After Novitiate, he has received his completed his Theology training at the Franciscan Institute of Saigon and is serving as a Transitional Deacon. Friaries Mt. Friar James is a convert to Catholicism from Buddhism while in the refugee camp in Pulau Galang, Indonesioa. He believes that focus on the Sacred Liturgy motivates virtuous living. Locations. Friar Bruce was a high school teacher in Compton CA, and had completed his BA from UCLA and Masters in Educational Administration when entered the friars. Many of our friends have an ardent desire to help us spread the Kingdom of God on earth. It was as a pastor that he learned to love administering the sacraments, preaching, teaching, and pastoral ministry. He was working as an Electrical Engineer in the Aereospace industry at the time. Legend . Friar Chris Garcia was born and raised in Dana Point, CA. His ministries have included the care of both our aging friars, and of our facilities. Turns out he was, and joined us shortly after that. He served as pastor until his election as the second Minister Provincial and served in that capacity from 1991, until 2001. Friar Anthony enjoys working with the poor, and would like to serve with Catholic Charities. Beside Haitian Creole, Roberson speaks French and Spanish fluently and is leaning English. Friar Thomas grew up in Los Angeles CA, and entered the friars after High School and working for several years for the LA County Library. He served as Rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, NV, and as our Vocation Director, before his current assignment. He enjoys downhill skiing, and leading pilgrimages. Through high school and after, Friar Masseo was very involved in the street life, and away from the church. As a friar he studied theology at the Franciscan Institute of Saigon and was Ordained a Deacon at St. Paul Church in San Pablo, CA. He has served as the Parochial Vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, NV, and St. Paul Church in San Pablo, CA, as well as St. Paul's Parochial Administrator before his current ministry. Friar Stephen Gross was born in Chicago, IL. James talents include sewing and decorating, and has generously used these gifts to decorate our Churches and Friaries. One day while serving Mass, Fr. He lived in South America for many years and is fluent in Spanish. While ministering at St. Peter’s, he completed his Doctorate in Canon Law, the first earned doctorate in St. Joseph Cupertino province since its inception. The enrollments confer special spiritual benefits of close association with the Franciscan friars and their apostolic work. We the Conventual Franciscan Friars are called by the Most High God to live the Gospel of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, through fraternal life in community, professing the three evangelical counsels, as sons of St. Francis of Assisi, faithful to the Catholic Church, according to the Rule and Constitutions of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. When the opportunity arises, he enjoys playing music, working with the poor, and hunting mushrooms. As a friar, he received a Master of Divinity from Washington Theological Union, and a Master in Social work from Catholic University. Becoming a Franciscan; News; Contact us; Home; Who we are; What we do; Becoming a Franciscan; News; Photo and video gallery; Links; Prayers; Publications; Make a donation; Subscribe to our newsletter; Our team; Contact us; Sitemap; fr en. Below the Chapel is located the 'Our Lady of Guadalupe Room' which is used for retreats, meetings and the occasional function. Located on the grounds of the Conventual Franciscan Friary of Mount Saint Francis, Kellville, NSW, The Franciscan Shrine of the Holy Innocents and Garden of the Immaculate stand to promote a culture of life in the midst of a 'throw away' society. Friar Paul has served in parish catechesis, has taught disabled children, and enjoys volleyball, soccer, and reading in Vietnamese and English. Peter has received his BA in Philosophy at the Franciscan Institute of Saigon. Friar Dominic enjoys playing the guitar and ping pong. Along with his various duties, Br. Right now in San Antonio, he is helping at St. PJ's (St. Peter and St. Joseph) home for children under the Guidance of Catholic Charities. Ministry has taught Friar Joseph Martin to change his own lifestyle, attitude, and point of view about the material world. Friar Joseph was born in Viet Tri in Phu Tho Province (North), had completed training as an auto mechanic, had worked Road Crew manual labor, and was an Aspirant with the Dominicans before entering the Friars. He has also worked as a chaplain in jail ministry. We Franciscans Friars are a male religious order of the Catholic Church. Friar Joseph was born in Xuân