NEWS

On June 29, the Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center (HMFRC) welcomed motivational speaker, radio host, and podcast director Kacey Morabito Grean and crystal harpist Rosemary Boyle Lasher to our Finding Your Light event.

July 9, the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Atonement, holds a special place in the hearts of our community.

To paraphrase George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” – it’s summertime, but for many the living isn’t easy.  I say this because every day at Graymoor we receive many requests for prayers from all over the world.

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement elected a new Minister General and four new Councilors during the 19th General Chapter held in May. The new leadership was installed on Saturday, July 6. Please join us in congratulating these Friars and keep them in your prayers.

Although he was enjoying a very successful career on Wall Street, Thomas Banacki felt a different calling. When a deacon from Bayonne, NJ, said, “You might be interested in visiting Graymoor and meeting the Friars,” he agreed.

The Holy Father offers a special prayer intention every month. In July, Pope Francis asks all Catholics to pray for the pastoral care of the sick.

On a very hot June 22, 2024, three Friars celebrated their Diamond anniversary. Father Kenneth Cienik, SA, Father Patrick Cogan, SA and Father James Puglisi, SA will have been Friars for 60 years! They have served countless communities, dedicated to serving in ministry and education. We couldn’t let this milestone pass by without expressing our gratitude and love for them.

The beginning of June marked the start of our Summer Concert Series, which runs until September at St. Anthony Shrine. As part of our 125th anniversary celebration, this series is a wonderful way to connect with our Friars, Sisters, staff, and attendees on beautiful summer evenings!

More than 75 people visited the Holy Mountain on June 6 to celebrate Heritage and Benefactor Day at Graymoor. The joyous celebration began with Mass, followed by a “blessing of the bricks” ceremony by Fr. Brian Terry, SA and Fr. James Gardiner, SA.