As of March 8, 2017, the solar array of Ellicott City has generated its first Giga Watt Hours of electricity, since going online in 2013.
One of the ways our friars who are based in Ellicott City, MD have worked diligently to be good stewards of God’s creation, respecting the environment and promoting of a loving respect for all of God’s creatures, is by adopting an extremely practical path of energy efficiency. Since February 2013, our friars have incorporated solar panels to support the energy needs of the two friaries and the several ministries that are part of the Ellicott City Complex. Read More: Franciscan Conservation in Action & Catholic Social Justice – Franciscans at Work for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation
One of our unique ministries in the Toronto, Ontario community of Don Mills is St. Clare Inn, a transitional housing project that offers accommodation to homeless women between the ages of 30-60 who are struggling with a diagnosed mental health issue. This year, we celebrate its 10 year of service and ministry. If you would like to join our friars in celebration, please visit the St. Clare Inn website to buy your tickets.
St. Clare Inn is not a shelter. It is a transitional home where women can live with dignity while rebuilding their lives. Within this safe, drug and alcohol free environment – respect, peace, safety, and dignity are key values. Here, women can begin to heal and start to build a better future. A spirit of hospitality and community are an integral part of life at St. Clare Inn which is guided by the following principles:
respect for each individual;
a simple lifestyle;
the healing benefits of living in community; and
an atmosphere of peace
While you are on the website, please take a moment to learn even more.
January 31, 2017: A press conference was held in Augusta, GA featuring several speakers including Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv. of the Diocese of Savannah, a friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province. A plea was made for the new Acting District Attorney, Hank Syms to reverse the decision to seek the death penalty in the case against Steven James Murray, in Superior Court of Burke County, for the murder of Father Rene Robert.
The letter read by Bishop Hartmayer was written by Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
The following is an excerpt taken from an email sent to all of the friars of our province, by Friar James:
“In April 2016, a former friar, Rev. Rene Robert, who in 1995 incardinated into the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, was murdered by an ex-convict to whom he was ministering. After the police caught Mr. Steven James Murray, the ex-convict led them to the body of Fr. Rene where he was slain, near Augusta, Georgia (in the Diocese of Savannah). Now the State of Georgia is preparing to prosecute Mr. Murray for murder as a capital crime for which they will seek the death penalty. …when Fr. Rene first began his ministry to prisoners several years earlier, he wrote a “Declaration of Life,” asking that, if he should be murdered, the death penalty not be used against his killer(s). … After consultation with Bishop Gregory, I asked the OLA Definitory to approve a letter of support for the Bishops’ petition.”
Taken from an article to our friars, written by Fr. Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., who serves as Chairman of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of Our Lady of the Angels Province:
On January 1st, Pope Francis marked the 50th World Peace Day with an address entitled Nonviolence: a Style of Politics for Peace. In his conclusion he names many of the difficulties and conflicts in our world today, and then he says, “Every such response, however modest, helps to build a world free of violence, the first step towards justice and peace.”
One of the best responders, a masterful practitioner of non-violent responses, is the co-president of Pax Christi International, Marie Dennis. Marie was recently named the National Catholic Reporter’s Person of the Year for 2016. She believes that making peace in today’s world requires not only new ways of acting, but also of seeing, and thinking. If you are interested how we: as individuals, as a community, as a people of faith might make what the Pope calls a “modest response” to the many forms of violence found in our communities, then consider reading Marie Dennis’ book, St. Francis and the Foolishness of God, revised edition.
Marie and her co-authors use scripture and stories from the life of St. Francis to speak to contemporary difficulties that we as Americans face. Through their commentary they challenge us to see and think differently. Each section ends with an invitation for the reader to respond with prayer and in action. I have personally used this book for my own spiritual reading, for the book club at the Newman Center/UNC Chapel Hill, and in the friary in Durham, NC for spiritual sessions of house chapter. Each time new insights and challenges emerge.
To give credit where credit is due…Thank you to Fr. Curt Kreml, OFM Conv. for introducing me to this book, which keeps giving. Also thank you to Fr. Andy Santamauro, OFM Conv. and your good example, of using the book for a day of recollection for Holy Cross Parish, in Durham, NC.
