With joy and gratitude, the friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province’s Canadian Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi commemorate the Year of St. Joseph (2020 – December 8 – 2021) proclaimed by Pope Francis. After all, St. Joseph is the patron saint of Canada and, what’s more, that choice was first made by Franciscans. The Recollects (les Récollets), a French reform of the Friars Minor, were best known for their presence as missionaries in various parts of the world, most notably in early Canada. It was these Franciscans who chose St. Joseph to be the patron saint of Canada in 1624 and their choice was officially confirmed by Pope Urban VIII in 1637. In line with this Franciscan note to the history and tradition of the Church in Canada, the Franciscans Conventual are pleased to celebrate this Year of St. Joseph.
Almost two hundred and fifty years after St. Joseph was chosen to be Canada’s patron saint, in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph to be the patron saint of the universal Church. Now, to mark the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of St. Joseph being proclaimed the universal Church’s patron, Pope Francis has issued an apostolic letter, Patris corde(“the heart of a father”) by which he has declared this year to be the Year of St. Joseph. In his letter, the pope notes that, after Mary, the Mother of God, no saint is mentioned more frequently in papal magisterium than Joseph, her spouse. His Holiness extols St. Joseph, “the shadow of the heavenly Father,” who is always in the background, protecting and watching over Jesus. During these tumultuous times of the Covid-19 pandemic, the pontiff also draws a comparison, reminding us of those front-line, essential workers, worldwide, who appear hidden or in the shadows but who are playing an indispensable role in protecting and caring for all of us. Certainly, all the faithful join Pope Francis in saying, “A word of recognition and gratitude is due to them all.” The Holy Father also underscores how St. Joseph and all the saints help the Christian faithful to strive for the holiness and the perfection of their particular state of life (Lumen gentium, 42). In this regard, Pope Francis undoubtedly recommends us Franciscans and all religious vocations to the prayers of St. Joseph.
To celebrate the Year of St. Joseph, the friars of the Canadian Delegation are planning a pilgrimage to the Oratory and Shrine of St. Joseph in Montréal. The Oratory, founded in 1904 by St. André Bessette, is fittingly the largest church in Canada. The protocols surrounding the pandemic permitting, the friars hope to come together on November 29th for a tour of the shrine together with a Eucharistic celebration. At the Mass, we will renew our Franciscan vows before St. Joseph, the patron of Canada and the universal Church, and recommend our vocations to his prayers as our protector and sure guide in the footsteps of Our Seraphic Father St. Francis.
March 19, 2021 Very Reverend Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv.
Solemnity of St. Joseph Delegate
Note: Our Canadian Delegation is currently home to 14 friars, serving in 10 ministries, including one Solemnly Professed friar in continued studies, one Simply Professed friar serving his Apostolic Year of Formation, two friars from India and one from the Philippines. Our Delegation also has one Simply Professed friar in Post Novitiate studies at The Catholic University of America. Friar Jobe is not only the Provincial Delegate of our Canadian Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi, he also serves as our Province M.I. Assistant, the Guardian of the St. André Bessette Friary (Ottawa, ON), and the Delegation Vocation Director. If you live in Canada, and are a single, Catholic male, 18-40 years old, in good health, with a desire to learn, serve, sacrifice, and share a common life, consider adding a visit with our friars to your discernment journey: vocations.ofmconv.canada@gmail.com – 613-558-1962
For all who have contracted coronavirus,
we pray for care and healing.
For those who are particularly vulnerable,
we pray for safety and protection.
For all who experience fear or anxiety,
we pray for peace of mind and spirit.
For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety,
we pray for policies that recognize their plight.
For those who do not have adequate health insurance,
we pray that no family will face financial burdens alone.
For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status,
we pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all.
For our brothers and sisters around the world,
we pray for shared solidarity.
For public officials and decisionmakers,
we pray for wisdom and guidance.
Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope,
comfort and love to all.
Grant peace.
Grant comfort.
