On April 2, 2022, our St. Clare Inn ministry, in Toronto, Ontario, held their 9th Annual (2nd as a virtual event) Spring Gala Fundraiser. This year’s theme was Denim & Diamonds! and participants were able give a donation to then enjoy food and drink packages, from the comfort of their own homes, virtually led on the virtual journey by Friar Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv. The video below is the introduction to the event enjoyed by participants, which includes a reflection by Kajal, one of the former day workers of St. Clare Inn, who shared her experiences over a year of working with one of the guests. It provides a look inside the incredible, and important work of one of the most unique ministries of our province.
Read more about St. Clare Inn or Donate towards their efforts, on their website.
If you live in the Toronto, ON area, and would like to volunteer in person, there are many ways to help these homeless women, with mental health challenges, to rebuild their lives. Your time and skills can help care for the women who live at St. Clare Inn: spend time with guests, teach a fitness class, help with personal grooming, teach a cooking lesson, give a craft or sewing lesson, home renovations, plumbing, electrical work, lawn care, gardening, snow removal, cleaning and window washing. For more information, or to get involved, contact the Executive Director of St. Clare Inn, Friar Tom Purcell, OFM Conv. at 416-690-0330 or friartom@stclareinn.org.
Almost two years ago, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Br. Brian Newbigging, OFM Conv. has received permission to reprint, “Bless Us O Lord for These Thy Gifts.” Originally published in 1984 as a fund raiser to help support the education of the friars at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary (Granby, MA), the cookbook’s first edition sold 5,000 copies.
To benefit Our Lady of the Angels Province – Franciscan Charity Fund, 1,000 copies were printed for this second edition. There are still some copies left, which are available through Friar Brian directly (Newbiggingb@gmail.com), or via the Franciscan Soy Candles Ministry website. The sale price of $19.95 includes shipping and handling, so get yours today!!!!!!
Proceeds from the cookbook sales, as well as the soy candle sales, go to the Franciscan Charity Fund of our province. You can even personalize your candles to make unique gifts or enhance your décor. For more information or to order in bulk, contact Friar Brian.
Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. welcomed guests as they arrived to the “back door” of the manor house, located today on the street side of the building, and the formal entrance way for all visitors. Carrollton Hall Historic Site is located on the grounds of The Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD. As a favorite granddaughter of Charles Carroll, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, Emily Caton McTavish was gifted property known as Folly Quarter and funds to build the manor house. A parcel of the vast estate grounds is now the site of several of our Province ministries, including: The Shrine of St. Anthony, Carrollton Hall Historic Site, Our Lady of the Angels Province – Provincial House, the Companions of St. Anthony, the Province FMA Office (Franciscan Mission Association), Franciscan Soy Candles, and Little Portion Farm. The property also includes several meditation trails & gardens, an outdoor Shrine of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., outdoor Stations of the Cross, and a peaceful Grotto. Many more projects are underway, as the property is evolving into one of the premier destinations for the faithful to find a location for peace and reflective tranquility.
March 17, 2022 – Reception for Donors: To honor the Irish heritage of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the Friars held a St. Patrick’s Day reception for many of the major donors to the campaign for restoring, renovating and rejuvenating our Carrollton Hall Historic Site, in Ellicott City, MD. The first of two opening events for Carrollton Hall, the reception was hosted by the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. ~ Minister Provincial of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, and Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. ~ Vicar Provincial of the Our Lady of the Angels Province and Director of Carrollton Hall. This event offered donors a first-view of the completed work and a preview of the site’s future programs.
In the background of this photo you can see the original portrait of Emily Caton McTavish, gifted to our friars by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd and replacing the replica which used to hang there (read more). Friars and guests enjoy hors d’oeurves and drinks in the restored Carrollton Gallery. The friars pictured here include: Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. (Province Secretary, Rector & Director of The Shrine of St. Anthony, Spiritual Guardian of the Companions of St. Anthony), Fr. Donald Grzymski, OFM Conv. (Pastor for the Archdiocese of Baltimore Pastorate of St. Casimir Church and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church), Friar Michael, Br. Paschal Kolodziej, OFM Conv. (Staff Friar at The Shrine of St. Anthony), Very Rev. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv. (Dean of the Northumberland Deanery and Pastor of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church, in Shamokin, PA), and Fr. Bogusław Dąbrowski, OFM Conv., a friar of the Kraków Poland Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland, for whom he served as a Missionary in Uganda for almost 20 years. Friar Bogus is now living and working with our friars in Ellicott City, where he assists at The Shrine and will start preaching for and promoting our Province’s FMA efforts.
Friar James, Friar Michael and Joseph Hamilton (Province Director of Mission Advancement) presented varied information on the history and future of Carrollton Hall Historic Site. At the conclusion of the evening’s program, Friar James was honored by Ms. Terry Chaconas, Chief of Staff, on behalf of Delegate Courtney Watson, District 9B, representative to the Maryland House of Delegates, with a citation from the State of Maryland “in recognition of the restoration and preservation of Carrollton Hall, an historic site in the State of Maryland and a beacon of the enduring values of our nation’s founding.”
