On Monday, Feb. 16, Friar Wayne Hellman, OFM Conv., delivered the annual Whittington Lecture at the Newman Catholic Community in Chapel Hill, N.C., in its newly renovated St. John Henry Newman Hall. The Whittington is an endowed lectureship around the theme of faith and spirituality in the public sphere. This year’s topic, “Contemporary Issues in the Light of the Franciscan Tradition,” was chosen in honor of the Year of Francis marking the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.

Friar Wayne, a three-time minister provincial of Our Lady of Consolation Province, is emeritus professor of Theology at St. Louis University. He is best known as one of the principal editors of the multi-volume Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, the English-language critical edition of the early medieval writings of and about St. Francis.

In his lecture Friar Wayne highlighted three principal themes of the life of the saint: his encounter with the leper, which was the genesis of Francis’ identification with the poor both for his own sense of self-emptying and that of his brother friars; his desire that both he and the friars go “beyond the mountains” and “over the seas” to engage the wider world; and his deeply Christian theological anthropology of the dignity of the human person.

He concluded by analyzing the following contemporary issues in the light of those themes: the callous disregard of the poor both in the United States and overseas, in particular migrants; the inward-looking tendency to withdraw from awareness of and responsibility for the underdeveloped parts of the world; and an over-emphasis on individuality to the detriment of the life and well-being of humanity as created in the image and likeness of God. Pastor and Director of Campus Ministry Friar Tim Kulbicki, OFM Conv. introduced the lecture and moderated the lively discussion which followed.

The lecture is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X35l_LSMIJc.

~ Submitted by Friar Tim Kulbicki, OFM Conv.

(Ellicott City, Maryland) – The Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province have reelected Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., to his position as Minister Provincial. This will be Friar Michael’s second term, having first been elected in 2022. The election of the Minister Provincial is part of the preparations for the Provincial Chapter, which occurs every four years and will be held this summer in Baltimore.

“I am grateful to the friars for allowing me to serve as their Minister Provincial for the next four years. I am humbled to serve,” Friar Michael said. “Beginning my next four years as we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis in this Year of St. Francis is an added grace, and I know that the Little Poor Man from Assisi will continue to intercede for all our friars as we continue to rebuild the Church.”

Friar Michael entered the Franciscan Friars Conventual in 1981, professing his Simple Vows in 1982, followed by his Solemn Vows in 1986. He was ordained a friar-priest in 1990. He served for eight years as director of the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland, and oversaw the restoration of historic Carrollton Hall on the shrine’s grounds.

From 1990 to 1994, Friar Michael served on the faculty at John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce, Florida, where he taught religion and directed the ALPHA Peer Ministry program. He was Director of School Counseling at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore from 1994 to 2007. After leaving Archbishop Curley, he served as a missionary for four years in Above Rocks, Jamaica.

The Pope presents this time as a gift for the entire Church, not just for the Franciscan Family, so that the 800th anniversary may become an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal. The decree mentions how St. Francis remains extraordinarily relevant even in our own era and invites everyone to “become saints in the contemporary world, following the example of the Seraphic Patriarch,” turning hope into real charity and a real commitment to peace.

The plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion, and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father, with a heart detached from sin. It may also be applied in suffrage for the souls in Purgatory.

It may be obtained by members of the Franciscan Family, ecclesial communities inspired by the charism of St. Francis, and all the faithful. During the Year of St. Francis, they need only make a pilgrimage to a Franciscan church or a place of worship dedicated to St. Francis, take part in the Jubilee rites or pause in prayer and meditation, and conclude with the Our Father, the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis, St. Clare, and the Saints of the Franciscan Family.

Special consideration is given to the elderly, the sick, and those who are unable to leave their homes. They may gain the indulgence by spiritually joining in the celebrations and offering their sufferings and prayers to God. The Apostolic Penitentiary also invites priests to make themselves widely available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so that this time may truly be a time of mercy.

Thus, this Year of St. Francis presents itself as a time of favor, a grace offered to all, so that—as the Pope hopes—“feelings of Christian charity toward one’s neighbor and authentic desire for harmony and peace among peoples may be reborn in hearts.”

~ Source: OFMConv.net

From November 26-30 at the Seraphicum in Rome, the Militia of the Immaculate (M.I.) held its General Assembly for the purpose of electing its Presidential Council for the next five years.

From left to right, the newly-elected Council members are: Sr. Wiktoria Maria Ewa Komanska, SFMI (Councilor), Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Councilor), Margareta Begic (Vice-President), Miguel Bordas Proszynski (re-elected President), Margherita Perchinelli (Councilor), Friar Gilson Miguel Nunes, OFM Conv. (Delegate for General Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv., the M.I. International Assistant), and Angela De Marco (Secretary).

