Most Reverend Adam J. Parker, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, ordained Friar Richard Rome, OFM Conv. to the Order of Deacon on Oct. 6, at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City, Md, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars Conventual. Friar Richard can now proclaim Gospel readings, preach homilies, and preside over baptisms, weddings, and rites of Christian burial.

Most Reverend Adam J. Parker lays hands on Friar Deacon Richard M. Rome, OFM Conv.

“It is a joy and privilege to be here,” Bishop Parker said as he opened the Mass. “This celebration is a reminder of our Lord’s mandate to make disciples and lived as disciples.” Bishop Parker was filling in for Most Reverend Dennis J. Madden, auxiliary bishop emeritus of Baltimore, who was sick and unable to attend. Bishop Parker delivered the homily Bishop Madden was to give. “This diaconal year is a special time that God provides you with in order to perfect as best you can the gift of service which He has already implanted in you.”

“Friar Rich’s unassuming personality will serve him well as he performs his ministry as a friar-deacon,” said Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv. “His homilies are well prepared and truly touch the hearts of his listeners. I know that the people at Saint Casimir’s Baltimore will help him develop his skills as together they build the Lord’s Kingdom.”

Mass of Ordination to the Diaconate: Investiture with stole and dalmatic.

Friar Rome will perform his diaconate ministry at St. Casimir Church in Baltimore, where he will be ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Atlanta, on June 8, 2024.

“I feel like I am entering into a different kind of ministry for the Church, a ministry of service,” Friar Rich said. “Having said that, I’ve been in a ministry of service the whole time I have been a friar. But I feel like this is a call to serve at table, the table of the Word and of the Eucharist.”

Born in Norfolk, Va., Friar Rome is the son of  Sharon and Kenneth Rome, Captain U.S. Navy (Retired). He has a brother, Jim. He grew up in the Military Archdiocese, moving every two years. He lived in Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Italy. Friar Richard is a graduate of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Classics. He received a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management at Towson University in Towson, Md., and is completing his Master of Divinity at Catholic University of American in Washington, D.C. Before entering the order, he spent eight years as a United States Army Civil Servant working in logistics.

Friar Deacon Rome (center) with (left to right) Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., Kenneth and Sharon Rome (his parents) and Bishop Parker.

Friar Rome spent his postulancy year in Chicago followed by his novitiate at Arroyo Grande, Calif. His post-novitiate studies were performed in Silver Spring, Md., followed by an apostolic year in Shamokin, Penn, and post-novitiate studies in Silver Spring.

Mass of Ordination to the Diaconate: Litany of Supplication.

“I have thought about the images of St. Francis at Greccio, such as in the Assisi Upper Basilica, where he is leading the faithful in making the first live Nativity scene,” Friar Rome said. “In those images, St. Francis is dressed as a deacon holding the Christ-child. In that image, I see what I am to aspire to as a friar-deacon: to bear the Word of God in a way that others can experience Him.”

Friar-Archbishop Kmetec with friars at St. Bonaventure Friary.

Friar-Archbishop Martin Kmetec, OFM Conv., of the Archdiocese of Izmir (Smyrna), Turkey, visited the friars of Saint Bonaventure Friary, Silver Spring, Maryland in September 2023. On Sunday, Sept. 10, the archbishop celebrated the 10:30 a.m. Liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Prior to the Mass, he met with Cardinal Wilton Cardinal Gregory, archbishop of Washington, D.C.

Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop of Washington, D.C., met with Friar-Archbishop Kmetec.

Vice Provincial Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv., offers the blessing while Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., looks on.

Little Portion Farm hosted the blessing of the new Fruit Tree Orchard and Wild Flower Garden on Saturday, Sept. 9. Supporters who donated resources for the purchase of the trees and flowers were among those in attendance with many dedicated in the name of beloved family members and friends of these benefactors. Vicar Provincial Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv., offered the blessing, assisted by Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Director Friar Paul Lininger. Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv, whose family purchased and dedicated one of the fruit trees, was also in attendance.

Little Portion Farm is a ministry of the Franciscan Friars Conventual and focused on providing fresh food to those in need while using sustainable farming methods to restore the health of our land. The three-acre farm, located in Ellicott City, Md., functions as an “agro-ecosystem,” with a diversity of plants and habitats to support the life of this “little portion” of creation. As the food harvested from the farm is donated to the Franciscan Center in Baltimore, the overarching mission of this ministry is, using the words of Pope Francis, to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

Friar Emmanuel reverences the altar at the opening of the Mass. His father, Deacon Matthew Wenke (left),served as deacon for the Mass.