Among several honored guests were Melvin Harrell, DeWitte Shipley and his wife Melva Shipley. Melvin and DeWitte are descendants of Joseph Shipley and Caroline Beaver who were slaves at Carrollton Hall, were married in the St. Mary’s Seminary Chapel, on July 22, 1837. They raised their family at Carrollton Hall.
March 27, 2022 – Blessing and Rededication: The friars hosted the second of two opening events for Carrollton Hall Historic Site, when in the presence of friars, dignitaries, friends, and benefactors, the Most Reverend William E. Lori, the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore blessed Carrollton Hall for its re-opening to the public.
During his remarks, Archbishop Lori pointed out that he was wearing the pectoral cross worn by his predecessor, Most Rev. John Carroll (the 1st Bishop and Archbishop Baltimore, the first Diocese in United States of America and the cousin of Charles Carroll of Carrollton), at his consecration in 1790. During the event Friar James gifted Archbishop Lori with print number one of a limited edition of 300 print reproductions of the 1831 watercolor design of Carrollton Hall, by celebrated Baltimore architect, William F. Small, a protégé of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, the architect of The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first Roman Catholic cathedral built in the United States (under the direction of Archbishop John Carroll and Charles Carroll).
To celebrate the significance of the blessing of Carrollton Hall by Archbishop William E. Lori, and to highlight continuity with the past, those present assembled on the steps of Carrollton Hall to recreate the photograph of the 1928 blessing by Archbishop Michael Joseph Curley.
May God bless Carrollton Hall for the next century of Franciscan ministry and presence in the United States of America.
The 2022 Blessing Group Shot. The friars pictured here include: (bottom row: Fr. Bart Karwacki, OFM Conv. (Guardian of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Friary, Baltimore), Friar James, Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv. (Order’s Assistant General – CFF), Friar Bogus, Friar Paschal, Friar Michael – 2nd row staggered: Fr. Robert Twele, OFM Conv., Esq. (CRS & Province General Counsel), Fr. Andy Santamauro, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar for the Archdiocese of Baltimore Pastorate of St. Casimir Church and St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church), Fr. Emmanuel Oposika Acquaye, OFM Conv. (Hospital Chaplain and Clinical Counselor), Fr. Kevin Hanley, OFM Conv. (Definitor, Guardian, and Pastor in our Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Province Custody), Friar Richard-Jacob, Br. Ed Handy, OFM Conv. (Friar in Residence at St. Casimir Friary, Baltimore), and Fr. Grzegorz (Greg) Wierzowiecki, OFM Conv. (Staff Friar at The Shrine of St. Anthony).
As Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the same day was celebrated at the Conventual Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Mackivci, near Chmel’nyc’kyj in Ukraine.
Three Our Lady of the Angels Province friars reside in the Blessed Sacrament Friary, in Burlington, NC. Friar Peter Tremblay, OFM Conv. serves as Associate Chaplain for Catholic Life and Catholic Campus Minister at Elon University. The other two friars there, Friar Paul Lininger, OFM Conv. and Friar Vincent Rubino, OFM Conv. serve as Pastor and Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community, which includes a parish and a parochial school. This past February 2022, the parish installed Solar Panels on the roof of the church, and some of the school students were able to walk over and ask questions during the installation. This project is one of many solar panel projects throughout our province ministries and provides another example of our friars living our Franciscan Charism of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC).
Some thoughts on the project:
One Year In the Making:
Consultations
Diocesan Regulators
Financial Resources
Deciding to Lease or Purchase System
Selection of Solar Company
Project Costs Total – $215,000
Parish Sought Grant Relief Total – $125,000
$75,000 from Duke Energy Rebate
$50,000 Outside Grant
Balance – $90,000
Parishioner Contributions
One Parishioner Matched Funds Gifted – Huge Supporter of Solar Energy
Interconnector Meter ‘going backwards’ for the Church
If any other parish community is thinking about moving forward with solar panels, our Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community is happy to share their experience in the process as well as potential resources for assistance.
From Franciscan Voice: “Harmęże: A Franciscan friary near Auschwitz is housing Ukrainian refugees. Friar Jude Winkler says that just as the site of evil and death can become a place of reconciliation and healing, God’s grace can help us bring good out of the bad times in our own lives.”
One of our 2022 Jubilarians, Friar Robert Amrhein, OFM Conv. has been working on a very special project over the past two years at our Syracuse, NY pastoral ministry – Assumption Church. In March 2020, he began a podcast to serve those unable to physically get to church, and he has now created over 700 episodes; not missing a single day.
Ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1962, along with Fr. Ed Debono, OFM Conv. and Fr. Adam Keltos, OFM Conv., he will be celebrating 60 years as a friar priests, in just a few months. All three of these friars 1st professed their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, on the Feast of the Assumption – August 15, 1956. Friar Robert was also born on the Feast of the Assumption, in 1935. His younger brother, Friar James, is a friar brother of our province, who celebrated his 60th Profession Anniversary last year, the same year Friar Robert celebrated his 65th Profession Anniversary.
