A Message from Br. Ed Handy, OFM Conv.
“Rejoice with me,”
with great joy and thanksgiving to Almighty God, after 30 years of ministry with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ!
In 1988, I began a ministry as a teacher of special education with the Mt. Carmel Guild School for Students with special needs. Eight years later I was assigned to St. Bridget’s Transitional Housing and Supportive Services Program for Homeless Men Living with HIV/AIDS as a residential counselor.  This year, after 22 years at St. Bridget’s, I retired from Catholic Charities and will move from Clifton, NJ. to my birth city of Baltimore in the near future.

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The following excerpt was taken from a December 17, 2014 post on our site, where Brother Ed shared this description of his ministry of service with St. Bridget’s Residence Program:

St. Bridget’s is one of many community services provided by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey. It is not a hospice nor a medical facility, but a transitional housing program, providing a safe and healthy environment necessary to enable each resident to empower himself with skills necessary to obtain a permanent home.
“Ministering to homeless men with HIV/AIDS at St. Bridget’s reminds me of how St. Francis, with love and compassion, approached the leper 800 years ago. Many of our men have shared with me their personal stories of how they have been rejected by society, family and friends because of their HIV/AIDS condition. Much education is still needed in this area. ‘What you did for the least of these…, you did for me’ (Mt 25:40). This is our testimony and our challenge to offer a better life for those who seek our services. My weekly ministry hours and days at St. Bridget’s are from 3:00 p.m. to 12.00 a.m. – Monday through Friday. Compassion and Service has been the hallmark of my … years ministering at St. Bridget’s.“

Chairman of the Revision Committee ~ Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Timothy Kulbicki, OFM Conv.:
On this day, November 29, 2018, the Feast of All Franciscan Saints and the anniversary of the solemn approval of the Rule of St. Francis, November 29, 1223, the Prefect of the Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, João Cardinal Braz DE AVIZ, has issued the decree approving the revised text of the Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.

friar Franck Lino Sokpolie, OFM Conv. ~ While still a full time student at The Catholic University of America (CUA-Washington DC), part of his friar formation includes serving as the Youth & Young Adult Minister of our Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD.
Born in Lome, Togo, friar Franck immigrated to the United States with his family, in 2006. Before professing Simple Vows as a Franciscan Friar Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels, he was studying, philosophy, political science and foreign languages. After visiting many Orders, friar Franck felt called to the Conventuals as he experienced our ministries, spirituality and community lifestyle. He enjoys reading, learning, and the outdoors, is very devoted to Our Lady and is fascinated by the lives of the Saints.

Message from friar Franck: “All is well here in the St. Bonaventure Friary – House of Studies (Silver Spring, MD) and the student friars send our greetings. As we are all gearing up for final exams, please keep us in your prayers.”

Shrine of St. Anthony Mass to end the celebratory year commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Militia of the Immaculata by St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., on October 16, 1917. The Mass was celebrated by the Shine Director, Fr. Eric de la Peña, OFM Conv., served by friar Franck.

Kolbe Room at the Shrine

On the 16^th of October, the end of the year of celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of establishment of the Militia of the Immaculata (MI), a special Mass was offered at our Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD). The friars serving there also initiated a successful general meeting for all those interested in becoming members of the MI. The already established Washington DC – Mission Immaculatae Capital 16670 Village (young adults) was invited to extent its territory to include members through our Shrine of St Anthony.

On a crisp evening, Friday – October 19^th, the Shrine hosted a bonfire gathering, with youth and young adult participants from Washington DC (especially CUA), Baltimore, Ellicott City and other surrounding areas, including some student friars from Silver Spring. Among those enjoying the event were Shrine Director – Fr. Eric and Our Lady of the Angels Province’s newest Solemnly Professed friar, Br. Emmanuel “Manny” Wenke, OFM Conv., who was able to take a bit of a break from his busy schedule teaching at Archbishop Curly High School, in Baltimore. The friars counted 25 young adults in attendance and ended the evening with night prayer in the Shrine’s Chapel. It was truly a great night for the books.

