CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Every Wednesday night, over 100 college students gather at the Newman Catholic Student Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for “Carolina Catholic Night” – a midweek opportunity to grow in faith and friendships, with an opening activity, a student speaker, live music, and a student-cooked meal.
In January, students were delighted to be joined by Friar Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., bishop of Charlotte, as a guest speaker and they designed an activity with him in mind: a Charlotte Trivia contest. The final question pitted Bishop Martin against his confrere and former housemate, Friar Tim Kulbicki, OFM Conv., pastor and director of campus ministry at the Newman Center. Bishop Martin shared that he had known Friar Tim since high school. Perhaps that explains the bishop’s overjoyed reaction when he won the round.
Bishop Martin read from the fifth chapter of Luke’s Gospel, when Jesus tells Peter: “duc in altum” (“put out into deep water”) and lower his nets. So many fish filled the nets that Peter and Andrew called their friends to help. “I think for many of us in our lives of faith, we are so afraid of what might be in those deep waters,” Bishop Martin said. “But Jesus says to you and to me in multiple ways throughout our lives: ‘duc in altum’ – ‘go deeper.’ Go deeper.”
“It meant a lot to see Bishop Mike take time out of his busy schedule and spend some time with us students,” said Patrick Jones, a junior from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jefferson. It was nice, he said to “have that reminder to live our faith boldly in the middle of a busy semester.”
— Photos provided by Joseph Pham
Reprinted with the permission of the Catholic News Herald, Diocese of Charlotte.
Situated on 310 acres of rolling hills and woodlands in the heart of the Baltimore-Washington area, the Shrine of St. Anthony offers a unique opportunity to “come away and rest awhile.” (Mk 6:31)
The Franciscan Friars Conventual are pleased to welcome all Pilgrims of Hope to the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland, especially during this Jubilee Year. Virtual pilgrims can experience the beauty of this holy place and walk the halls on a unique virtual tour experience.
Dive in and learn about the design of our chapel, see a first-class relic up close, and even view photographs of the original construction of the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary almost 100 years ago. The virtual tour also features 13 murals depicting the life and ministry of St. Anthony of Padua.
On Feb. 8, 2025, the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Brazil joyfully celebrated the simple profession of Friars Deivid Rodrigues Lira, Gustavo De Guedes Farias, Luan Dias Dos Santos, Matheus Andrade Saraiva De Moura, and Vinícius Santos Lima. The Brazil Custody belongs to Our Lady of the Angels Province.
The Minister Provincial, Friar Gilberto De Jesus Rodrigues, presided over the Mass. He was assisted by the Vicar Provincial, Friar Amilton Leandro Gomes Nascimento, the Guardian of the local shrine, Friar Jorge Campelo De Albuquerque Melo, and other priests present. The ceremony took place at the Jardim da Imaculada Shrine in Cidade Ocidental. State of Goiás, Brazil.
For their motto for this profession, the newly professed friars chose the opening words of the Later Rule of St. Francis: “In nomine Domini” (In the name of the Lord), reflecting the saint’s desire that the whole life of the Friar Minor be an overflowing and tangible expression of God’s loving will, through which they have been freely granted the precious gift of their vocation.
On January 30, 2025, Pope Francis received a small delegation representing the Laudato Si’ Movement, the Union of Superiors General, the International Union of Superiors General, and Roman VI (JPIC delegates for the Franciscan Family) in the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. (to the Holy Father’s immediate left), represented Roman VI. The twelve-member delegation was able to discuss with the Holy Father hopes for celebrating the Jubilee Year, the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures, and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’.
Submitted by Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., General Delegate for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
The Syracuse University Catholic Center celebrates a weekly “Community Night” every Thursday, beginning with Mass at 7 p.m., followed by a delicious catered dinner attended by about 100 students. The students select the menu. On the final Thursday of the month, students are asked to “pay it forward.”
After dinner they make bologna and cheese sandwiches to bring to the Assumption Food Pantry on the north side of Syracuse. The pantry is run and operated by our friars. On Jan. 30,2025, more than 600 sandwiches were made in less than 20 minutes. “As they say, many hands make light work,” said Syracuse University Catholic Chaplain Friar Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. “On Friday morning, I invite those students who have an hour free to join me in the delivery. The sandwiches are served for lunch that day.”
Members of local faithful fraternities Pi Kappa Alpha and Psi Upsilon also attended. Theta Chi usually attends as well but members were engaged with their annual philanthropy event.
