Friar Rick Riccioli

At the end of January, Friar Rick Riccioli – the director of FrancisCorps or FC (the Conventual Franciscans’ volunteer program for young lay people) – and his assistant and former FC volunteer Jordan Differding visited Duke University in North Carolina. They met with students and introduced them to the program.

During one of the Sunday Masses at Duke University, Friar Rick also offered an excellent homily to which Jordan contributed his own vocation story. The homily is available here and reminds us that we must find our own true voice. Only if we listen to this voice will we discover what we really want to do in life.

(Source of photo with image: http://riccioli.wordpress.com/.)

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Conventual Franciscan Friar Mark Steed is the director of the Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha in Fonda, New York. He and the Fonda community were excited by the news that Pope Benedict XVI will canonize Kateri some time in the near future.

Kateri Tekakwitha lived in the 17^th century in what is today Upstate New York and Quebec. A Mohawk by birth she converted to Christianity and suffered greatly. The shrine in Fonda honors Kateri. It attracts pilgrims who are in search for a quiet, natural place to reflect and pray.

Over the last year, Friar Mark has been leading an effort to revitalize the Shrine of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Thus far he and the local community have amongst other things cleaned the Candle Chapel, painted the gift shop, and decorated the altar. Other renovations are in the works.

(Source of image with article: www.katerishrine.com.)

Friar Tom Purcell, director of St. Clare Inn (Toronto, Ontario)

The Conventual Franciscans and a number of dedicated parishioners from the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure in Toronto founded the St. Clare Inn five years ago as a result of a homeless woman’s tragic death.

St. Clare Inn’s mission is to welcome women with mental health issues who have often dealt with homelessness. The inn provides these women with a home and the support of a community. With a stable, nurturing environment, St. Clare residents can then work to turn around their lives.

As a charitable organization, St. Clare Inn survives through the financial generosity of people. On Sunday, February 19, it will raise money with a Pancake Breakfast at St. Bonaventure Church. Members of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women’s League will be in the parish hall kitchen cooking pancakes for all ticket holders.

I am sure that many people will come out to support their less fortunate sisters who have struggled so much in life. In many cases, St. Clare Inn is the only safe place that they have known.

(Source of image with this article: St. Clare Inn.)

A celebration of Mass at St. Mark Catholic Church in Boynton Beach, Florida

Friar Richard Florek – the Conventual Franciscan pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church in Boynton Beach, Florida - recently informed his parishioners that St. Mark will be holding the Returning Catholics Program this Lent.

Sadly some of our brothers and sisters drift away from our faith. They fail to notice that the Lord still resides inside of them. St. Mark’s Returning Catholics program will help Catholics who have not lived their faith for a while realize how much more fulfilling their lives will become when they return to the Church.

In his message to St. Mark parishioners Friar Richard asks them to pray for Catholics who have stepped away from their faith and to ask them if they would consider the Returning Catholics Program. Parishioners can also suggest names of people who might be interested in the program. St Mark’s will send them invitations. Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge for people to realize the importance of their faith.

(Source of photo with article: http://www.stmarkboynton.com.)