† Friar Phil Kelly, OFM Conv.
Friar Phil Kelly
On September 7, 2009, after a short battle with cancer Friar Phil Kelly died at Francis House in Syracuse, New York. He was 78 years old. A native of Farrellton, Quebec, Phillip professed his Simple Vows in 1961 in Middleburg, New York and his Solemn Vows three years later at St. Anthony-on-Hudson in Rensselaer.
A view from Friar Phil's native Quebec
A gifted writer and storyteller, Friar Phil spent his life serving others at a variety of ministries. These included postings as a missionary in Costa Rica; a social development person in Camden, New Jersey; and a staffer at the Social Justice Office of the Diocese of St-Jean-Longueuil in St-Lambert, Quebec. As editor of the Companion Magazine in Toronto, Ontario, he was able to work with stories and storytellers. Friar Phil also founded Toronto’s Tobias House – an independent-living residence with on-site care for persons with physical disabilities. In Washington, D.C., he spent some time as a staff member of St. Luke’s Institute.
Friar Phil served the people of the Northside of Syracuse, New York
In 2001, Friar Phil settled into the St. Francis Friary in Syracuse, New York. Here he served on the Franciscan Collaborative Ministries – which exists to improve the quality of life of people living in Syracuse’s Northside neighborhood. During his time in Syracuse, Friar Phil continued writing. On a weekly basis he contributed a column to The Catholic Sun and once a month wrote an insert for The Messagero – the Conventual Franciscans’ international magazine published in Padua, Italy. Friar Phil also supported www.franciscans.org. In 2007, he recorded a podcast series titled Looking at Life the Franciscan Way.
Friar Phil’s funeral will take place on Friday, September 11, 2009 at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption. Friar Phil will then be interred in the Conventual Franciscans’ plot at Assumption Cemetery. |