The Militia of the Immaculate is an International Public Association of the Christian Faithful of Pontifical Right, founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe and six other Franciscan Friars Conventual in 1917. The M.I. counts more than five million members worldwide and is present in over thirty countries.

A relic of St. Francis of Assisi will be present at an outdoor live Nativity prayer service at the Shrine of St. Anthony Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, wore a cord tied around his simple tunic as asymbol of humility. A piece of his cord – like those worn by Franciscans today – will be in Ellicott City for the shrine’s annual reenactment of the manger scene.

“We welcome all guests interested in venerating this amazing artifact of our Franciscan history,” said Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv., Director of the Shrine of St. Anthony. “This relic reminds us of St. Francis’s commitment to a radically simple way of living the Gospel and our call to emulate his example.”

The cord is also uniquely tied to the live Nativity as this tradition of recreating the Christmas story – complete with animals – was started by St. Francis in Greccio, Italy more than 800 years ago. At the very first service in 1223, St. Francis was wearing his cord, newly blessed by Pope Honorius III with the official founding of the Order. His cord included three knots, representing thethree vows professed by all friars: poverty, chastity and obedience.

The Shrine of St. Anthony hosts Greccio every December in honor of St. Francis’s desire for all to witness the humility of God made man. The prayer service is outdoors and, like at the initial celebration in Greccio, includes animals. Visitors can expect readings, music, time for Adoration ofthe Blessed Sacrament, and a reflection from one of the friars in residence at the Shrine.

The cord of St. Francis will be on loan from Assisi, Italy and traveling with Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., the Franciscans’ global Delegate General for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation. Therelic will be available for veneration at the Shrine of St. Anthony Friday Dec. 12 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.), Saturday, Dec. 13 (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.), and after the Noon Mass at the Shrine on Sunday, Dec. 14. Friar Michael will celebrate the Mass on Sunday.

From left to right: Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., donor and alumna Judith Pistaki Zellisko, Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice, and chancellor and president of Syracuse University, Kent Syverud, cut the ribbon at the official opening of the Catholic Center. Catholic Sun photo | Chuck Wainwright

By Eileen Staff writer | The Catholic Sun | Diocese of Syracuse

On Nov. 5, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia joined Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud, and Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., for the dedication of the new St. Thomas More Chapel and Catholic Center. Franciscan priests, donors, faculty, staff, and students were in attendance to celebrate the newly built chapel located on Walnut Place on the SU campus. In addition to the new church, the renovation includes a new library, which is the former small chapel, and a lounge for comfortable conversation. There are also a number of student meeting rooms for Bible study and a space for the Catholic Student Association.

When the chapel was being designed, Fr. Waterman asked for several things — “light, since we live in Syracuse, warmth achieved by integrating a lot of wood, and a building that evokes awe and wonder.”

Rev. Brian Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel, said the renovation of the Catholic Center reflects the historic growth in student engagement over the past decade. “As various programs and services reached, and sometimes exceeded space capacity, the renewed Catholic Center will provide opportunities for more students, faculty, staff, and alumni to deepen their roots and widen their reach by offering brave spaces that nourish the spirit and soul,” he said.

Konkol said that to prepare engaged citizens, scholars, and leaders for participation in a changing global society, Syracuse University chooses to engage the fullness of religious and spiritual life. “Hendricks Chapel is known as the spiritual heart of SU. It is the student-centered home for religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical life — a home for all faiths and a place for all people,” said Konkol. “The Catholic Center, in particular, provides a vibrant home for prayer, guidance, and fellowship.

“We empower students to be the evangelizers by extending an invitation to their Catholic friends who have never been to the chapel, attended Mass, or participated in the weekly brunches or dinners held at the Center, explained Fr. Waterman. “A personal invitation, student to student, has been our greatest success of growth.”

Fr. Waterman tells his students that there are two ways of fishing, or evangelizing — by throwing out a net to see who you can catch (through social media and email) or fishing with a pole — through one-on-one personal invitation. “I want them to understand that if they’re being spiritually nourished and physically fed and feeling a sense of belonging, other students want that very same thing.”

Konkol calls Fr. Gerry a treasure. “In addition to being wise and committed, he is enthusiastic and inviting, and I am personally honored to serve alongside him. He embodies the Gospel in both words and deeds.

“He expresses his Franciscan identity by accompanying students, helping them connect with their faith with daily life and learning, and providing them with the courage to witness Jesus in the midst of community,” Konkol added. “The legacy of his leadership will be felt for generations to come.”