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Our Lady of the Assumption) ~ Pray for Us!
THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE (1941 – August 14 – 2021)
Following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi over the last eight centuries, the Franciscans have promoted a constant devotion and veneration of Our Lady, especially under Her title of the Immaculate Conception. Indeed, that constant and filial promotion of Our Lady as the Immaculate Mother of God represents a golden thread that holds together and highlights our Franciscan tradition and charism.
In the line of great Franciscan saints, St. Maximilian Kolbe M. Kolbe, OFM Conv. would state that the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX in 1854 represented only a first victory for Our Lady. When St. Maximilian would form the Militia of the Immaculate (M.I.) in 1917, he would call upon Mary, the Immaculate Conception, to gain a lasting victory over evil in the world and to draw all souls, even those fallen away from the Church, to Christ and the source of all love, His Sacred Heart. When Pope St. John Paul II canonized St. Maximilian in 1982, he declared St. Maximilian to be a “saint for a difficult century.” In the twenty-first century, more than ever, St. Maximilian’s entrustment to the Immaculate for the conversion of all serves as a key to a better world for all of us.
That is why, over the last three years, Our Lady of the Angels Province has sponsored an M.I. Initiative to promote consecration to the Immaculate Conception and membership in the Militia of the Immaculate. In the next few months, this Initiative will make its final and 36th stop at our Franciscan parish sites and we are very happy to report that the response of the faithful has been most gratifying as we will have enrolled close to 5,000 new M.I. members.
However, we can’t stop there and we believe that Our Lady and St. Maximilian are now asking us to do something else as a community of Franciscan Friars Conventual along with those with and for whom we minister. As a result, Our Lady of the Angels Province is sponsoring the 1st Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 30, 2022. The Program for the day is below and we invite all friars, M.I. members, and all the faithful to join us in celebrating our devotion to the Immaculate Mother of God. If you are already enrolled, you will be receiving a letter with more instruction on registration. If you are not, but are a member of one of our pastoral ministries, check with your parish office to see if how your parish is participating.
Friar Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv.
Our Lady of the Angels Province Delegate for the Marian Apostolate
____________________________
Be sure to mark your calendars for the First Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington D.C., on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
FIRST ANNUAL FRANCISCAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SPONSORED BY THE FRANCISCANS OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS PROVINCE, USA
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022 PROGRAM
11.00 a.m. – WORDS OF WELCOME from the Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, ORIENTATION from Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., Provincial Assistant of the Militia of the Immaculate
11.30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – LUNCH TIME
1:00 p.m. – 1.30 p.m. – Seated Overview TOUR of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica)
1.30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – COMMUNAL PRAYER
2:00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. – EUCHARISTIC LITURGY and CLOSING
3.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. – FREE TIME (There is a scheduled Vigil Mass at 4.30 p.m. The Basilica closes at 6.00 p.m.)
Throughout our province ministries, there are several location sites which include Outdoor Stations of the Cross. Be sure to check out our ministry nearest to you, to take advantage of an opportunity for personal or group prayer.
One such location is our Shamokin, PA pastoral ministry, Mother Cabrini Church‘s “Stations of the Cross Garden” behind the parish office building. Described by the pastor, Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv., as an “oasis for prayer and of beauty,” this location is accessible to not only the friars, but to parishioners, staff, and the greater Shamokin Community.
At our Kensington, CT pastoral ministry, St. Paul Catholic Church, the Outdoor Stations of the Cross are a part of a greater area known as the Parish Green. Many of the parish events, including special prayer services and community gatherings take place in the Parish Green, flanked by Outdoor Stations of the Cross.
Although the opportunity for you to pray the Stations of the Cross is not limited to any one season, it is especially dear to us all during the Season of Lent, when parishes and ministry sites throughout our province have special services and events each Friday. This Good Friday, all are invited to join the friars serving at The Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD for a special Outdoor Stations Service at Noon.
March 25, 2022: On the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, at the hands of their Provincial Custos ~ Very Reverend Fr. Ciprian Budău, OFM Conv., friar John Paul Banks, OFM Conv. and friar Peter George Flynn, OFM Conv., two student friars of our Province’s Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody (Great Britain/Ireland) received the Ministry of Lector.
Taken from the Oxford Greyfriars – Conventual Franciscan Facebook page: “This means that they are asked to assist in the Church’s mission to preach the Gospel to the whole world, proclaiming the word in the liturgical assembly. The Virgin Mary’s “yes” to receive the divine Word is a model for these new lectors to allow the word that they preach to take flesh in their lives through prayer and action. Please keep these brothers and their vocation to Franciscan life and ministry in your prayers.“
Almost two years ago, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Br. Brian Newbigging, OFM Conv. has received permission to reprint, “Bless Us O Lord for These Thy Gifts.” Originally published in 1984 as a fund raiser to help support the education of the friars at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary (Granby, MA), the cookbook’s first edition sold 5,000 copies.
