Jonesboro

Friar Oscar Torrez and the Franciscan Community in Jonesboro, Georgia

Friar Oscar Torrez

Conventual Franciscan Friar Oscar Torrez recently spent one year at St. Philip Benizi Parish in Jonesboro, Georgia before returning to his native Bolivia. Jonesboro is just south of Atlanta. A town of large old homes and pleasant streets, it has a deep sense of its place in American history. St. Philip Benizi forms an integral part of Jonesboro. Its parishioners are devoted to maintaining a thriving community of faith. Friar Oscar contributed to this sense of community. He enriched the lives of parishioners, ministering to those speaking English as well as Spanish. St. Philip Benizi Parish has a sizable Latino community and offers several Masses in Spanish every week.

Friar Oscar Torrez was very close to the community at St. Philip Benizi Parish

What is particularly Franciscan about Friar Oscar's experience at St. Philip Benizi is how dearly he was embraced by the local community. Photographs from his going-away party show Friar Oscar's strong connection to his fellow friars and parishioners. The Franciscan way is to look beyond the other person's language, accent or nationality and to embrace him or her as a fellow human being and a reflection of Christ. This approach avoids conflict; and more conflict the world certainly does not need.