Pope Francis said “Society has slipped into a culture of indifference so pervasive that our necks are going to get stiff from constantly turning away from the suffering of marginalized people. How is it that we allow throwaway culture -- in which millions of men and women are worth nothing compared to economic goods -- how is it that we allow this culture to dominate our lives, our cities, our way of life?"

The video released with the pope's prayer message showed various realities of marginalized people, including scenes of poverty-stricken slums alongside bustling cities, persons with disabilities, the elderly and homeless.

"A homeless person who dies on the street will never appear among the top stories of search engines or newscasts," Pope Francis said in his message. "How could we have reached this level of indifference?" He urged people to "stop making invisible those who are on the margins of society, whether it is due to poverty, addictions, mental illness or disability." Instead, he asked us to "focus on accepting them, on welcoming all the people who need it." To counter the throwaway culture, Francis proposed developing a "culture of welcoming" which provides hospitality, shelter, love and human warmth to those in need.

The pope ended his message by soliciting prayers for those "on the margins of society in subhuman living conditions, that they may not be neglected by institutions and never be cast out."

As we make preparations for the celebration of the feast of Saint Francis, the little poor man of Assisi, what a wonderful testament this would be to be mindful of our call, not only to minister to the poor and the marginalized, but to be poor and marginalized ourselves. Happy Feast of St. Francis,

News from the Convento San Francesco

Br. Kevin Leonel Flores Completes Novitiate,

Professes First Vows

There was great joy in the Order of Friars Minor for the First Profession of the evangelical counsels of six brothers, held at the novitiate of San Damiano, Assisi, Italy. The brothers are:

Bro. Carmine Pizzi, Bro. Damiano De Conciliis and Bro. Davide Xompero of the Seraphic Province of the Friars Minor of Umbria-Sardinia;

Bro. Manuel Marini of the Province of Saint Anthony in Northern Italy represented by the Vicar Provincial Fr. Federico Righetti;

Bro. João Guilherme Marcelino Lopes of the Province of the Protomartyrs of Morocco of Portugal

and our own Bro. Kevin Leonel Flores of the Province of the Immaculate Conception of New York, represented by the Secretary for Formation and Studies, Fr. Antonio Riccio.

The Eucharistic Celebration took place on the afternoon of Saturday 26 August at the Sanctuary of San Damiano, and was presided over by the Provincial Minister of the Friars Minor of Umbria-Sardinia, Fr. Francesco Piloni. In their professing their vows, the confreres responded generously to the call of St. Francis of Assisi, as the Lord told him: "Francis, go and repair my house, which, as you can see, is all in ruins".

During his homily, the Fr. Francesco affirmed that knowing Jesus is a gift that comes from the Father and that no one is too far or too distant from God to feel excluded in his relationship with him. "These brothers of ours" he said addressing those present "said a beautiful word that runs through history, from the Old to the New Testament, one of the most important terms that expresses personal availability: here I am!" He then reminded the newly professed that the underlying reason for their choice of life is only Christ, the "son of the living God" - as we have heard from the Gospel that has been proclaimed - who has conquered them. Fr. Francesco then concluded by saying that it is essential for each of us to keep in mind the question that Jesus addresses to us personally: "Who do you say that I am?" (Mt 16, 15).

At the Mass, which was held outdoors at the Santuario, Fr. Antonio Riccio, OFM, representing Fr. Robert, received the vows of Br. Kevin.

Br. Kevin will continue his formation at the Convento San Francesco, Rome.

Friar Marco Antonio Gomez Garcia

to profess Solemn Vows

September 30, 2023

Saint Anthony Basilica (Antonianum)

Rome, Italy

Fr. Joseph Powell O.F.M., from Administrator, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Derry, New Hampshire, to Pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Derry, by appointment of Bishop Peter Libasci, Bishop of Manchester.

Jose Mejia Veliz has left the formation program. He had been enrolled at St. John Seminary, Brighton, with residence at St. Christopher Friary.

On October 17, 2023, five US Franciscan Provinces will merge, forming the new Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, coming together at a Chapter of Union. The Provinces are Holy Name Province, Sacred Heart Province, Assumption Province, Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, and St. John the Baptist Province. Congratulations to our brothers as they begin this new journey in their Franciscan lives and ministry.

Season of Creation

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

As every year, from 1 September to 4 October, the worldwide Christian family gathers to celebrate “Season of Creation”, a time of prayer and action for the protection and care of the common home.

“Let justice and peace flow” is the theme chosen for 2023, while the symbol is a mighty river, an image taken from the words of the prophet Amos: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Am 5:24).

In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation onSeptember 1, Pope Francis elaborated on the theme: "This powerful image of Amos tells us what God wants. God wants justice to reign, which is as essential to our life as children in the image of God as water is to our physical survival. If we seek first the kingdom of God (cf. Mt 6:33), maintaining a right relationship with God, with others and with nature, then justice and peace can flow like an inexhaustible stream of pure water, nourishing humanity and all creatures".

The Season of Creation will end on 4 October, the feast of St. Francis, which this year coincides with the opening of the Synod on Synodality. The Pope's message reads: "In this time of creation, let us live, work and pray as followers of Christ on our common synodal journey, so that our common home may once again be full of life. May the Holy Spirit breathe again upon the waters and lead us to 'renew the face of the earth' (cf. Ps 104:30)".

Download Celebration Guide 2023

 www.seasonofcreation.org

Provincial Retreat-Chapter of Mats-Guardian/Fraternity Workshops

First Regional Pre-Chapter Meetings are Held.