Grant healing.
Be with us, Lord. Amen.
St. Clare Inn (Toronto, ON) is a transitional housing project offering accommodation to homeless women between the ages of 30-60, who are struggling with a diagnosed mental health issue. This ministry, under the leadership of Friar Tom Purcell, OFM Conv., offers temporary residence for a period of up to one year, in a non-denominational home-like setting, where the focus is on re-building lives and self-esteem. Read More
Every year, St. Clare Inn holds two major fundraisers to help with operational costs, as the ministry is entirely funded privately and receives no government support. This past October, the Annual Linda’s Walk was held as a virtual walk, and the support from walkers, sponsors and donors helped to make it a great success. It is hoped that this Virtual Spring Gala ~ “Sips In Slippers” will be just as fruitful. With your help, it will.
Sips In Slippers is a virtual wine tasting event that guests can enjoy from the comfort of their homes. The event will feature a vintner and a sommelier walking guests through the selected wines and potential pairings. Guests will receive a bottle of wine, a gourmet meal, a wine glass and much much more. The wine tasting video link will be sent to guests via email after they purchase their tickets. As this is a virtual local event, it is available on three different days: Friday, April 23, 2021 – Saturday, April 24, 2021 – Sunday, April 25, 2021. The ticket options include a prepared meal to be picked up or delivered, so tickets are available to anyone living within the Greater Toronto Area. For those who are not local, but still want to contribute to the event, visit the Donations page of the St. Clare Inn website, call 416.690.0330, or email info@stlcareinn.org. (Note: The email you use to register is the email to which the video link is sent).
Presented by Franciscan Voice, “Behind the Quill” is a series of living history stylized conversations with the authors of the Synoptic Gospels.
The 1st in the series is a 30 minute interview with ST. MARK, the 1st Evangelist, as he stops by to talk about his Gospel, with Friar Tim. In this presentation, St. Mark explains how he came to know about Jesus, even though they never met, then wrote what he says may be the most important book ever. (Created by our friars of St Bonaventure Friary, Toronto, ON)
Our Franciscan Friars Conventual located at the Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City, Maryland are now making our Franciscan Soy Candles on-site. What started as a hobby for Brother Andre became a ministry for the Franciscan Charity Fund in 2012. Today, with Br. Andre as an advisor, Brother Brian has taken over the handcrafting of theses custom made wood wick, soy candles. These candles are Friar made in the USA.
Former Custos of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Italy (Assisi) appointed Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican and President of the Fabric of St. Peter.
The logo below was conceived by Friar Carlos Roberto de Oliveira CHARLES and realized by the designer Felipe POGGIANELLA. Within it, one can see the tau and the Franciscan coat of arms. The number 75 finishes with a star and a stylized moon representing the Immaculate Conception.
Ash Wednesday looks a bit different at our ministries this year. Outdoor Services, Livestreamed Masses, Ash Sprinkling, and additional varied worship opportunities are the new normal. These efforts made by our friars and the ministries in which we serve will help us be able to continue to celebrate this Lenten Season, while adhering to pandemic protocols.
Above is a video of the Mass celebrated at our pastoral ministry of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. (Pastor & Province JPIC Chairman) assisted by our student friar currently serving as Director of The Franciscan Center, also in Coal Township) while in his Apostolic Year of Formation – friar Richard Rome, OFM Conv.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Peter Tremblay, OFM Conv., Associate Chaplain for Catholic Life at Elon University, distributes ashes by sprinkling on the top of a student’s head, during a 9:00 a.m. Prayer Service in the University’s Lindner Amphitheater. Friar Peter also facilitated four more worship opportunities on campus, for the Elon Community, including an Outdoor Ecumenical Service and a 9:00 p.m. Indoor Mass.
Above is a video of the Mass celebrated at our pastoral ministry of Assumption Church, in Syracuse NY, with Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Nicholas Spano, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar)
Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Pedro De Oliveira, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ) and Fr. Marek Stybor, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar) visited the classrooms at their parish school to distribute ashes and blessed the school’s new chapel.
