MOTHER’S DAY, AND THE MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Greetings from Fr. Bob ...

Like many people on the East Coast, I am saying, “Thank goodness it is May!” This year’s winter did not want to end. If I had to think of one word to sum up May, it would be gentleness. The trees are a wonderful green, flowers are being planted and all is new and fresh.

What a wonderful month to dedicate to our Blessed Mother. She is, indeed, a gentle woman and a woman of great faith. Mary could never have fully realized what was being asked of her by the angel at the Annunciation, but it was enough for her to know that it was God’s will. She said, “Be it done onto me according to your word.” It is because of this great faith that all generations will call her “Blessed.”

This is also the month that we celebrate Mother’s Day. Mothers are always there to console, to comfort or to correct with loving words. Many of us can look back over the years and remember some of the things our mothers said that we often ignored. But, in hindsight, we wonder where she got such wisdom and faith.

The Friars are also men of faith – faith in God, faith in our Lady of the Atonement, who intercedes for us, and faith in you, our loyal friends who by your continued prayers and support help us to continue our many good works. Without you we can not carry on our ministries. For this we thank you and pray that God will bless you and keep you always.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Bob Warren

MINISTER GENERAL VISITS WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI

Fr. James F. Puglisi, SA, Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, was among some 1,800 Franciscan friars from around the world attending an April 15-18 celebration of the 800th anniversary of papal approval of the Franciscan rule.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FR. JIM’S VISIT WITH THE POPE >>

SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY MASS AT GRAYMOOR

For many, the first word to come to mind during the month of May is "Mother." May is the month we honor all Mothers. It is also the month we dedicate to Our Blessed Mother. The Friars of the Atonement will be holding a special Mass on May 10 at Pilgrim Hall in honor of Mother’s Day. To have the special mothers in your life included in the Friars’ prayers at Mass you can enroll below.

CLICK HERE TO ENROLL IN THE SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY MASS >>

      St. Francis Chapel, Graymoor

Franciscan Friars of the Atonement

Headquartered at Graymoor in Garrison, NY, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement is a Roman Catholic religious community with social, pastoral and ecumenical ministries in the United States, Canada, England, Italy, and Japan.

Centro Pro Unione
Christian Unity and
Ecumenical Research

The Centro Pro Unione, founded and directed by the Society of the Atonement, is an ecumenical research and action center. Its purpose is to give space for dialogue, to be a place for study, research and information in ecumenism: theological, pastoral, social and spiritual.

Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute

The Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute promotes Christian unity and interreligious dialogue in North America through their monthly (except August) Journal, Ecumenical Trends, Lecture Series, and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources.

St. Christopher's Inn
Residential Shelter & Substance Abuse Treatment Center

St. Christopher's Inn is a temporary shelter dedicated to the rehabilitation of men in crisis. Today the Inn shelters over 1,200 men per year, most of whom suffer from alcohol and/or drug addiction.

Our mission is to offer a continuum of quality health care services that facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual healing by providing chemical dependency treatment, primary health care, and temporary housing.

St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Center

St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Center provides inpatient, outpatient and community residential alcoholism and substance abuse services for men and women.

While primarily located in New York's Adirondack region, St. Joseph's provides services to clients living throughout New York State.

Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

In the Franciscan tradition of hospitality, Graymoor Spiritual Life Center welcomes individuals and groups of all faiths for spiritual retreats, meetings, conferences and pilgrimages.

Located on a mountaintop overlooking the Hudson River Valley, facilities include overnight accommodations, large dining room, a library, three chapels, as well as meeting/seminar facilities.

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement find both challenge and purpose in active service. We direct thriving social, ecumenical and pastoral ministries spanning three continents.

Our name — “At-One-Ment” — reflects the passion to reconcile Christians and their churches; to unite men and women with God and one another, making them
“at-one.”

If you are a man 19 to 40 years of age, who feels God’s
calling to live a life of faithfulness to the church, our
Vocations Director, Bro. John O’Hara, SA can be reached at 1-800-338-2620, ext. 2126.