 Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv.On October 28, 2021, the Minister General and his Definitory nominated Friar Michael LASKY as the new Delegate General for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (GPIC). He will take over for Friar Joseph BLAY who has been appointed the Co-Secretary for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the International Union of Men’s and Women’s Superiors General (UISG and USG) in Rome.  Consecration to the ImmaculateConsistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province is promoting opportunities to more fully tap into a devotion from our Kolbean heritage, through the example of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, OFM Conv., and the continued efforts of his Militia of the Immaculata’s (M.I.) unconditional Consecration to the Immaculate. In order to better promote M.I. among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., our Province MI Assistant, has completed the 30th successful and rewarding stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Friar Jobe’s revised scheduled stops on this tour will continue through February of 2022. Keep him and all those he greets in your prayers, as he continues to preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate, and to enroll in the M.I.
Now in the home stretch, on the weekend of October 30-31, 2021, the 30th Tour Stop of the M.I. Initiative came to the Archdiocese of Baltimore Pastorate of St. Casimir at Canton and Patterson Park, in Baltimore, MD. One of the most glorious churches of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, St. Casimir Church (sanctuary space pictured above) has not yet seen the return of the pre-pandemic crowds. Still, the faithful present at both St. Casimir and St. Elizabeth of Hungary churches welcomed the initiative promoting entrustment to the Immaculate Conception and membership in the M.I. In the photo are some of the parishioners with the pastor – Fr. Dennis Grumsey, OFM Conv. (center), associate pastor – Fr. Andy Santamauro, OFM Conv. (center right), friar in residence – Br. Ed Handy, OFM Conv. (top row center left), and Friar Jobe (center left). Also residing in the St. Casimir Friary, with Friars Dennis, Andy and Ed is Br. Dan Lutolf, OFM Conv., who serves in education ministry in a Washington Diocese High School.  JPIC Farm FocusThe long, hot summer days spent planting, weeding, and harvesting (so many tomatoes!) feel like a distant memory as the air chills and leaves fall. We are so grateful to our dozens of volunteers and all those who support the mission of Little Portion Farm from afar. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.  Congratulations, Friar Jobe!In an October 21, 2021 letter from Rome, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Provincial Delegate of our Province Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi (Canada), and Provincial Delegate to the M.I., the Very Reverend Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. has been appointed National Assistant of the Militia of the Immaculata M.I. Canada, by the Minister General of our Order, the Most Reverend Fr. Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv. Since May of 2019, Friar Jobe has been traveling throughout our province, promoting Personal Consecration to the Immaculate via our province’s M.I. Initiative Tour. On Saturday, April 30, 2022, he will lead our 1st Annual Franciscan Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. (READ MORE)
 Provincial Visitation – Oct 2021
Fr. James has a few more friar visits in the Carolina’s to close out the month before he heads over to visit with our Province Custody in Great Britain/Ireland – The Greyfriars of Blessed Agnellus of Pisa Custody.  Consecration to the Immaculate On the weekend of October 23-24, 2021, the M.I. Initiative made its 29th stop at our province pastoral ministry of St. John Catholic Church, in Cromwell, CT. Friar Jobe was warmly received by the pastor, his Our Lady of the Angels province confrère, Fr. Mark Curesky, OFM Conv., and the parishioners joyfully responded to the invitation to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to become members of the M.I. In the photo above are Friars Jobe and Mark surrounded by the biggest group we have seen since resuming the M.I. Initiative despite the ongoing pandemic. St. John Catholic Church, Cromwell, CT  An Introduction – Friar Ed Ondrako, OFM Conv.“Rebuild My Church” by Friar Ed Ondrako, OFM Conv.: August 2nd, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula, was the publication date for Ed’s newest book which features two detailed chapters each on the life of the late Fr. Peter Damian Fehlner, OFM Conv.; on Bonaventure; on Duns Scotus; on Newman, and on Fr. Peter’s theological vision and why it matters. The following introduction was presented on October 21st, _____________________________________ My name is Cyril O’Regan, Huisking Professor of Theology, here at the University of Notre Dame. It is my pleasure to introduce Fr. Edward Ondrako, who will shortly have the stage to himself, and to say a few words about his new book, which Fr. Ondrako will speak to more fully.
Fr. Edward J. Ondrako, OFM Conventual  2021 ~ The Solemnity of All Saints, All Souls Day, the Commemoration of All Deceased of the Seraphic Order & All Saints of the Seraphic OrderThroughout the Month of November, we are all called to continue to remember all those who have gone before us. Our varied Province ministries hold special Masses, prayer services, memorials and other events to remember the faithful served by the ministries, as well those who have been served through them. Photos and articles from many of our ministries, will be shared on our Province Facebook Page throughout the month, starting with the November 1st celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints and the November 2nd Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls). Five friars of our province met Sister Death over this past year:
Let us pray. Lord God, You are the glory of believers and the life of the just. Deceased Friars since Our Lady of the Angels Province was erected: Fr. Peter Fehlner, OFM Conv. ~ 5/8/2018  Conventual Franciscan Federation AssemblyOn October 12-17, 2021, the Conventual Franciscan Federation (CFF) gathered at the Mexican American Catholic College Center (MACC) in San Antonio, Texas, USA.  “Walking in Unity” – a reflection by friar CristoferFriar Cristofer Fernández, OFM Conv. shares his first InterFaith Council of Metropolitan Washington’s “2021 Unity Walk” experience.
Unity Walk – InterFaith Council of Metropolitan Washington (ifcmw.org) |
Friar Augustine Pilatowski, OFM Conv. ~ January 24, 2021
Friar Vincent Lachendro, OFM Conv. ~ March 27, 2021
Friar Kenneth Lucas, OFM Conv. ~ April 6, 2021
Friar Michael Taylor, OFM Conv. ~ August 29, 2021