The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement bring healing and hope to God’s people, sharing the message of reconciliation, unity and at-one-ment on three continents.
“The word Friar simply means Brother and we want all men to feel that we are indeed their brothers and ready to serve them in any way we can.”
– Servant of God, Fr. Paul Wattson, SA Founder, Friars of the Atonement, October 1900
ELECTED GENERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS – 2024-2029 Term
Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA
Vicar General, 1st Councilor
President and Spiritual Director of St. Christopher’s Inn, the Friars’ residential shelter and substance abuse treatment center at Graymoor in Garrison, New York.
Brother Paolo S. Nicosia, SA
3rd Councilor
Elected 3rd Councilor in 2024. Serves as Procurator General to the Holy See and Director of European Vocations and Formation.
Fr. Kenneth Cienik, SA
4th Councilor
Elected 4th Councilor in 2024. Retired Commander in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy Reserve. Associate Pastor at the Chapel of Our Savior in Brockton, MA.LEARN ABOUT THE FRIARS & THEIR MINISTRIES
Brother Thomas Banacki, SA
Guardian of Chapel of Our Savior Friary and Manager of the Chapel Gift Store.
Fr. Jose Delgado, SA
Director of Vocations and Formation in Lima, Peru.
Fr. David Fitzgerald, SA
In residence at St. Paul Friary at Graymoor.
Fr. James Gardiner, SA
Director of Special Projects at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. Chair of the Washington Archdiocesan Holy Land Committee.
Brother Gerard Hand, SA
Br. Gerard retired to the Friars’ house at Waverly Place in New York City
Fr. Joseph Hiramatsu, SA
Regional Minister, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish
Chairperson of the Board of Directors of St. Joseph School in Tsurumi
Brother Daniel Houde, SA
Graymoor Book and Gift Center
Fr. Elias Mallon, SA
External Affairs Officer for CNEWA
Involved in the Roman Catholic/Christian-Muslim dialogue and issues of interreligious cooperation for conflict transformation.
Brother Joseph F. O’Gara, SA
Healthcare Coordinator for the Friars.
Brother John O’Hara, SA
Lectures on the Expression of One’s Spirituality through Photographic Process.
Fr. Thomas Orians, SA
In residence at St. Paul Friary at Graymoor.
Fr. David Poirier, SA
Associate Pastor at the Chapel of Our Savior in Brockton, MA. Organizes the Annual Halifax Paul Wattson Lecture which features speakers on interreligious and ecumenical topics.
Fr. James Puglisi, SA
In residence at St. Paul Friary at Graymoor.
Fr. Charles Sharon, SA
Serves as Secretary General, Treasurer, and the Friars’ Personnel Director.
Fr. Brian F. Terry, SA
Elected Minister General and re-elected in 2019.
Fr. James Loughran, SA
Serves as Director of the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute.
Fr. Timothy MacDonald, SA
Serves as Rector of Sant’Onofrio Church in Rome, Acting Director of the Centro Pro Unione, and Guardian of Convento Sant’Onofrio.
Fr. Daniel Callahan, SA
Currently serves as the Friars’ Mission Effectiveness Officer and Guardian of St. Paul Friary at Graymoor.
Fr. Robert Langone, SA
Serves as Pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church in Toronto.TERTIARIES
Deacon Thomas B. Rich, D.Min., J.C.L.
Vocation Director, Retreat Center Director
Deacon Thomas B. Rich, D.Min., J.C.L was welcomed into the Tertiaries of the Society of the Atonement (TSA) in January of 2020.
Deacon Thomas J. Malone Jr., TSA
Deacon Thomas J. Malone Jr., TSA was welcomed into the Tertiaries of the Society of the Atonement (TSA) in January of 2020.