WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. — Richard Mucowski, OFM, presented the HNP Francis Medal earlier this year to a 100-year-old parishioner of Assumption of Our Blessed Lady Parish. Anthony Giuseffi, born in January 1915, was recognized on Jan. 31 at Assumption Church, where he has belonged and volunteered for roughly 70 years. “We honored Anthony because of his faithful dedication to the friars, …
Francis Medal Presented to Parents of Paul O’Keeffe
BOSTON — For decades, John and Angela O’Keeffe have served their parish, St. Margaret’s in Burlington, Mass., with exceptional faith and commitment to Franciscan values. They were recognized for their many years of ministry last month by Holy Name Province. Thomas Conway, OFM, executive director of St. Anthony Shrine, presented the O’Keeffes with the Province’s Francis Medal on Feb. 21 at St. …
Francis Medal Presented to New York Native
QUEENS, N.Y. — On Thanksgiving Day, Brian Jordan, OFM, recognized someone to whom he is grateful by presenting the HNP Francis Medal to attorney Matthew Dowd, a New York City native who lives and works in Washington, D.C. Brian, a chaplain at St Francis College in Brooklyn, gave the medal to this “faithful, Roman Catholic lawyer, for his pro-bono assistance and …
Francis Medal Presented to Anderson Parishioners
ANDERSON, S.C. — Three parishioners of St. Mary of the Angels Parish were recognized recently with the HNP Francis Medal. Aubrey McNeil, OFM, pastor, honored Margaret Mack, Norene Smith and Annie Thompson for their service. Mack and Thompson, two longtime parishioners, have worked “diligently in helping to build up and maintain the Black Catholic identity of the parish,” said Michael …
Raleigh Parishioners Receive Francis Medal
RALEGH, N.C. — Five members of St. Francis Parish received the HNP Francis Medal in recognition of their generosity and service. Before leaving the parish he served for 19 years, Mark Reamer, OFM, pastor, presented the medals for generosity of service and support, and giving witness to the values and ideas of St. Francis of Assisi. Steven Patti, OFM, the …
Christ the King Prep Students Receive Francis Medal
NEWARK, N.J. — For their unique contributions to the advancement of the values and ideals of St. Francis, two Christ the King Prep School students were awarded the Francis Medal during commencement festivities on June 14. President Robert Sandoz, OFM, and principal Gregory Gebbia, OFM, presented the medals to seniors Amanda Gyan and Mario Soto. Gyan has donated much of …
Nine Francis Medal Recipients Honored in South Carolina
ANDERSON, S.C. — St. Joseph Parish is blessed with a community of dedicated partners-in-ministry who display Franciscan virtues. Nine laypeople were honored for their service to the parish during the confirmation Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert Guglielmone of Charleston, S.C., on June 18. Thaddeus and Dot Bismack have cared for the sick and homebound in Anderson for many years. “Each …
Francis Medal Presented to Five in Virginia
TRIANGLE, Va. — Earlier this month, Frank Critch, OFM, presented the Francis Medal to five members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish recognized the work they have done during the past two years to help the parish receive a GreenFaith Certification, the first in the state of Virginia. The GreenFaith Certification Program is an 18-month comprehensive environmental education and training program that trains …
Francis Medal Presented to Seven
OBERNBURG, N.Y. — Seven Francis Medals were presented this spring to partners-in-ministry at St. Mary Parish. On April 27, Joseph Juracek, OFM, pastor, presented medals to active members of the parish community — a farewell gift from the Province, which is withdrawing from the parish this summer. The friars wished to recognize the hard work and dedication of their partners-in-ministry. Two of …
Two Guild Employees Receive Francis Medal
NEW YORK — More than 60 years of dedicated service were celebrated on Saturday, when two staff members of St. Anthony’s Guild, the organization of laypeople devoted to St. Anthony and to supporting the friars’ work, were recognized with the Province’s Francis Medal. Robert Baard and Joan Gruber were given the medal at the Guild’s 90th anniversary Mass in honor …
Virginia Friars Present Francis Medal
TRIANGLE, Va. — A long-time employee of St. Francis of Assisi School was recognized last month with the HNP Francis Medal. Ann Zicafoose finished her school career and was given the medal on the same day, Dec. 20. Kevin Downey, OFM, pastor, and Frank Critch, OFM, presented the medal to her at a school Mass on the day she retired, after 10 years. …