+ Friar David Young, OFM Conv., a friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province living in England, died on Jan. 11, 2025.Born on March 1, 1933, Friar David made Solemn Vows as a Greyfriar on Nov. 29, 1957. After having studied in Beaumaris, Wales, and Rome, he was ordained a priest in the church of St, Clare, Manchester, England, on July 19, 1959. He exercised his priestly ministry in many parishes including Liverpool (1962-64) Dublin, London, Rye, and Manchester. He was also called to teach in the seminaries in Beaumaris and Canterbury, and a Grammar School in Manchester.
For a time, he was editor of the Crusader magazine and the Director for the Crusade of Mary Immaculate. Friar David retired from active ministry, due to ill health, some six years ago and his final assignment was at the friary in Liverpool. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m., at St. Clare’s, Blackley. This will be followed by interment at Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool.
Bishop Douglas Lucia (left) and Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv.
For the past quarter century, The Franciscan Place (TFP) has been a prayerful beacon in an unusual location – Destiny USA Mall in Syracuse, N.Y. A 25th anniversary celebration was held on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, with a special Mass and reception on the Sky Deck of the Mall.
Syracuse Bishop Douglas Lucia was the main celebrant with Minister Provincial Michael Heine, OFM Conv., concelebrating with several friars. Friar Joe Freitag, OFM Conv., and Sister Marcia Barry, OSF, were the first directors when it opened on Oct. 11, 1999. Friar Jim Moore, OFM Conv. is the current director with Friars Jude DeAngelo, Nader Ata and Steven Frenier serving as staff confessors.
TFP is known as an easily accessible, inviting, and prayerful environment in the mall where guests, staff, and visitors from across Central New York can feel safe to share their life’s experiences and encounter God. TFP offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist throughout the week in its chapel as well as quality Catholic items and hand-crafted, artisan gifts made by religious communities.
As a ministry of Assumption Church, TFP shares a common vision: to be a vibrant, inclusive, and loving community where we serve the physical, mental and spiritual needs of those thirsting for meaning and purpose in Syracuse and beyond, caring for all of God’s creation. TFP welcomes and honors singles and families, rich and poor, young and wise, devout and searching, those differently-abled, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and refugees.
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath, iObserve.org (Diocese of Springfield)
Bishop William D. Byrne, bishop of Springfield, enters St. Stanislaus Basilica.
Chicopee, Mass. – Diocese of Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne blessed the doors of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica before the 11 a.m. Mass, Sunday, Jan. 5, on the Feast of the Epiphany. The basilica is one of seven designated churches in the Diocese of Springfield that will be a pilgrimage site during Jubilee 2025, which is entitled “Pilgrims of Hope.” On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis kicked off the celebration by opening the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The jubilee year runs through Jan. 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany.
“As we begin this jubilee year under the star in our own lives, what will it show,” the bishop asked the congregation during his homily, referring to the Star of Bethlehem that led the three Magi to Jesus. “The light shines upon the Magi. They follow the star. What does that light say to us? That Jesus came for the whole world, saints and sinners alike,” he said.
Other holy doors were opened at the Rome basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. These basilicas and local churches are designated places where pilgrims will receive an indulgence after receiving Holy Communion, going to confession and praying for the pope’s intentions.
“I think it’s a great honor for St. Stan’s. I think because we are the only basilica in the diocese I was very grateful when Bishop Byrne called to ask me, he asked me permission if it was alright to do it. I said absolutely it’s alright to do it,” Friar Brad Milunski, OFM Conv., pastor of St. Stanislaus Basilica. “We are already known throughout the diocese as a place for confession and Adoration, so it really is kind of a natural thing for us to do, to be welcoming for this jubilee year,” he said.
Frair Brad Milunski, OFM Conv., pastor of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica in Chicopee, poses for a picture with the Dennis family and Bishop William D. Byrne after Mass Jan. 5.
St. Stanislaus Basilica has confession Monday through Saturday, and Adoration Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. In addition, Friar Milunski said he is planning additional events for the Holy Year including basilica tours.
“I think that for me the jubilee year and the whole sense of pilgrimage is really important. People of course ideally would like to go to Rome, But, if they can’t go, I’ve been telling people it’s much cheaper to go to Front Street or one of the other jubilee sites. We have to take pilgrimages in our life and the most challenging pilgrimage is the one inside. So I think the basilica and the places that have been chosen offer that environment where people can take that most important pilgrimage through their heart to God,” he said.