In hope,
Friar Michael
Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Br. Michael Duffy, (OFM Conv.) DNP, APRN-BC serves as the Coordinator of the Accelerated Second Degree Program and a Professor in the Elms College School of Nursing. He is pictured in the lower picture center. Each year he and his student put their education into practice by serving the people of Jamaica through this International Clinical Experience.
Students from the Duke Catholic Center, along with Our Lady of the Angels Province friar – Fr. Brad Heckathorne, OFM Conv. spent time during their Fall Mission Trip serving from their “home base” at our pastoral ministry of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church (Baltimore, MD), under the leadership of our friar and their pastor, Fr. David Kashen, OFM Conv. He housed the trip members and our friars of Immaculate Heart of Mary Friary (serving Archbishop Curley High School – Baltimore, MD), St. Casimir Friary (serving St. Casimir Church – Baltimore, MD), St. Joseph Cupertino Friary (serving the Shrine of St. Anthony – Ellicott City, MD) and the Portiuncula Friary (serving the Provincialate – Ellicott City, MD) provided further hospitality and meals for the mission students. They were very grateful for the generosity of our friars and hope to be able to repeat the trip in the future.
Statement on World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski
Chairman, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Bishop Oscar Cantú
Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
September 1, 2016
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ call for Catholics to observe the World Day of Prayer for the Care for Creation. We would like to invite all faithful to join the Pope to pray for the care of creation, united with our Orthodox and Christian sisters and brothers of other denominations who already celebrate this day. We also respectfully invite members of all religions to join in prayer, particularly our Jewish and Muslim friends who, like us Catholics, see Abraham as our “father in faith.”
In his encyclical, Laudato si’, Pope Francis called us to live out an “integral ecology,” which in simple terms means having right relationships with God, other human beings and the good things of the Earth. When one relationship suffers, all the others will suffer as well.
The foundational relationship in our lives is the one with God, who invites us to turn to him in daily prayer. It also reminds us that amidst the great challenges of global climate change, pollution in our local communities, and the deepening ecological and social crises all around us, we can relate to a Creator who is greater than any challenge and for whom “all things are possible” (Mt 19: 26). We can turn, then, in confidence to our Lord in prayer and ask for his grace and assistance.
In friendship with Christ, we begin to look upon creation in a renewed way. Pope Benedict XVI spoke of a certain “reciprocity” between God and our care for creation, a concept which is developed further by Pope Francis in Laudato si’: as we care for the environment, we encounter God, and in this encounter we are moved to care for creation. We are reminded of the Pope’s insistence on practicing what we preach (and pray), and the need for Christians to be visible witnesses of the care for creation. We are called to an “ecological conversion” (no. 217), which must be rooted in Jesus’ invitation to a change in lifestyle, reverence for others and a renewed simplicity of life. These personal transformations pave the way for the work we must do together in order to address the global concerns of our day.
Finally, we would like to suggest a few tangible ways in which we can turn our prayer into witness. In Laudato si’, Pope Francis reminds us of the “nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions,” and suggests various practical steps such as recycling, turning off unnecessary lights and using public transportation (see no. 211). So many of these “daily actions” occur in the context of our families and in our places of worship and work. We can begin, in these ordinary settings, to care in deeper ways for the good things God has given us. This attitude of stewardship, forged in daily life, will, in turn, allow us to participate in the greater national and international efforts to care for the Earth and for future generations.
As we expand our work together as good stewards, it must be marked by care and respect for the dignity of every human being, especially the poor. Those who are impacted the most by our poor environmental decisions often lack the influence to have their suffering addressed. As Christians and people of good will, we must seek out their voices and extend our hands in help, making their pleas our own.
The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is also an occasion for spending time with family and friends as we transition into the beauty of the fall season. We invite you to integrate experiences of creation into your day so that you never lose your wonder in beholding God’s unmatched artistry. Whether we take a walk in a local park, visit a place of striking natural beauty, or even celebrate a festive meal in which we enjoy the “fruits of creation” grown in our own gardens, we can come together with loved ones to pray and give thanks to our Creator for the abundance of blessings given to us this day, and for our life with him always.
