Fi News #152 – ( 04min) >>> Play

Ave Maria!

On May 29, 2015, Father Gabriel Maria Polo, following a heart attack, died in Consolation (Philippines). He was born September 3, 1972 in Irosin Sorsogon (Philippines), he made his First Vows May 18, 1996 and he was ordained priest April 25, 2003. Already assigned in the past to the community of Anapolis (Brazil) and Stoke On Trent (England) he was the Guardian and the Father master of the postulants in Naga (Philippines). We invite all the communities to pray and the priests to celebrate the Holy Mass for the repose of his soul. We entrust the deceased confriar to the Immaculate Gate of Heaven, sure to have a new intercessor before God for the Institute, especially for the Delegation of the Philippines.

The footage in this video is from his stay in Stoke on Trent. We will miss you Fr. Gabriel.

Requiescat in peace!

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The post Video – Fr. Gabriel Maria Polo – R.I.P. – FINEWS 152 first appeared on AirMaria.com.

On July 27, 2018 Fra Leonard left this exile for Heaven after a long battle with esophageal cancer at age 42. Since being stationed in England he has resided in our friaries in London, Cornwall and Stoke-on-Trent until our friaries there closed, after which the Conventuals in England generously extended brotherly hospitality to him at their Oxford house.

Fra Leonard’s funeral took place in the Conventuals’ parish church of St. Anthony of Padua in Mossley Hill, Liverpool and he was buried in their plot in Allerton cemetery. Two FI friars, Fr. Rosario Sammarco and Fra Zeno Sparks, from Italy were able to attend the funeral along with several friars from the Conventuals some of whom were his former confreres in the FI including Fr. Agnellus Murphy who presided and gave the eulogy. Special thanks also goes to the Conventual superiors, Fr. Ciprian Budau and provincial Fr. James McCurry for extending such charity to him during his last years and death.

Fra Leonard was born in 1975, in the Philippines, and entered religious life in the year 1995. He was a very faithful friar, following the schedule, and was very prayerful and diligent in his work. He was an accomplished carpenter and made some beautiful altars and did general friary maintenance and repairs. He had a warm personality and always friendly, a true child of Mary.

He bore the burden and trials of his sickness very patiently until the end. His example inspires us all and he will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. May he find his rich reward in Heaven in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

His cousin was Fr. Gabriel Polo, FI who was also stationed in England for a time but who tragically passed away suddenly in the Philippines because of a heart condition. Here is the tribute video we did for him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzwfCaU7jNg

We are working on a tribute video of Fra Leonard based on photos and any video clips we can find of him.

Thanks to Fra Solanus Simms and Fra Zeno Sparks for helping me put this together.

Here are some pictures of him in life and of his funeral.

Fra Leonard in Frigento, Italy

Funeral and Burial

Farewell Fra Leonard. May we meet again.

Ave Maria!

The post Fra Leonard Maria Deocareza – RIP first appeared on AirMaria.com.

We are saddened to announce that Sr. Ann Marie Evans, the superior for the Franciscan Handmaids of the Immaculate, passed away on Dec 7th at about 9:30 PM, Eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, after being hit by a truck as a pedestrian and being medevaced to a hospital. The priest from the parish was able to anoint her at the scene of the accident while she was still conscious. Her sisters from the convent and the parish priest were at her bedside, praying the Divine Mercy chaplet and singing Christmas carols to her until she passed.

The Franciscan Handmaids of the Immaculate are closely associated with the Franciscans of the Immaculate, sharing much of the same spirituality inspired by St. Maximilian Kolbe. Sr. Ann Marie will be deeply missed by all who had the privileged to know her. May God grant her eternal peace in Heaven with Jesus and His Immaculate Mother Mary, whom she served so faithfully. Please keep her soul in your prayers as well as her sister Handmaids, friends and family.

Her funeral Mass will be offered at St. Brendan Church, 382 Hartford Ave., Bellingham on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10 AM. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Medway. Calling hours will be held at St. Brendan Church on Thursday, December 13, 2018 from 3 PM until 8 PM.

Here is her obituary and more information on funeral arrangements.

The post Sr. Ann Marie Evans, FHI – RIP first appeared on AirMaria.com.

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