The Vigil of Assumption Day was celebrated in the St. Francis High School Chapel in Athol Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 14, 2023, as Friar Antonio Moualeu, OFM Conv. made his Solemn Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Friar Antonio’s request to make solemn vows was granted by Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., and the Definitory.  He proclaimed his vows before Friar Michael, “for the entire time of my life.”

Examination of the Candidate: Friar Antonio stands before Friar Michael who questioned him on his readiness to consecrate himself to God and to seek perfect charity according to the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.

During his homily, Father Heine said, “Wherever the friars are, there is Antonio in their midst. You will do anything too make the friars lives easier and our lives better. Yes, Dr. Antonio, you will be teaching science and math. Both are important. But continue to be a witness of God’s love by living out your vows.”

Friar Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., archbishop of Atlanta, was a concelebrant. About 70 friars were in attendance, participating in the Fraternal Embrace as they welcomed Friar Antonio into solemn profession. More than two dozen members of Friar Antonio’s family, including his parents, were on hand, many dressed in colorful clothing of his native Cameroon.

Friar Antonio with Archbishop Hartmayer.

This past summer, Friar Antonio went on a month-long Solemn Vow Retreat of reflection and prayer to prepare more intensely prior to the Aug. 14 celebration. He said he feels called to Religious Brotherhood.

“As my solemn profession of vows with the Conventual Franciscans is now at hand, I can only marvel at how the Lord’s faithfulness, evident throughout scripture, is also made evident in my own life at this moment,” Friar Antonio said. “He promised He would do it, and He has. Like Mary, Francis of Assisi, and so many other saints, I can only continue to marvel at what the next steps on this earthly journey with my brothers and sisters will be. While continually learning that His ways are so far beyond my ways, I am confident that whatever these next steps are, His faithfulness endures forever.”

Friar Antonio spent the past year of his Apostolic Year of Formation living in community at St. Francis of Assisi Friary in Hamburg, N.Y.

Born in Douala, Cameroon, to Eugenie Moaleu and Christophe Moaleu, Friar Antonio is the third of four children (Leolein, Amanda, Nellie). He attended Collège Libermann, a Jesuit-run high school Cameroon. He and his family moved to Dallas, Texas, in early 2004. While working in the nursing field, Friar Antonio Texas A&M University where he received a B.S. in biomedical engineering. He earned an M.S. in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech.

Friar Antonio with his parents, brother and sisters.

“While going through an awakening of my Christian faith as a graduate student, I started getting involved in activities at the school’s Catholic center and also started discerning God’s call for my life. I met the friars at a Eucharistic Congress in Atlanta in 2015, and was invited to visit their community in Jonesboro, Georgia, and later went to a ‘Come and See’ retreat in Maryland,” he said. “I joined the postulancy in Chicago in 2017, then went to novitiate in California the next year. After professing simple vows on July 22, 2019, I was sent to San Antonio for post-novitiate studies, focusing on completing my doctoral studies that I was doing prior to joining the order.”

In 2022, Friar Antonio was assigned to St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, N.Y., for a fraternal/apostolic year. He completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering during the summer of 2022 at Georgia Tech. He remains on the faculty at St. Francis High School.

Friar Emmanuel served as a transitional deacon at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption in Syracuse.

Friar Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv., who grew up in Olean, N.Y., and was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish there, will be ordained to the priesthood at Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica in Lackawanna on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 2 p.m. He will be ordained by Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., archbishop of Atlanta.

Friar Emmanuel completed his studies for the priesthood at Regis College in Toronto while residing at St. Bonaventure Friary. He and served as a transitional deacon at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption in Syracuse. Prior to that, he spent three years as a theology instructor at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore.

He is the son of Deacon Matt and Mary Wenke of Olean. Deacon Wenke serves at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean. One of five children, Friar Emmanuel’s sister, Sr. Frances Marie Wenke, CP, is a member of the Passionist Nuns of St. Joseph Monastery, a contemplative order in Whitesville, Ky.

Friar Wenke will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, 4263 St. Francis Dr., Athol Springs, N.Y., with a second Mass of Thanksgiving to be celebrated Sunday, Aug. 20, 11 a.m., at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean.

The ordination Mass will be livestreamed: https://www.olvbasilica.org/live-streaming

“In the Church’s tradition, religious profession is considered to be a special and fruitful deepening of the consecration received in Baptism …”
~ Vita Consecrata #30

Friar Connor Ouly (from l-r), Minister Provincial Michael Heine, and Friar Marvin Paul Fernandez outside The Shrine of St. Anthony.

Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., minister provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province, received the simple profession of vows from Friar Vincent Mary Ouly, OFM Conv., and Friar Marvin Paul Fernandez, OFM Conv.,on July 21, at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Md. The Rite of Profession marked the end of the first year of their novitiate.

“It is an exciting day for Our Lady of the Angels Province,” said Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv. “Two friars who are saying ‘yes’ to their vocation as Franciscan Friars bring new life and vitality into the province. Just as Saint Francis was called to rebuild the Lord’s Church, so too are these two friars who help rebuild by living the Gospel life!