____________________
The Canticle of the Creatures ~ St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing,
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no human is worthy to mention Your name.
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind,
and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather,
through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, shall they be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.
The Bishop of Mansa (Zambia), Bishop Patrick Chilekwa Chisanga, O.F.M. Conv., visited the friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province who serve in Ellicott City, MD (June 21-22, 2016). Already that week, our friars were hosting the “Americas Project” delegation of six Friars and laity from Colombia (June 16-23, 2016). Also from June 20-22, 2016, the Minister Provincial from Korea and another Korean friar were visiting Friar Max who is a Korean Friar serving at the Shrine. Oh there is more. Fr. Marcin Buntow, OFM Conv. (pictured at right chatting with Province Secretary, Friar Richard-Jacob), who is in the USA preaching on behalf of our Franciscan Mission Association was also on campus. We even had a surprise visit from one of our pastoral ministry Youth Groups on June 22, 2016. To top it all off, Ellicott City was hit hard with severe weather, causing power and water outages. Needless to say. It was a very interesting weekend as Friars from five continents were on the Ellicott City Campus working and visiting the friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province. This week was a strong witness to the Order’s inter-nationality and inter-culturality.
Friars from Columbia, Zambia, Korea, Ghana & the US gather for a group shot in the Shrine’s dining room.
The Custos of the Order in Colombia, Fr. Jhon Jairo, OFM Conv., two other Friars and three laymen spent the week of June 16-23, 2016 in Our Lady of the Angels Province, with Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. and Fr. Julio Martinez, OFM Conv., exploring common ways of collaborating in the area of Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (aka JPIC). Friar Michael and Friar Julio are members of the Our Lady of the Angels JPIC Commission. The shot was taken outside of the Portiuncula Chapel at the Provincial House on 6-21-2016
The Minister Provincial of Korea, the Very Reverend Fr. Titus Yoon, OFM Conv. accompanied by Korean friar Fr. Aloysius Hong, OFM Conv. visited their Korean confrere Fr. Max Soo Choi, OFM Conv. (pictured top right) who serves at the Shrine of St. Anthony. They were hosted by our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. and the other friars of the Portiuncula Friary, June 20-22.
On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, “Total Youth Ministry” from our pastoral ministry at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community (Burlington, NC) visited the Friars who serve at the Shrine of St. Anthony and the Provincial House (Province Leadership Offices) in Ellicott City, MD. {Picture taken in the Provincial House Conference Room with Shrine Director, Fr. Michael Heine, OFM Conv. (right in habit) and Province Secretary, Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. (back in stripes)}
Pictured are the Friars who attended the event from Our Lady of the Angels Province friars in attendance: Fr. Jobe Abbass, OFM Conv., Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv., Fr. David Suckling, OFM Conv., Fr. Peter Knaapen, OFM Conv., Fr. Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv., Br. Tom Purcell, OFM Conv., Fr. Boniface Reinhart, OFM Conv. and Fr. David Stachurski, OFM Conv.
On April 16, 2016, St. Clare Inn hosted An Evening in Paris fundraiser. The event featured music including an accordion player and student performers, a magician and a handwriting analysis expert. More than 200 people attended. Our ministry at St. Clare Inn (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) helps homeless women between the ages of 30-60, who are struggling with diagnosed mental health issues, rebuild their lives by providing them with transitional housing, support, assistance, guidance and training to relearn life skills. Every year, St. Clare Inn hosts two major fundraisers to assist with operational costs. Since St. Clare Inn is entirely funded privately and receives no government support, these fundraisers are vital to keeping the doors open and their proceeds cover almost 40% of their operating costs. Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Bro. Tom Purcell, OFM Conv. is the Director of St. Clare Inn and our province is one of the ministry supporters.
Linda’s Walk 2016: Save the date of Saturday, August 13, 2016. Walk 5K through the neighborhood of Don Mills, in support of the work of St. Clare Inn. Join the friars, the community, annual participants and other supporters in this, the 7th year, to help change lives in ways you cannot begin to imagine. If you are not from the Toronto area but still wish to support this great ministry or for more information, please contact St. Clare Inn or visit “How You Can Help” on their website.
Linda’s Walk 2016
