Monday, April 29, 2024

LORETTO, PENNSYLVANIA - In collaboration with the Franciscan University of Steubenville and President Father Dave Pivonka, the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is excited to announce the Province’s house of studies and priestly formation program are moving from Saint Louis Friary and Catholic University of America in Washington DC, to Franciscan University beginning this fall 2024. The Provincial Council voted unanimously in favor of the move on April 24.

In making this decision, the Provincial Council considered numerous factors including student friar’s formation experience, academic programming, communal life, ministerial opportunities, physical plant facilities, finances, vocation promotion, and more. In addition, with two friars completing their MDiv degrees this May from CUA, the Province will not have any students graduating for at least two more years. For this reason, it was deemed necessary to make this transition now rather than wait another year.

The Vocation Office will also move to Steubenville. While several options for the relocation of this office as well as the housing of our friars in formation were discussed, they are currently still being examined.

Franciscan University of Steubenville, which is internationally recognized for its undergraduate and graduate theology and philosophy programs, recently announced the opening of a PhD in Sacred Theology set to begin in fall 2024. Such programs have attracted the Marians of the Immaculate Conception who recently established a house of studies in Steubenville for Marians in formation enrolled in philosophical and theological studies at Franciscan University. The Diocese of Pittsburgh also now sends its seminarians, who have not yet completed their philosophy requirements, to Franciscan.University. The University has also begun preliminary discussions with other religious orders interested in sending their students there for priestly formation and studies.

As a result, Franciscan University is exploring the possibility of further expanding its curricular programs to include a Master of Divinity or similar degree. In the meantime, the Province will continue to follow and comply with the Program for Priestly Formation to properly prepare our men for all of the canonical requirements for priestly ordination.

Please keep our friars in formation and formators in prayer during this time of transition.

Thursday, July 13, 2023

On July 13, 2023, the members of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis elected the friars listed below to serve on it's 2023 - 2027 Provincial Council. This election occurred during the Province's quadrennial chapter meeting held in Loretto, Pennsylvania from July 10 - 14, 2023. The week-long chapter is a time for the members of the Province to meet, review, and discuss important matters relevant to the future of the Province and prayerfully discern and elect its next provincial leadership team.

Provincial Council Installation Picture Gallery

The members of the 2023 - 2027 Provincial Council are from left to right:

Very Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, TOR - Third Councilor, Rev. Patrick Whittle, TOR - First Councilor, Very Rev. Joseph J. Lehman, TOR - Minister Provincial, Most Rev. Amando Trujillo-Cano, TOR - Minister General, Most Rev. Michael J. Higgins, TOR - Vicar Provincial, Rev. Vincent Yeager, TOR - Second Councilor, Rev. Thomas Bourque, TOR - Fourth Councilor

On behalf of all the members of the Province, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the members of the 2019 - 2023 Provincial Council for their faithful dedication and service these past four years.

OBITUARY

Father Terrance “Terry” J. Adams, T.O.R., 83, a member of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus for 63 years, died on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at St. Francis Friary at Mt. Assisi in Loretto, Pennsylvania.

The eldest of four children, Father Terry was born on April 6, 1940 to the late Cletus and Helen (Koehle) Adams in Altoona, PA. Following his graduation from Altoona Catholic (Bishop Guilfoyle) High School, he attended Saint Francis College where he was deeply influenced by the Franciscan friars who taught and ministered there. Although he never intended to become a Franciscan, “the demeanor, prayerfulness, kindness, and personalities of the friars led me to join them.”

During his college years, the interaction he observed between teachers and students also led him to think, “I would like to teach.” So appealing was this desire that Father Terry spent nearly twenty years teaching math and French following his ordination to the priesthood in 1967; first at St. Francis Preparatory School in Spring Grove, PA and then Bishop Egan High School in Fairless Hills, PA. In addition to his teaching duties at Bishop Egan, he also served for a period of time as chaplain for the boys track and cross-country team as well as the school's Athletic Director. As a friar and priest who stood 6' 3" tall, he was looked up to by the students in more ways than one. So dedicated was he to the students, many days you could find him going the “extra mile” by running and training with the teams and serving in other extracurricular activities. Years later, Fr. Terry also taught religion for a couple years at Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, PA.

In 1986, Fr. Terry began a long "second career" in parochial ministry. For twenty-one years he served as a Parochial Vicar at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Moundsville, West Virginia and Saint Joseph Church in Herndon, Virginia. He also served for two years as the Pastor at Assumption Church in Keiser, West Virginia and Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Arlington, Texas.

Father Terry’s love of foreign languages also led him to study French at Laval University in Quebec, Canada for a year in 1970 and Spanish in Mexico City for another year in the mid 1990s. Academically, he earned a Bachelors degree in Philosophy from Saint Francis College in 1962, completed his theological studies at Saint Francis Seminary in 1967, and pursued studies in Pastoral Ministry at Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1988.

In 2012, Father Terry returned to Loretto to start his retirement at Mount Assisi. There, he lived a more contemplative life while remaining active in priestly ministry celebrating Mass at the friary and a couple local religious sisters convents, until his declining health began to confine him to a wheelchair. Fr. Terry will forever be remembered as a "gentle giant" whose kind demeanor, prayerfulness, and good spirit mirrored the qualities of the friars he admired so long ago. Throughout his life, he loved much and was loved by all.

