Friar Luis Palacios Rodriguez, OFM Conv. (photo cred) is currently in his Apostolic year in Formation with our province, living in the St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Friary (Chicopee, MA), in primary ministry to our Senior Friars in the area, as well as serving at our pastoral ministry at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr.
On Sunday June 18, 2017, he joined one of our student friars, br. Tim Blanchard, OFM Conv., on a visit to the nearby Our Lady of the Angels Care Center of the Felician Sisters (Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice, in Enfield, CT), where six of our Senior Friars reside. While there, they met up with another confrere, Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv., Chaplain for the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice, who gave the group that included br. Tim’s parents a tour to the facility. They had a great time with the Senior Friars, in particular with Fr. Firmin Finn, OFM Conv.
Friar Firmin is the one who had originally encouraged br. Tim to consider joining our Order. They met while br. Tim was still in high school, working in the kitchen of one of the homes run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, for whom Friar Firmin then served as Chaplain. Friar Firmin’s spiritual direction was a gift in the discernment of br. Tim for which he is profoundly grateful.
The visit also included a stop to see some of the Little Sisters of the Poor who minister in the neighboring facility of St. Joseph’s Residence. These young friars really enjoy sharing in the Franciscan joy of our Senior Friars, and benefiting from their experience.
This summer, br. Tim has been enjoying living with our friars at St. Paul Friary, and serving at our pastoral ministry of St. Paul Catholic Church, in Kensigton, CT. Please keep praying for an increase in vocations to our Franciscan community.