As our Order’s Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Revision of the Constitutions and Seretary of the 202nd Ordinary General Chapter, Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Tim Kulbicki, OFM Conv. continues his journeys visiting friars around the world, for the implementation of the Revised Constitutions. In addition to his other assigned ministries and positions, Friar Tim has been traveling the world helping friars to “receive” the new Constitutions, through academic conferences and friary presentations. After presenting recently in Libertyville, IL (at right) to members of St. Bonaventure and Our Lady of Consolation Provinces, Friar Tim traveled to Zambia to give presentations to the friars at St. Bonaventure College in Lusaka (for undergraduate friar students from throughout Africa); in Makeni (for the friars in the central region); in Ibenga (see video – for friars in the Copperbelt region); in Solwezi (for friars in the northwest region); and in Mwinilunga (for friars in the rural northwest region).
He traveled over 1000 miles by road, including 150 miles on washed-out roadways.
On October 26, 2019, the novice friars of the three Franciscan Families met at the St. Francis Friary in Arroyo Grande, California, USA, for a Day of Prayer preached by Friar Jude WINKLER on the Gospel of Matthew.
Halloween – All Saints Day – All Souls Day Hallow means a holy person or a saint. Halloween (October 31st) is another word for All Hallows’ Eve, because the next day – November 1st, is the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. Observed all over the world by many Christian Faiths, it is a day of celebrating the communion of saints; ordinary human beings who lived holy lives, in obedience to God’s will, and who now – in death – are in heaven for eternity. Everyone in heaven is a saint. As we respect & admire all of the deceased people who helped make the world a better place while still alive, we also honor the saints as the deceased who are especially honored by the Church, for having served God so faithfully. On November 2nd, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) we remember all those who have died before us, while we ask God’s mercy for them.
As we approach Saturday, November 2nd and the Feast of All Souls,
we remember our friars who have gone to the Father in the past year:
+Friar Henry Madigan, OFM Conv. ~ December 10, 2018
+Friar Terence Pescatore, OFM Conv. ~ December 17, 2018
+Friar Marcel Sokalski, OFM Conv. ~ January 2, 2019
+Friar Joseph Grzybowski, OFM Conv. ~ January 24, 2019
+Friar Philip Blaine, OFM Conv. ~ February 5, 2019
+Friar Canice Connors, OFM Conv. ~ March 17, 2019
+Friar Duane Mastrangelo, OFM Conv. ~ March 22, 2019
+Friar David Suckling, OFM Conv. ~ March 31, 2019
+Friar Giles Van Wormer, OFM Conv. ~ April 10, 2019
+Friar Joseph Madden, OFM Conv. ~ April 22, 2019
+Friar Firmin Finn, OFM Conv. ~ May 4, 2019
+Friar Lucjan Krolikowski, OFM Conv. ~ October 11, 2019
+Friar Bishop Elias Manning, OFM Conv. ~ October 13, 2019
Daily Prayers for the Deceased
(Psalm 130)
V. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord, Lord hear my voice!
R. O let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.
V. If You, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive?
R. But with You is found forgiveness; for this we revere You.
V. My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on His word.
R. My soul is longing for the Lord, more than watchmen for daybreak.
V. Let the watchmen count on daybreak, and Israel on the Lord.
R. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption, Israel indeed He will redeem from all its iniquity.
V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
R. and let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May all our departed brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and benefactors, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen
Let us pray. Lord God, You are the glory of believers and the life of the just. Your Son redeemed us by dying and rising to life again. Since our departed brothers, sisters, relatives, friends and benefactors of our Order believed in the mystery of our resurrection, let them share the joys and blessings of the life to come. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Hello! My name is Mark Steed. I am 79 years-old and I am a Conventual Franciscan Friar-Priest of the Our Lady of Angels Province (USA). I am currently retired and in residence at St. Bonaventure Friary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
I was born in 1940 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. My Mom was Polish and my Dad was English.