In addition to his parents, Fr. Terry is preceded in death by his brother-in-law Tom Strunk. He is survived by his brothers John (Doris Ann) and Joseph (Paula) also sister Kathy Strunk as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and his Franciscan Community.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, January 12, 2024 at Saint Francis Friary at Mount Assisi in Loretto. A Vigil Prayer Service will follow at 7 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Friary at Mount Assisi with the Very Rev. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R., Minister Provincial as principal celebrant. Following the Mass, interment will take place at the Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery on the campus of Saint Francis University, Loretto. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings for the Friar’s Retirement Fund can be made payable to: Franciscan Friars TOR, P.O. Box 500, Loretto, PA 15940.

Online condolences can be made by visiting Gibbonsfunerals.com.  Arrangements are by Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church St., Gallitzin, PA 16641.

 Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Foretti Tales - A memoir written by Mr. William Karabinos

Brother Norman McNelis, T.O.R., 93, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Saint Francis Friary, Loretto, PA.

Born September 17, 1929 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania he was given the name Harold by his parents, Harold and Florence (Reibel).  After graduating from Myers High School in Wilkes-Barre, Harold enrolled in the United States Army.

Following his active duty in the military, Harold entered the Franciscan Friars as a postulant in December 1955 at Mt. Assisi Friary and became a candidate with the Third Order Regular Franciscans. A year later, he entered the novitiate and received the name Norman. Br. Norman professed his first vows in July 1957 at Portiuncula Monastery in Washington, D.C. and then his final profession of vows in 1960. 

After solemn vows Br. Norman dedicated 36 years of his life at The Mariale Press (print shop) in Loretto, PA where he was the sole employee and operator, overseeing the printing of stationary, booklets, newsletters, and the like for St. Francis College, St. Francis Seminary, and the Province. Br. Norman then spent 11 years at the Province’s retirement home in Winchester, Virginia serving as sacristan and assisting in other ways to meet the needs of our elderly friars. Then in 2007, Br. Norman returned to Loretto to begin his own retirement journey in which he continued to serve as sacristan as well as a mail carrier between the friary and local post office. Bro. Norman also loved dogs, having owned three during his years in the print shop.

In addition to his parents, Br. Norman is preceded in death by his brother Reverend Dennis McNelis, C.S.C. and his sister Mary Yockers.  He is survived by his sister Alice Zipilivan, as well as extended family, and his Franciscan Community.

 
Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. until the 7:00 p.m. Vigil Prayer Service, on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Saint Francis Friary at Mount Assisi in Loretto. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at St. Francis Friary at Mount Assisi with the Reverend Benjamin Medeiros, T.O.R., as principal celebrant. Following the Mass, interment will take place at the Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery on the campus of Saint Francis University, Loretto.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings for the Friar’s Retirement Fund can be made payable to: Franciscan Friars TOR, P.O. Box 500, Loretto, PA 15940.

Online condolences can be made by visiting gibbonsfunerals.com. Arrangements are by Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church St., Gallitzin, PA 16641.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him.  May he rest in peace.  Amen.

The Last Man Standing
(a reflection by Bill (Blandin) Karabinos)

Brother Kolbe Spencer, T.O.R. made his solemn profession of vows in the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis on Friday, June 15, 2022.  The solemn profession liturgy took place in the Saint Francis Friary Chapel, Loretto, Pennsylvania.  The Very Rev. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R., Minister Provincial, received his vows.  Fr. Rufino Corona, T.O.R. was the homilist for the Mass.  The profession ceremony took place at the end of the 2022 Summer Gathering of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Brother Kolbe spent his apostolic internship year prior to his final vows at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania.  While at Saint Francis University he was an ambassador for the Admissions Office of the University and worked in Campus Ministry.  Brother Kolbe also volunteered at Saint Michael’s Grade School in Loretto.

Brother Kolbe will return to Saint Louis Friary in Washington, DC., where he will finish his Master’s degree at The Catholic University of America.

 … To the praise and glory of the Most Holy Trinity, I, Brother Kolbe, moved by divine inspiration to follow more closely the Gospel and the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, before the brothers here present, into your hands, Father Joseph, with firm faith and will: vow to God the Father, Holy and Almighty, to live for the whole of my life in obedience, in poverty and in chastity, and promise faithfully to observe the life and Rule of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Assisi, confirmed by Pope Saint John Paul II, according to the Constitutions of the same Order …

Solemn Profession Photo Gallery

Brother Callistus Gerardi, T.O.R., 97, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Saint Francis Friary, Loretto, PA.

Born April 13, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts, he was given the name Joseph by his parents, Joseph and Rose (Martino). After graduating from Everett High School in Massachusetts, Joseph enrolled in the military at Camp Butner, North Carolina as a Teletype Operator. Shortly before his four-year term expired, he reenlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, California. During his military service, he received several accolades including the Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and United Nations Service Medal.

