2008 Conventual Franciscan Postulants

This year 9 men have taken an important step in their journey of religious discernment. They have entered the Conventual Franciscans' Postulancy Program. For the next 12 months, the men will live life the Franciscan way while continuing to discover what it actually means to be a Franciscan. This spiritual as well as intellecutal education will facilitate the men's move towards becoming Conventual Franciscan Friars.

To learn more about the 2008 Conventual Franciscan Postulants, please see below:

Jeff O'Malley is from Island Lake, Illinois a small town a half an hour from the friars’ shrine of Marytown. Although he was baptized Catholic Jeff had a conversion in his junior year of high school. This conversion prompted him to look into religious life in hopes of being ordained a priest one day. After meeting with the Vocation Director Jeff began to frequent Marytown where he grew closer to the friars and came to better understand their way of life. The deep love of the Eucharist and special Marian devotions of the Conventuals also played an important part in Jeff seeking to join the community.

Rory Doyle is from County Wexford, Ireland. Although brought up a Catholic, he really only started taking his faith seriously after a personal conversion at age twenty-two. He was just starting higher studies in Belfast when he began attending different prayer groups. This made him think about religious life, especially since his two bothers had also pursued a vocation. While working as a civil engineer, he joined the Legion of Mary and began exploring different religious orders. Two years ago he met Fr. James McCurry, a Conventual who had just been named the new Delegate Superior of England and Ireland. Through Fr. James Rory learned more about the friars especially after visiting the house of formation in Chicago a year ago.

Arturo Saclolo, Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland however because of his father’s Naval career, the family traveled a great deal. Growing up Arturo had a variety of jobs: construction, retail, landscaping installation, and he also worked as an Intake Coordinator for Catholic Charities. He eventually joined the Capuchins in Cleveland where he met Ephrem Cramer, a fellow Capuchin student who also transferred into the Conventuals later on. While in formation, Arturo served as the Music Director. He completed a BA in Philosophy from John Carroll University. Having become a member of the Militia of the Immaculata, Arturo eventually felt a calling to settle his life and his spirituality with the Conventuals.

Paul Langevin grew up in Maumee, OH. When he graduated from high school seminary he pursued a degree in religious studies where he first encountered a Conventual Franciscan who served as his spiritual director and was a source of significant influence in his life. Paul went on to earn his undergraduate degree in psychology and later a Master’s degree in social work. He has resided in Chicago for the past 10 years where he worked for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in child welfare. Paul has been active in various ministries at his home parish.

David Gaines grew up in Spokane, Washington. David came to meet the Franciscans through the chaplain assigned to the local Air Force base, Fr. Kerry Abbott. Fr. Kerry encouraged and supported David’s vocation throughout his years in high school and college. David tells how it was in Fr. Kerry’s simple question, “Have you ever thought about the priesthood or religious life?” that planted the seed of discernment in David’s heart. David has a great love for music and performance. In fact, he was the director of the “Big Bing Theory” vocal group at Gonzaga University, where he graduated with a BA in Philosophy and Religion. David has also served in various parishes assisting with music, outreach, and catechesis.

John Clote is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He has spent most of his adult life as a broadcast journalist and a filmmaker. After several years as a producer and writer at NBC News he began working in Catholic media producing more than a dozen films and documentaries. John first began working side by side the Conventual Franciscans in 1997 when his film company, “The Mercy Foundation,” settled its headquarters at their shrine of Marytown, near Chicago. From his daily contact with the friars, John increasingly found both spiritual and vocational inspiration. The martyred Conventual Franciscan, Maximilian Kolbe, whose life exemplified the spreading of the gospel by means of modern media, particularly inspires him.

Stephen Gionta is from Lansdowne, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia.  He is one of five children and attended both a Catholic grade school and high school.  Steve received a BA degree in Communication from the University of Scranton.  He has been involved in a variety of Church-related ministries over the years, most recently as a middle school teacher in a Catholic school in Camden, NJ.  Steve has a variety of interests that include music, sports, reading, and being of service to others.  His initial contact with our community was through the internet and our website: www.franciscans.org.

Christopher Dudek was born and raised in Chicopee, MA where he and his family are members at our Conventual Franciscan parish of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr.  Although he has no brothers or sisters, Chris had the full support of his parents in pursuing his Franciscan vocation.  Chris was very active at the parish and served the parish and school in a variety of ways.  He was inspired in his vocation by the friars who served at St. Stanislaus throughout his life.  Chris attended the Catholic grade school attached to his parish and graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School.

Ian Bremar was born in Ohio, but has lived in Portland, TX since age 5 and calls that home. He has been thinking about a vocation since the 2nd grade. He is a writer and poet and has presented his work in various poetry "slams". He is currently a Sophomore at Incarnate Word University in San Antonio, TX.

Sean Caruana is from San Diego CA and made contact with the Order through Br Chris Saindon OFM Conv, the vocation director of the California Province. Originally from upstate New York, Sean has been a high school teacher in San Diego for many years and active in Immaculata parish.

Toby Longcore comes to Saint Joseph of Cupertino Province from Reno NV, where for many years he belonged to the cathedral parish administered by the friars. A native of Grand Rapids MI and a graduate of Aquinas College, Toby has been active in the Pro-Life movement, in various parochial apostolates and in community service. In Reno, Toby worked as a personal trainer at the YMCA.

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