10-13, 2018 Convocation of Priests including those pictured here: Fr. John Voytek, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – Atlanta), Fr. Calixto Salvatierra Morena, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of Holy Cross Catholic Church – Atlanta), Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church – Jonesboro) The Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, S.L.D. (Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta), The Most Reverend Bernard E. Shlesinger III (Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta), Fr. Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church -Jonesboro) and Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of Holy Cross Church – Atlanta). In addition to these friars, also currently serving in the Archdiocese of Atlanta are Fr. Jude Michael Krill, OFM Conv. (Pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church – Atlanta) and Fr. John Koziol, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church – Jonesboro).
The Serra Club of Atlanta sponsored the 41st Annual Day of Appreciation and Recreation for Priests preceding the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Archdiocesan Priest Convocation, September 10-13, 2018. The event was held at Lake Lanier Islands, where the priests serving the Atalanta Archdiocese could enjoy several forms of relaxation. The Convocation itself began immediately after Morning Prayer on Tuesday and ended with lunch on Thursday, September 13th.
The program focus was “Gathering for Mission: Open to Transformation,” a project of Catholic Committee of the South (CCS) in partnership with Glenmary’s Commission on Peace, Justice and Care for Creation and Maryknoll Media, as an inspired response to Pope Francis’ call for dialogue in the Church, providing practical experience in the dialog process to ecclesial leaders.
On September 26, 2018 the Shrine Hosted EWTN Catholic Radio Network’s Washington Metropolitan Area Affiliate (
Fr. Ericson de la Peña, OFM Conv. (Director of the Shrine of St. Anthony) and I were interviewed by the General Manager – Dan DiBiase and the Community Relations Director – Mike Washabaugh, in an effort to promote the Shrine and highlight our developing Youth and Young Adult Ministry. After the interview Friar Eric give our guests a tour of the shrine.
FEAST DAY FRATERNAL FELLOWSHIP: Throughout the province, our friars shared this joyful day with the people we serve. We also took the opportunity to celebrate our Franciscan Brotherhood with Mass, prayer, meals and laughter together in our friaries and in our ministries. 