Above is the Gospel Reflection presented by Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. who serves as Campus Minister for Syracuse University (SU & SYNY-ESF) Catholic Campus Ministry.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Dennis Grumsey, OFM Conv. – Pastor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Pastorate including St. Casimir Church and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, distributes ashes in the classroom, at St. Casimir Catholic School.
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Timothy Dore, OFM Conv (Pastor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Pastorate including St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Church, St. Michael the Archangel Church and the Church of the Annunciation RCC) celebrated a “School Mass” for the virtual students of St. Michael – St. Clement School, as well as for in-person parishioners. The students had a retreat day with the theme St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church. During retreat, each grade took the opportunity to go over to church and participate in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. (above)
Mass was celebrated in the Archbishop Curley High School Gym as well as in the Suehle Auditorium to accommodate the safe spacing of the students. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and President of Curley – Fr. Donald Grzymski, OFM Conv. was principal celebrant in the auditorium with the Curley Choir leading the music, and Fr. Chris Dudek, OFM Conv. (Campus Minister & Instructor) concelebrating. One of our friar-instructors serving at the school – Fr. Bryan Hajovsky, OFM Conv. was the principal celebrant in the gym, with the Praise Band providing the music.
Newman Student Center Parish in Chapel Hill, NC: Due to COVID restrictions and the unpredictability of crowd sizes for Ash Wednesday, the Newman Catholic Community in Chapel Hill, NC, forewent Masses or Liturgies of the Word with distribution of ashes in favor of a more mobile approach. Our Lady of the Angels Province friars, Fr. Tim Kulbicki, OFM Conv. – Pastor & Campus Minister and Fr. Bill Robinson, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar & Associate Campus Minister, together with staff and volunteers, organized drive-through (7-9:00 a.m. & 5-7:00 p.m.) and walk-up (Noon-1:30 p.m.) distribution of ashes. A Liturgy of the Word with the blessing of ashes was uploaded to YouTube with an email link notification to parishioners. About 75 cars drove through in the morning shift (which began at dawn with the temperature a balmy 28˚), with another 150 cars in the evening shift, and approximately 300 walk-ups. Each family group or student received a “swag bag” containing a brochure of Newman’s Lenten offering; a daily meditation resource for Lent; a Newman Lenten holy card; and a CRS Operation Rice Bowl.
Several of the friars of province offer special reflections to aid in your personal prayer life and spiritual journey, throughout the year. Fr. Michael Martin, OFM Conv., who serves as the Director of Campus Ministry of Duke Catholic Center often provides a series each season. For Lent 2021, a new video is added each week. We will continue to share them in this post, as well as on our Facebook page. Check out the Duke Catholic Center on YouTube for all of the videos presented through the years, including weekly Masses.
Friar Michael and his team provide students with not only these video reflections, but several other tools can be found on their website (Lent at Duke) to help the faithful to be more engaged in their Lenten Season. For those who are unable to join in person for Ash Wednesday Mass, the Duke Catholic Center has created a “Lent 2021 Memo,” with spiritual tools for growth, calming prayer, penance ideas and tips on finding a saint to identify with this season.
With joy and gratitude, the friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province’s Canadian Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi commemorate the Year of St. Joseph (2020 – December 8 – 2021) proclaimed by Pope Francis. After all, St. Joseph is the patron saint of Canada and, what’s more, that choice was first made by Franciscans. The Recollects (les Récollets), a French reform of the Friars Minor, were best known for their presence as missionaries in various parts of the world, most notably in early Canada. It was these Franciscans who chose St. Joseph to be the patron saint of Canada in 1624 and their choice was officially confirmed by Pope Urban VIII in 1637. In line with this Franciscan note to the history and tradition of the Church in Canada, the Franciscans Conventual are pleased to celebrate this Year of St. Joseph.