Trường Huyen of Nam Dinh Province (North Vietnam), and had completed studies in Civil Law before entering the friars. He strives to live a simple life. Friar Stephen was born in Buôn Ma Thuột in Dak Lak Province, joined the friars after working in manufacturing and a Café, then continued his pre-Theology studies in Food Production, Confections and Baking while living in the Residency program with the Friars. Friar Vincent hopes to found Catholic Schools and be an Evangelizer. John has a great love of classic cinema, especially films such as Casablanca, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Chinatown. He maintains his love for film, especially the older classics, to this day. John Allen Fleming was born at St. Louis, MO, and prior to joining the friars, completed degrees in Social work and Business Admin., and worked as a police officer, a chemical dependency counselor, and an accountant. Friar Peter is currently studying Theology at the Franciscan Institute of Saigon, has served in parish catechesis, distribution of food to the poor and at our leprosarium in Văn Môn. Your prayer requests will be placed on the altar for remembrance at Mass. His most memorable ministries were; founding and managing the Sister Thea Bowman Food Pantry, the After School Sports and Arts Academy, and community organizing for homeless housing, and anti-violence especially through street vigils. It has taken two years to see the dream become a reality after more than $500,000 was raised by the residents of the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary and the wider community, including major sponsor Kenthurst businessman Walter Bachmann of BAC Systems. Friar Joseph has realized that his vocation is to serve God and His Church. Robert was born in Chicago, IL, and completed his college at St. Mary’s University in MD prior to entering the Franciscans. He enjoys volleyball soccer and reading in Vietnamese and English. Post your prayer request. Since joining the Franciscans, Friar Joseph has completed his Theology at Franciscan Institute of Thủ Đức, and has served disabled children as a cook. In all of this, Fr. At first it was only a grotto with a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which the friars obtained from a congregation of sisters in Sydney. He has also served the province as assistant in the Provincial Office, and as assistant to the Province Treasurer. He likewise holds very dear to his heart, ministry to marginalized peoples, especially battered women, recently released convicts in transition, and chemically dependent people. Franciscan Friars of Western Canada (87) Fraternity (31) History (58) Minority (3) Missions abroad (6) Missions in Canada (4) News (137) Prayers (5) Testimonials (17) __Archives (87) Authors . Since his time in Rome, Fr. Friar Peter was born in Huế, and completed training as a computer technician, and working in website security and design when he entered the friars. (Some text taken or adapted from an article in Catholic Outlook. Friar Vincent has ministerd in distribuiting food to the sick, parish catechesis, music, evangelization and outreach. T: 02 4276 3562 . He plays violin and sings bass for the Fresno Master Chorale, and the Coro Piccolo Ensemble. Friar Joseph Martin was born and raised in Vietnam and came to the United States after High School. Friar John hopes to be Ordained and be a Missionary in Laos, Africa or China. As a friar, he completed his MDiv at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley and was ordained to the priesthood. This has resulted in formation of musical ventures such as Foundnation. Peter likes to work with the poor, and would especially enjoy working in a nursing home or doing farm work. He entered the novitiate at Lake Forest, IL after graduating from High School. During the Novitiate in Indiana he volunteered at the Hospice Care and the Sister of perpetual Adoration. Friar Stephen has served in various ministries throughout his life, including teaching, formation, parochial ministry, as well as mission work to Native Americans, and has served as a bi-ritual priest to the Ruthenian Eparchy of Phoenix. Hoping to serve in a foreign mission one day, Brother Mark undertook two years of night classes to obtain a certificate to teach English as a second language, after which he was assigned to the General Curia of the Order in Rome where he has been learning Italian and translating documents. Today, Franciscan missionaries labor all over the globe - in Japan, China, the Pacific Islands, Africa, South and Central America, in what was the USSR, and even in our own southwestern United States - any place where people may be brought to the knowledge and love of Jesus. Fr. The fresco on the dome features the Virgin Mary and