Friar John Stowe Returns to Carey, Ohio

Friar John Stowe

Franciscan friar John Stowe became the new rector of the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio at the end of 2010. Although he came to the basilica from 15 years of ministry in Texas, he was already deeply connected to this spiritual place. Friar John’s parents used to bring him to the basilica during his childhood. The time he spent at Our Lady of Consolation helped Friar John make the decision to enter the Franciscan Order.

Now as rector at OLC Friar John is engaging the local community. Through the first three months of 2011 he is leading a lecture series on the history of the Church at the Our Lady of Consolation Parish School cafeteria. The first lecture, which took place on January 19th, was titled “New Testament and the Origins of the Church”. Subsequent lectures have looked at the Church during the Age of Persecutions, and the early Middle Ages. The final lecture is scheduled for March 2nd. In it Friar John will discuss the Church from the time of the Council of Trent to the Second Vatican Council.

(Source of all related images on webpage and homepage: www.olcshrine.com.)