The Shrine’s first Taizé night was held on November 19^th and it was very beautiful. The chapel was certainly not empty, and the prayer service went really well. Again, people came from all over the area. In addition to our Conventual friars on hand, some OFM Postulants made the drive from Silver Spring, as did some of our Capuchin brothers from Washington DC. The schola was filled with students from CUA, including several friars from our house of studies. Participants also included attendees from Archbishop Curley High School, as well as friar Franck’s brother, nephew and sister-in-law traveling from Richmond, VA.
Adding to the joy of the event, on the following day, Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, was able to personally bless our Taizé Cross, on his visit to the Shrine.  Another Taizé night is in the works for Lent 2019. We will keep you posted.

In celebration of the Feast of All Saints of the Seraphic Order, our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. was the featured homilist at the November 29, 2018 Daily Catholic Mass Live Broadcast on EWTN. On this day in 1223, The Rule for Franciscans was issued by Pope Honorius III, in the eighth year of his pontificate. To commemorate this event, each November 29th, all the saints of the Franciscan order are remembered at Franciscan churches around the world.

Later that same day, he was interviewed as a guest on EWTN’s Life on the Rock.

Interview Published on 1-6-2019

The Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province are committed to creating safe environments for children and vulnerable adults. Our safeguarding processes for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults are routinely reviewed by the accrediting organization Praesidium, in accordance with strict Church norms. Any allegation regarding the Franciscan Friars Conventual of this Province receives an immediate response, according to Praesidium’s rigorous standards.  This includes the Province’s full cooperation with local law enforcement authorities and Ordinaries who have ecclesial jurisdiction over the matters, as well as a duly diligent investigation by a qualified third party in order to substantiate credibility.  This investigative process is being followed with respect to the questions currently being raised about Fr. James Smyka, who is suspended from public ministry.

Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. serves as our Delegate to the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.). In addition, Friar Jobe is a well respected published Canon Lawyer and professor of Canon Law. This year, he released a 3rd Edition publication of KANONIKA 07 | ” Two Codes in Comparison.” (ebook version).

Born in 1952 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Friar Jobe received his B.A. from Carleton University (Ottawa, ON) in 1972 and his LL.B. from Dalbousie University (Halifax, N.S.) in 1975. He was admitted to the Bar of Nova Scotia in 1975 and practiced civil law until 1979.
A few years later, he entered Religious Life as a Franciscan Friars Conventual, first professing vows in 1981. Friar Jobe continued his studies and received a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary (Rensselaer, New York) and was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1985.
Although he did spend a few years in pastoral ministry, Friar Jobe later went to Rome to earn a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1989 and his Doctorate in Canon Law in 1992 (Pontifical Oriental Institute). He remained there to teach until 2004, when he returned to North America and took a position as a professor on the Faculty of Canon Law of Saint Paul University (Ottawa, ON). In addition to his work with M.I., Friar Jobe currently serves the province as the Guardian of our “international” Saint André Bessette Friary (Ottawa, ON), home to three friars of our Order who hail from the Philippines, India and Romania.

Works published by Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv.

Halloween – All Saints Day – All Souls Day
Hallow means a holy person or a saint. Halloween (October 31st) is another word for All Hallows’ Eve, because the next day, November 1st, is the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. Observed all over the world by many Christian Faiths, it is a day of celebrating the communion of saints; ordinary human beings who lived holy lives, in obedience to God’s will, and who now – in death – are in heaven for eternity. Everyone in heaven is a saint. As we respect & admire all of the deceased people who helped make the world a better place while still alive, we also honor the saints as the deceased who are especially honored by the Church, for having served God so faithfully. On November 2nd, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) we remember all those who have died before us, while we ask God’s mercy for them.

As we enter into the month of November, we are called to remember the souls of all of the faithfully departed. We friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province remember all our friars who have been called to the Father this past year.

