NEWS

In the spirit of our founder, Servant of God Father Paul Wattson, SA, the Friars hosted their 2nd annual “Pumpkin Smash” to repurpose Halloween pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. The composted pumpkins will be used at San Damiano Far at St. Christopher’s Inn (SCI), bringing awareness to the life-changing work happening there each day.

The Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement celebrated and remembered two important society feast days in October. The Covenant of Father Paul and Mother Lurana was celebrated on October 7, the greatest family feast day for the Society of the Atonement.

Through a powerful combination of spoken word and song, Reckless Son humanizes the experience of the incarcerated by giving them a voice and telling their stories of hope, forgiveness, and self-discovery.

I was showing a visitor around Graymoor recently and when they saw the breathtaking view from the top of the mountain, they said, “Thank you, God”.  How often do we say that for things we receive? 

In September, in honor of National Recovery Month, students from Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, New York – located 19 miles from Graymoor – spread kindness and hope to the men at St. Christopher’s Inn.

On Sunday, September 30, close to 500 of our neighbors, including Friars, Sisters and staff from St. Christopher’s Inn and FOA participated in the 3rd Annual “Be the Bridge: Walk for Recovery” in Poughkeepsie, NY. On Sunday, September 30, close to 500 of our neighbors, including Friars, Sisters and staff from St. Christopher’s Inn and FOA participated in the 3rd Annual “Be the Bridge: Walk for Recovery” in Poughkeepsie, NY.

October 6 was a beautiful Sunday with bright skies, perfect for celebrating the octave of the Feast of St. Francis. When I arrived at Graymoor, people had already begun gathering to have their pets blessed. I had brought my Australian Shepherd, Colette, named after the sainted Poor Clare nun.

New Evangelization Television (NET) recently featured a video and blog about St. Christopher’s Inn on their website. Hear the moving stories of the men seeking healing.

One hundred and twenty-six years ago, in 1898, Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson, SA, and Mother Lurana White formed a spiritual covenant, the foundation of the Society of the Atonement - today the Franciscan Friars and Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement.