May 23, 2014 // Uncategorized

Franciscans make history as they establish new province

Todays Catholic

Over 170 Franciscan Friars Conventual assembled in Buffalo, N.Y., May 5-9, to form the new Our Lady of the Angels Province.

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — The Provincial Chapter of the Franciscan Friars Conventual of the eastern United States convened in Buffalo, N.Y., May 5-9. Held every four years, the Provincial Chapter of 2014 made history as it united the former Provinces of Immaculate Conception (founded in 1872) and St. Anthony of Padua (founded in 1906) into the new Our Lady of the Angels Province.

Formally established on May 5, the territory of the new Our Lady of the Angels Province stretches from Ontario, Canada, to the eastern United States, from New England to Florida. The Province also includes Costa Rica and custodies in Brazil, Great Britain and Ireland. In the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, the friars serve at St. Francis of Assisi Novitiate in Mishawaka.

Conventual Franciscan Father James McCurry was installed as the first Minister Provincial of the new Our Lady of the Angels Province on May 7.

Conventual Franciscan Father James McCurry, the first minister provincial of the new Our Lady of the Angels Province, was installed on May 7. The following friars were elected to serve in the new provincial administration: Father Brad Milunski, vicar provincial, Father Richard-Jacob Forcier, secretary, Father Mitchell Sawicki, treasurer, Father Anthony Kall, definitor, Father Jude Surowiec, definitor, Brother James Moore, definitor, Father Donald Grzymski, definitor, and Father Michael Heine, definitor.

Former minister provincial of the Immaculate Conception Province, Father Justin Biase, and former dean of St. Mary’s Seminary School of Theology, Father Timothy Kulbicki, were elected delegates to the general chapter of the order.

Numbering over 200 friars, the Our Lady of the Angels Province will assemble again in the second session of Chapter 2014, Aug. 4-8.