Friar Richard Florek , OFM Conv., a Franciscan Friar of the Our Lady of the Angels Province, died on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Born in Buffalo on Dec. 23, 1944, he was son of the late Walter and Genevieve (nee Kuzara) Florek. He is survived by his sisters, Geraldine Weiss and Marianne Vidal, along with many nephews and nieces. Friar Richard grew up with the Conventual Franciscans, first as a parishioner and student at St. Casimir Parish and then as a student at Bishop Ryan High School, both in Buffalo.
After graduating high school, Friar Richard entered the Novitiate of the Conventual Fraciscans in Ellicott City, Md., being given the religious name “Chrysostom.” He professed simple vows on Aug.15, 1963. He then attended St. Hyacinth College & Seminary in Granby, Mass., earning his bachelor’s in philosophy before professing solemn vows on Aug. 15, 1966. He completed theological studies at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, N.Y., and was ordained to the priesthood in Albany on May 20, 1972.
At a time when most friars went into the high school apostolate after completing initial formation, Frair Richard bucked the trend and dove into parish life. His first assignment was to St. Casimir Parish in Riverside, N.J., where he ministered from 1972-1982. He then served three years as pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Mt. Joy, Penn., before commencing a 10 year assignment as co-pastor and then pastor of St. Paul Parish in Kensington, Conn. In 1995, he started another decade of ministry as pastor of St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Parish in Baltimore, Md. Friar Richard then moved to Boynton Beach, Fla., where he served as pastor of St. Mark Parish until 2014. He continued living in residence at St. Mark Friary until his death.
Visitation hours will be held Thursday, March 27,from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at St. Mark Catholic Church (643 NE 4th Avenue, Boynton Beach FL 33435), with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mark’s on Friday, March 28 at 11 a.m.Another Funeral Mass will be celebrated, in the chapel of St. Francis High School (4129 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg NY 14075) on Wednesday, Apr. 2, at 12:00 p.m., preceded by an hour of visitation. Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Buffalo N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Aged & Infirm Fund (12300 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City MD 21042).
On Feb. 22 and 23, the Custody of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil had the joy of receiving eight missionaries and volunteers from the Militia of the Immaculate Conception in São Bernardo do Campo/SP at the Santa Cecília Parish in Belo Horizonte/MG.
They went to spread the word about the charisma and the new open Catholic TV channel in Belo Horizonte/MG: TV Imaculada 15.1. The missionaries were received by the parish priest, Friar Fábio Soares da Silva, OFM Conv., and by the other confreres of the Convent of Our Lady of the Angels: Friar Marcelo dos Santos Silva, OFM Conv. and Friar Lindomar de Jesus Carvalho, OFM Conv. The missionaries were sent to the various chapels that make up the Santa Cecília Parish.
In addition to the publicity, miraculous medals and magazines of the Militia of the Immaculate, inspired by the evangelizing style of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, were offered to the faithful who participated in the Celebrations. Full of gratitude, we praise God for such great benefits!
“As we begin these 40 days of Lent, we ask the Lord to help us to change. We pray that the Lord helps us to change so that we may be able to experience the warmth and the sun of Jesus the Son, risen from the dead at Easter.”
~ Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv.
As we begin the sacred season of Lent, we atMost Holy Trinity-St. Mary’s Parish’s in Brooklyn, N.Y.,are reaching out to the many young adults in our Williamsburg neighborhood, inviting them to take part in this time of reflection and renewal.
We know that many of our neighbors, especially young adults, may not currently be connected to a faith community. Some may have grown up Catholic but drifted away, while others may simply be searching for something deeper. Our hope this Lent is to meet them where they are and offer simple, meaningful ways to reconnect with Jesus.
One new initiative isExpress Ashes, an accessible way to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday without attending a full Mass. Those who participate will be invited to take a moment for personal prayer (with a guided prayer sheet we provide) before receiving ashes from one of our friars. This allows for a personal and reflective experience, even for those who may feel hesitant about stepping into a church.
We’re also usingInstagramto sharebrief (30-60 second) Lenten reflections, offering messages of hope, encouragement, and renewal throughout the season. By meeting people in digital spaces where they already are, we hope to extend an open invitation to return, reflect, and rediscover the faith.
On Feb. 8, 2025, the Custody of the Immaculate Conception of Brazil had the joy of celebrating the Eucharist, presided over by Provincial Custos Friar Carlos Roberto de Oliveira Charles, OFM Conv., in which five young men made their First Profession of Vows. Making their vows were Friar Adilson Fernandes, OFM Conv., Friar Gabriel Florenço, OFM Conv, Friar Jaime Sabino, OFM Conv, Friar Marcos Jesus, OFM Conv., and Friar Ramon Nascimento, OFM Conv.
