Fr. Ralph Paonessa, O.F.M. died today, November 11, 2022, in Toronto, Canada at the age of 86.

We are sorry to inform you that our brother, Fr. Paul Rotondi, O.F.M., passed to his heavenly reward early this morning at the age of 91. Fr. Paul died at Mary Manning Walsh Home in New York City, where he was residing for the past month. He was a member of the Padua Friary community.

During the traditional Transitus ceremony, new postulants were admitted into the formation program.

Minister General Br. Massimo Fusarelli, O.F.M. visited our Province from September 25-29, 2022

Br. Kevin Leonel Flores Godoy invested with the habit of St. Francis.

Fr. Stephen Laszlo Galambos, O.F.M, passed to eternal life Friday afternoon, September 9, while in hospice care. Fr. Stephen was 82 years old. He was a member of the St. Christopher Friary fraternity. 

Profession Ceremony held at San Damiano, Assisi, Italy.

The Provincial Chapter of 2022 may be remembered for many years to come, not for some outstanding and unpredictable election, nor for any monumental or ground-breaking legislation.  Rather, it will probably be most remembered for the ravages of the Covid-19 infection which affected several of the chapter delegates.  

On Wednesday, June 22, at our Provincial Chapter

Fr James E. Goode, O.F.M. passed into eternal life on Friday, March 4, 2022 at the age of 81. At the time of his death, Fr. Jim was a resident at Mary Manning Walsh Home, in Manhattan, New York City, and had been seriously ill for some time.

Fr. Isaac J. Calicchio, O.F.M. passed into eternal life on February 5, 2022, at the age of 91. He was born in Jersey City, NJ on September 2, 1930, and was baptized John. His current assignment was Teresian Home in Albany, New York.

We are sorry to inform you that our brother, Fr. Aubert Marie Picardi, O.F.M, passed to eternal life on Thursday, January 20, 2022, while in hospice care in Boston, Massachusetts. Fr. Aubert was 91 years old.

On Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the 5:00 PM parish mass, our brother, Friar Joshua Critchley, O.F.M. was ordained to the diaconate by Bishop James Massa, Ph.D., D.D., at the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, Manhattan, New York City. Bishop Massa is an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Rector of St. Joseph Seminary, Dunwoodie, Yonkers, New York.

With the illness and passing of its pastor, Fr. Dennis Wheatley, O.F.M., the Province had previously negotiated with the Archdiocese of Boston our departure from Sacred Heart Parish. As of December 17, 2021, a temporary administrator has been assigned by the Archdiocese.

On Saturday, December 11, 2021, our brother, Fr. Dennis Wheatley, O.F.M., passed into eternal life at the age of 71. Fr. Dennis was the pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Waltham, Massachusetts, where he had served for 22 years. He died from complications due to cancer and Covid 19.

Fr. Daniel died on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx. He was 79 years old. Fr. Daniel was a resident of St. Patrick Home, Bronx, and was affiliated with Padua Friary, Thompson Street, New York, NY.

Fr. Flavian Mucci, O.F.M. passed into eternal life on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

On Wednesday, September 8, four new novices were received and invested with the Franciscan habit.

Our four novices professed First Vows on Saturday, August 28, 2021.