Following his active duty in the military, Joseph entered the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars as a postulant in September 1953 at Mt. Assisi Friary in Loretto, PA. A year later, he entered the novitiate and received the name Callistus. Br. Callistus professed his first vows in July 1955 at Portiuncula Monastery in Washington, D.C. and then continued on to profess solemn vows in 1958.

For a few years after solemn vows Br. Callistus went on to be part of the support staff at St. Francis Monastery in Loretto; St Francis Monastery in Spring Grove, PA; St. Louis Monastery in Philadelphia, PA and then four years at Portiuncula Monastery in Washington, D.C.  Br. Callistus then transitioned into the role of kitchen staff, where he spent twenty years between St. Francis Seminary and St. Francis Monastery. He also served in similar capacities at St. Patrick Church in Tampa, Florida and Sacred Heart Monastery in White Post, Virginia. Then in 1992, Br. Callistus returned to Loretto to begin his retirement journey.  

In addition to his parents, Br. Callistus is preceded in death by his brothers Peter and Phillip. He is survived by his brother Robert Gerardi, Sr, as well as extended family, and his Franciscan Community.

Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. until the 7:00 p.m. Vigil Prayer Service, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Saint Francis Friary at Mount Assisi in Loretto. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at St. Francis Friary at Mount Assisi with the Very Rev. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R., Minister Provincial as principal celebrant. Following the Mass, interment will take place at the Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery on the campus of Saint Francis University, Loretto.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings for the Friar’s Retirement Fund can be made payable to: Franciscan Friars TOR, P.O. Box 500, Loretto, PA 15940.

Online condolences can be made by visiting gibbonsfunerals.com. Arrangements are by Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church St., Gallitzin, PA 16641.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him.  May he rest in peace.  Amen.

Congratulations to Doctor Father Patrick Whittle!  Fr. Patrick, a member of the Franciscans, Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,  on Saturdy, May 14, 2022, graduated from The Catholic University of America where he earned a Doctorate in Sacred Theology. 

Father Patrick is currently the Director of Post-Novitiate Formation for the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Father Samuel L. Vaccarella, T.O.R., 78, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Maybrook Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Altoona, PA. 

Born October 30, 1944 in Camden, New Jersey, the son of Samuel and Ethel (Law), Sam grew up nearby in Mount Ephraim. After grade school and completion of his freshman year at Camden Catholic H.S., he enrolled as a sophomore at Saint Francis Prep School in Spring Grove, and also became a candidate with the Third Order Regular Franciscans. Following his graduation from St. Francis Prep in 1963, Sam completed his novitiate year and then attended Saint Francis College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1968.

Sam later attended Glassboro State College and served as an elementary school teacher at Saint Rose of Lima in Haddon Heights, New Jersey before professing solemn vows with the Franciscans in 1976. A year later, after the completion of his theological studies at Saint Francis Seminary in Loretto, he was ordained to the Priesthood on May 14, 1977.

Following his ordination, Father Samuel served on the faculty at his high school alma mater, Saint Francis Prep School, for several years before serving for four years as a member of the Franciscan's formation team in Toronto, Ontario and another four years as the superior at Holy Spirit Monastery at the University of Steubenville (Ohio).

From 1988 to 1992, Fr. Samuel engaged in parish ministry as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Herndon, Virginia and Pastor at Assumption Catholic Church in Keyser, West Virginia before enrolling in a three-year Master of Science program in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.

Following the completion of that degree and with his background in education and parish ministry, Fr. Samuel served for over twenty years in the following ministries: an instructor at Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C.; local minister at St. Francis Friary; and retreat director at St. Pius in New Jersey, Franciscan Retreat Center in Tampa, Florida and San Damiano Retreat Center in White Post, Virginia before retiring in 2017.

Throughout his life, Fr. Samuel loved to visit and vacation with his extensive family in New Jersey. In his spare time, Fr. Samuel was also an avid stamp collector, coin collector, and had a love for gardening, camping and fishing.

Preceded in death by his parents, Fr. Samuel is survived by his sisters Jo Ann (Richard) Gallagher, Nancy (James) Karaskiewicz, and Linda (Edward) Fort; nephews Brian and Samuel Gallagher, and Edward Fort, and niece Sheri (Thomas) Tideman; as well as cousins, grand niece and his Franciscan Community.

Friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. until the 7:00 p.m. Vigil Prayer Service, on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Saint Francis Friary at Mount Assisi in Loretto.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Friary Mount Assisi with the Very Rev. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R., Minister Provincial as principal celebrant. Following the Mass, interment will take place at the Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery on the campus of Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings for the Friar’s Retirement Fund can be made payable to: Franciscan Friars TOR, P.O. Box 500, Loretto, PA 15940. Online condolences can be made by visiting gibbonsfunerals.com. Arrangements are by Gibbons Funeral Home, 301 Church St., Gallitzin, PA 16641.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Media Release concerning Fr. David Morrier, T.O.R.

Media Release

On Saturday, May 22nd, Fr. Joseph Marie Krilich, TOR, was ordained a priest and on Sunday he celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at Franciscan University of Steubenville! It was a great day of celebration for the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, TOR Franciscan Friars, for his family, and for Franciscan University of Steubenville.