And together with this celebration we join in giving thanks for the 25 years of religious profession of Friar Humberto Martins, OFM Conv. We praise and thank God for the gift of life and vocation of these brothers of ours and we ask that God grant them perseverance in their vocational journey.
Submitted by Friar Willian Gomes Mendonça, OFM Conv., Custodial Secretary
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Every Wednesday night, over 100 college students gather at the Newman Catholic Student Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for “Carolina Catholic Night” – a midweek opportunity to grow in faith and friendships, with an opening activity, a student speaker, live music, and a student-cooked meal.
In January, students were delighted to be joined by Friar Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., bishop of Charlotte, as a guest speaker and they designed an activity with him in mind: a Charlotte Trivia contest. The final question pitted Bishop Martin against his confrere and former housemate, Friar Tim Kulbicki, OFM Conv., pastor and director of campus ministry at the Newman Center. Bishop Martin shared that he had known Friar Tim since high school. Perhaps that explains the bishop’s overjoyed reaction when he won the round.
Bishop Martin read from the fifth chapter of Luke’s Gospel, when Jesus tells Peter: “duc in altum” (“put out into deep water”) and lower his nets. So many fish filled the nets that Peter and Andrew called their friends to help. “I think for many of us in our lives of faith, we are so afraid of what might be in those deep waters,” Bishop Martin said. “But Jesus says to you and to me in multiple ways throughout our lives: ‘duc in altum’ – ‘go deeper.’ Go deeper.”
“It meant a lot to see Bishop Mike take time out of his busy schedule and spend some time with us students,” said Patrick Jones, a junior from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Jefferson. It was nice, he said to “have that reminder to live our faith boldly in the middle of a busy semester.”
— Photos provided by Joseph Pham
Reprinted with the permission of the Catholic News Herald, Diocese of Charlotte.
Situated on 236 acres of rolling hills and woodlands in the heart of the Baltimore-Washington area, the Shrine of St. Anthony offers a unique opportunity to “come away and rest awhile.” (Mk 6:31)
The Franciscan Friars Conventual are pleased to welcome all Pilgrims of Hope to the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Maryland, especially during this Jubilee Year. Virtual pilgrims can experience the beauty of this holy place and walk the halls on a unique virtual tour experience.
Dive in and learn about the design of our chapel, see a first-class relic up close, and even view photographs of the original construction of the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary almost 100 years ago. The virtual tour also features 13 murals depicting the life and ministry of St. Anthony of Padua.
On January 30, 2025, Pope Francis received a small delegation representing the Laudato Si’ Movement, the Union of Superiors General, the International Union of Superiors General, and Roman VI (JPIC delegates for the Franciscan Family) in the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv. (to the Holy Father’s immediate left), represented Roman VI. The twelve-member delegation was able to discuss with the Holy Father hopes for celebrating the Jubilee Year, the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures, and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’.
Submitted by Friar Michael Lasky, OFM Conv., General Delegate for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
The Syracuse University Catholic Center celebrates a weekly “Community Night” every Thursday, beginning with Mass at 7 p.m., followed by a delicious catered dinner attended by about 100 students. The students select the menu. On the final Thursday of the month, students are asked to “pay it forward.”
After dinner they make bologna and cheese sandwiches to bring to the Assumption Food Pantry on the north side of Syracuse. The pantry is run and operated by our friars. On Jan. 30,2025, more than 600 sandwiches were made in less than 20 minutes. “As they say, many hands make light work,” said Syracuse University Catholic Chaplain Friar Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. “On Friday morning, I invite those students who have an hour free to join me in the delivery. The sandwiches are served for lunch that day.”
Members of local faithful fraternities Pi Kappa Alpha and Psi Upsilon also attended. Theta Chi usually attends as well but members were engaged with their annual philanthropy event.
+ Friar David Young, OFM Conv., a friar of Our Lady of the Angels Province living in England, died on Jan. 11, 2025.Born on March 1, 1933, Friar David made Solemn Vows as a Greyfriar on Nov. 29, 1957. After having studied in Beaumaris, Wales, and Rome, he was ordained a priest in the church of St, Clare, Manchester, England, on July 19, 1959. He exercised his priestly ministry in many parishes including Liverpool (1962-64) Dublin, London, Rye, and Manchester. He was also called to teach in the seminaries in Beaumaris and Canterbury, and a Grammar School in Manchester.
For a time, he was editor of the Crusader magazine and the Director for the Crusade of Mary Immaculate. Friar David retired from active ministry, due to ill health, some six years ago and his final assignment was at the friary in Liverpool. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m., at St. Clare’s, Blackley. This will be followed by interment at Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool.
