Conventual Franciscans to leave Resurrection Parish in June
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Following structural changes that respond to the chapter’s diminishing numbers, the Conventual Franciscan Friars have announced their decision to discontinue their ministry in Resurrection Parish, Delran.
In a letter to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Conventual Franciscan Father James McCurry, minister provincial, expressed his sorrow that the friars would no longer be able to continue their ministry.
“It is my sad duty to inform you of the decision, voted upon by Chapter, to withdraw the Franciscan Friars from the pastoral care of Resurrection Parish in Delran,” Father McCurry stated, in a letter to both the Bishop and to Resurrection parishioners. “This is heartbreaking for us because of the deep mutual bond of affection between the friars and the parishioners … We have been humbled by the privilege of serving you.”
Father McCurry’s letters further explained that the decision was prompted by several factors, including the suppressing of the two provinces of the Immaculate Conception and St. Anthony, uniting them into the newly established Province of Our Lady of the Angels – ultimately a larger community.
“This decision was very difficult and painful, dictated by the crisis of our having fewer friars, and simultaneously by the Order’s requirement that we renew our charism by assigning those fewer friars to live in larger religious communities,” the letter continued. “Sadly now we simply do not have the sufficient number of friars available to provide you the service to which you are entitled, and at the same time fulfill our new Franciscan mandate to live in larger communities.”
The Conventual Franciscans will continue their ministry in Resurrection Parish through June 2015. However, three remaining parishes of the Diocese served by the Friars – St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach; St. Catharine of Siena, Seaside Park and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Seaside Heights – will continue to receive pastoral care as before.
Bishop O’Connell expressed his reassurance to Resurrection parishioners that their parish would be provided with priest personnel, especially an administrator/pastor, who is expected to be in place by July 1.
“Religious communities and dioceses all over the country find themselves in similar circumstances,” said the Bishop in a letter to Resurrection Parish members, “a reminder to all Catholics to encourage and pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”
On a personal note, the Bishop shared his appreciation of Father McCurry and the friars for their years of dedicated service.
“I want to express my deep and enduring gratitude to Father McCurry and the friars for all these many years of presence and pastoral guidance in Delran, St. Casimir and, now, the merged parish of Resurrection,” he stated. “I hope that we can celebrate these many years together at the parish sometime before the friars’ departure ... I would like to add a special word of thanks to (administrator Conventual Franciscans Father Brennan-Joseph Farleo), and Father Matthew Chadwick for their service this past year.”
The Bishop concluded by assuring parishioners, “I am grateful to you for your patience and for all your support during the coming transition. The Diocese of Trenton and I will do everything in our power to make it a smooth one! God bless you all.”
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Following structural changes that respond to the chapter’s diminishing numbers, the Conventual Franciscan Friars have announced their decision to discontinue their ministry in Resurrection Parish, Delran.
In a letter to Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., Conventual Franciscan Father James McCurry, minister provincial, expressed his sorrow that the friars would no longer be able to continue their ministry.
“It is my sad duty to inform you of the decision, voted upon by Chapter, to withdraw the Franciscan Friars from the pastoral care of Resurrection Parish in Delran,” Father McCurry stated, in a letter to both the Bishop and to Resurrection parishioners. “This is heartbreaking for us because of the deep mutual bond of affection between the friars and the parishioners … We have been humbled by the privilege of serving you.”
Father McCurry’s letters further explained that the decision was prompted by several factors, including the suppressing of the two provinces of the Immaculate Conception and St. Anthony, uniting them into the newly established Province of Our Lady of the Angels – ultimately a larger community.
“This decision was very difficult and painful, dictated by the crisis of our having fewer friars, and simultaneously by the Order’s requirement that we renew our charism by assigning those fewer friars to live in larger religious communities,” the letter continued. “Sadly now we simply do not have the sufficient number of friars available to provide you the service to which you are entitled, and at the same time fulfill our new Franciscan mandate to live in larger communities.”
The Conventual Franciscans will continue their ministry in Resurrection Parish through June 2015. However, three remaining parishes of the Diocese served by the Friars – St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach; St. Catharine of Siena, Seaside Park and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Seaside Heights – will continue to receive pastoral care as before.
Bishop O’Connell expressed his reassurance to Resurrection parishioners that their parish would be provided with priest personnel, especially an administrator/pastor, who is expected to be in place by July 1.
“Religious communities and dioceses all over the country find themselves in similar circumstances,” said the Bishop in a letter to Resurrection Parish members, “a reminder to all Catholics to encourage and pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”
On a personal note, the Bishop shared his appreciation of Father McCurry and the friars for their years of dedicated service.
“I want to express my deep and enduring gratitude to Father McCurry and the friars for all these many years of presence and pastoral guidance in Delran, St. Casimir and, now, the merged parish of Resurrection,” he stated. “I hope that we can celebrate these many years together at the parish sometime before the friars’ departure ... I would like to add a special word of thanks to (administrator Conventual Franciscans Father Brennan-Joseph Farleo), and Father Matthew Chadwick for their service this past year.”
The Bishop concluded by assuring parishioners, “I am grateful to you for your patience and for all your support during the coming transition. The Diocese of Trenton and I will do everything in our power to make it a smooth one! God bless you all.”
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