In recognition of his outstanding contributions to social and charitable activities for the benefit of Polish war orphans, victims of forced displacement from the Eastern Borderlands into the USSR, for pastoral work, and a sacrificial attitude in helping other people. Below is an English Translation of the decree from the President of Poland honoring Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, the late +Fr. Łucjan Królikowski, OFM Conv. with Poland’s highest state decoration, the Order of the White Eagle. (Original Article Source)
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President Andrzej Duda met Father Łucjan on September 22, 2019, during a visit to New Britain, CT. (source: https://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/ordery-i-odznaczenia/art,544,order-orla-bialego-posmiertnie-dla-o-lucjana-krolikowskiego.html)
The Order of the White Eagle [Awarded]
posthumously to Father Łucjan Królikowski
The President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda has awarded the highest state decoration:
In recognition of outstanding services in social and charitable activities for Polish war orphans, victims of forced displacement from the Eastern Borderlands into the depths of the USSR, for his pastoral work and sacrificial attitude in helping others.
A citizen of the Republic of Poland and Canada has been awarded
THE ORDER OF THE WHITE EAGLE
Posthumously
Father Łucjan Królikowski
A Polish Conventual Franciscan, Siberian exile,
soldier of the army of General Anders
and guardian of Polish war orphans from the Polish refugee camp in Tengeru (Tanzania)
– the children whom he took to Canada in the first days of June 1949,
protecting them from repatriation to a country controlled by the communist regime,
He died on October 11, 2019 in the Franciscan community of Chicopee in the USA.
Ministries throughout our province have missed out on “standard” graduation ceremonies and celebrations for the students served by our friars who are part of the Class of 2020. This includes students from PreK classes through University level graduates. Although these events were canceled or postponed, each of our ministry sites has tried to still make these milestones special. One such ministry is the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community, in Burlington NC. The parish school celebrated the 8th Grade Students, while still observing safety protocols in place during the pandemic.
We have been sharing these events, as they have occurred on our Province Facebook page, such as Fr. Matt Foley, OFM Conv. and other staff members at the Graduate Yard Sign Distribution at our St. Francis High School, in Athol Springs, NY, (at left). To view more celebrations of the Graduating Class of 2020 within our ministry sites, be sure to check out Franciscan Friars Conventual of the Our Lady of the Angels Province.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, on the Solemnity of Pentecost, the friars of our Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conceição (Immaculate Conception) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, prepared a message of Peace, Hope, Love and Faith, for all friends, parishioners and benefactors, in this time of pandemic, where concern and fear robs us of peace.
Praying the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. Our Minister General, the Most Reverend Fr. Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv. begins and ends the Video.
May Saint Francis of Assisi intercede for us right now so that we do not lose the true peace that helps us all to endure all the difficulties of life with patience. Remember that all of our sufferings mimic the suffering of Jesus abandoned on the cross. This is the “Perfect Joy.”
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
Show his face and have mercy on you!
Turn to you his eyes and give you peace!
The Lord bless you
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Document from the Vatican appointing Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. John Voytek, OFM Conv., as a confessor at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome
Our Order, the Franciscan Friars Conventual have served as the official confessors at the Vatican Basilica since 1774, when Pope Clement XIV in his Apostolic Letter Miserator Dominus established our Order as the “College of the Penitentiaries.” Upon passing his examination at the Vatican on the 12th of May, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. John M. Voytek, OFM Conv. was immediately taken to the Chapel of the Penitentiaries by His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Piacenza (Major Penitentiary, the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary), and Msgr. Krzysztof Józef Nykiel (Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary) to take his oath and make his profession of faith. Having signed the official documents, the Vatican officials enrolled Friar John in the official ranks of friars who for 246 years have carried out this great service of the Order to the Church. The most recent predecessors of Fr. John as English-speaking “penitentiaries” from Our Lady of the Angels Province were Friar Kevin Hanley, OFM Conv. and Friar Nevin Hammon, OFM Conv.
At the Vatican, at the right of Friar John – the Cardinal and the Regent, to his left – Friar Robert Leżohupski, OFM Conv. ,who serves in the position formerly held by our own +Fr. Donald Kos, OFM Conv. and theologian Fr. John (Vatican officials in the Sacred Congregation of the Apostolic Penitentiary).
While preparing three months in Rome for his Penitenzeria exam, Friar John lived at our General Curia’s Convento Ss. XII Apostoli (Friary of the Twelve Holy Apostles). Our Minister General, the Most Reverend Fr. Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv. (at left), who sincerely asserted that the fraternity of the Friary will miss Friar John very much as he moves across the River Tiber to Vatican City. Before moving, however, Friar John flew back to Atlanta to begin the six-week process of obtaining an Italian Visa.
The International Friars serving our Shrine of St. Anthony learned this dance from our
Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
Pictured from left to right: Friar Thomas “Tommy” More Bahn, OFM Conv of South Korea, Friar Everest Valentine Nyaki Mkenda , OFM Conv., of Tanzania, Friar James, and Friar Rijo Mulavarickal Polachan, OFM Conv. of Inda (now living in Syracuse, NY).
