Sunday, March 20, 2022: A joint Taize Evening Prayer Service was held at our Shamokin, PA pastoral ministry ~ Mother Cabrini Catholic Church. Parishioners of neighboring Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church joined with Mother Cabrini parishioners, visiting clergy and other guests, filling the church to capacity praying for peace in Ukraine. Fr. Mykola Ivanov, pastor of Transfiguration Parish, delivered a moving reflection regarding his native country’s current situation. Accompanying Fr. Mykola was his altar server, Nicholas Sandri. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and Pastor of Mother Cabrini Pairsh ~ Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv. was presider for the Evening Prayer. Fr. Mykola and his wife still have their parents and siblings living in Ukraine. As of date, over $150,000 has been collected throughout the local “Coal Region” as relief aid. Fr. Mykola will be traveling to Ukraine after Easter to present these funds and aid supplies to various relief efforts and agencies.
Since February 24, 2022, the day Russia invaded Ukraine, the Brother Sun Foundation (Fundacja Brat Słońce), established by the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), has been raising funds for Ukraine with a drive entitled “Helping Ukraine.”
Friar Mykola Orach, OFM Conv. of the Custody of the Holy Cross (Ukraine) talks about the situation in Ukraine – the aid the Conventual Franciscans have been receiving and the assistance they have been giving to those knocking on the doors of their friaries.
GMU Catholic Campus Ministry has invited br. Cristofer Fernández, OFM Conv. to be the speaker for their April 7, 2022 “Thursday Night Streams.” The purpose of the weekly speaker series is “to tackle a wide range of topics from social justice issues, being known and loved by God, to Church teaching on human sexuality, and everything in between. This podcast is a recording of our Thursday Night Supper talk series that fosters an environment for fellowship and faith formation at George Mason University.” These events include Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Mass, Dinner and then the Talk. Friar Cristofer is a student friar of our province in continued studies at The Catholic University of America (Washington DC). He is also an alumni of George Mason University (Class of 2017) and he returns to his alma mater to present: Franciscan Roots & Shoots of Laudato Si: Ecotheology, Catholic Social Teaching, & Caring for Our Common Home. Although GMU will not be streaming live video of the event, they will post a recording afterwards for those who may be interested.
To further our Little Portion Farm’s efforts in educating and inspiring our community about sustainable agriculture, they have decided to host a film series! The first screening will be held in just a few weeks on Wednesday, April 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the “Glass Room” in The Shrine of St. Anthony (Ellicott City, MD). The first film is entitled “Sustainable.” It is an uplifting film “about the land, the people who work it and what must be done to sustain it for future generations.” More details about the film, as well as the trailer, can be viewed here. Tickets are being sold for $10 each to help us cover the costs of the licensing fee to screen the films. If you would like to attend, please pre-purchase a ticket here to reserve your spot. Our current capacity is 60 attendees, so grab a ticket before we sell out! Hope to see you there!
As we enter the weekend of Palm Sunday, our friars want to welcome you to join us at a ministry near you, for Holy Week celebrations. Check out our “Locations” page on this province website, which includes a hyperlink to each ministry location. Click on the ministry’s hyperlink and find out times and celebrations available at each location, by browsing their own websites. If you can’t find it easily, the ministry contact information is always listed clearly on each site.
Featured here are the celebrations being held at our Atlanta, GA pastoral ministry ~ Holy Cross Catholic Church, served by Fr. Jude Michael Krill, OFM Conv. (Pastor), Fr. Tom Reist, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar), and Fr. Calixto Salvatierra Morena, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar)
Max and his family enjoyed visiting the friars and taking part in the 2016 Egg Hunt fun. He was really excited when he saw the outdoor Shrine of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. He ran up to his patron saint’s statue saying, “That’s me! That’s Max!” Now eight, Max and his family still enjoy their visits.
On Saturday,April16,2022,10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., all are encouraged to join our friars, staff, volunteers and pilgrims of The Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD, for the Annual Holy Saturday Easter Egg Hunt. Bring your own baskets, blankets, and lawn games to enjoy a picnic lunch after the hunt is over. You can bring your own food or purchase lunch from the Plating Grace and Grub Food Truck (International Comfort Food Menu); a mobile food ministry, founded by Fr. Leo Patalinghug as an extension of a collaborative effort by The Franciscan Center of Baltimore. The Franciscan Center is the main recipient of the produce grown in our Little Portion Farm ministry, also located on the grounds of The Shrine. Be sure to check out all of the sites on the property, while you are there.
To Be Poor or to Become Poor? “The friars may live gladly among the poor… actively committed to better their conditions”
A Sign “The friars are to wear the habit of the Order”
Take a few moments to follow these four reflections, which include a video. If you have any questions about Formation or Vocations for our province, email vocations@olaprovince.org.
Sunday, March 20, 2022: A joint Taize Evening Prayer Service was held at our Shamokin, PA pastoral ministry ~ Mother Cabrini Catholic Church. Parishioners of neighboring Transfiguration of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church joined with Mother Cabrini parishioners, visiting clergy and other guests, filling the church to capacity praying for peace in Ukraine. Fr. Mykola Ivanov, pastor of Transfiguration Parish, delivered a moving reflection regarding his native country’s current situation. Accompanying Fr. Mykola was his altar server, Nicholas Sandri. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar and Pastor of Mother Cabrini Pairsh ~ Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv. was presider for the Evening Prayer. Fr. Mykola and his wife still have their parents and siblings living in Ukraine. As of date, over $150,000 has been collected throughout the local “Coal Region” as relief aid. Fr. Mykola will be traveling to Ukraine after Easter to present these funds and aid supplies to various relief efforts and agencies.
