I commend to your prayers the soul of our dear brother, FR. JOHN ROBERT SCARANGELLO, OFM (59), who died suddenly on Saturday, August 30, 2014, while on vacation in Onset, Massachusetts.

John was born on December 30, 1954 in Bronx, New York. He was received into the Order on August 15, 1976 and made his First Profession of Vows on August 6, 1977. John made his Solemn Profession of Vows on August 16, 1980 and was ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ on November 14, 1981.

Much of John's ministry was centered in education. He was a member of the faculty at Serra High School in McKeesport, Pennsylvania from 1981-1983; and the faculty at Christopher Columbus High School in Boston, Massachusetts from 1983-1992. From 1992-1994, John was a member of the faculty at Marian High School in Framingham, Massachusetts; and served as Assistant Principal at Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem, New York from 1994-1998. He served on the faculty at Mount St. Michael Academy, Bronx, New York from 1998-2000; and at Cathedral Girls' High School, New York, New York from 2000-2007.

John also served in parochial ministry as parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua Church, New York, New York from 1999-2000; and as pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Brooklyn, New York from 2007-2010.

Most recently John's ministry has been as a member of the Province Administration. Since 2010, John served as a member of the Provincial Definitorium, Guardian of the Provincial Curia and Secretary of the Provincial Minister. Since 2013, he has served as Secretary of the Province, Pro-Tem.

Fr. John will be remembered for so many things - his welcoming and fraternal spirit, his passion for the theater, his tremendous generosity, his love of and loyalty to his friends and to our Province, his dedication as a teacher and pastor, and the way that he filled every room he entered with joy and laughter.

Fr. John is predeceased by his beloved mother Lena (Marra). He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Anna and Michael Mercanti; and two nieces Sarah and Katie, along with many cousins.

On Thursday, September 4, 2014, there will be a wake from 7-9 p.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 522 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, New York.

On Friday, September 5, 2014, there will be a wake from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Shrine Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, W. Houston and Sullivan Streets, New York, New York, with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.

The Solemn Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the Shrine Church of Saint Anthony of Padua at 10:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens, New York.   

"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 the 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 30th 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) 

Heavenly Father, we commend to your mercy Father John and all 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.

Fraternally,

Primo P. Piscitello, OFM

Provincial Minister