I first learned about the Conventual Franciscan Friars at my high school in Hamilton. After learning more about the Community, I applied and entered the seminary in Watertown, NY in 1958. Later, I entered the novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Middleburg, NY (1960) and professed my first vows under the direction of my novice master +Fr. Celestine Regnier, OFM Conv. in 1961. Some of the friars in my class were +Phil Kelly, John Burkhard, Ed Handy and Ernest Rudy. We professed our Solemn vows in August, 1936 in Rensselaer, NY. I completed my formal studies for the priesthood and I was ordained a priest on March 21, 1987 at our St. Bonaventure Parish here in Toronto.
Over the years, I have had many different and varied ministries, everything from being a maintenance man, assistant novice director, teacher, director of a shrine for Native Americans and parish priest but I would have to say that my ‘favorite’ ministry was working in the northern missions in Canada with First Nations peoples there. I enjoyed living and learning about Native peoples and sharing their lives and stories. As a result, I would have to say that my favorite spiritual devotions would be Native spirituality. I also enjoy the spirituality of Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM.
If someone was considering a vocation to our Order and Province I would say: “Learn who you are in relationship with God and the Friars…and make that relationship real!”
And to our student friars: “Don’t get stuck in any particular devotion…stay open to the Holy Spirit and share your faith and insights and love of God…don’t be afraid of your relationship with God! Always look outward!”
Under the direction of Our Lady of the Angels Province Delegate to the M.I & Provincial Delegate of our Province’s Delegation of St. Francis of Assisi (Canada), Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv. & Spiritual Guide, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (Minister Provincial of OLA Province), forty pilgrims, including six friars, participated in October 21-31, 2019 Franciscan MI Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Above is a photo of our friar pilgrims, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., Friar John Voytek, OFM Conv., Friar James McCurry, OFM Conv., Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv., Friar Robert Benko, OFM Conv. and Friar Gregory Spuhler, OFM Conv. at the October 23rd stop in Nazareth. Below is a photo of the whole group on October 25th, during their visit to Mount Tabor.
More photos can be seen in a slideshow on our Province Facebook Page
Our province is privaledged to have twenty friars from other countries and other provinces serving in the ministries of our province. From October 14-18, 2019, four were able to participate in the World Priest Workshop presented by the Institute for Priests and Presbyterates of the Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, in St. Meinrad, IN. The workshop was created to assist international priests in managing a successful transition into effective ministry in the United States. Presentations addressed the cultural orientation needs of international mission priests, as outlined in Guidelines for Receiving Pastoral Ministers in the United States, 3rd edition (USCCB, 2014) and Bridging the Gap: International Priests Ministering in the United States (Our Sunday Visitor, 2014).
Three friars serving at our Shrine of St. Anthony, in Ellicott City, MD ~ at far left – Friar Thomas Bahn, OFM Conv. (South Korea), next to him – Friar Rijo Mulavarickal Polachan, OFM Conv. (India) and fifth from left – Friar Everest Valentine Nyaki Mkenda, OFM Conv. (Tanzania) ~ were in attendance, as well as ~ third from right – Friar Paul Pantiru, OFM Conv. (Romania), who serves as Parochial Vicar at our pastoral ministry of St. Anne Catholic Church, in Columbus GA.
Consistent with our Franciscan charism and tradition of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our province has been progressing in our efforts to more fully tap into this 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. With a view to promoting consecration to the Immaculate among the faithful served through the ministries of our friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., who serves as our Province MI Assistant, has completed the eleventh successful and rewarding stop on our Province M.I Initiative Tour of our pastoral ministries. Over the next few years, Friar Jobe will preach at the Masses to encourage the faithful to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate and to enroll in the M.I.
Holy Family Parish, Kingston, ON Canada
On the weekend of October 19-20, the friars of St. Antony Friary welcomed back Fr. Jobe, as the M.I. Initiative made its 11th stop at Holy Family Parish, in Kingston, ON Canada. Reminded by the psalmist that our help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth, the parishioners pondered the role of the Immaculate and her constant intercessory help before the Lord. A great many of parishioners who attended the three Masses welcomed the invitation to consecrate themselves to the Immaculate Conception and to enroll in the M.I.
Friar James Fukes, OFM Conv. (pastor) and Friar Jobe with a sampling of the Holy Family parishioners
Father Stanley Sobiech, OFM Conv. Spiritual Testimony
My name is Stanley Sobiech I am an 86-year-old Conventual Franciscan Priest. I was born in Poland on July 20, 1933 in a large village of about 400 families, one hundred miles north of Warsaw. Currently I am retired and live at St. Hyacinth Friary in Chicopee, MA Senior Friar residence for members of our Province.