Chapter of Mats, May 11, 2024-

Charism, Communion, and Mission

The first two regional meetings in preparation for our Chapter of Mats, to be held on May 11, 2024 (Please note date), took place at Mt. Alvernia, Wappingers Falls, NY on September 6, 2023, and St. Peter’s, Woodbridge, ONT, on September 20, 2023 respectively.

Eight Secular Franciscans, two Poor Clare Nuns, and ten friars plus the moderator, met together for the first regional meeting at Mt. Alvernia.  Chris Gaffrey, OFM and Frances Saluan, OFS were group session moderators. The second meeting, held at St. Peter’s, Woodbridge, included six seculars and seven friars. Josh Critchley, OFM and Mary Filangi, OFS acted as group session moderators.

The groups began with Mass at 9:00 AM where the topics of Charism, Communion, and Mission were introduced. Three one-hour sessions were held by each of two groups, one with friars only, the other of seculars and sisters (In Wapps). The themes for the sessions were: Renewing Our Vision; Walking in a Particular Style; and Embracing the Future. Each group elicited concepts from the themes and was asked to assess aspects of these themes and then do a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis on each concept.  

After a lunch break, the two groups joined together to share their analyses and find commonalities and differences. Some of the more important concepts were then highlighted. Once the themes were shared and discussed, regional representatives who will attend the May 11 Chapter of Mats were appointed.

The appointed regional representatives for Upstate NY are: Richard Donovan, OFM; Bruce Czapla, OFM; Mario Julian, OFM; Larry Jeanotte, OFS; Frances Saluan, OFS; Ken Parchinski OFS; Trevor Jones, OFS; Sr. Regina, OSC; and Sr. Clare Marie, OSC. The appointed regional representations for Toronto are:  Charles Grech, OFM; Giacomo La Selva, OFM;

The day ended with Midafternoon prayer. Special thanks to Fr. Mario and the friar community at Mt. Alvernia Friary, Wappingers Falls, NY and to Fr. Charles and the friar community at St. Peter’s, Woodbridge for hosting. Also, a very special thanks to the Poor Clares and Secular Franciscans who joined us. The next meeting will take place on Friday, Oct. 13, 223 at Siena Friary in Mt. Vernon, NY.

Provincial Retreat/ Guardians’ Workshop

May 7-10, 2024

It’s been a while since we’ve just prayed together and enjoyed each other’s company as brothers. Please consider joining us for a Province Retreat at Wappingers Falls May 7-10, 2024. Engaging speaker Fr. Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. will share some insights about fraternal life and prayer and how the Blessed Mother is looking to help us with both! A Chapter of Mats with guests from some of our Secular Franciscan and Poor Clare communities will follow on Saturday May 11th for those who can stay. Please contact Guardian Mario Julian if you can attend the Retreat or the Chapter of Mats or both. Pax et bonum!

Our Lady of Peace Church, Brookllyn, Undergoing Renovations

Next year Our Lady of Peace Church will be celebrating its 125th Anniversary. In preparation for this, Fr. Orlando Ruiz, OFM, Pastor, is having some renovations done to the church. Due to cleaning chemicals used on the church pews from the Covid endemic, some damage was done to the woodwork. Church pews are being refinished.

Another issue was that New York City made improvement to sewage and water lines. The construction, which consisted of digging up the streets in front of the church caused cracks and peeling on our church ceiling and walls. It took five years to clear the approval for the renovations. There was other damage that was caused by the sewage and water supply improvements in our neighborhood. Now that all is clear, we are now working to fix the church. Things are moving fast. Below are some photos of the renovation.

Fr. Gregory Mercurio 1949-2023

Rev. Fr. Gregory Mercurio passed away on September 6, 2023. He was born on March 26, 1949 in Montauro, Provincial di Catanzaro, Calabria Italy to the late Giuseppe and Angelina Mercurio.

He attended Christopher Columbus High school and graduated from St. Francis Seraphic Seminary in Andover to begin formal studies for the priesthood. After taking some time off, he re-entered the formation program. He received his BA in philosophy and Master of divinity degrees studying at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Troy New York and St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. 

His first assignment was at St. Leonard’s Church in the North End. He was transferred to St. Ann’s parish, where he became pastor. He incardinated into the Archdiocese of Boston and served the parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Winthrop, Mass. He became pastor of Holy Family parish in Lynn and while serving as pastor, he became administrator of St. Pius the V in Lynn. He was granted senior priest status in 2017 and served the parishioners of Immaculate Conception in Marlboro until his medical leave.

Fr. Gregory served as Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus in Marlboro and Lynn. He was involved in the Order of Sons of Italy, where he founded a lodge at Holy Family Church, served as Chaplain for the Marlboro lodge and was State Chaplain in Massachusetts. He was an avid gardener, cook and photographer. He will be remembered for acts of kindness and compassion.

His funeral was at Holy Family Church, Lynn, Massachusetts on September 11. May he rest in peace.

Take time to wish our brothers a Happy Birthday!

Kevin Ottoniel Hernandez- October 1st- 33

Mario Julian - October 2nd – 69

Nery Aguirre - October 6th - 79

Joseph Powell - October 10th - 36

Rohwin Pais - October 13th - 62

Angelo Falzon - October 15th - 66

Roger Hall - October 16th - 69

Paschal DeMattia - October 19th - 88

Angelo Monti - October 21st - 81

Michael D. Ledoux - October 23rd - 66