Upon the February 3, 2017 peaceful passing of 99 year old Mrs. Kathleen Reist, a retired U.S. Army Nurse and the mother of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv., the Golden Walking Stick has been passed onto the next eldest living parent of a living friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province.

The newest recipient of the Our Lady of the Angels Province’s 2017 Golden Walking Stick is Mr. Henry Newbigging, the 98-year-old father of Br. Brian Newbigging, OFM Conv.  The gold-handled cane is presented to the eldest parent of a friar in the Our Lady of the Angels Province.  Mr.  Newbigging is the first “father of a friar” ever to receive the award – all five previous recipients were friars’ “mothers.” The honor was gifted to Mr. Newbigging, on a recent visit by our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.