Friar Fernandez and Friar Ouly will now enter the post novitiate phase of their formation. They have enrolled in the pre-theology program at Catholic University of America.

“Two friars who are saying ‘yes’ to their vocation as Franciscan Friars bring new life and vitality into the province,” said Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine.

More than 50 friars were in attendance and took part in a fraternal embrace with Friars Ouly and Fernandez following their solemn profession of “obedience without anything of my own and in chastity.” The two friars signed the Book of Profession and had their unknotted cords which are worn around the waste replaced with a cord with three knots symbolizing their vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. They also were given a copy of the Rule, the fundamental law for Conventual Franciscans.

Reflecting on his simple profession, Friar Ouly said, “This day for me is strengthening of the relationship between myself and Jesus Christ in the Family of St. Francis.” Friar Fernandez added, “It is a blessing and a grace to take the vow and to be part of the bigger Franciscan order.”

About 90 young people from Baltimore, Siler City, N.C., Atlanta, Jonesboro, Ga., Buffalo, and Olean, N.Y., were also in attendance as they started their Assisi by the Chesapeake retreat which was led by the friars..

Fr. Fernandez grew up in Laoag City in the Philippines’ Ilocos Norte province and is now a Canadian citizen. He was a nursing assistant, cook, and manager of nursing assistants at a Senior Living Center before pursuing his vocation. He said he was inspired by the friars in his parish to enter the Franciscan Friars Conventual. His from Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Ottawa, Ontario (Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall).

Friar Fernandez kneels at the feet of Friar Michael Heine.

Fr. Ouly is from Prince of Peace Parish in Steelton, Penn. (Diocese of Harrisburg). He studied voice/opera at the Juilliard School in Ne. York City. His vocation was driven by the Conventuals dedication to serving the poorest of the poor in simple but necessary ways in parishes, schools, and hospitals.

“By religious profession the friars publicly commit themselves to live the Gospel in fraternity and minoritas … the friars recognize that they have received the grace from God the Father to follow Christ in his chaste, poor, and obedient way of life. They dedicate themselves entirely to God and bring their baptismal consecration to a particular fulfillment.”

~ Constitutions, 4.1, 9.1

A joyous day for Friar Marvin Paul Fernandez and his family.

The family of Friar Vincent Mary Ouly shared this special day with him at The Shrine of St. Anthony.

Bishop Michael J. Fisher, bishop of Buffalo, was the principal celebrant for a Memorial Mass for the late Friar Joseph W. Bayne, OFM Conv., at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Buffalo on July 15. Fr. Bayne, a former chaplain with the Buffalo Fire Department, died June 23 in Chicago at the age of 66. “We remember a wonderful priest, Fr. Joe Bayne,” Bishop Fisher said. “Let us hold him in our hearts and our prayers. He was a priest above all things. We thank his family for the gift of his vocation to the Franciscans. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.”

Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., archbishop of Atlanta, was among the concelebrants at the Mass which was attended by friars from the United States and Canada. Priests and permanent deacons of the Diocese of Buffalo were also on the altar.

In his homily, Minister Provincial Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., “Joe loved Buffalo and was a great ambassador for the city. Many of us are still in shock at his sudden death. It is with faith we come before God and thank and praise him for the gift he has given us in Joe Bayne. Joe has reached the goal of his life and for that we are happy. Joe loved to say, ‘I don’t care what they think of me. I’m going to tell it like it is.’ We didn’t always see eye to eye, but we don’t hold grudges. Joe’s personality served him well in his preaching. Like John the Baptist, Joe preached Jesus Christ in a way that captivated his listeners. Joe met people where they were. He was rock star here in Buffalo.”

Fr. Michael then read “A Firefighter’s Son,” a poem Father Joe had on the first page of a scrapbook that was filled with clippings of the story of his father, a Baltimore Fire Department firefighter who perished fighting a fire in 1977.

“Joe is synonymous with the fire department. He would show up to the most difficult situations. He ministered to the firefighters, the first responders, and their families, and of course, those whose lives were turned upside down. His presence was one of hope. His truly were the arms of God as he hugged and consoled so many. Joe loved being a Franciscan Friar. From day one he wanted to be the best friar and he always encouraged young men to consider the Franciscans. Joe loved being a friar priest. He was a great preacher and celebrated the sacraments with so many. He was a mentor to so many priests.

“Yes, we all know, life is difficult … because life involves sacrifice. Jesus crucified and risen from the dead boldly proclaims hope does not disappoint. We will see Joe again. And so, Joe, Friar Joe, Father Joe, ES11, Billy to your mom and family, we already miss you. Thank you for saying yes to Jesus and being His presence in our lives. We now commend you into the merciful arms of Jesus.”

Several people delivered Words of Remembrance

Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Rinaldo said, “He had a significant impact on the Buffalo Fire Department and an enduring legacy he left behind. He served with a distinction for over a decade as department chaplain. He was uniquely qualified to handle the tough stuff (of being a fire chaplain). He had a deep understanding and passion for the unselfish work performed by firefighters. His presence at fire sciences projected a sense of calm. He served this department long and faithfully. Let today serve as a final salute to his courage and commitment to his beloved firefighters.

