April 15, 2018: Our friars of Holy Cross Friary (Atlanta, GA) held an informal ‘open friary’ evening which began with Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church, followed by Evening Prayer in the friary, pizza and time to talk. There were eight young men present from the two ministries served by the friars of Holy Cross Friary: the parish and Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. One of the students returned for his third evening with the friars. It was a blessing to share this time with them. Our friars residing in the Holy Cross Friary are Fr. Jude Michael Krill, OFM Conv. (at left) who serves as Guardian of the Friary and Pastor of the Parish and Fr. Gary Johnson, OFM Conv. (third from right) who serves as Parochial Vicar of the Parish along with Fr. Abelardo Huanca Martinez, OFM Conv. (not pictured) and Fr. Reto Davatz, OFM Conv. (not pictured) who serves as Campus Minister at the High School.
A “Thank You” to the friars of our province, from the Assistant Campus Minister for Mission Trips and Community Service, at The Catholic University of America:
“I wanted to write you again to say thank you so much for the donation that the Friars made to the Catholic University of America Mission Trip program this year. It was really a gift to our students to be able to make these experiences more accessible to those who don’t have the luxury of having a lot of available money. We were able to provide scholarships to several students who needed them, as well as subsidize the costs of all of the trips, which really impacted the amount of interest we had across campus. … Thank you for all of the help and your investment in our students. It’s truly appreciated.”
Taken after a Mass attended at Stella Maris Parish in Kingston, Jamaica. The parishioners dressed in pink put on a wonderful dramatic interpretation of the gospel story of the Samaritan Woman at the well, with Jesus.
In March 2018, throughout our Campus Ministry at The Catholic University of America, students visited communities in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, West Virginia, and the USA/Mexico Border. In May 2018 a few more groups of students will be going to Belize, as well as southern Philadelphia. You too can “Accompany a Missioner” by praying for the Missioner, attending the Commissioning Mass, sending a Letter of Encouragement or donating to Mission Teams.
Last week, the Franciscan Friars Conventual from Our Lady of the Angels Province invited the Franciscan Action Network and the DC/MD/VA chapter of Interfaith Power and Light to join in a Forum and Symposium on Environmental Justice and Service to Vulnerable Populations (held at our Shine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, MD). The goal for the gathering was to bring together peoples of various faiths, government officials, and other interested parties to discuss greater coordination and collaboration on issues pertinent to the protection of the environment, public health and other quality of life concerns which were elevated by Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home.”
At Wednesday’s (April 11, 2018) interfaith St. Francis Forum, participants listened to faith leaders from the Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu traditions as well as from the Lutheran, Methodist, Quaker, Evangelical, and Catholic/Franciscan traditions. (Pictured at left are Christopher Fici – writer/minister/teacher of the Hindu Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition; Sr. Joan Brown, OSF – Executive Director of the New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light; Rabbi Fred Dobb – Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland, serving on the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, Shalom Center, Religious Witness for the Earth, and Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light) Each half hour presentation included ample time for a larger group discussion, which often demonstrated the many similarities within our traditions while nuancing differences in approach to environmental justice issues. Each presenter was then partnered with a friar of the province and other participants to continue the discussions in small groups. (Pictured at right) These groups will eventually put forward pastoral applications as to how interfaith cooperation might bring about practical pastoral applications in our various communities. The fruits of these discussions will be shared later this summer.
Thursday’s (April 12, 2018) Spirit of Assisi Symposium brought together the faith-based community with federal agencies for three panel discussions on environmental justice and service to vulnerable communities. We discussed ways of enhancing collaboration and finding new avenues of partnership in service to at risk communities. The federal government, sent representatives from the US Department of Agriculture, General Services Administration, Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Justice, Department of Interior, Department of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Energy.
The symposium ended with an interfaith blessing of the fields and Little Portion Farm. The friars were joined by the farmers of Mary’s Land Farm, representatives of the Franciscan Center in Baltimore, interfaith leaders, members of federal agencies and the faithful who attended the 12 noon Mass at the shrine, as well as the shrine staff and other visitors.
A special thank you to Friars Michael Heine (pictured here), Julio Martinez, Dennis Mason, Gary Johnson, Ed Falsey, Michael Lorentson, James McCurry, Douglas McMillan, Donald Grzymski, and Eric de LaPeña; as well as Joseph Hamilton (Lay Mission Advancement Director – Franciscan Mission Association) for their participation in these days. In addition, much appreciation is owed to Friar Joseph Dorniak, OFM Conv. who sketched the logo (above) of St. Francis used for the events.
