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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.

Graymoor is once again a sea of color, as the trees start to change and the hills and valleys are covered with a blanket of red and gold. It is a fitting time of year to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. I have to confess that he is my favorite saint. He was a simple man whose life was centered on Christ.

The Holy Father offers a special prayer intention every month. In October, Pope Francis asks all Catholics to pray for a shared mission.

The Tablet, the newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, recently featured the Friars' ministry at St. Christopher’s Inn. In her article, Paula Katinas explores the Friars’ approach to addiction recovery and its blessings in men’s lives.

Every summer, men in formation at Graymoor, home to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, are called to do a service project.

On September 6, Brother Charles Okorie commenced his novitiate with the Friars. On the same day, Brother Giuseppe Rinaldi began his novitiate as a Tertiary of the Society of the Atonement. Brother Paolo Nicosia, SA presided at the novices’ clothing ceremony.

The second annual Women’s Day at Graymoor took place on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. What an appropriate day for attendees to honor and remember impactful women in their lives and celebrate new friendships created through this event.

The Holy Father offers a special prayer intention every month. In September, Pope Francis asks all Catholics to pray for the cry of the Earth.