St Maximilian Kolbe, who established the Marian apostolate the 'Militia Immaculata' or Knights of the Immaculate; he is also a patron saint of the Pro-Life movement. He now has taken up residence at St. Paul’s Parish, Pismo Beach, CA. Friar Bruce has served the friars as a prison and hospital chaplain, as a parish priest, as a math and religion high school teacher, and as a retreat director. He desires to submit himself to His will, to follow in His footsteps, and to make Him and His love known to others. As a friar, he has served as a Pastoral Associate at St. Thomas Aquinas in Reno, NV, before his current ministry. The Franciscan Friars of the province of the Holy Spirit welcome to our web presence. He enjoys reading, soccer, ping pong, swimming, and hopes to serve in Canon Law, parish ministry, youth ministry, and in service to the lepers. He taught at Bishop Montgomery High School, in Torrance, CA for ten years. He has ministered as a teacher, at middle school thru college, in parish youth ministry, and in high school and University campus ministry. Since then, he’s served the Church and the Order in California, Costa Rica, Italy, Poland, Massachusetts, Nevada and Vietnam and has ministered in Catholic education, Catholic campus ministry, Franciscan formation, Catholic radio, adult faith formation, parochial ministry, teaching ESL and mission promotion. Friar Ronald was originally from our St. Bonaventure Province. Brother Mark Folger was born in San Jose, CA, and at age 20, he moved out of the Bay Area to study theater in New York City. The school is nestled amongst the trees in a rapidly growing residential area and draws students from the area of Kellyville. New South Wales 2155. Friar Peter studied Theology at the Dominican School of Theology and Philosophy at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, and has received a Doctorate in Bioethics from Loyola University of Chicago. Friar Joseph was born in Xuân Trường in Nam Định Province, and entered the friars at age 19. Friar Roberson was born and grew up in Les Cayes, Haiti, and lived in Dominican Republic where he taught French and Creole. Masseo stresses devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which reflects his own deep devotion to Our Lady and his commitment to the spiritual models of St. Maximilian Kolbe. Masseo Joseph Gonzalez was born in San Pablo, CA, and entered the friars after being inspired by the witness of the Friars at St. Paul Church in San Pablo, where he was a parishioner. Friar George has a great love for sports and was an avid player of tennis and racquetball, and he maintains his interest in tennis to this day, mostly as a fan. Michael shares his considerable skills in all aspects of building and maintenance, from plumbing, to roofing, to electrical, construction, carpentry, auto-mechanics, and much more. Friar Thomas has ministered as a Parish priest at All Saints Church in Hayward, St. Paul the Apostle in Pismo Beach, CA, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Hermosa Bch, CA, and St. John Neumann Parish in Egan, Minnesota, where he also did retreat ministry at Prior Lake Retreat Center. The concept for the Garden of the Immaculate began in 1993. He continues his studies in Theology as a Friar at the Franciscan Institute of Saigon, has served in parish ministry, and enjoys music and soccer. Fr. Friar Chris has served as Pastoral Associate at St. Thomas Church and Queen of Angels in Riverside CA, and served the order as Vocation Director, Novice Master, Director of Students in Theology, and as Our Minister Provincial. Friar Joseph Martin began to discern his vocation during college where he met a Franciscan Friar who inspired him to join the friars. Friar Chris joined the friars from San Antonio, TX after high school. He is currently studying Theology at the Franciscan Institute of Saigon, enjoys playing the guitar, saxophone, and flute, and playing soccer, ping pong and volleyball. He hopes to serve the order as a Spiritual Director and Seminary Professor. Fr. Friar John entered the friars while working in the grocery industry, and after attending college studying business administration and accounting. He is also the Spiritual Director of Cursillos, Spanish Marriage Encounter, the Secular Franciscan Order, and as Chaplain to the “Hermanos de la Luz” – “the Penitentes” of New Mexico. Friar John enjoys Information technology, chess, ping pong, soccer, and badminton. Much of his service has been in formation, but he served twice as Custos of the Central American Custody. Friar Tom grew up in Minnesota, and entered the friars after completing studies at the University of Minnesota in Geography. New South Wales 2502. Anthony Fisher OP, Bishop of Parramatta, on the 7th June, 2013. Friar