My life is like a serial TV soap opera “Days of My Life.” I still do not understand my childhood and high school life and now I know that this was Mission Impossible. I still don’t know why God put in my heart the dream to be a priest.
To understand my life, we need to understand the culture, traditions and circumstances – in a special way – of the German Nazi invasion, Communist rulers, revolution and divide and conquer.
Seventy-two years ago, on Thursday, September 12, 1940, I received my first Holy Communion. During the final examination the priest whom I did not know because he was hiding underground, gave us a simple question – and did not ask for an answer. His question was “Maybe someday one of your will become a priest?” The room was very quiet – no emotion – but I still can see his face. I still can hear his voice and I still keep in my heart my answer. Yes, I will be a priest.
At this time, from 1939-1945, Poland was occupied. There was almost 24 hours of martial law. Study was illegal and was punished by being sent to a concentration camp or even execution. From my village, four men were arrested and never came home. At this time, I helped my parents on the farm. When I was eight years old, I was almost a professional farmer – but I was really a professional shepherd for cows, horses, lambs and even pigs. As a child, I was physically abused many times, but my parents comforted me and helped me defuse my anger.
In 1945, when I was 12 years old, I met a real teacher for the first time. At this time, we did not have a school building, books, paper, pencils or text books. Close to Christmas 1945, we received a delivery from Santa Claus from the USA, including fish oil. This time a second professional teacher came to our village. After five years of study in my village, when I was 17 years old, I was sent to high school. This was the first time I saw a school building and a dormitory. I had my own bed – and we also had a dining room with tables and utensils. In our school there was no bathroom or running water, but close to the school was a special building and this was the bathroom – but no water, no toilet, no toilet paper…but we did have newspaper and many flies!
In the dormitory we had water and real toilets – but that building was 200 yards from the school. Later my school’s name changed to Joseph Stalin School. This school taught no religion – no crosses were in the classrooms – only pictures of Stalin, Lenin, Marx and many Communist officials. The dormitory schedule had no place for prayer or for church services. Each Saturday after regular classes we had about three hours of good dancing and then a good supper. On Sunday, we slept longer and had a good breakfast and then two by two they took us to the movies. First we had about one half hour Communist indoctrination and then a nice Russian movie. One Sunday, I visited my parents in order to practice my religion. While walking to Church, I looked over a stone wall and saw many people. In curiosity, I went through the front gate. To my surprise, a pastor whom I knew smiled and said to me: “Stanley, Stanley, stay here, stay here.” I asked what was happening. He answered: “Confirmation.” A couple of minutes later some woman I knew came to me and asked for my Confirmation name. Later some man put his hand on my shoulder, the Bishop touched my forehead and cheeks and my Confirmation was finished. I don’t know how many made Confirmation with me.
In 1954, I finished high school and passed the test of maturity. With the diploma in my pocket, I separated myself from Communist indoctrination. A couple of days later I visited Warsaw. The Father Provincial of the Warsaw Province was the first person with whom I shared my 14-year secret of dreaming to become a Franciscan friar. In friendly conversation, he asked me for my diploma. The Provincial saw that my diploma was from Joseph Stalin High School and it was a good reason for him not to trust me. He was afraid I was a spy. So he refuse me – but he gave me hope to try again the next year. This meant I must go to work. During this year I visited my family for a couple of days at Easter – and the first days of July for vacation. The first question I received from my parents was: “How long is your vacation?” My simple answer – “I’m leaving on the 9th of August.” My parents were very happy because I was able to help on the farm. Sunday, the 7th of August, was the first time I showed my mother my invitation to become a Conventual Franciscan. She had been outside milking the cows to bring me some milk and she came home to clean the stove of ash and cook me something to eat. Her first reaction was to sit down and cry loudly as she called my name. To understand my mother’s reaction, you must know our tradition and circumstances. I was the oldest son. I had four sisters and one brother eighteen years younger than me. She was sure the priestly life was not for me. If I left the Franciscans later this meant public shame for my family. So her first reaction was fear and shock. I’m sure my family prayed hard for my perseverance and they were only very happy after my ordination.
