Category Archives: News

In April, while Fr. Emil Tomaskovic, SA and members of the Mission Support staff were hosting a Benefactor Appreciation Day in San Antonio, they stopped to visit the Church of Our Lady of the Atonement. This year is the Centennial Anniversary of the Catholic Church recognizing Mary under the title of Our Lady of the Atonement, and a special visit was in order.

Francisco Gamboa Felix, a seminarian from Mexico, encountered Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson, SA and the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement through studying ecumenism at seminary.  Fr. Paul and the Friars’ ministry of fostering reconciliation, healing and unity so inspired Francisco that he pilgrimaged to Graymoor to experience Fr. Paul’s legacy first hand in February 2019. 

Fr. Jim Puglisi, SA, Director of the Centro Pro Unione (Center for Unity), the Friars ecumenical research and action center located in Rome, Italy, is preparing for the graduate program that the Center hosts each summer. This three-week program introduces participants to the ecumenical and interreligious movements from a Catholic perspective. It offers a historical and theological overview of the issues that divide Christians as well as the bonds that unite them.

Brother Leo (nee William F.) Hall, SA, a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement, passed from this life on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at The Paramount Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Somers, NY.

Fr. Jose Delgado, SA, the newest Atonement Friar, realized a goal he has been pursuing for more than half a century when he was ordained to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church at Graymoor on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

Fr. Jim Gardiner, SA, was honored to host the 70th Wilbur Awards Ceremony in mid-April in Chicago. Since 1949, the Wilbur Awards have recognized secular media who have effectively produced content that touches on religious issues, values, and themes.

Fr. Tom Orians, SA, Fr. Jim Puglisi, SA, Fr. Jim Loughran, SA, and Fr. Jim Gardiner, SA, travelled to Washington, DC, in early April to meet with other religious leaders of various denominations for The National Workshop on Christian Unity. The only gathering of its kind on a national level, the Workshop has advanced unity and reconciliation among various Christian communities for more than 50 years.

The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are proud to announce that we have recently launched our newest initiative aimed at reaching young adults. The RU1@1? challenge is a series of 21 daily challenges delivered by email to those who register for the program. The daily tips seek to help participants find At-One-Ment with God, others, and within themselves.

The Friars of the Atonement are very proud to announce their newest Affiliates, Drs. John and Marianne Borelli. Dr. John Borelli currently serves as a special assistant for Catholic Identity to the president of Georgetown University, where he teaches, manages conferences and events, coordinates dialogue and mission for the Jesuit Conference, and promotes university relations with the offices and institutes of the Holy See.

As we anticipate the coming warm spring days, Bob Conboy, the farm manager at San Damiano Farm, along with all the Brothers Christopher working with him, are already planning for this year’s crops.  Planning and preparing is especially exciting this year, thanks to a very generous and long-time friend of the Friars of the Atonement, who has gifted the farm with a brand new John Deere tractor!