June 14, 2009: Dedication of the North Boston Fire Station

“If the Rev. Joseph Bayne were not a priest, he would be a firefighter, such is his family’s commitment to emergency service.” The opening line of The Buffalo News September 5th online article says it all. He has worked in this ministry since 1990 and, through the program, is able to help at risk teens see how transforming their lives, through goal-setting, leads to a re-integration into family life and/or independent living. His work also aids men, women, youth and children in crisis situations by outreach, counseling and referrals. Hundreds of lives have been touched by the work of The Franciscan Center, but Fr. Joe does not stop there. He is also the chaplain for the Buffalo Fire Department and Erie County Emergency Services.
Rarely does a man become a Franciscan Friar Conventual because he has tunnel vision or limited dreams. He answers the call so he can better use all of the gifts God has given him, going farther and reaching more than he ever thought possible. “As chief chaplain of Erie County Emergency Services and chaplain for the Buffalo Fire Department, he provides round-the-clock support to first responders under the toughest of circumstances… He was at ground zero in New York City within days. Driving a Ford Edge pushing 180,000 miles, Bayne leads a busy life. At age 57, he calls his vocation a ministry of presence.”
Friar Joe is not the only chaplain in our province, we have friars who add to their duties at primary ministries in parishes, schools and shrines, by volunteering time as police, fire fighters and military chaplains, work with and for those who put their lives on the line for all of us. Please keep the work of all of our chaplains in your continued prayers, as well as all those served by our friars.
USCCB Article