On Tuesday, August 9, 1955, I came to a friary in Niepokalanow. My first surprise – after I finished my first cigarette – was the Novice Master saying to me: “Choose cigarettes or Niepokalanow.” The next surprise was having my hair completely cut off – my head was completely white – the halo a sign of holiness! The worst surprise came the first day of an eight-day retreat. The Novice Master said to me: “Young man, you need a dispensation from the Joseph Stalin High School diploma. My group all received the Franciscan habit – but I was still waiting for my dispensation. Now I am sure that my haircut was a problem for my Provincial. What are we to do with this young man with a halo on his head! But seven years later on Sunday, July 8, 1962 in Niepokalanow I received the gift of Jesus Christ’s priesthood.
My soap opera life ended when I asked my Provincial for a mission in Africa, but the Communist government sent me to the USA. So far, it has never been in my mind to be “the big boss” – but only a poor missionary in Africa. My happiness was – and is – to be a good “secondary” actor.
“Not to me – not to me, O Lord, but to Your Name be the glory. Amen”
My favorite type of prayer is personal conversation with God. I am in awe that God is so good to me. God knows my needs, and I am thankful for what I have received. My favorite prayer is “Angel of God”
To my younger student friars and men considering a vocation I would say: Our life without real faith is nothing. Faith is a gift from God. I believe God loves me. Being a Franciscan without faith is a waste of time. God called me to be a Franciscan, but I had a choice and said yes. My life is fulfilled.
Brother Hugh Dymski, OFM Conv. Spiritual Testimony My name is Hugh Dymski and I am a 76-year-old Conventual Franciscan Religious Brother in the Our Lady of Angels Province (USA). I am currently in residence at St. Hyacinth Friary in Chicopee, MA one of our Senior Friar residences. I am from Chicopee. My Dad was a butcher who died of a stroke when I was only in the seventh grade and my Mother was a cook who worked at St. Stanislaus Parish in Chicopee. I came to know the Conventual Friars by one of our Friar-priests. In 1961, I entered the novitiate of the Conventual Franciscans in Ellicott City, MD. I professed my first vows on August 15, 1962 and my solemn vows in November, 1965. My novice master was Fr. Alurelion Brzeznick, OFM Conv. And some of my classmates are Fr. Conrad, Fr. Blasé, Fr. Linus and Fr. Bede.
My first assignment as friar was at St. Francis High School in Hamburg, NY and I really don’t have a ‘favorite’ assignment. All of my assignments were good.
My Franciscan prayer life is good and I consider it a very personal prayer life.
During the Fall Friars Day, on October 15th, our Vicar Provincial Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. took the opportunity to bless one of the newest friaries of our province; the Franciscan Martyrs Friary, in Columbus, GA.
Friars Day – What is It?
Each year, during the Spring and Fall, the friars of the Our Lady of the Angels Province gather for a day of on-going formation and fraternity. Because of the tremendous geographical distance among the friars there are generally four planned days: metro-Baltimore, Western New York, Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, and either Georgia or North Carolina. Topics for each gathering are planned in advance. This Fall’s topic is Forming Intentional Disciples, with presenter: Katherine Coolidge of the Catherine of Siena Institute.
The Fall Friars Days 2019 Schedule
October 8, 2019
Our Lady of the Angels Care Center, Enfield, CT October 10, 2019
St. Francis Friary, Syracuse, NY October 15, 2019 Franciscan Martyrs Friary, Columbus, GA October 17, 2019
St. Casimir Friary, Baltimore, MD
After presenting recently in Libertyville, IL (at right) to members of St. Bonaventure and Our Lady of Consolation Provinces, Friar Tim traveled to Zambia to give presentations to the friars at St. Bonaventure College in Lusaka (for undergraduate friar students from throughout Africa); in Makeni (for the friars in the central region); in Ibenga (see video – for friars in the Copperbelt region); in Solwezi (for friars in the northwest region); and in Mwinilunga (for friars in the rural northwest region).
Father Mark Steed, OFM Conv.
Brother Hugh Dymski, OFM Conv.
