All 50 states and 17 countries were represented among the congress participants, which included more than 1,000 priests (including our own Fr. Rick Martignetti) and 200 bishops and cardinals. Although most of the activities took place at the Indianapolis Convention Center, the opening Mass on July 18 was at Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL Team), as was the final Mass of the event last Sunday.

Upon arriving at Indianapolis Airport, travelers were greeted with a giant sign which read: “Heaven on Earth. No boarding pass needed. National Eucharistic Congress.”

The opening Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who set the theme for the Congress, reflecting on Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse in John, Chapter 6.  “To recover the centrality of Sunday Mass as God’s people are fed with the Bread of Life has to be the resolve of this grand Eucharistic congress,” Cardinal Dolan said in the homily reflecting on Jesus”. He went on to say, “As Pope Francis has repeated: ‘no Eucharist, no church,'” the cardinal continued. There was an acknowledgement that, after the COVID pandemic, many Catholics either stopped going to Sunday Mass or were choosing to do so online. There was an emphasis that in the Mass, "Real Presence requires real presence of Catholics."

Throughout the week, various events held, all centering around the Eucharist, which is themed as “the world’s greatest love story.” 

At the same time as the opening Mass was celebrated at the stadium, two other liturgies took place at the congress, including a Mass celebrated in Spanish by Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley of Boston and concelebrated by multiple bishops and many priests. Following the Spanish Mass, hundreds of Latino Catholics participated in the Spanish-language impact session: Encuentro.

Of particular interest to us as Franciscans is the reflection that Jesus gave himself in poverty to show that our poverty is the wealth of the church, and that the Lord asks us to be accessible to the most vulnerable.

Throughout the week, through Eucharistic Liturgies, Holy Hours, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, talks and encounters, many accompanied by music provided by some of the greatest liturgical musicians of the church, countless hearts were touched and a renewed devotion to the Eucharist, the very heart of the church, was fostered.

The Eucharistic Congress should also inspire us, as Franciscan Friars, to a closer bond to Body and Blood of Christ, to renewed efforts in our own ministries and parishes to foster a love for the Mass and a special personal bond between each friar and the very heart of the Church, which is the Eucharist.

Wishing all of you blessings and peace. 

News from the Convento San Francesco

Summer Assignments for Convento Friars

Br. Daniel Cavalieri- Solemn Profession Preparation- Assisi

Br. Jack Sidoti- Solemn Profession Preparation- Assisi

Br. Daniel Ramirez Luna - Padua Friary, NYC

Br. Kevin Ottoniel Hernandez- St. Christopher, Boston

Br. Nelson Aldair Orantes Calderon- El Salvador

Br. Dagoberto Hernandez Lopez- Instituto S. Francisco, Honduras

Br. Kevin Gabriel Gonzalez Vega- St. Joseph, Winsted

Br. Efrain Gabriel Rojas Mendieta- St. Leonard, Boston

Br. Oscar Valle Perez- Siena Friary/FMA, Mt. Vernon

Br. Luis Antonio Hernandez Lopez- – St. Jane Frances, Toronto

Br. Kevin Leonel Flores Godoy- Agape, El Salvador

Fr. Marco Antonio Gomez Garcia O.F.M.

Ordained to the Priesthood- July 13, 2024

On July 13, 2024, our brother, Fr. Marco Antonio Gomez Garcia, O.F.M. was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Comayagua, Honduras, by Bishop Joseph Bonello, O.F.M., Bishop of Juticalpa, Honduras. Also presiding was the new bishop of Comayagua, Bishop Angelo Fallon, O.F.M. Present were Fr. Robert Campagna, O.F.M., Provincial Minister; Fr. Orlando Ruiz, O.F.M., Provincial Definitor; Fr. Rafael Fernandez, O.F.M., President of the immaculate Conception Central American Foundation; many friars; local clergy; family and friends of Fr. Marco. He celebrated his first Mass on Sunday, July 14 at the Monastery of Saint Clare. Fr. Marco has been stationed in Toronto, Canada, during his diaconate. Congratulations to Fr. Marco.    

Upcoming Special Events

The Order of Friars Minor, Immaculate Conception Province of New York joyfully announces the Solemn Profession of Br. Daniel Cavalieri, OFM, and Br. Jack Sidoti, OFM in the hands of Fr. Robert Campagna, OFM, Minister Provincial, Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11:00 AM, Our Lady of Peace Church, 522 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, New York 11215

The Order of Friars Minor, Immaculate Conception Province of New York julfully announces the ordination of Br. Jack Sidoti, OFM to the Order of Deacons through the laying on of hands and consecratory prayer of the Most Reverend Bishop George Bugeja, OFM, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, Libya on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 AM,  Saint Joseph Church, 31 Oak Street, Winsted, Connecticut 06098.  

Diaconate Ordination and Solemn Profession:  At the request of the candidates, all concelebrating friars are requested to wear the “Provincial Chasuble.” These are the white chasubles with the province logo on them. Please bring yours if you have one. 