Dan Nevereth, commissioner, Homeland Security and Emergency Services – Erie County: “Fr. Joe was our first chaplain. He was the godfather of our tremendously talented chaplain corps of today. He was a calming force in the eye of a hurricane. He was a beacon of comfort.”

Bill Miles, executive secretary, New York State Association of Fire Chaplains: “I called him brother. He was a brother to every one of us. Fr. Joe held training sessions to help other chaplains to be more effective. All of you had the same experience with our brother Joseph. He was always there for all of us.”

Jim McCullough, retired deputy commissioner, Erie County Department of Emergency Services: “On behalf of Fr. Joe’s mother, Jean, she would like to thank all the firefighters for honoring her son these past few weeks. Joe was made of steel. He was our Superman.”

People come to Sainte Mère-Église in Normandy not just for its beauty, but to remember those who sacrificed their lives in Operation Overlord.

In June 1944, Allied forces from 12 different nations ventured into direct peril to serve the people of Europe. Sainte Mère-Église was the first town in Normandy to be liberated on June 6, 1944, on what came to be known as D-Day.

Chaos and destruction reigned in Sainte Mère-Église that day. Some 15,000 paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions descended in and around the small town in northwest France. Sainte Mère-Église occupied a strategic position. The mission of the paratroopers was to capture the town and thus achieve easier access to the borders of the landing beaches where the main assault of Operation Overlord would take place.

The paratroopers were very vulnerable to enemy fire as they descended from the sky. Many were shot and killed.

Visitors come to Sainte Mère Église from around the world to honor, pay tribute, and express gratitude to those soldiers for their heroic acts. They also pray for the souls of the fallen on both sides of the battle.

Courtesy of Fr. James McCurry, OFM

Fr. James. McCurry, OFMConv from Holyoke, Massachusetts, has been attending commemoration ceremonies in Normandy for many years. He confirmed that every year a new generation of soldiers from the 82nd travel to Normandy to honor their comrades. This year he offered Mass and paid tribute to the Airborne Divisions in the neighboring hamlet of Cauquigny, a site of heavy fighting 79 years ago.

With “fury from the sky,” the Airborne Divisions fought land battles as fierce and deadly as the sea battles. These brave American soldiers, whose blood would grace the soil of these local villages, had one noble purpose – to liberate Normandy, then France, and eventually all of Europe, from the violent tyranny of Adolf Hitler.

German military troops also visited the town this year. Father James observed in his homily, “For many years now, as a beautiful sign that justice and freedom can flourish in peace, our former enemy — now our good friends — have come from Germany to give us a fraternal testimony of reconciliation and human solidarity.”

Attendees also paid special tribute to a courageous chaplain, Captain Ignatius Maternowski, a Franciscan friar and priest.

On Monday, June 5, as troops were preparing for their mission back in England, Fr. Maternowski offered Mass for hundreds of the soldiers. In keeping with canon law, he gave “general absolution” to the troops, who were too numerous to engage in the sacrament of confession privately. This was to be his last Mass. He parachuted with his Mass kit and died on D-Day before having an opportunity to offer Mass on French soil.

Local French committees and US-Normandy Association, Memory and Gratitude members have installed a memorial to honor Fr. Maternowski. There is a large panel about the friar in the village of Gueutteville, where he died. A poignant etching depicts Fr. Maternowski ministering to a deceased American soldier. 

Courtesy of Fr. James McCurry, OFM

The Franciscan Book of Memories states, “He was an exemplary priest, a dynamic preacher, but most of all, he was truly an apostle and friend of the soldiers entrusted to his spiritual care.”

Another paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division became a target that night. Private John Steele’s parachute landed in the middle of the town, crashing onto the steeple of the 12th-century church. Wounded in the foot, Pvt. Steele was left dangling on the side of the church as the deadly fighting unfolded below. For the next two hours, he pretended to be dead. His story was later depicted in the film The Longest Day.

Cynthia Liang | Shutterstock

John Steele was eventually taken prisoner by German troops. He later managed to escape and made it back home to his family. The private has a special place in history and for the people of Sainte Mère-Église. After the war he returned to the town often and is fondly remembered by the locals. A uniformed mannequin hangs on the church steeple to honor Pvt. Steele.

The newly refurbished Airborne Museum in the center of Sainte Mère-Église is the largest of its kind in Europe, a place of remembrance allowing visitors to access in-depth formation about the invasion, from its preparation in England through the ensuing battle. The museum was first inaugurated in 1964 and has, over the years, acquired a rich collection, including an authentic C—47 glider.

Should you visit Sainte Mère-Église, make sure to visit the ancient church near the museum, as it is a particularly moving experience. Visitors can read personal messages in the visitors’ book. In particular, you will want to view two important stained-glass windows: one depicting St. Michael, the patron saint of paratroopers, and another dedicated to Father Maternowski.

Courtesy of Fr. James McCurry, OFM