During his remarks, Bishop Lucia shared his gratitude for the work that has been done to expand both the ministry and worship areas of the Catholic Center at Syracuse University. “It is with great excitement that I bless the new St. Thomas More Chapel,” he said. In his six years of service to the diocese, Bishop said he has had the privilege to offer Mass both on Sundays and weekdays for the students, enjoys their fellowship, and participates in the service projects sponsored at the Catholic Center. “I am extremely grateful to Fr. Gerry Waterman for his pastoral and spiritual leadership that has brought us to this day and for the support of this renewed vision by Chancellor Syverud and Dean Konkol.”

“The transformation of the Catholic Center, made possible by the generous support of Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello, affirms Syracuse University’s commitment to supporting the needs of all students from across all faiths,” added Chancellor Syverud. “The new St. Thomas More Chapel will provide much-needed expanded space to accommodate the unprecedented growth in our Catholic community in recent years. This investment strengthens our commitment to being welcoming to all, and enhances our ability to provide modern, versatile space for our community to gather, worship and serve the community.”

“I also want to express our deepest gratitude and support for Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello for this project,” Bishop Lucia said. “I have personally been so inspired by the lived faith of the students at SU who seek to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Every time I come away from an event at this Campus Center, I have great hope for the future both for the Church and our world!”

Fr. Jude Thaddeus DeAngelo, OFM Conv., a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Syracuse, N.Y. Born in Binghamton on Jan. 10, 1957, he was son of the late Anthony and Nancy (nee Guerriero) DeAngelo. He is survived by his seven siblings—Nancy, Gregory, Elizabeth, Anthony, Ronald, Jan, and Randy—along with an abundance of devoted nieces and nephews.

After graduating Catholic Center High School, Jude began formation with the Conventual Franciscans, entering the Novitiate in 1976 and professing simple vows on Aug. 14, 1977. He then studied at St. Hyacinth College Seminary in Granby, Mass., before making his solemn profession of vows on Aug.10, 1980. After earning his M.Div. from St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, N.Y., he was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1984 in Albany.

Fr. Jude spent his first few months of ministry at St. Peter Parish in Riverside, N.J., before becoming a teacher at the former McCorristin High School in Trenton, where he ministered until 1991. He then returned to St. Peter’s in Riverside, as pastor until 1994, when he was elected as vicar provincial and secretary of the former Immaculate Conception Province, residing in Rensselaer. After completing his term in provincial administration, Fr. Jude served for one year as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Seaside Heights, N.J.

In 1997, Fr. Jude commenced 25 years of service and sacrifice as a campus minister, first at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. (1997-2010) and then at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (2010-2022). His gentle compassion, tireless effort, quick wit, and Franciscan witness helped evangelize and form two generations of young people in their journeys of faith. Fr. Jude spent his final years in Syracuse, serving as pastor of Assumption Parish.

Visitation hours will be held Friday, Nov. 21 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Assumption Church (812 North Salina St., Syracuse NY 13208), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Assumption on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 11:00 a.m. Internment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Education Burse (12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City MD 21042).

Phase Two is complete and completely blessed. The community at the Newman Catholic Student Center in Chapel Hill gathered Sept. 28 at its church and activity center on Pittsboro Street for the blessing of renovated outdoor and indoor space. Father Michael Heine, O.F.M. Conv., minister provincial of the Conventual Franciscan Friars religious order, traveled from Maryland to share a homily at Mass and help to bless the project.

The activity center, which is located next to the church, was purchased by Newman in 2012 and has served as a site for its parish life. Originally constructed in the 1960s, the building had some issues, including accessibility, Father Tim Kulbicki, O.F.M. Conv., pastor, said.

“[It’s now] accessible to students and parishioners with mobility challenges. The outdoor patio, used for student faith-sharing groups, was leveled and graded for wheelchair access and decorated with a seating wall for reflection and just hanging out,” he shared in a press release. “The main hall, now rededicated as the St. John Henry Newman Hall, had previously contained a descending theatre-style design with fixed pews. The newly rededicated hall has been raised to a uniform level and provided with comfortable meeting-style seating to allow for greater flexibility.”

The parish raised more than $700,000 for the project, said Therese Taxis, pastoral associate for development at the parish. Additionally, its sound system, AV, streaming, and electrical capacities were significantly upgraded, according to the press release. The center is used for Order of Christian Initiation, Catholic Carolina Night and high-school faith formation. The window wall between the hall and the patio had been seriously degraded, and the ingenious new construction allows for the ingress of natural lighting without any glare.

During Mass, Father Michael shared a homily that focused on the parable of Lazarus and the dangers of indifference and divides such as rich vs. poor, liberal vs. conservative and, he quipped, Tar Heels vs. Blue Devils.

“The parable is simply asking us to lift our eyes and recognize how intertwined our lives are with each other. To recognize the ways our actions impact another, and our decisions have repercussions for many people,” he said. “The center of our story needs to be God. Not ourselves. Not a divide … we get lost in a chasm when we lose our center. In the readings today, they are setting before us a way of seeing the other as our own.”