On the following Sunday Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. (Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission for our province) traveled to Shamokin, PA with a representative of the EPA for a stakeholder’s dinner organized by the local friars, in relation to the projects of sustainable development in partnership with Bucknell University.
Over the past several days many notes of thanks have been received, commending the friars for envisioning such interfaith gatherings and including government representatives. Many expressed how their long-held hopes for such a gathering were finally realized through our efforts in a productive and practical manner. One Daughter of Charity even mentioned how the symposium inspired her to go home and see what her local government in Prince Georges County (Maryland) is doing in relation to environmental justice and service to vulnerable communities. She has a meeting already set up with local government officials next month.
A special thanks to the staff of the shrine for hosting the event. Mr. Munjed Murad, our Muslim presenter who is a doctoral student of Islamic and Christian Studies at Harvard, offered this thought on the event and its location at the shrine. “This [building] is a place where great things happen, and I am honored to be a part of so great a gathering.”
On March 28, 2018, Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. and OLA Friar, Fr. Jude DeAngelo, OFM Conv. met for an hour and a half with the President of The Catholic University of America, Dr. John Garvey, who express the highest esteem for the ministry of our Friars at CUA. Friar Jude serves as University Chaplain & Director of Campus Ministry. At the conclusion of the meeting, Friar James signed the contract renewing our Friars’ commitment for four more years.
Cool Side Note: The desk on which the signing took place, in the President’s Office, is the famous “Lincoln Desk” – used by Abraham Lincoln at his law office in Springfield, Illinois. The heirloom eventually became the property of President Garvey’s grandfather, who owned the Lincoln estate in Springfield.
Excerpt from a January 2013 online article referencing the desk: “During the Depression, Garvey’s grandfather (a Lincoln buff) had purchased all the land surrounding Lincoln’s childhood home in Springfield. Fast forward to the 1960s, and the U.S. Park Service condemned the land to take it over and turn the house into a museum.
(At that time, the desk had come into the Garvey family through just three previous owners since it was sold following Lincoln’s assassination.)
Garvey’s father, a lawyer, helped defend his grandfather during the condemnation proceedings so he could get a fair price on the land. He wouldn’t accept payment, of course, since it was all in the family. So instead of monetary compensation, Garvey’s grandfather gave the desk to his father. Today, Garvey still doesn’t know how he managed to beat out his seven siblings to inherit the desk, but he suspects it might be because he’s the oldest of the bunch, and he’s also a lawyer.”
Franciscan Action Network partnered with the National Council of Churches, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other partners in Washington, D.C. for a historic event to launch the Truth and Racial Justice Initiative. As we marked 50 years since the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, we committed to do our part to eradicate the entrenched racism that grips the United States and paralyzes our ability to see every human being as equal. See FAN’s statement here https://goo.gl/ckhaPi
We challenge ourselves and our communities to ACT: to join in truth-telling, leading to actions that right the wrongs, and, with God’s grace, bring healing and wholeness to all people, and unity to the nation.
AWAKEN ourselves to the truth that racism is ever-present, deeply rooted in American culture, and profoundly damaging to our communities.
CONFRONT racism, speak truth to ourselves, our communities and institutions, and stand against injustice.
TRANSFORM the hearts, minds, and behaviors of people and structures that shape society.
Photo of the Catholic Family, and one of the Franciscan Family.
While at the rally our friars in formation, friar Chris Garcia, OFM Conv. of the St. Joseph Cupertino Province, as well as Our Lady of the Angels friars in formation ~ friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv. and brother Tim Blanchard, OFM Conv. took the opportunity to register to vote!
Our friars living under the care of the Felician Sisters concelebrated Palm Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Enfield, CT, with Friar Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv., who serves as Chaplain there. (Left to Right: Our Lady of the Angels Province Friars ~ Fr. Terence Pescatore, OFM Conv., Fr. Philip Blaine, OFM Conv., Fr. Noel, Fr. Vincent Lachendro, OFM Conv., Fr. Lucjan Krolikowski, OFM Conv., Fr. Duane Mastrangelo, OFM Conv., Fr. Henry Madigan, OFM Conv., and Fr. Firmin Finn, OFM Conv.
Holy Thursday in Enfield, CT included a pastoral adaptation of the Mandatum: Washing of “Hands.”
At our pastoral ministry of the Franciscan Church of the Assumption, in Syracuse, NY, little Grace LaPointe, daughter of the Lay Director of our Service Ministry -FrancisCorps, took part in the Washing of Feet with Fr. Nader Ata, OFM Conv. who serves as Associate Pastor. In the back you can see volunteers from FrancisCorps who are serving in Syracuse, as well as the pastor of the parish, Fr. Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv., who also serves as Chaplain of FrancisCorps.
