Deceased Friars

Lawrence Kidder, OFM

Lawrence Kidder

1904 – 1998

Fr. Lawrence Kidder, OFM, was born on Jan. 13, 1904 in North Billerica, Mass. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1925 and professed solemn vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1929 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1932.

His 40-year ministry included parish work at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in New York City, St. Joseph’s Parish in Winsted, Conn., St. Mary Parish in Obernburg, N.Y., and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir, N.C. Fr. Lawrence also ministered at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston and twice at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City. He taught three years at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., four years at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., and eight years at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, N.Y., teaching Church history.

Fr. Lawrence also served as an Army chaplain for six years before being mustered out as a lieutenant colonel. He served as chaplain to the Franciscan brothers in Smithtown, L.I. His retreat work brought him twice to ministries in Brookline, Mass., Rye Beach, N.J., Lafayette, N.J., and Pittsfield, N.H. Fr. Lawrence retired in 1974 to St. Anthony Residence in Boston, where he kept busy with various informal ministries.

He died on Oct. 18, 1998 in Holy Name Friary, Ringwood, N.J. Fr. Lawrence was 94 years old, a professed friar for 72 years and a priest for 66 years. He was the oldest priest of Holy Name Province at the time of his death.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Lawrence Kidder, OFM

Lawrence Kidder

1904 – 1998

Fr. Lawrence Kidder, OFM, was born on Jan. 13, 1904 in North Billerica, Mass. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1925 and professed solemn vows one year later. He made his solemn profession in 1929 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1932.

His 40-year ministry included parish work at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in New York City, St. Joseph’s Parish in Winsted, Conn., St. Mary Parish in Obernburg, N.Y., and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir, N.C. Fr. Lawrence also ministered at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston and twice at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City. He taught three years at Siena College, Loudonville, N.Y., four years at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., and eight years at Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, N.Y., teaching Church history.

Fr. Lawrence also served as an Army chaplain for six years before being mustered out as a lieutenant colonel. He served as chaplain to the Franciscan brothers in Smithtown, L.I. His retreat work brought him twice to ministries in Brookline, Mass., Rye Beach, N.J., Lafayette, N.J., and Pittsfield, N.H. Fr. Lawrence retired in 1974 to St. Anthony Residence in Boston, where he kept busy with various informal ministries.

He died on Oct. 18, 1998 in Holy Name Friary, Ringwood, N.J. Fr. Lawrence was 94 years old, a professed friar for 72 years and a priest for 66 years. He was the oldest priest of Holy Name Province at the time of his death.