Friar Antony at left with some of the friars of our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody
Through the years, our own friars who have served in the Missions, as well as friars from around the world have traveled throughout the East Coast of North America, preaching and celebrating Mass with thousands of varied parish communities on behalf of our Franciscan Mission Association (FMA). Vital donation assistance made to our FMA has afforded a multitude of Franciscan Friars from around the world, a continuation of their missionary zeal; serving in circumstances unimaginable to most of us. This year, we have six friars from five countries (USA, Poland, Ghana, India and Japan) preaching our Summer Mission Appeal.
Fr. Antony during a 2012 Province Lay Staff and Friar, Co-Worker Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome
One of the 2016 FMA preachers is Fr. Antony Nallukunnel, OFM Conv, who since 2007 has been serving the Faithful alongside the friars of our Custody of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa. St. Francis sent Blessed Agnellus to the people of England in 1224. Our friars came to be known simply as the “Greyfriars.” The friars of the Custody, members of our province, serve in England, Ireland, Scotland and Italy, under the leadership of our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. It has been a very exciting few years for our friars in Great Britain and Ireland, as many new vocations are strengthening the Order and our presence is returning where it once was lost. After a 500 year absence caused by the danger of the English Reformation, our friars are again living in and serving the people of Oxford (2014).
Friar Antony most recently served in pastoral ministry at The Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Fairview, Dublin, Ireland. He began his life as a Conventual Franciscan Friar at his home Province of St. Maximilian Kolbe (India) and was first assigned as the Director of the Franciscan Centre for Peace & Dialogue, in 1996. He was Ordained to the Priesthood on December 31, 1998 and his years in India included work as a Vice Rector, Novice Master and the Rector & Guardian of the Post Novitiate, Kolbe Ashram, Major Seminary, Alwaye, Kerala, India. While in the USA, Friar Antony will preach at 12 churches in 8 Diocese, in 2 months. Please keep the travels and mission of Friar Antony, and all of our friars preaching on behalf of the Franciscan Mission Association this year, in your prayers, as they travel up and down the Eastern Seaboard.
Financially support the Franciscan Mission Association’s Appeal by clicking on the following link.
Be sure to type in “Franciscan Mission Association” in the box that asks if you want your donation to go in honor of someone or to support a specific ministry.
If you have any questions about the FMA, please feel free to call the Our Lady of the Angels Province Director of Mission Advancement, Mr. Joseph Hamilton, at 410-531-9200. He is also the Director of our evangelization and development offices of The Companions of St. Anthony. You can also read about last year’s campaign in the October 2015 Online Newsletter.
Donations may be made over the phone by calling 410-531-9200, as well.
If you would prefer to mail in a donation, please make the check payable to:
Franciscan Mission Association
12290 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, Maryland 21042-1419
Your 2016 generosity helps our Franciscan missions around the world
Ghana ~ caring for those afflicted with leprosy and other debilitating diseases.
Philippines ~ serving in prisons and parishes, many in remote locations.
India ~ built HIV/AIDS clinic & work with the hospital to care indigent patients.
Peru, Zambia, Paraguay, Romania, and Sri Lanka ~ building houses of study where new vocations are renewing the face of the Church.