Good Friday “Adoration of the Cross” in Enfield. Felician Novice, Sr. Agnes presenting the crucifix.
The Franciscan Church of the Assumption (Syracuse, NY) drew the usual huge Easter Vigil crowd which was wowed by the new music director who provided a fresh program of traditional, jazz, Taizé and contemporary music.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. serves as Campus Minister at Syracuse University (SU) & (SUNY – ESF), where record crowds celebrated Easter at the Catholic Center and in the Hendricks Chapel.
Our province’s campus ministry at The Duke Catholic Center recently ordered 150 chocolate covered Easter Eggs from the wonderful parishioners of our province’s pastoral ministry of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church, in Shamokin, PA (75 Peanut Butter and 75 Coconut).
They were served as desert at the Center’s Easter Sunday Brunch!
Our friars serving at Duke send a special “Thanks!” to our friars serving in Shamokin for sweetening the lives of hungry Duke students!!!
Visit of Cardinal Ribat Our Province JPIC Ministry and FAN hosted Cardinal Sir John Ribat of Papua New Guinea in Washington D.C. April 13-15. At a reception sponsored by FAN, the USCCB, the Catholic Climate Covenant and others, the Cardinal spoke on Climate Change and the potential effects of seabed mining in his country. We also organized for him meeting on Capitol Hill and at the EPA. An article on the visit, from the NCR, can be found here.
While in D.C. the Cardinal also spoke to a formation gathering of 85 religious in formation and their directors, sharing his own vocation story and what he believes to be essential in the lives of the ministers of today and tomorrow. Cardinal John was accompanied by his Vicar General, Fr. Ben Fleming. EWTN News Nightly – 2018-03-15
March for Our Lives Fr. Julio Martinez, OFM Conv. and Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. joined students from Parkland and around the country in the Washington D.C. Rally on March 24th. The efforts of students across the nation has turned the March into a Movement, demanding gun control and an end to gun violence. #Enough #NeverAgain
JPIC Update Farm Focus on our Partner, the Franciscan Center in Baltimore City
Founded in 1968 by the Franciscan Sisters of Baltimore, the Franciscan Center is in its 50th year of service to the Baltimore community. What began with the Sisters handing out peanut butter sandwiches and coffee at the back door of their convent on Maryland Avenue has grown to serve every zip code, offering dignity, hope and the chance for a new beginning to men, women and children who are among Baltimore’s most vulnerable citizens.
The Franciscan Center’s programs operate as a “one-stop shop” for families and individuals in crisis from throughout the City. The Center serves as many as 700 men, women and children daily, five days a week throughout the year, providing food, clothing and toiletry items, basic computer skills training, job readiness programs and a range of emergency financial assistance that is truly unique.
We welcome our guests where they are – wherever that might be – with dignity and respect, and without judgment. In this spirit, the Franciscan Center is committed to helping improve public health in Baltimore long term by introducing fresh, healthy food to the families and individuals we serve – most of whom have limited access to fresh vegetables.
We are very grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Franciscan Friars Conventual, in establishing “Little Portion Farm”. This exciting project will make an important difference in the Baltimore community, providing “farm-to-table” food for our guests. Our Food Services Director, Kim Gregory, will truly enjoy working with the bounty of “Little Portion Farm”.
The Center began its 50th year of service to the community with new leadership, as well as exciting plans for our next 50 years. Executive Director Jeffrey Griffin joined the team in August, 2017, and he has brought ideas for a variety of new programs and services designed to meet the ever-changing needs of the people we serve. He is supported in these efforts by the Center’s Director of Development and Marketing, Meg Ducey, along with 17 other full and part time staff. With more than 98 percent of our funding from private sources and more than 50 % of our work force on a daily basis made up of volunteers, the Franciscan Center is truly community supported. Our programs are delivered by Marylanders, for Marylanders in the Franciscan spirit of humble and joyful service to the poor.
Spend a year serving others like St. Francis, of Assisi
Imagine running an inner city food pantry, helping refugees find their way in the U.S., or caring for abandoned disabled children while living in community and exploring faith. If this sounds interesting, and you are a young adult age 21 to 25, or know of one, consider FrancisCorps! For more information contact Johanna or visit the website.