James’ service to the Order and Province has principally been in education and formation apostolates. Ordo Fratrum Minorum . FRANCISCAN CHAPEL & SHRINE. After entering the friars, he completed a BA in Chicano Studies, and went on for his theological studies at the Washington Theological Union. It is equiped with kitchenette, television and audio, tables, seating, and access to the bathroom facilities. As a friar, John has served as bookkeeper at our Our Lady of Guadalupe in Hermosa Beach, and St. Paul of the Shipwreck in San Francisco. He has likewise remained active in his ministry to the Secular Franciscans (OFS). Returning to the US, he is currently serving as the Chancellor, Judicial Vicar, and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Oakland – while continuing to minister to the Deaf community in the Diocese and assisting various parishes, especially in the Extraordinary (Latin) Form of the sacraments. In addition to their openness to the world and to the poor, the religious of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM) devote their time to common prayer, life with God and stays in hermitages. Friar Luke studied Theology at St. Patrick Seminary, after his novitiate year. He took great joy in teaching and most especially in his ministry as vocation director. Kellyville is located 36 kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD. He entered the Friars at Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in 1983. The Franciscan Order’s General Curia, in Rome. Friar Michael joined the friars after college and has served at our friary in Arroyo Grande, at the Mission of San Antonio de Pala, and at our Holy Family Friary in Castro Valley, CA. He became our first Provincial, and lead us through our first ten years as a Province. Some of his assignments include St. Hedwig, Detroit; Bishop Montgomery, Torrance; Central Catholic, Modesto; and St. Bernard, Playa Del Rey. At the end of his tenure as Minister Provincial, Fr. Among Friar Ronald’s notable memories is teaching Friar Casimir Cypher at St. Mary’s in Crystal Lake, IL, who came to serve at our parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Hermosa Beach, CA, before going to our Mission in the Honduras, where he was martyred. He entered the friars after high school and received his BS in Chemistry at Loyola University in Chicago, and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MDiv from St. Michael’s College at the Toronto School of Theology. Australian Friars Hold Assembly in Kellyville, NSW From the 27th - 29th September, all the Conventual Franciscan Friars from each of our national locations came together in Kellyville, NSW... Friar Jerome M. renews his Simple Vows The beauty, dignity and solemnity of the Roman Liturgy well celebrated first led him to join the Order and to seek ordination to the priesthood. The building of the new shrine dedicated to the Holy Innocents began in November 2011. Friar James is a devoted raiser of plants, and has a prayer ministry of praying for law enforcement. Friar Victor got to know our friars when he was a student at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, CA, where the friars taught. He was inspired to join the Conventual Friars by getting to know the community through his spiritual director. Friar Viktor enjoys, and is quite gifted, in music. Francis was the son of an affluent merchant, born in the Italian town of Assisi. The Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Conventual Franciscans) moved to Kellyville in 1968 and purchased a house and land on Windsor Road in order to establish itself within the Archdiocese of Sydney as it was then. Friar Joseph wishes to serve the order in farming and serving the lepers in Văn Môn. He also seeks to mentor others in these areas, especially those who may have come across hard times and are trying to rebuild their lives, employing them and teaching them his skills as they together maintain and care for our properties. As a friar he has; served as a teacher of Religion and Physics at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, CA., received his MDiv at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley CA, has served as Social Outreach Director, Associate and Pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church in San Francisco, and as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Grace in Castro Valley CA. He is currently studying Theology at the Franciscan Institute of Saigon, and hopes to be ordained and serve in Pastoral Ministry. , English, work as a pastor that he learned to love administering the,... His MDiv from the area during that time taught friar Joseph enjoys nuclear physics and energy, sustainable energy,! 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