After Mass, the community processed out of the church and to the outdoor space, where prayers were offered and the patio space was blessed, and then into the activity center, where prayers were offered outside the doors or the hall and inside.

Father Tim offered remarks, thanking Mark Anna of the Resolute Building Company in Chapel Hill, architect Andy Goolsby of Durham’s With Architecture, Michael Wengenroth of the Diocese of Raleigh, the parish pastoral council and finance council. He also said thank you to “our semiofficial parish facilities committee,” and the parish staff for their hard work and patience. With gifts of flower bouquets, he highlighted staff members Taxis and Karen Ille, pastoral associate for community support.

Father Tim discussed the benefactors as well. “I was never once refused when asking for a lead gift and many times the parish leadership came forward with pledges even before I asked,” he said. “When the appeal was made to the entire parish, the outstanding funds for the project were either donated or pledged.”

He concluded his remarks with an “important and joyous announcement,” noting that the parish carries about $1 million in debt for both the mortgage on the activity center and the subsequent construction loan. “I am happy to announce that a generous benefactor and parishioner has pledged one million dollars. This is toward a swifter retirement of the debt, paid in yearly $100,000 dollar increments for the remainder of the pledge to be created as an endowment to support the activity center.” The gift, Father Tim added, was given in honor of Monsignor John Wall, a former pastor of Newman, and in memory of the donor’s spouse.

To celebrate, the community sang a modern version of the Te Deum, a hymn of thanksgiving and praise to God. They concluded with fellowship, food and drinks outside of the activity center.

Phase one of the project was completed in 2023, according to the press release, and created an ADA-compliant restroom on the first floor of the activity center, code-compliant custodial closet, ancillary storage space and safety and security enhancements to both buildings. Phase three, now underway, will replace the chairs in the church with pews and is scheduled for completion next year.

The pews formerly in the activity center’s hall now reside at St. Julia Church in Siler City, where Father Julio Martinez, O.F.M. Conv., who attended the blessing Sept. 28, is pastor. Father Peter Tremblay, O.F.M., Conv., campus minister at Catholic Campus Ministry at Elon University, created the ambo and Jerusalem cross in the hall at UNC Newman.

Friar Briant (Jerome) William Cullinane, OFM Conv., 94, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 at Enfield, Conn.

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., on Aug. 17, 1931, he was the youngest of the three sons of Jeremiah and Jennie (nee Coughlin) Cullinane. The Cullinane boys followed similar pathways in the Church: Jeremiah was a diocesan priest, while John was a permanent deacon. Friar Briant attended Catholic grade and high school in Elizabeth, N.J., before entering the minor seminary of the Conventual Franciscans in 1949.

Friar Briant entered the novitiate in Middleburgh, N.Y., making his simple profession on Aug. 17, 1952. He completed his philosophical studies at Assumption Seminary in Chaska, Minn., before earning his M. Div. from St. Anthony-on-Hudson in Rensselaer, N.Y., during which time he made his solemn profession on Sept. 17, 1955. He was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 2, 1958, after earning his S.T.L. from The Catholic University of America.

Friar Briant’s first assignment was as a parochial vicar at St. Peter’s in Riverside, N.J. He ministered there for five years before moving to Don Mills, Ontario, where he served at St. Bonaventure parish for thirteen years, first as Associate Pastor and then as Pastor.

In 1976, Friar Briant was elected Vicar Provincial and Secretary of the then Immaculate Conception Province, residing at the Provincial House in Union City, N.J. In 1979, he was elected minister provincial, a leadership position he held for two terms. In 1985, he went on a sabbatical year to Italy.

Friar Briant was next assigned to Jacksonville, N.C., as pastor of St. Elizabeth-St. Catherine Parish. In 1991, he moved to Canada, spending six years in service to the Archdiocese of Toronto, most notably as its chancellor. Friar Briant’s final pastoral assignments were to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish (Castle Hayne, N.C.) and Blessed Sacrament Parish (Burlington, N.C.). In 2002, he lived in residence for a year at Point Pleasant, before moving to Rensselaer, where he lived in residence while serving as chaplain for the Sisters of the Resurrection in Castleton, N.Y.

In 2010, Friar Briant returned to Blessed Sacrament in Burlington, as guardian until 2022, when he made the short move to Pittsboro. In 2025, he made his final move to Enfield, Conn. At the time of his death, Friar Briant was the eldest friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province.

Visitation hours will be held Wed., Sept. 24, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (1620 Hanford Rd., Graham NC 27253), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Sept. 25, at 11: 00 a.m., at Blessed Sacrament. Internment will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Trenton N.J., on Thurs., Oct. 2.