Franciscan Friars of the Atonement from all over the world gathered together in Maryland for the 18th General Chapter Meeting. This meeting takes place every five years and lasts for ten days. During this time of reflection and prayer, the Friars elect new councilors to serve as the Board of Directors for the Friars worldwide throughout their five-year term.

On Friday, October 4th, the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement will hold their 26th Annual Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner at the Pierre Hotel in New York City, where over two hundred and fifty guests will be in attendance. The dinner honors individuals who exemplify the Friars’ charism of unity and At-One-Ment and who demonstrate the Franciscan spirit in their lives, serving humanity through their commitment of time, talents and resources. This annual event raises funds to support the mission and global ministries of the Friars. Best-selling author Mary Higgins Clark is honorary co-chair of the dinner, along with Mrs. Valerie Mastronardi.

We are excited to welcome three collegiate men—Kevin Marston, Dave Sebastian and Dalton LaTessa—to discern the call to religious life as participants in Franciscan for the Summer.  Franciscan for the Summer is an eight-week immersion from mid-June to mid-August for college-aged men to discern religious life with the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and participate in one of their ministries.  This year the men will participate in the Friars’ ministry of promoting Christian unity and interreligious dialogue as a part of Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute (GEII).  Gospel Stewardship is inspired by Fr. Paul’s “Union that Nothing Be Lost” prayer, which calls parishioners to invest all of their time, talent, substance and opportunities to the Glory of God, the good of neighbor, and participation in the welcome and evangelization of all.

Every year at Pentecost, Saint Francis and his friars would gather and share the results of their preaching; they would make decisions regarding the life of the friars; and they would issue new preaching assignments.  Servant of God, Father Paul Wattson, SA followed in the footsteps of St. Francis by establishing a tradition of General Chapter meetings every five years for the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement when they elect leadership, and set the course for their future. At the first General Chapter meeting, which convened over 80 years ago in May 1937, Fr. Paul addressed the Friars saying, “This General Chapter marks an important step in the life of our institute . . . if we are faithful, God will multiply the seed of the Atonement as the sands by the seashore by number.”Gospel Stewardship is inspired by Fr. Paul’s “Union that Nothing Be Lost” prayer, which calls parishioners to invest all of their time, talent, substance and opportunities to the Glory of God, the good of neighbor, and participation in the welcome and evangelization of all.