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We are blessed to have three Franciscan Friars here at our parish.
The friars belong to the Our Lady of the Angels Province, Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.). They are members of a worldwide Roman Catholic fraternity of men who follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit of their founder, Saint Francis of Assisi.Click here to visit the website for the Our Lady of the Angels Province.
To get in touch with one of our friars, you may contact them at their confidential email address listed below or contact the parish office at 860-828-0331 or [email protected].
To inquire about the possibility of becoming a friar, please contact one of our friars or the Franciscan Friars Conventual Office of Vocations at [email protected]
Father Michael Englert, OFM Conv.
AdministratorFr. Michael Englert also came to us in July 2018 from St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Fr. Michael actually returned to us in 2018; he had served our parish with a team of friars here thirteen years prior.
Fr. Michael was born the sixth of seven children. As a child, he attended Catholic elementary schools and continued his education at Cardinal O’Hara High School which was run by the Franciscan Friars. In 1979 at the age of 22, Fr. Michael entered the novitiate of the Francican Friars Conventual in Ellicott City, MD. After a year of prayer and discernment he made his simple vows on August 15th the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
Fr. Michael studied Philosophy at the St. Hyacinth College-Seminary in Granby, MA where after four years he graduated with a BA in Philosophy. After spending a year teaching at St. Francis High School in Hamburg, NY, he made his solemn perpetual vows as a friar.
During the following four years Fr. Michael studied theology and earned a Master of Divinity in preparation for his Ordination to the priesthood. These studies took place in Rensselaer, NY and in Washington, DC. In June 1989, he was ordained to the priesthood in Baltimore, MD.
After his ordination, Fr. Michael served in parish ministry in Shamokin, PA, Athol Springs, NY, Port Saint Lucie, FL, and most recently at St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee, MA. In 1998, Fr. Michael served for one year in Honduras. Upon returning he served as campus minister for two years at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Thereafter he came and served here at St. Paul in Kensington for several years.
Fr. Michael also serves the Friars as the Guardian (local superior of the Friars) having been elected to this ministry by Friars gathered in their Provincial Chapter in June 2018.
Father Martin Kobos, OFM Conv.
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv.
In ResidenceFriars who were previously at our Parish
In Memorium (1960-2024)
Father Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv.
Fr. Joseph was an experienced educator and administrator who came to us in July 2018 from Chicopee, Massachusetts where he served as Rector and Pastor of St. Stanislaus Basilica from 2014-2018.
Former Pastor
Fr. Joseph was a 1978 graduate of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore MD where he grew up in the Graceland Park neighborhood of southeast Baltimore in Sacred Heart of Mary Parish. Upon graduation from Curley, he entered the Franciscan Friars novitiate in Ellicott City, MD and then went on to St. Hyacinth College Seminary in Granby, MA where he earned a B.A. in philosophy in 1983.
After teaching for a year at St. Francis High School in Hamburg, NY, just south of Buffalo, he continued studies in theology at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary in Rensselaer, NY where he was awarded a Master of Divinity in 1988 and was ordained a priest on May 28th of that same year in Albany, NY.
Upon ordination he joined the faculty of St. Francis High School in Hamburg, NY were he stayed for 18 years. While at the school he was a math and religion teacher, JV baseball coach, department chairperson, assistant principal, principal, and lastly president of St. Francis.
In 2005, he was elected to serve a five-year term as the Treasurer for the Franciscan Friars province in Ellicott City, MD. In 2010, he was appointed the President of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, MD where he served until being appointed to the St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee, MA.
Father Peter Tymko, OFM Conv.Fr. Peter served here at St. Paul Parish from 2018-2022. His new assignment is at Blessed Sacrament Parish in NC.
Blessed Sacrament Parish Office
408 W. Davis St.
Burlington, NC 27215
(336) 226-8796
These appointments were announced by Archbishop Leonard Blair after being presented by Father James McCurry, OFM Conv., the Minister Provincial of Our Lady of the Angels Province of the Franciscan Friars Conventual. July 2022.
Thanks for spending the summer with us, Friar Franck!
Brother Franck visited St. Paul Parish during the Summer of 2018. Like Friar Tim who joined us the previous year, Friar Franck helped with our Youth Ministry program, Summer Camp, and more.
Friar Franck is currently a student at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. It was a pleasure having you with us Friar Frank. We'll pray for you and we'll miss you!
We enjoyed having Friar Tim Blanchard visit with us in the Summer of 2017!
Friar Tim was here in June and July of 2017 for a ministry internship. He worked with our youth minister, helped out in our school and summer camp, and got some first-hand experience on what it is like to be a Friar working with a parish community.Although Friar Tim was only here for a short time, he quickly became a beloved member of our parish family.
God Bless You Friar Tim!
The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi is October 4th- Click here to learn more about Saint Francis of Assisi as explained by Fr. Timothy
- Click here to view a brief YouTube VIDEO about Saint Francis -Catholic Online
Learn more about Saint Francis:We have been inspired by Saint Francis for the past 800 years by the witness of friars and sisters who embody his spirituality. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, continues to remind us of the Gospel values which St. Francis loved; namely, care for the poor, care for creation and promoting peace.
Are you considering a call to Franciscan life? Do you know someone who is discerning God's call in his/her life? We invite you to pray the prayer for vocations below. Consider joining present day Franciscans in following Jesus. Consider inviting others to live this Franciscan dream. Pray for young people, so that they will generously follow God's call.
Embracing Love
A Vocation Prayer
Loving and Generous God, It is You who call us by name and ask us to follow You.
Help us to grow in the Love and Service of our Church as we experience it today.
Give us the energy and courage of Your Spirit as we make all things new.
Grant us faith-filled ministers who will embrace Christ’s Mission of love and justice.
Bless our faith community by raising up dedicated, generous disciples who will serve Your people as Sisters, Friars, Priests, Deacons and Lay Ministers.
Open our hearts to hear Your call and inspire us to know You better.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Franciscan Friars Conventual Office of Vocations
223 Bedford Avenue #306
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-510-5822 [email protected]