(Photo By Michael Alexander) Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., knocks on the door of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, three times during the reception at the church door. He was greeted by Msgr. Francis G. McNamee, cathedral rector, who presented the new archbishop with a cross, a gift from the people at Cathedral of Christ the King.
The Vatican invites all people of good will to join in a day of prayer, fasting and works of charity on May 14, 2020.
Let us remember to bring our needs to God in prayer every day.
Submitted by Fr. Julio Martinez, OFM Conv. ~ Pastor of St. Julia Parish, Siler City, NC
St. Julia Parish Reaches Out
On Saturday, May 2nd, I visited seven trailer park neighborhoods with the Blessed Sacrament. Men of the parish participated by organizing the visit, rigging the pickup with table and kneeler, serving as acolytes, driver and providing helping hands. The people set up shrines/altars in front of their homes to welcome the Lord and His blessing. It brought comfort, strength and inspiration to the people. Now we prepare for another visit of the Blessed Sacrament to those who live in other areas.
We set up an expanded food pantry and more and more people from the parish are using this blessing that we are able to provide. A group of ladies from the parish also take food to individuals and families that either cannot drive to the parish or are in quarantine. We are grateful to the generosity of parishioners, Friars, and anonymous donors from other communities who contribute to the food pantry. Because of this generosity we are also able to help families pay some bills.
Our monthly food distribution that we sponsor with the Food Bank continues and we distribute food to about 100 families. The local chicken processing plant has used our property for the sale of chicken at $1.00 a pound. This is a way to participate in local community endeavors during this difficult time. The parish has received $4,000 from the chicken plant for allowing them to use our property. On June 4th, the parish will again collaborate, this time with Chatham County Managerial Office and another charitable organization, providing the space for 5,000 meals to be distributed to the local community.
Our people come to the parish every Sunday to drop off their weekly contributions, receive printed spiritual material and a blessing. It also gives me the opportunity to see and touch base with them as to how they are. We have many parishioners that have tested positive. They are quarantined at home. All have lost their jobs temporarily or permanently. We also have two of our men who are in intensive care and their families are being taken care of by many in the community.
Although the church building’s doors are closed, the Church’s Hearts are wide open here at St. Julia. Our community has really capitalized on the union and genuine sense of community that already existed among us. It has become stronger and I hope that after this hell, we will return even stronger.
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Submitted by Fr. Timothy Dore, OFM Conv. ~ Pastor of the Pastorate of St. Michael the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and St. Clement Mary Hofbauer, Baltimore MD
Baltimore Pastorate Scouts Conduct Food Drive
On Sunday afternoon, May 17, 2020, Troop 419 of the Boy Scouts of America, one of the many scouting organizations serving within our Pastorate of St. Michael the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation, and St. Clement Mary Hofbauer, conducted a food drive to benefit our Pastorate food pantries. They collected non-perishable food at St. Michael, Overlea, and at Annunciation, Rosedale. I’m so edified by the Scouts’ desire to serve the most needy among us, especially during these difficult days!
The students of Mater Dolorosa School thought they would not have any Crowning this year, a tradition that began when the school started, It was felt that keeping the tradition, although a bit modified, was important to the students and greater community. A video of the May Crowning with Friar Albert was streamed on the school’s Facebook Page on Thursday, May 14 2020. In addition, the Diocese of Springfield News Site posted a May 17, 2020 online article featuring the Crowning, and other events for the school/parish students. Many more videos and photos are posted on the Mater Dolorosa School Facebook Page.
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Submitted by Fr. Carl Zdancewicz, OFM Conv. ~ Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Winston-Salem, NC
Drive-In Mass Celebrated on Sunday May 17th
Pastor Emeritus, Fr. Joe Angelini, OFM Conv. and Pastor, Fr. Carl Zdancewicz, OFM Conv. of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, in Winston-Salem, NC celebrated their first ever outdoor car Mass (in English and Spanish), on May 17, 2020. Over 125 car attended both services. A multicultural team put together the logistics for this event to happen. YouTube Video of the Mass in English
On May 10, 2020, Friars Timothy Blanchard (above) and Franck Sokpolie (below) renewed their vows during Evening Prayer at St. Bonaventure Friary, Silver Spring, MD. They will be going on an Apostolic Year in the summer and, God willing, they will ask to make their Solemn Vows next year. If you are interested in adding life as a friar of our province to your discernment journey, email vocations@olaprovince.org
While preparing three months in Rome for his Penitenzeria exam, Friar John lived at our General Curia’s Convento 
On May 10, 2020, Friars Timothy Blanchard (above) and Franck Sokpolie (below) renewed their vows during Evening Prayer at St. Bonaventure Friary, Silver Spring, MD. They will be going on an Apostolic Year in the summer and, God willing, they will ask to make their Solemn Vows next year. If you are interested in adding life as a friar of our province to your discernment journey, email 
