NEWS

Fr. Jim Gardiner, SA, was honored to host the 70th Wilbur Awards Ceremony in mid-April in Chicago. Since 1949, the Wilbur Awards have recognized secular media who have effectively produced content that touches on religious issues, values, and themes.

Fr. Tom Orians, SA, Fr. Jim Puglisi, SA, Fr. Jim Loughran, SA, and Fr. Jim Gardiner, SA, travelled to Washington, DC, in early April to meet with other religious leaders of various denominations for The National Workshop on Christian Unity. The only gathering of its kind on a national level, the Workshop has advanced unity and reconciliation among various Christian communities for more than 50 years.

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are proud to announce that we have recently launched our newest initiative aimed at reaching young adults. The RU1@1? challenge is a series of 21 daily challenges delivered by email to those who register for the program. The daily tips seek to help participants find At-One-Ment with God, others, and within themselves.

The Friars of the Atonement are very proud to announce their newest Affiliates, Drs. John and Marianne Borelli. Dr. John Borelli currently serves as a special assistant for Catholic Identity to the president of Georgetown University, where he teaches, manages conferences and events, coordinates dialogue and mission for the Jesuit Conference, and promotes university relations with the offices and institutes of the Holy See.

As we anticipate the coming warm spring days, Bob Conboy, the farm manager at San Damiano Farm, along with all the Brothers Christopher working with him, are already planning for this year’s crops.  Planning and preparing is especially exciting this year, thanks to a very generous and long-time friend of the Friars of the Atonement, who has gifted the farm with a brand new John Deere tractor!

During the month of April, we celebrate the life of Mother Lurana White, co-founder of the Society of the Atonement with Fr. Paul Wattson, SA, Servant of God, as well as her transition into eternal life. In April 2019, we also celebrate the Centennial of the church’s recognition of Mary under the title Our Lady of the Atonement. While Fr. Paul initiated the use of the title Our Lady of the Atonement for the Society, Mother Lurana also had a deep and profound love for Our Lady of the Atonement as well as the faith that Christians would be united through the intercession of the Blessed Mother.

At the Chapel of Our Savior in Brockton, Massachusetts, the Friars have been offering a number of events to invite participants to enter more deeply into their faith. From fun cultural experiences like an Irish Tea on St. Patrick’s Day to a Day of Reflection for Women on Mary Magdalene, the Chapel is a spiritual resource for so many men and women in the surrounding area.

March 15-17, 2019, Fr. Bernie Palka, SA, Sr. Lucinda Patterson, SA, Br. Paolo Nicosia, SA, and Paul Krenzelok, Director of Discernment Ministry led a “discernment” retreat weekend for 10 diverse and vibrant young adults.  The purpose was to help these young adults answer the question, “What is God’s plan for my life?”  Although no one by the end of the weekend completely “figured out” God’s plan—which wasn’t the purpose—these young adults did come away with tools to discern God’s plan bit by bit.

This year marks the 100th anniversary that the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement have been honoring the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of the Atonement. To honor her and help others come into her mercy through prayer, a new stained glass window at St. Joseph the Worker parish in Richmond, British Columbia, has been installed.