TORONTO, CANADA - Our beloved brother, Fr. Blaise Tranchida died Friday morning, January 15 at the age of 87.  Fr. Blaise had been residing at Cardinal Ambrozic Houses of Providence in Toronto since September 24, 2008.
 
Anthony, the son of Salvatore and Maria (Stella) Tranchida, was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 14, 1923.   Blaise was received into the novitiate on August 14, 1943.  He made his first profession on August 15, 1944 and was admitted to solemn vows on August 15, 1947.  Blaise was ordained priest on June 25, 1950.
 
After his ordination, Blaise served as associate pastor at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Pittsburgh, for one year.  Then he set out for Central America where he worked loyally and faithfully in various places for more than 40 years, including 16 years of fraternal ministry as custos of the Central American Custody and superior of our Foundation.  Fr. Blaise was also procurator of our Franciscan Missionary Union from 1973-76.
 
In 1992 he moved to Toronto ministering at Saint Jane Frances, Saint Jude, Immaculate Conception, Saint Charles Borromeo as well as Saint Francis Centre.  Blaise was elected to service on our Provincial Definitorium in 1995.  During Jubilee Year 2000, which was also the 50th anniversary of his ordination, he volunteered for service in the Custody of the Holy Land.
 
Fr. Blaise's body was received Sunday, January 17, at Immaculate Conception Church in Toronto, where visitation took place.  The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 18, with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
 
"Friars must remember to offer suffrages for every deceased friar of the province, professed or novice.  In particular, each priest shall offer the Eucharist twice."  "When news of the death of a friar is received, a concelebrated Mass in his memory should be scheduled in the friaries of the province and the foundations."  On the thirtieth day after and on the first anniversary of the death of a confrere, professed or novice, the Eucharist shall be celebrated for him in the house to which he was assigned at the time of death" (PS-8, 1-3).
 
In May 2008 when Blaise returned his burial preference update he ended his letter by asking, "Lastly, apologies to all I may have offended/hurt.  Thanks to all who have helped to make my life so pleasurable."
 
Heavenly Father...we commend to your mercy, Fr. Blaise, and our brothers who have embraced Sister Death and we thank you for the gift of their lives.  United in faith and prayer, through the intercession of our Immaculate Mother Mary, Our Holy Father Saint Francis and Our Holy Mother Saint Clare, keep us ever steadfast in your love as we strive for your vision of a world made new.

NEW YORK - Provincial Minister Robert Campagna has announced that the Province has sent check to the General Minister for $50,000 to support the relief efforts of the Order responding to the great tragedy striking the island nation.

 
"I am very appreciative to those friars who have sent funds to the various dioceses in which we serve, but I also encourage others to send funds directly to our Provincial Curia. These monies will be added to our contributions supporting the efforts of the Order," the Provincial said.

 

The Provincial said that General Minister Jose Rodriguez Carballo plans on personally bringing the collected funds to Haiti.

 

Currently, 16 friars of the Central American Province miniter in Haiti.  Thankfully, all of them survived the earthquake.  However, one of the three friaries there, located very close to the Cathedral and Presidential Palace, was severely damaged.

 

The General Curia received the following letter from the friars in Haiti:

NEW YORK - The National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family was created by Fr. James Goode, OFM in 1989. It is a day set aside to give special thanks to God for our families and place our every care in the arms of Jesus.  Our Province is one of the co-sponsors of the event this year, which is set for February 7.

The National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family Resource Aid contains a catechetical reflection, a prayer specifically for the African American and African Family and some suggested activities to celebrate the day. Resources can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/saac/nationaldayofprayer.shtml

Supporters of the National Day of Prayer for the African American and African Family:

Blessed Sacrament Sisters
Franciscan Handmaids of Mary
Holy Family Sisters
Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary
National African American Catholic Youth Ministry Network
National Black Catholic Apostolate for Life
National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus
National Black Catholic Congress
National Black Sisters' Conference
Oblate Sisters of Providence
Order of Friars Minor
Province of Immaculate Conception
Society of the Divine Word
The Josephites
USCCB Subcommittee on African American Affairs

NEW YORK - Recently Friar James Goode received the prestigious Venerable Pierre Toussaint Medallion - the highest  honor given by the Archdiocese of New York to an African American. 

 

The medallion is given by the Archdiocese of New York, Office of Black Ministry. Brother Tyrone Davis, CFC, JD, Executive Director of tht office explained that it is given " to distinguished persons in recognition of their extraordinary efforts in furtherance of freedom, human right and spiritual values in the church and society." 

Archbishop Timothy Dolan presented the medallion to Friar James Goode and saluted him for his local and national spiritual leadership in the African American and African community. He then read in inscription on the back of the medallion "This Pierre Toussaint Medallion presented by the Office of Black Ministry, Archdiocese of New York is presented to Reverend James E. Goode, OFM, Ph.D. for special merit in preaching the Gospel of Life and Love and advancing the cause of social justice for all in our church and society". 

 

Our Provincial Father Robert M. Campagna, OFM was invited to serve on the Honorary Committee for this celebration.