In Hogar Santiago Crespo is a home for senior citizens in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Rachel, pictured with her co-workers, helps with recreational and therapeutic services, while contributing to a loving environment, for the residents
Every day the glory of God is on display if I just take the time to stop, rest, and open my eyes. I have been learning this more and more each day during my time in Costa Rica. Oftentimes, it is so easy for me to run through my day feeling like I am always one step behind in working with all the patients in the therapy department at Santiago Crespo, getting home with sufficient time to help cook and clean, having purposeful prayer time, and maintaining both present and past relationships, and then I remember that God is inviting me in to these moments to truly be present in them and not just rush through them feeling exhausted and trying to do it all. Why put this extra pressure on myself? God is surely not asking me to do it all perfectly. Instead of looking at all the patients and calculating how much time I have in order to get it all done, He is inviting me to truly be present and fall in love with the steps of the process, not just have my eye on the end goal of completing everything at the end of the day. In slowing down, I can understand more of who He is, how much love He has to give, and the mystery of suffering in each of the señores I work with.
Each individual is full of so much love and at the same time so much suffering- in their own way, whether it is past abuse and neglect, familial problems, psychological disorders, dementia, or overall feelings of loneliness and depression. However, the smile they have to give, a kiss on the cheek, holding their hand, a tight hug, and their constant reminders of “Dios primero, si Dios quiere, and Gracias a Dios,” which all mean, “God first, if God wants it, and thanks be to God,” are beautiful reminders that amidst the suffering, there is so much beauty and so much for me to learn from them in the day to day gritty work of life. The key- I need to take time to slow down, take a deep breath, and really see each person for who they are in that moment and see each moment as the gift that it truly is. There is something so tragically beautiful about older adults in this nursing home type of setting- most of their day consists of waiting- waiting to be woken up, changed, eat breakfast, get snack, be wheeled out to the sun, wheeled back in to eat lunch, taken to their doctor’s appointments, escorted to therapy sessions, waiting for dinner, and then waiting to go to bed, that they have lost a sense in choosing what to do all day and filling their days up with so many tasks. Yet, the grace in which many accept this way of life, the slow pace of not hurrying onto the next task of the day, and the beauty in taking as much time as needed or wanted to really sit and enjoy the sun on one’s skin, the companionship of a friend at your side, the closeness and love of family coming to visit, and entrusting every day to God because you never know when it might be your last day, holds a sense of incredible beauty in it. When God nudges me to really take a look around, I think, “Wow, God, you have got me in exactly the right place.” I am being forced to learn to slow down, live in the present moment, and see God through the beautiful, small, quiet, and evaporating moments that are often overlooked in my fast-paced way of “doing” life. In these small moments, the steps of the process, the day-to-day work, God is revealing that He is truly there. His presence, his love, his grace, and his mercy are right there in front of me. I just need to constantly remind myself to take time to focus on the small moments of the day and not just the end result. God’s glory is shining brightly, and it often is not just at the end when the goal is completed, but it’s along the entire way if I only learn to take my eyes of the finish line and truly look around at the current beauty.
April 15, 2018: Our friars of Holy Cross Friary (Atlanta, GA) held an informal ‘open friary’ evening which began with Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church, followed by Evening Prayer in the friary, pizza and time to talk. There were eight young men present from the two ministries served by the friars of Holy Cross Friary: the parish and Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. One of the students returned for his third evening with the friars. It was a blessing to share this time with them. Our friars residing in the Holy Cross Friary are Fr. Jude Michael Krill, OFM Conv. (at left) who serves as Guardian of the Friary and Pastor of the Parish and Fr. Gary Johnson, OFM Conv. (third from right) who serves as Parochial Vicar of the Parish along with Fr. Abelardo Huanca Martinez, OFM Conv. (not pictured) and Fr. Reto Davatz, OFM Conv. (not pictured) who serves as Campus Minister at the High School.
Last week, the Franciscan Friars Conventual from Our Lady of the Angels Province invited the 
At Wednesday’s (April 11, 2018) interfaith St. Francis Forum, participants listened to faith leaders from the Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu traditions as well as from the Lutheran, Methodist, Quaker, Evangelical, and Catholic/Franciscan traditions. (Pictured at left are Christopher Fici – 
Each presenter was then partnered with a friar of the province and other participants to continue the discussions in small groups. (Pictured at right) These groups will eventually put forward pastoral applications as to how interfaith cooperation might bring about practical pastoral applications in our various communities. The fruits of these discussions will be shared later this summer.
Cool Side Note: The desk on which the signing took place, in the President’s Office, is the famous “Lincoln Desk” – used by Abraham Lincoln at his law office in Springfield, Illinois. The heirloom eventually became the property of President Garvey’s grandfather, who owned the Lincoln estate in Springfield.
While at the rally our friars in formation, friar Chris Garcia, OFM Conv. of the St. Joseph Cupertino Province, as well as Our Lady of the Angels friars in formation ~ friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv. and brother Tim Blanchard, OFM Conv. took the opportunity to register to vote!
March for Our Lives
