FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2012

The Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal sincerely apologizes for the comments made by Fr. Benedict Groeschel in an interview released yesterday by the National Catholic Register, online addition. In that interview, Fr. Benedict made comments that were inappropriate and untrue. A child is never responsible for abuse. Any abuser of a child is always responsible, especially a priest. Sexual abuse of a minor is a terrible crime and should always be treated as such. We are sorry for any pain his comments may have caused. Fr. Benedict has dedicated his life to helping others and these comments were completely out of character. He never intended to excuse abuse or implicate the victims. We hope that these unfortunate statements will not overshadow the great good Fr. Benedict has done in housing countless homeless people, feeding innumerable poor families, and bringing healing, peace and encouragement to so many.

Fr. Benedict helped found our community 25 years ago with the hope of bringing the healing peace of Jesus Christ to our wounded world. Our desire has always been to lift-up humanity and never to hurt. About seven years ago, Fr. Benedict was struck by a car and was in a coma for over a month. In recent months his health, memory and cognitive ability have been failing. He has been in and out of the hospital. Due to his declining health and inability to care for himself, Fr. Benedict had moved to a location where he could rest and be relieved of his responsibilities. Although these factors do not excuse his comments, they help us understand how such a compassionate man could have said something so wrong, so insensitive, and so out of character. Our prayers are with all those who have been hurt by his comments, especially victims of sexual abuse.

Personal Statement from Fr Benedict Groeschel:

I apologize for my comments. I did not intend to blame the victim. A priest (or anyone else) who abuses a minor is always wrong and is always responsible. My mind and my way of expressing myself are not as clear as they used to be. I have spent my life trying to help others the best that I could. I deeply regret any harm I have caused to anyone.

With questions please contact Fr. Glenn Sudano at 914-965-8143.

May Brings Ordinations

Fr. John Paul at his first Mass in the South Bronx.

On May 19th I had the privilege of con-celebrating at the ordination Mass of Fr. John Paul, CFR.  Fr. John Paul had a significant influence in my initial discernment and throughout my years in religious life.  My first assignment upon making vows was to live at St. Felix friary and help build Casa Juan Diego, our apostolate in Yonkers.  Fr. John Paul had already been there two years assisting Fr. Andrew Apostoli with his responsibilities.  The first evening at dinner Fr. Lawrence and I were welcomed by Fr. John Paul and Br. Felix with a song with lyrics about stories of us in the novitiate as well as predictions of how life would be at St. Felix Friary.  Transitions are usually not easily and warm welcomes make those memories so much more pleasant.

A Point to Consider:

Whenever a difficult journey lies ahead it is so much easier when you walk with someone who has gone the path before you. In many of the year’s activities Fr. John Paul led the way mostly by example but always with a humble confidence, making it easier and desirable to walk with him.  Without being aware of it, I was being influenced by his example.  The more we strive towards humble confidence the clearer our discernment becomes and we receive the grace to fulfill what God asks of us.

If you would like to discuss your discernment or maybe make a visit with us in the Big Apple, feel free to call us at 212.281.4355. Keep in mind that I will be away until June 9.

You have our prayers,
Fr. Gabriel Mary Bakkar, C.F.R.
Saint Joseph Friary
Harlem, NY

Check it out:



Father John Paul Ouellette, C.F.R.
Possessions included, he gave his life to God


One Priest and Five Deacons Ordained in May
(with photo galleries)

Novices Make First Profession of Vows

49th WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Sunday, April 29, 2012, is the 49th World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Every year the Pope asks the whole Church to pray for, think about and discuss the topic of vocations. He also delivers a message on the issue of vocations. Find the full text of this year's message here.

"I am inviting you to say yes to your vocation!"

This year Pope Benedict is focusing on the mystery of Love. God is love. It is only love that motivated God to create. In love He seeks us out. He invites us to respond in love. This loving response is our vocation.

Other than referring to some helpful passages from the Bible, the Pope also includes some great quotes from Saint Augustine, Blessed John Paul II, Saint John of the Cross, Pope Saint Gregory the Great and Saint John Vianney. Among other things, he recommends a strong devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the Poor. We felt such a confirmation when we read that because these are two anchors for our way of life as Franciscan Friars of the Renewal!

As we train our spiritual eyes to see Jesus in the Eucharist,
we will start to see Him in the poor as well.

Please know that we are praying for all of you who are reading this. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your discernment and maybe even make a visit to us in The Big Apple. We do not run specific "come and see" weekends, rather we take visitors as they are able to come! Because we do not have internet in the friary, we usually do not do ministry over the internet. Give us a call @ 212.281.4355 ...

God bless you,
The Friars


St. Joseph Friary
523 W. 142nd St.
New York, NY 10031


212.281.4355

New Website!

May the Lord give you His peace!

