"My name is Gerard and I am 23 years old. I was born in Coventry, England. I graduated in 2007 from The University of Newcastle-upon Tyne in Economics & Business management, and I am currently work in the mortgage risk department in a large British Building Society. I spent the year after my graduation working in Sydney, Australia, and I was blessed to be part of World Youth Day ’08. My calling was confirmed whilst I was in Australia, and through the pro-life work I was involved in with The Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, I came into contact with the Australian Greyfriars. What struck me immediately about the Australian Greyfriars was their courage to participate openly in public prayer vigils and the desire they shared to bare public witness to Christ by always wearing their habit; this struck me both quietly and profoundly.

In a world where the corrosive effects of moral relativism are deeply damaging people and the societies they live in, one cannot overstate the impact that is made on someone when they see a public display of Christian faith, such as a friar in his habit; it powerfully symbolises a rejection of atheism, relativism and consumerism. I write songs both on the piano and guitar and I am eager to put this to good use in my vocation."

Michael Broacto was born in Puson, South Korea and was raised just outside of Baltimore, MD.  He came to know theConventual Franciscans during his time as a student at Archbishop Curley High School.  Since his high school graduation, Michael worked for a supermarket and attended a local Community College.  It was during this time that Michael began to discern a vocation to the priesthood and formally seek application to our Franciscan way of life.

Moises Avila was born and raised in Honduras and was very active in his local parish.  While attending a diocesan youth program in Honduras, he met and came to know the Conventual Franciscans Friars.  After gaining a degree in Business Administration, Moises eventually made his way to the United States. where he enjoys permanent residency status.  Recognizing a persistent sense of a call to the Franciscan life, Moises contacted our Conventual Franciscan community and began formal discernment with us.

Thomas Wiener, 43, is originally from New York City. He studied at St. Francis Prep high school. He spent time with the Paulists and was recently a Catholic lay missionary working with the poor in New York.  He heard about the Conventuals from Jamie Baca, a now-Paulist priest who was previously enrolled in the Marytown discernment program.

James McInerney is 45 years old from County Cork, Ireland.  He has been a familiar visitor to our Friars in Wexford, Ireland and his Franciscan vocation has prompted him to apply for acceptance.  At present he works part time in as a Literacy Tutor to help adults to learn to read and write.  He is looking forward to beginning this August.

Yunior Gonzalez is originally from Camaguey, Cuba and now enjoys permanent residency status in the United States.  Before leaving Cuba, he earned a university degree in Elementary Education and did some initial vocation discernment during his college years.  After settling in the US, Yunior continued his discernment to the Franciscan way of life eventually focusing his efforts on our Conventual Franciscan community.

Robert Gabriel Scasino is 33 years old and is originally from Milford, CT. Gabriel has a B.A. in philosophy from the Catholic University of America.  He has worked as a Spanish teacher in Catholic and public schools in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Luke Tekielak, 19, of River Grove, IL, was born in Zakopane, Poland. He arrived in the States when he was 10 years old. Luke has worked in a hospital serving meals and has worked with his uncle in construction. He is a World War II buff and enjoys sports, especially basketball and track.

Jonathan Nix is 24 years old and comes from Toronto, Onatrio.  Jonathan first came in contact with the friars at the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure in Toronto, ON.  Prior to coming to the friars, Jonathan worked for an advertising firm in Toronto.   Jonathan is an avid reader and has spent time studying Mandarin Chinese.

Jack Butler, 21, was raised in Chillicothe, IL, 20 minutes outside of Peoria, where he could often be seen playing soccer and hockey.  He was a parishioner at St. Edward the Confessor parish until moving to the neighborhood of Roger's Park on Chicago's northside.  Here he attends Northeastern Illinois University where he plans on finishing his degree in history. He has been active in the LIFE! Catholic Students Club on campus for the last three years.

Andrew Burkholder is 23 years old and comes from Virginia. He first came in contact with the friars by doing a Google search with the word “Franciscans” and coming to our web-site www.franciscans.org   Andy has a B.A. in International Studies from George Mason University where he was also involved Catholic campus ministry.  Andy has an interest in Asian languages, developing his skills in speaking Japanese and Chinese.