FrancisCorps Director Takes A Sabbatical After 12 Years of Service

Brother Jim Moore

The first group of FrancisCorps volunteers began their ministries in Syracuse, New York in August 1999. The Franciscan Friars started the FrancisCorps volunteer program to pass on Franciscan values to young lay people. At first the volunteers worked in various locations in Syracuse. In 2005, the program expanded to Costa Rica.

FrancisCorps volunteers are usually in their early twenties and have recently graduated from college. During their volunteer year, they live together in community. This means amongst other things that they share meals, pray in a group, and enjoy one another’s company. Their ministries may involve everything from handing out sandwiches in the Syracuse food pantry, helping refugees, or working in medical centres.

Friar Rick Riccioli

The 2011-2012 FrancisCorps volunteer group began its year of ministry this August. FrancisCorps director Brother Jim Moore, however, did not continue with the group. Having led FrancisCorps since its inception, Brother Jim is now taking a sabbatical. The group’s new director is Friar Rick Riccioli. Friar Rick previously served as pastor of the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure in Toronto, Ontario. He prepared himself for his new role as director of FrancisCorps by studying Spanish in Costa Rica, learning about the program, and getting to know its volunteers.

(Source of all related images on webpage and homepage: FrancisCorps and Friar Rick Riccioli.)