First Profession Anniversaries is a profoundly important and milestone years are celebrated by all of the friars of the province, as they remember & pray for their brother friars.  The 60th Anniversary is a great cause for celebration and joy and in 2015 we celebrate Friar Vincent Lachendro, OFM Conv., Friar George Maslar, OFM Conv., Friar Edward Costello, OFM Conv., Friar Richard Rossell, OFM Conv. and Friar Canice Connors, OFM Conv.

Sunday – August 16, 2015, on the 60th Anniversary date of the Profession of First Vows (Simple – Temporary), Our Lady of the Angels friar, Fr. Edward Costello, OFM Conv. ceremoniously renewed those vows during a concelebrated Mass with Our Lady of the Angels friar, pastor of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church (Shamokin, PA), guardian of the friary, and principal celebrant – Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv.
The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Honor Guard led the friars into Mass and even more Knights were on hand for the celebration, as both Friar Ed and Friar Martin are 4th degree members. Honored guests also included Friar Ed’s four sisters who were there, 60 years ago, to witness his First Profession in Middleburg, NY.
Friar Ed professed his Solemn Vows (Permanent – Perpetual) on September 27, 1958 and was Ordained to the Priesthood on May 27, 1961. At age 80, he is the oldest friar serving the people of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church and sometimes cannot say Mass as much as he would like, but he still takes a very active role in parish ministry. In a front page and online THENEWS-ITEM article: Divine renewal: Shamokin friar renews vows at 60th anniversary (from which the attached photos were taken), Friar Ed is quoted: “The 60 years have been filled with service to God and His people as a student, teacher, hospital chaplain and parish priest,” … “It has been an active and satisfying life.” Friar Ed was also a pilgrim guide in Assisi, at the Basilica of St. Francis, where two of his brother friars currently serve.
{Please note that Friar Ed’s habit is not brown as the article states but is a shade of grey, as are all Conventual habits}
Following the Mass, which also included the renewal of vows marking the 25th Wedding Anniversary of one of the couples from the parish, the Mother Cabrini community gathered with family and friends for a buffet luncheon, in the parish hall.
Please keep Friar Ed, and the people of Shamokin, in your continued prayers.