 One day after being ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, archbishop of Atlanta, Friar Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv., celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Francis Church in Athol Springs, New York, on Aug. 16. Nearly 50 friars from Our Lady of the Angels Province also partook in the celebration. Friar Wenke’s father, Deacon Matt Wenke, served as deacon.

The Body of Christ.

The Blood of Christ.

Minister Provincial Michael Heine, OFM Conv., served as concelebrant and homilist. “This morning we come together to celebrate our newest friar priest. Today we offer great thanksgiving to God.”

Friar Michael was Friar Emmanuel’s postulant director in 2012. “He has been open to the spirit, and has developed into a wonderfully mature, exemplary friar,” he said, and continued with this guidance: “Take time to reflect on the scriptures each day and let your homilies be the fruit of your prayer. Be a man of peace. As St. Francis said, make sure you always heal wounds, bind what is broken, and bring home what is lost.

Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., blesses Friar Emmanuel’s chalice which is inscribed with the names of his parents.

“Being a friar priest is one of self-sacrifice and service. Always imitate what Jesus did the day before Good Friday. He washed the apostle’s feet. Manny, always be a foot washer. No task or assignment is below you. Do what no one else wants to do.”

Friar Emmanuel’s father, Deacon Matthew Wenke, proclaimed the Gospel.

After the Closing Prayer, Friar Emmanuel said, “Words of thanks for all of your support, for being present here. Following a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, New York, this Sunday (Aug. 20), Friar Emmanuel will join the faculty of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore.

Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, archbishop of Atlanta, ordained Father Emmanuel Wenke, OFM Conv., to the priesthood on Tuesday, Aug. 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Victory Basilica and National Shrine in Lackawanna.

Archbishop Hartmayer anoints Friar Emmanuel’s hands with the Sacred Chrism.

Archbishop Hartmayer, who served as the main celebrant for the Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood, opened his homily, “Pax et Bonum. Peace and all good. It is truly a great joy and privilege to be with you, my Franciscan Family, to ordain our brother, Emmanuel, together as a people of God to welcome into our Church Universal a new priest, a priest of Jesus Christ.

“‘Ordination changes your being into the likeness of Christ the priest, Christ the teacher, Christ the shepherd. Allow this interior change to expand your friendship with Christ. Through the daily celebration of the Mass, this bond of friendship will be strengthened.”

Born in Jamestown, N.Y., Father Wenke moved to Olean, N.Y., in 2001, where his family were members of St. John the Evangelist Parish. He was also extensively involved in youth ministry at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels Parish. He was homeschooled through high school and completed a year and a half of study at Jamestown Community College before joining Our Lady of the Angels Province Franciscan Friars Conventual in 2012.

Nearly 80 friars and diocesan priests processed into the historic basilica which was consecrated in 1926, in tribute to Our Lady of Victory. It’s copper dome measures 80 feet in diameter and soars to 120 feet, the painting of the Assumption and Coronation of the Blessed Mother is described as a true masterwork.

“Friar Manny brings an enthusiastic spirit to his ministry and is a wonderful preacher,” said Father Michael Heine, OFM Conv., minister provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province and principal celebrant of the Mass. “He sees his ministry as a friar-priest as one of humble service.

Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv., welcomes the province’s newest friar priest.

Father Emmanuel is the son of Deacon Matt and Mary Wenke of Olean. Deacon Wenke served as assisting deacon for his son’s ordination. The new friar-priest’s five siblings are Sister Frances Marie (Nora) Wenke, CP, Jude, Abram, Air Force SSgt Samuel Wenke, and Mathew. His late grandparents, Robert and Kathleen Wenke, were St. Mary’s parishioners.

“I am very humbled at the opportunity to share God’s merciful love with the world as a friar-priest,” Father Emmanuel said. “I have experienced so many blessings in my life through the example, prayers, teaching, and sacramental ministry of many good priests. I begin my own priestly journey full of gratitude and with a deep desire to share with others the same blessings I have received through Christ’s gift of the priesthood.”

Friar Emmanuel with Archbishop Hartmayer, Friar Heine, and his brother friars on the altar of Our Lady of Victory Basilica.

On Wednesday, Aug. 16, Father Wenke will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving 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, 202 S. Union St., Olean, N.Y.

The Wenke Family celebrate a joyous occasion.

Friar Emmanuel’s next assignment will be Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, where he will teach religion and be part of the Campus Ministry team.