Bishop Byrne is also challenging Catholics with a new initiative called, “Walk with One.” He said that each of the faithful in the diocese should prayerfully consider asking a friend or family member who has been away from the church to come back. “You figure out who is the Lord asking me to invite back to the church, back to Mass, even back to having a cup of coffee and talking about it,” the bishop explained. “The first step is you pray. Lord, who should I bring home? Then you say Lord, how should I do that?”
Friar Stanley Sobiech, OFM Conv., 91, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Enfield, Conn.
Born in Kuczbork, Warsaw, Poland on July 20, 1933, he was the elder son of Tadeusz and Stefania (nee Szczepaniak) Sobiech. He had one younger brother and four sisters. Growing up in occupied Poland, Stanley worked the family farm, though considered himself to be more of a shepherd—herding cows, pigs, sheep, and lambs. This shepherd’s heart would eventually be directed to the service of the Church. Having dreamed of becoming a priest since he was a young child, Stanley entered the Novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Niepokalanow, Poland in 1955.
Friar Stanley made his first profession of vows on September 16, 1956, and then complete
For the first few years of his priesthood, Friar Stanley taught religion in Poland. In 1965, he was sent to the United States to engage in ministry with the new Polish immigrants. From 1965 to 1982, he served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in South Boston. Initially “on loan” from the Conventual Franciscan Province in Warsaw, Friar Stanley transfiliated to then St. Anthony of Padua Province in 1978.
Friar Stanley spent his life as a priest in parochial ministry: at Corpus Christi, Buffalo, N.Y. (1982-85), St. Stanislaus Basilica, Chicopee, Mass. (1985-94), Mater Dolorosa, Holyoke Mass. (1994-97 and 2006-19); Holy Trinity, St. Lawrence Mass. (1997-2004), and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Bedford Mass (2004-06). In 2019, his health in decline, Friar Stanley moved to St. Hyacinth Friary in Chicopee, eventually transitioning to Our Lady of the Angels Care Center in Enfield.
Visitation hours will be held Monday, Dec. 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of the Angels Care Center (1315 Enfield St., Enfield), with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at a later date in the family plot in Poland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Education Fund (12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City MD 21042).
Br. Michael Thomas Duffy, OFM Conv., 65, a Franciscan Friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province, was met by Sister Death on Friday, December 6, 2024, in Baltimore, Md.
Born in Baltimore on January 28, 1959, he was a son of the late John and Patricia Anne (nee McGinnis) Duffy. He is survived by his younger sister, Karen, younger brother, Joseph, and a niece and nephew.
Michael graduated from Archbishop Curley High School in 1977, entering the Novitiate of the Franciscan Friars Conventual and making his first profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1978. His solemn profession of vows occurred on June 29, 1982.
From 1982 to 1986, Br. Michael was assigned to Holyoke, Mass., where years, he earned his B.S.N. from American International College, served as pastoral associate of Mater Dolorosa Parish, and taught junior high at the parish school. He then spent two years completing advance studies at the University of Lowell, whence he earned his M.S.N. in 1988. Between 1988 and 1997, Br. Michael worked as an assistant professor of Nursing at the College of Our Lady of the Elms, served as advisor to the brothers in formation, and enjoyed several stints spearheading the annual Garden Party at St. Hyacinth College Seminary in Granby.
In 1997, Br. Michael was appointed vocation director of the legacy St. Anthony of Padua Province, as well as associate director of Candidates in Philadelphia, where he resided through 2002, when the home base of vocation operations moved to Baltimore. At that time, he also became animator of the province’s Franciscan Youth Ministry efforts.
Catching the mission bug, in 2005 he became one of the friars to establish the former Franciscan mission in Above-Rocks, Jamaica. After six years in the missions, Br. Michael returned to Massachusetts, residing in Chicopee while teaching nursing at Elms College and pursuing a doctoral degree from Regis University. He remained in Chicopee for a decade, before ministering as principal of St. Francis High School in Hamburg, N.Y., from 2021-22. Br. Michael’s final assignment was to Ellicott City, Md., where he worked in the province Finance Office, acted as manager of Province Cemeteries, ministered at The Franciscan Center of Baltimore, and shared his renowned gift of cooking with the friars of St. Joseph of Cupertino Friary.
Visitation hours will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Shrine of Saint Anthony, 12290 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, Md., with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m., at the Shrine of Saint Anthony, followed by burial in Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, Baltimore. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franciscan Education Burse (12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City MD 21042).
