We Announce with Great Joy!
Fr. Thomas Reist, OFM Conv.
Upon a Franciscan International Study Centre (FISC) Board of Governors recomendation, the Board of Trustees convened in Waterloo, April 4, 2012, and unanimously appointed Fr. Tom to serve as Principal (akin to a University President). We thank God for the gift of Fr. Tom.
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Support a Friar in Formation
Franciscan Education Burse
This is beautiful way to financially assist in the education process of formation for our friars. Each burse comes with a commitment to build it up to a $5,000 fulfillment by parishes, individuals, families, groups or other organizations, as they are each established in memory of a loved one or favorite friars, in celebration of an important event, or thanksgiving for God's blessings. Consider contributing to an already established burse, create a new one or leave one as your legacy. For more information on this program or to find other ways you can financially and spiritually support the friars, please click here: Donation
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"This Bead's for You!"
Very Rev. James McCurry, OFM Conv.
Traditional prayers are often used to enrich prayer life. Reflecting on Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries, as we pray the Rosary, blends our minds and our voices, together in group prayer or as personal reflective prayer, as we honor and learn to imitate the virtures of the lives of Jesus and Mary. Click on this link to see a short video on how to pray the Rosary, featuring the Joyful Mysteries.
Video Link
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What is Fr. Richard-Jacob doing?
Click here to find out!

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Inspirational Words
One of the joys of the friars from St. Anthony of Padua Province is sharing their gifts through Evangelization. Several Spiritual Reflections written by our friars are listed on this website, as well as links to other inspirational videos and information. Listed here are just a few of their published works available for purchase.

I Cry to You, O Lord!
Scriptual Reflections (Mystery and Meaning of Suffering)
Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv.
Fr. Jude holds a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (SSL) degree from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He is a well known author of several articles on Bible study, as well as many books for adults and children. He has travelled widely in his ministry of evangelization and is currently our Assistant General for the conference of English speaking Conventual Friars. In this publication, he leads us through the scriptures to answer, among others, questions about suffering and free will. $10.95 copies of this book, as well as many other works by Fr. Jude, are available for order through the Companion Website, emailing the Evangelization office or by placing an order by phone at 410-988-9833.
Check out Fr. Jude's Sacrament of Reconciliation 5 part video selection on the Companions' videopage.
We also invite you to listen to Fr. Jude's daily reflections through his webministry and view an exerpt from one of Fr. Jude's Talks answering the question: Is God Fair?
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Love Explains Everything to Me
Adventures of the Spirit
Fr. Lucian Krolikowski, OFM Conv.
Fr. Lucian, best selling author of books like Stolen Childhood, A Saga of Polish War Children and Memories of a Siberian Prisoner and a Displaced Person, brings us another one of his inspirational works. Currently only available in Polish, Miłość mi wszystko wyjaśniła. Przygody ducha is a collection of deep reflections born mostly from his meditation on the Gospels and work among God's people. For more on the interesting life led by Fr. Lucian, as a Franciscan Friar, click on the following video links to see two parts of a 2010 interview with him, I lived with St Maximilian Kolbe for Three Years, as presented on the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate in the United States website, AirMaria.
Part I and Part II
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Love from Zambia
The Letters of a Franciscan Missionary Friar
Fr. Fritz O'Kelly, OFM Conv
On Thursday, November 17, 2011, Fr. Fritz' book of letters from his time in the missions had a launch at the Riverbank House Hotel in Wexford, Ireland. During the event, Fr. Paul Miskiewicz, OFM Conv (co-ordinator for our Friars in England and Ireland) stated that if he was asked to write a character reference for Fr. Fritz, he would simply state that 'he was one'.
Fr. Fritz also spoke, sharing his gift for humor and admitting that he had many people for whom to be thankful. Writing these letters helped him to stay in contact. Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns, also spoke at the launch. He let everyone know how sad the town was when the Brown Friars left and how grateful they were when the Grey Friars, Fr. Fritz among them, came in 2008. He commended Fr. Fritz for his gift of missionary work and stated that his love of God and of people is what helped him to sustain his life in such places.
Read more on Fr. Fritz and his new book:
Articles by Maria Pepper - 1 and 2
Article in the Wexford Echo - 24 November 2011
Audio: "In My Zambian Home" by Fr. Fritz
(Quality a little rough but we hope you will enjoy!)
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Saint Anthony of Padua Province
Provincial House
12300 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042-1419

410-531-1400 (voice) . 410-531-4881 (fax)