Fr. Joseph William Bayne, Jr.
Fr. Joseph William Bayne, Jr., OFM Conv., 66, a Franciscan Friar Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province, died on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Chicago.
Born in Baltimore, Md., on March 15, 1957, he was a son of the late + Joseph William Sr. (1977) and Jean (nee Gorman) Bayne. He is survived by his mother and younger brother, George.
Fr. Joe, as he known by so many, was a graduate of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, where he first encountered the Franciscan community, he would join after graduation in 1975. Completing his Novitiate in Ellicott City, Md., he professed Simple Vows on August 15, 1976. He completed his undergraduate degree at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary in Granby, Mass., earning a BA in Philosophy in 1980. After professing Solemn Vows on August 15, 1981, Friar Joseph studied at St. Anthony-on-Hudson in Rensselaer, N.Y., where he earned his M.Div degree before being ordained to the Priesthood on March 25, 1985.
From 1985-1989, Fr. Joe began his priestly ministry in Shamokin, Penn., where he served as Parochial Vicar of St. Stephen Parish and then St. Stanislaus Parish.
In 1989, Fr. Joe moved to Buffalo, where he began a 29-year ministry at The Franciscan Center, a transitional housing program for runaway and homeless young men from Western New York. The Center served more than 4,000 young men before closing its doors in 2018. For thirteen of his years in Buffalo, Fr. Joe served as Chaplain of Erie County Emergency Services and the Buffalo Fire Department, often known by his call number, ES-11.
In 2018, Fr. Joseph was reassigned to Chicopee, Mass., where he served briefly as Pastor of St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Parish and Chaplain of the city fire department, before accepting the responsibility of becoming the Associate Director of Formation at the Conventual Franciscans’ Postulancy house in Chicago. This ministry to young men in their first year of formation as friars was very much a reprisal of his years at The Franciscan Center.
Visitation hours will be held Sunday, July 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Church of the Annunciation (5212 McCormick Avenue, Baltimore Md., 21206), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, July 3, at 11:00 a.m., in the Church of the Annunciation, followed by internment in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Baltimore.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Buffalo, on Saturday, July 15 at 10:00 a.m., in St. Joseph Cathedral (50 Franklin Street, Buffalo N.Y., 14202).
Friar Joseph Bayne, OFM Conv. – 1957-2023
Friar Joseph Bayne, OFM Conv.
The Franciscan Friars Conventual are saddened to announce that our brother, + Friar Joseph Bayne, OFM Conv., was embraced by Sister Death late on the evening of Friday, June 23.
Fr. Joe, as he was known, ministered for three decades in the Diocese of Buffalo as executive director of The Franciscan Center, while also serving as chaplain for the Erie County Department of Emergency Services. His most recent assignment was as the associate director of Formation for our Postulancy Program, located in Chicago.
“The friars woke up today to the unexpected news of the loss of our brother, Joe,” said Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv., Minister Provincial of the Our Lady of the Angels Province of which Fr. Joe was a member. “Right now, the friars are in mourning.”
We know that our good Fr. Joe was beloved by many, who will want to pay their respects. We ask your patience as arrangements are made Details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
Fr. Robert Twele provides important counsel to Catholic Relief Services
Pope Francis greets Fr. Robert Twele, OFM Conv., Esq., at the Vatican.
Fr. Robert Twele, OFM Conv. Esq., was asked by Caritas International to join a small group of professionals to overhaul and write new statutes for this important charity agency. It has involved several trips to Rome, and countless hours spent writing and rewriting documents that were eventually signed off by Pope Francis. Fr. Robert was present in mid-May during the Caritas General Assembly. Thank you, Fr. Robert, for making OLA proud!
D-Day Anniversary: The legacy of Fr. Ignatius Maternowski, OFM Conv.
In 2023, on the 79th anniversary of the untimely passing of Fr. Maternowski, former Minister Provincial Father James McCurry, who knows this story well and has visited France countless times, talks about the legacy of Fr. Maternowski.
Assisi by the Chesapeake
Anyone ages 13-18 can participate! Each person should be associated with a parish, school, or campus ministry group. Each ministry needs to send chaperones to accompany its group: one adult for every 12 young people. The retreat is limited to 150 participants, so register early! What can I expect? This retreat is intended for young men and women, who would like to grow in their faith, learn more about the Franciscan tradition, connect with other young people, and have a fun weekend away on retreat.
Register today!