On Saturday, June 29, 2024, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, our brother Angelo Falzon, O.F.M. was ordained a bishop by Bishop Joseph Bonello, O.F.M., and installed as Bishop of Comayagua, Honduras. Bishop Angelo, born in Naxxar, Malta, on 15th October 1957, entered the Franciscan Order on 2nd October 1977 in the Maltese Province of Friars Minor, dedicated to St Paul the Apostle.

On 10th October 1982 he made his Solemn Profession and on 29th June 1984 he was ordained priest. In 1985 he went as a missionary to Honduras, where he joined his Maltese Franciscan brothers in the Mission entrusted to the Immaculate Conception Province of New York.

Bishop Angelo was initially associate pastor in Santa Ana, La Libertad and then became pastor of the Inmaculada Concepción parish of Aguanqueterique in La Paz.

He now succeeds Bishop Roberto Camilleri OFM, who died on 17 October 2023.

In fact, he is the fourth Franciscan Bishop from the missionaries of our Province in Central America to be appointed Bishop in Comayagua. Former Bishops of the restored Diocese of Comayagua were Bishop Bernardine Mazzarella (1963-1979), Bishop Gerald Scarpone (1979-2004), and Bishop Roberto Camilleri (2004-2023).

He is now the bishop of a diocese whose territory comprises two departments of Honduras, the departments of Comayagua and La Paz, with population of over 700,000 people.

His seat is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepon in Comayagua, which was completed in the 18th century and which is one of the oldest cathedrals in Central America. 

Friar John-Michael Pinto, O.F.M., has returned to Padua Friary, NYC.

Friar Octavio Salinas, O.F.M. is now at the Mary Manning Walsh Home, NYC.

Friar Joseph LaGressa, O.F.M. transferred to Siena Friary, Mount Vernon NY.

Friar Andre Cirino, O.F.M., transferred from Immaculate Conception Church, Tuckahoe, NY to Mount Alvernia Friary and Retreat Center, Wappingers Falls, NY.

Friar Marco Antonio Gomez Garcia, O.F.M., assigned to St. Francis Centre, Caledon, Ontario.

Friar Daniel Cavalieri, O.F.M., assigned to St. Francis Centre, Caledon, Ontario. Effective October 1

Friar John Sidoti, O.F.M, assigned as transitional deacon, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Parish, North York, Ontario. Effective October 1

New address for Fr.Rick Martignetti, O.F.M.

St. John Paul the Great Friary

3130 Winfield Ave. 

Indianapolis, IN 46222 

First Order affiliation of Mary Volpe and Antoinette DeVico is scheduled for July 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Saint Anthony Church, New York.

From Health Care:  A reminder to each house that during the Guardians’ Workshop it was encouraged that copies of health care proxies, a medication list, and any advanced directives, be put in an envelope and tacked near the bedroom door of the friar. This will facilitate the process for paramedics or other emergency responders

ATTENTION: MEDICAL CLAIMS CHANGE REMINDER:  All Medical Claims mail should be sent to 125 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012 and all calls should also go to the main office at 212-674-4388.  Anne Devico is still directing our Medical Claims office but is working from home.  Michael is also assisting in the office and can help to respond to your request. The email remains the same: medclaims33@gmail.com

Br. Vincent dePaul Ciaravino, O.F.M., passed to eternal life on July 4, 2024 at Mary Manning Walsh Home in New York City, where he was in hospice care.  He was 83 years old. 

At the time of his death, Br. Vincent was a Provincial Definitor and served the Province on the Curia staff. He was a member of the Padua Friary fraternity. 

He was born in New York City  on January 2, 1941, son of James and Marian Passalacqua and baptized Gaspar. He was received into the novitiate on August 15, 1962; made his temporary profession of vows on August 16,1963;  professed Solemn Vows on August 16, 1966. 

Br. Vincent spent most of his years of ministry in New York City, serving for almost 30 years at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Manhattan.  He also was assigned to Immaculate Conception Seminary, Troy, New York; St. Anthony Friary, Catskill; St. Joseph Church, Winsted, Connecticut; the Provincial Curia; and Padua Friary, New York City.  He served the Province in many capacities, as Provincial Definitor, Guardian, FMU Director, Formation Director, and Health Care and Community Services.  

Funeral Arrangements 

Saint Anthony of Padua Church, New York City

Viewing and Wake Service:   Sunday, July 7, 2024     4:00 to 7:00 PM

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, July 8, 2024, 10:00 AM

Interment to follow at the Friars Plot, Calvary Cemetery, Queens NY

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

James Villa - August 6 (81)

Jimmy Zammit - August 11 (69)

Victor Treminio- August 17 (35)

Regis Gallo - August 19 (92)

Charles Gingerich - August 24 (76)

Michael D'Cruz - August 26 (94)