+Friar Donald Kos, OFM Conv.   02/04/2018
+Friar Peter Damian Fehlner, OFM Conv.   05/08/2018
+Friar David Stopyra, OFM Conv.   07/01/2018
+Friar Emmett Carroll, OFM Conv.   08/20/2018
+Friar Patrick Gallagher, OFM Conv.   09/04/2018

Daily Prayers for the Deceased
(Psalm 130)
V. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord, Lord hear my voice!
R. O let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.
V. If You, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?
R. But with You is found forgiveness; for this we revere You.
V. My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on His word.
R. My soul is longing for the Lord, more than watchmen for daybreak.
V. Let the watchmen count on daybreak, and Israel on the Lord.
R. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption, Israel indeed He will redeem from all its iniquity.
V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
R. and let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May all our departed brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and benefactors, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen
Let us pray. Lord God, You are the glory of believers and the life of the just. Your Son redeemed us by dying and rising to life again. Since our departed brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and benefactors of our Order believed in the mystery of our resurrection, let them share the joys and blessings of the life to come. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Friar James and Friar Dan at the Grotto of Massabielle, of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes (France). It was here that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858.

Our pilgrims walking the “Way of the Cross” (the Shepherd’s Way) within the Santuário de Fátima. This path was traveled by Lúcia, Jacinta and Francisco from Aljustrel to Cova da Iria, it ends at the Hungarian Calvary, (in the background).

“The two most famous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in modern times took place in Lourdes (France) and Fatima (Portugal). Saints and Popes, as well as believers from all over the world, have visited these miraculous sites. Since 1982, the Franciscans have been guiding pilgrimages in the footsteps of their fellow friar St. Maximilian Kolbe, the “Knight of the Immaculate,” who himself once went on pilgrimage to Lourdes. This trip with the Friars … immersed participants in an unforgettable experience of culture, history, religion, and spirituality…”

Our friars arranged an October 9-21, 2018 Pilgrimage to Paris, Lourdes, Fatima and Lisbon with Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. (Our Lady of the Angels Province M.I. Assistant) serving as Pilgrimage Director and the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Our Minister Provincial) serving as Spiritual Guide. The other friars of our province among the pilgrims were Fr. Dan Fink, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church, in Boynton Beach, FL) and Fr. John Voytek, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Atlanta, GA).

Before heading to Lourdes, the pilgrims enjoyed some time in Paris including a sightseeing tour of La Ville Lumière, Tour Eiffel, Montparnasse, and Mass in the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse a (where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré), La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre, Île de la Cité, Place Vendôme, La rue de Rivoli, Jardin des Tuileries (Musée du Louvre), Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and l’Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile on the Champs-Élysées (pictured here behind Friar John). The pilgrims also celebrated Mass at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.

The Pilgrimage ended in Lisbon, Portugal, with a stop on the way for Mass at the Gothic Igreja do Santissimo Milagre, home to the 13th century Eucharistic Miracle of Santarém. Once in Lisbon they visited the Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa built on the site of the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua (Pictured here are the four friar pilgrims with Fr. Jobe holding a wrist bone relic of St. Anthony of Padua and Fr. James holding a pouch companion intentions that had been placed on the Altar at each Mass throughout the pilgrimage, now left at this site., as well as the font in which he was baptized. The last day of Lisbon was a tour day of the Belem Tower, 15th century Monastery of Jerónimos and the oldest part of the city, the Alfama Quarters. The entire pilgrimage ended with an excursion to the Santuário de Cristo Rei, overlooking Lisbon.

One of our most beautiful ministry locations is our National Shrine (in Fonda, NY) dedicated to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the Lily of the Mohawks. On Wednesday, October 17, 2018 the Saint Kateri National Shrine and Historic Site celebrated its 80th Anniversary with a Gala in honor of the Most Reverend Edward B. Scharfenberger, D.D. – Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. The Gala took place at River Stone Manor, the historic estate on the banks of the Mohawk River. From 6-9:00 p.m. around 90 guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, desserts, cash bar, a silent auction and drawings. Among those in attendance were renowned Algonquin member Terry Steele, several of our friars {including the Shrine Chaplain – Fr. Timothy Lyons, OFM Conv.& our Vicar Provincial – Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv (at right)} as well as many lay-staff, volunteers and pilgrims of the Shrine. If you would like to help our friars promote this important shrine and historic site, visit the Shrine website’s “Get Involved” page.