Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. is also a Kolbean Scholar and Mariolgist. He is pictured here at the October 10, 1982 canonization of St. Maximilian Kolbe by Saint Pope John Paul II. Friar Maksymilian Maria Kolbe, O.F.M. Conv. (St. Maximilian Kolbe) was also a Conventual Franciscan, as are we friars of the Our Lady of the Angels Province. He is the patron saint of addicts, prisoners, families, journalists and the pro-life movement. Fr. James will be the recipient of the 2015 Kolbe Award, given on the Feast Day of St. Maximilian Kolbe – August 14th, presented at the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe – Marytown.
One of Our Lady of the Angels Province’s pastoral ministries is at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, (Point Pleasant Beach, NJ). Aware that the levels of addiction and chemical dependency continue to increase in the county in which they live and serve the people of God, their parish is holding an Evening of Prayer for Consolation and Hope for all people who live with an addiction as well as for those who love them, on Thursday, August 13th at 7:00 p.m., on the Eve of the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Two more pastoral ministries of our friars, The Church of St. Catharine of Siena (Seaside Park) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish (Seaside Heights) are located nearby. The friars of these three parishes and their parishioners are encouraging attendance so as to promote healing in their community at large.
Please join in praying for all those suffering from addiction and for all those who love them, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 13th, from wherever you are at that time, in union with the parish communities of St. Peter, St. Catharine and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
NOVENA PRAYER
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who said, “greater love than this no man has that a man lay down his life for his friends,” through the intercession of St. Maximilian Kolbe whose life illustrated such love, we beseech You to grant us our petitions . . . (here mention the requests you have). Through the Militia Immaculata movement, which Maximilian founded, he spread a fervent devotion to Our Lady throughout the world. He gave up his life for a total stranger and loved his persecutors, giving us an example of unselfish love for all men – a love that was inspired by true devotion to Mary. Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we too may give ourselves entirely without reserve to the love and service of our Heavenly Queen in order to better love and serve our fellowman in imitation of Your humble servant, Maximilian. Amen.
(Say 3 Hail Marys and a Glory Be)
“And I wish to repeat to all of you who struggle against addiction, and to those family members who share in your difficulties: the Church is not distant from your troubles, but accompanies you with affection. The Lord is near you and He takes you by the hand. Look to Him in your most difficult moments and He will give you consolation and hope. And trust in the maternal love of His Mother Mary.”
~Pope Francis’ address to youth living with addiction
at St. Francis of Assisi of the Providence of God Hospital, on July 24, 2013
