2019 Chapter Meeting and Election of Councilors

June 18, 2019
News
Every year at Pentecost, Saint Francis and his friars would gather and share the results of their preaching; they would make decisions regarding the life of the friars; and they would issue new preaching assignments.  Servant of God, Father Paul Wattson, SA followed in the footsteps of St. Francis by establishing a tradition of General Chapter meetings every five years for the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement when they elect leadership, and set the course for their future. At the first General Chapter meeting, which convened over 80 years ago in May 1937, Fr. Paul addressed the Friars saying, “This General Chapter marks an important step in the life of our institute . . . if we are faithful, God will multiply the seed of the Atonement as the sands by the seashore by number.” This June, the Friars gathered from around the globe to meet in Maryland for the 18th General Chapter Meeting.  They reviewed and reflected on the past five years of their community and their ministries; they looked forward and planned for the direction of the Friars of the Atonement over the next five years; and they elected leadership that they believe are best equipped to lead them in their undertakings. The Very Reverend Fr. Brian Terry, SA, was re-elected for a second term of service as the Minister General.  Elected to the General Council are Fr. Jim Loughran, SA, Vicar General and First Councilor; Fr. Timothy MacDonald, SA, Second Councilor; Fr. Daniel Callahan, SA, Third Councilor; and Fr. Robert Langone, SA, Fourth Councilor.  The General Council serves as the Board of Directors for the Friars worldwide throughout their five-year term. Fr. Brian Terry, SA shared, “I am both humbled and honored to be part of the leadership team for the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. We ask for your prayers as we navigate the next five years of ministry of healing and reconciliation, always working towards unity and At-One-Ment for our community, our church, our neighbors and indeed all the world.” You can read about all the newly elected councilors on our website at www.AtonementFrias.org/MeetTheFriars

St. Joan of Arc Parish: United In Faith

May 30, 2019
News
St. Joan of Arc in Toronto, Canada, is a vibrant parish where Pastor Fr. Dan Callahan, SA, and Associate Pastor Fr. Bob Langone, SA, live out the parish mission: “Living and Proclaiming the Gospel through Stewardship, All are Welcome.”
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Visiting Our Lady of the Atonement Church, San Antonio, TX

May 24, 2019
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.
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Encountering Fr. Paul of Graymoor: Reflections of a Seminarian

May 22, 2019
News
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. 
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Summer at Centro Pro Unione

May 21, 2019
News
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.
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