Sorry for the delay in contacting all of you out there. We have been really busy working on the new franciscanfriars.com. Let us know what you think. Meanwhile ...

On Palm Sunday, Pope Benedict gave a great message to the youth on Joy.

He wrote, "Speaking of generosity, I would like to mention one particular joy. It is the joy we feel when we respond to the vocation to give our whole life to the Lord. Dear young people, do not be afraid if Christ is calling you to the religious, monastic or missionary life or to the priesthood. Be assured that he fills with joy all those who respond to his invitation to leave everything to be with him and to devote themselves with undivided heart to the service of others. In the same way, God gives great joy to men and women who give themselves totally to one another in marriage in order to build a family and to be signs of Christ’s love for the Church."

Know that you are in our prayers and feel free to call us to make a visit!
212.281.4355

AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR POLITICIANS AND FELLOW CITIZENS

Is there any legitimate limit to the power of the government?  Is there any area of our lives that are protected from governmental control?  This great country of the United States of America was founded on the principles of individual liberties.  Our founding fathers all agreed that there are areas of our lives that the government has no business meddling with.


In recent months we have seen the government attacking and infringing upon one of these fundamental areas: religious liberty.  In fact, it is the very first of the Amendments to our honorable Constitution that ensure freedom of religious, freedom, that is, from governmental intrusion in the area of belief.  Does the government have the right to tell you what to believe?  Can the government force you to do that which you find morally reprehensible?



The recent H.H.S. Mandate attacks and undermines this fundamental principle of our American way of life. Therefore, the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal stands shoulder to shoulder with our Bishops and all those who defend our American values.  Our founding Fathers sacrificed for what they believed in and left us a powerful legacy.  Following their courageous example, we will peacefully and steadfastly resist any infringement upon our religious liberties and our deep-seated beliefs.



Whether someone agrees with the Catholic position or not, it must be admitted that the Catholic position is a deep-seated, ancient and constant belief of the Catholic faithful.  It goes back to the time of the Apostles.  It is quintessentially a religious belief.  It is a belief that the Almighty God created human life and it is very good.  It is a belief that each human person has an inalienable value because of a God-given immortal soul.  It is a belief that we are all daughters and sons of a Loving Father.  Only in acting with dignity and purity do we express the full wonder of being human.  Anything that artificially interferes with the beautiful act of the marital embrace or involves a voluntary mutilation of a healthy person or causes the deliberate death of an innocent human being is diametrically opposed to the goodness of life and the love of God.  Accordingly, all of these acts are beneath our dignity and can never be supported by those who hold the Catholic faith.



We ask our politicians and our fellow Americans to stand with us against this assault on our freedoms.  If we can be forced to act against our fundamental beliefs, how long will it be before you are forced to do the same?

What to do for Lent?

At the beginning of Lent Christian homes are full of conversations about what to do or "give up" during this annual penitential season. Let the medicine match the malady. If you have a cold you do not take chemo therapy. If you have cancer you do not take an aspirin. Why not take a look at those faults and weaknesses that you usually pray about and confess. Then think about a devotion or practice that would directly impact those things.


The New Testament often quotes a famous passage from Isaiah 40, "A voice of one calling in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low' ..." So let us level those mountains of pride and fill up those valleys of doubt in order to make a path in our hearts for the grace of the Lord!


God bless you,
Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
St. Joseph Friary, New York, NY


Papal message for Lent 2012

Discernment and Renewal

On the Feast of the Presentation our brothers renewed their vows to live our Life for one year. Renewing vows for one year may or may not seem like a huge commitment. On its own it really isn’t. Really the renewal encompasses far more. I renewed my vows for the first time eleven years ago, yet I remember it quite vividly. All the friars kneeled at the altar rail of St. Adalbert Church in the Bronx. In the presence of all the friars in the community, I spoke into the microphone: “I Brother Gabriel Mary of Jacksonville vow and promise to almighty God…” At age 25, and after having spent two and a half years with the community, my renewal of vows was for me telling God, "You’ve brought me this far and I believe you are calling me to this life and so I will continue to follow."

Every step forward becomes a step towards letting go of that which is solely our own will. Through this period of discernment we become more aware of who we are as His sons and who we are called to be. Discernment is never meant to be a source of anxiety but an opportunity to trust. Our Lord didn’t give the Apostles a five-year plan; he simply invited them to follow Him.

Please pray for all of the friars who renewed their vows!

Check it out ... 

+ FYI : The two-week visit for those wanting to join our community will be July 12-26, 2012.

+ The friars are featured in this new book. It is really positive and well written.
(find it on amazon here)
(video of an interview with the author here)






+ FatherBenedict.com NEW!
Your one stop site for all books, audio and video from Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR

God bless you,

Fr. Gabriel Mary Bakkar , CFR 
Saint Joseph Friary
523 W. 142nd St.
New York, NY 10031


Interested in learning more? Give us a call!
(212)281-4355

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