The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are known for their piety, bringing reconciliation, hope, healing and harmony to our broken world.
Service to others is also an integral part of the Friars’ ministry.
A group of Friars – some living, some who have gone before us in faith – have had the honor of serving in the noblest of ways during their lives and ministries, as members of the military. Each year on November 11, we honor and recognize all military veterans across the country.
At Graymoor, we show appreciation for our Friars who have helped to make our country a safer place.
Father Ken Cienik, SA, served in the Navy and Marine Corps for 24 years, retiring with the rank of Captain in 2010. Father Ken, who was also a military chaplain, served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In 2006, Father Ken was awarded a meritorious service medal from the President.
Brother Tom Grimsley, TSA, spent four years in the U.S. Navy, from 1955 through 1959. Meanwhile, Brother Doug Dulli, TSA, was a corpsman in the Navy and is now a medical doctor, specializing in neurology. Brother Tom renewed his temporary promises as a Tertiary of the Society of the Atonement in March. At the same time, Brother Doug was received as a novice tertiary.
Years before he ministered at Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling, Virginia, Father Bill Schmidt, SA, served in the first World War.
Brother Francis Rene Papineau, SA, joined the Navy in 1945. He reached the rank of Seaman First Class and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal before his honorable discharge in 1947. Brother Francis entered into Eternal Life in 2017.
Likewise, Father Mark O’Connor, SA, served in the Navy, prior to entering into the Society of the Atonement in 1956. He, too, entered into the Eternal Home of God in 2017.
Brother Paschal Steen, TSA, joined the Navy in June of 1943, during World War II. He worked as a carpenter, repairing landing crafts, until he was discharged in July of 1946, holding the rank of Seaman First Class. Brother Paschal served in Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and overseas in France. He entered into Eternal Life in 2019.
From 1949 to 1955, Father Edward Gallagher, SA, was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. He joined the Friars of the Atonement in 1965, working in many pastoral and social ministries until his passing in 2020.
A Prayer for Veterans
“Almighty God, You know every veteran by name. You know their deeds, their hard work and their perseverance. You know their needs, both material and spiritual. Please draw each one closer to You and grant them all the peace that passes understanding, the peace of Christ to rule in their hearts and joy in Your presence. Amen.”
Thanks for the recognition. Whenever anyone says “thank you for your service, I always reply, thank you for your recognition it was my privilege and pleasure to serve our nation”.
In addition to the friars mentioned above there are other friars that I am aware of to be recognized as well… Fr. Dennis Murphy, SA served as an Army chaplain for 25 years and retired as a Colonel, Fr. Pius Keating, SA retired as a Commander in the United States Navy chaplain Corps, as well as Fr. William Dillan, SA who retired also retired as a Navy captain.
I likewise am aware of Brothers Vincent Foyder, SA , US Navy
and Joe Marie Zakia, SA, US Coast Guard,
Fr. William Schmidt, SA, Fr. Stephen Sullivan, SA among others.
This is a wonderful tribute page, I am so happy to see this. Our Friars and Associates who served and continue to serve are models to be cherished and remembered. Thank you so much for doing this. I will encourage my donors to read this section. Linda Dyekman, Major Gift Officer Friars of Atonement, Garrison, NY