CELEBRATING FOREVER

Greetings from Fr. Bob ...

Forever used to be a household word, but nowadays it seems a little unreal. Many will tell you that nothing lasts forever. But, all sorts of people have said “forever” to a person or an institution or to God.

But times change, ideals die, neighborhoods go down, governments topple. New offers are too attractive to pass up – for quarterbacks, coaches, executives or marriages. Sadly, forever is not a thunderous promise but often a tremulous hope.

All these thoughts were going through my mind as I attended the recent Jubilee Celebration for eight of our friars. They are men who have served God and his people all over the world. From Brazil, England, Italy and Jamaica West Indies. They have ministered in great Universities and in the slums of big cities as well as at St. Christopher's Inn, our Alcoholism & Substance Abuse treatment center here at Graymoor. They are men who entered the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement 25, 50, 60 years ago. The list of their accomplishments in the service of the Lord is stellar, although they would deny it.

They are friars who have been tireless in their many ministries and many are still active. They are faithful men who many years before could not know what lay in their future, but still trusting the Lord said “forever.”

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Bob Warren

SPONSOR FR. DAN AS HE RUNS, BIKES AND SWIMS TO HELP THE FRIARS

He is not only a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement and the pastor at St. Joan of Arc parish in Toronto, he is also a highly accomplished tri-athlete. On Saturday, August 11th, he will compete in the inaugural Ironman U.S. Championship to be held at sites in New York and New Jersey. His distinctive combination of spiritual and physical stamina has earned him the nickname "Iron Friar."

Fr. Callahan takes part in the event to raise money for various causes including the rehabilitation and healing ministries of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor.

Support the Friars by taking the Iron Friar Challenge >>

WEBSITE FEATURE: SITES AT GRAYMOOR INTERACTIVE MAP

One of the most popular pages on our website is the one that features: "Sites at Graymoor". Here you can have an "interactive" experience by learning about more than two dozen of the many special places, buildings, shrines and statues on the grounds of Graymoor, the Holy Mountain. We hope it inspires you to plan a visit this summer. In fact, Graymoor is beautiful to visit any time of year.

Be sure to pick up a printed copy of the map and informational brochure available at both our Visitor's Center and at the Graymoor Book and Gift Center.

Visit the Webpage >>

JOIN FRIARS FR. JAMES LOUGHRAN AND FR. JAMES GARDINER ON THEIR PILGRIMAGES TO THE HOLY LAND

In the coming months two of our Friars will be leading pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Would you like to join them on one of these trips?

Fr. James Loughran, Director of the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, is leading a pilgrimage from October 20 - 29, 2012. His 10 day trip will include special trips to sites in Tiberas, Jerusalem and Bethany as well as the opportunity to reflect on the modern day issues of Israel and Palestine, of two distinct peoples and nations and of three distinct religions. Click here to view Fr. Loughran's trip details.

Fr. James Gardiner, Director of Special Projects at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, Washington DC, is leading a pilgrimage from January 3 - 13, 2013. The trip will also include visits to sites in Tiberas, Jerusalem and Bethany and special effort will be made to include encounters with the people of the Holy Land – the “living stones.” Click here to view Fr. Gardiner's trip details.

Both October and January are beautiful times of year to visit the Holy Land. Be assured that your trip will be that much more special because you spent it with a Friar of the Atonement.

Learn More Including Photos of the Destinations >>

NEW MEDITATION LABYRINTH AND PEACE POLE AT GRAYMOOR

On Sunday, May 6, 2012, Fr. Tom Orians, Director of the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center blessed the newly-installed Labyrinth and Peace Pole at Graymoor.

"May Peace Prevail on Earth" is inscribed on the Peace Pole, at its center, in eight languages: English and Spanish— representing two major languages of North America; Latin and Hebrew— representing two major religious languages; Japanese and Italian—representing two areas of the world where the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement serve; and Chinese and Creole—representing two groups of non-English speakers who often pilgrimage to Graymoor.

Learn More about the Labyrinth and Peace Pole >>

ONLINE VIDEO: BUDDHIST / CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE AT GRAYMOOR

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center hosted a Buddhist / Christian Dialogue. The topic was: "Greed: Personal and Structural". The Buddhist speaker was the Rev. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, a member of the Japanese Pure Land Buddhist Church. He is living at present in New York City. The Catholic speaker was the Rev. Francis X. Mazur, Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese of Buffalo, NY.

We hope you enjoy the video from the event.

View the Video >>

NEW MONTHLY FEATURE IN ENEWS: ENROLLMENT CARD OF THE MONTH AND CURRENT NOVENA

Many of you visit our website on a regular basis to enroll loved ones in the Graymoor Spiritual Union or to participate in our Ministry of Prayer through our Novenas.

Beginning this month and continuing every month, we will be featuring one of our Enrollment Cards as well as information regarding the Current Novena in each issue of eNews.

New Memorial Mass Card with Jesus >>

When someone dies, the sadness and grief can be unbearable. Those closest to the deceased often feel like they’re not sure how they will go on, or what they’ll do next. At these times, the help of Jesus is truly a heaven-sent gift.

When someone closest to you loses a loved one, this card conveys your caring through the comfort and intercession of Jesus and Perpetual Remembrance in the Masses, prayers, and good works of the Friars of the Atonement.

Perpetual Novena to St. Anthony >>

For the past 100 years the Friars have offered their ministry of prayer through a Perpetual Novena to St. Anthony. Click here to enter your prayer requests/intentions and be included in the Novena.

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.

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.

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

Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute promotes Christian unity and interreligious dialogue in North America through its 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.