Our Ministries
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Friars have no specific ministry, other than the call Jesus gave to St. Francis, "Go and Repair My Church." Friars give of themselves in service to the Church as God calls them to do. In the Province of Saint Joseph of Cupertino
we serve in PARISHES,
as CHAPLAINS,
as TEACHERS,
and in OTHER Ministries.
Our PARISH Ministries
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We serve in parishes as a community of friars. Typically friars serving in parishes live in communities of from 4 to 6 Friars. Friars serving in parishes can be both priests and brothers. Priests serve in sacramental ministry in addition to the many other ways a brother may; that is, in religious education, teaching, administration, service to the poor, the arts, worship, counseling and more. All friars bring their gifts, and join the team of friars and lay ministers, serving for the good of the Church. Our parishioners tell us that a Franciscan Parish is different, mainly because the friars are "Working together", they are "Down to earth", "Approachable" and "Joyful".
Visit the websites of our parishes for the latest information.
Our CHAPLAINCY Ministries
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Priests and brothers serve as chaplains to prisons, hospitals, the military, police and fire departments. Currently Brother Andres Amador OFM Conv., serves at the California State Hospital, Coalinga, CA, Fr. John Farao OFM Conv., serves at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obisbo, CA, Fr. Peter Mallin OFM Conv., serves at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance, CA. Friars serving as chaplains still live in a friary, that is, a community of friars with whom they live, pray, eat and celebrate the Eucharist.
Our TEACHING Ministries
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Priests and brothers can teach too. Many have served as elementary and high school teachers, and as university professors. Currently Brother Chris Saindon OFM Conv., teaches English and religion at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Castro Valley, CA and Fr. Francisco Nahoe OFM Conv., is a professor of rhetoric and director of admissions at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, CA. Friars who teach live in a community of friars nearby their ministry, with whom they pray, eat, and celebrate the Eucharist.
Learn more about where our friars teach.
Our OTHER Ministries
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Priests and brothers can minister in almost any way outside of the above ministries. Currently Fr. Masseo Gonzalez OFM Conv., is founder and director of El Padrecito Ministries evangelizing through music and arts to our youth and young adults. Brother Jerry Payne OFM Conv., is the development director of the Franciscan Shrine of the Holy Innocents in Kellyville Australia, Brother Mark Folger OFM Conv, is serving the order in Rome, and Friars Luke Vu OFM Conv., Tammylee Ngo OFM Conv., and James Pham OFM Conv., are serving in our Vietnam Mission. Fr. Robert Herbst OFM Conv., is the chancellor and judicial vicar of the Diocese of Oakland serving in the chancery. Additionally, other friars serve in province administration, and formation of our friars. Again, friars involved in these and all our ministries, live in community with other friars.
A Slideshow of Some of our Friars in Ministry
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Recent Posts
December Cu Chi construction update
Fr. Luke Vu, Provincial Delegate to Vietnam, reports that although there have been heavy rains as of late, great progress …Read More »Postulancy Friary construction in Cu Chi reaches third story
Vietnam Mission Delegate Friar Luke Vu sent in some photos of the progress of the construction of the new Postulancy …Read More »Friar Paul Gawlowski visits Vietnam Mission
In August of 2018 Friar Paul Gawlowski, as a member of our Province Definitory (or leadership council), traveled to Vietnam …Read More »
Meet Our Friars! Click on Image to read Biographies of our Friars!
