An artistic rendition of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish

in Taunton, Massachusetts

On a recent weekend Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Taunton, Massachusetts held a special mission appeal for St. Anthony of Padua Province’s Conventual Franciscan Friars. The parish’s pastor, Friar David Stopyra, is a Conventual Franciscan himself. His brothers who have undertaken the missionary life serve the poor in various regions around the world, ranging from Africa to Central America, the Philippines as well as impoverished areas of the United States.

A Conventual Franciscan mission in Tanzania

Franciscans have been ministering to the sick and the poor since the 13th century when their founder, St. Francis of Assisi, began the tradition. Francis saw the face of Jesus in the poor and simply knew that helping them was the right thing to do.

Today the friars’ work in serving the poor is as great as it has ever has been. Many people are out in the streets – in places like Nairobi, Kenya and elsewhere – vulnerable and scared; their futures are precarious. The Conventual Franciscan friars and other persons both lay and religious who are on missions therefore need our support.

(Sources of all related images on webpage and homepage: www.holyrosarytaunton.org and www.tanzania.franciszkanie.info.)