Our Ministries

…Responding to the needs of the Church

The Province of Our Lady of Consolation serves here in the United States and foreign missions in Africa, Central America, Russia and Denmark.

Pastors

Currently friars of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation serve as pastors and parish administrators in 8 states (Indiana, Minnesota, Georgia, Ohio, New Mexico, Texas, Michigan and Kentucky), in the U.S.  Touching the daily lives of people in their parish communities, the friars minister in diverse ways attending to the spiritual and physical needs of the local church.

Retreat and Youth Ministries

Francis of Assisi was a preacher of the Gospel News and a person of constant prayer.  In his spirit our Province has three retreat centers in New Mexico, Minnesota and southern Indiana.  Each of these Centers is committed to provide an environment where we celebrate the Eucharist, promote a life of prayer, and offer spiritual guidance in dealing with life’s challenges.  Numerous youth-ministry programs are hosted by some of the retreat centers.

Hispanic Ministry

In the early 1900’s our Province committed itself to serving the needs of the Hispanic population.  We pastor several primarily Hispanic parishes in Texas and New Mexico and now in the Midwest.  Outreach programs for the immigrants are led by Conventuals in several states.

Out Reach to the Poor

We serve the hungry poor who struggle to sustain daily life.  Each day hundreds of men, women and children are served a hot meal at the “Franciscan Shelter” in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Educators

You will find Conventual Franciscans as teachers and campus ministers in high schools, colleges, and universities.  Our theologians contribute to students’ knowledge of God and the world wide Church.

Chaplains

Friars serve as chaplains in rest homes fulfilling the spiritual and social needs of the elderly; keeping the lonely company and the forlorn uplifted.  They take these same services to people in prisons and hospitals giving all the message of God’s love and mercy.

Missionaries

Zambia: The Province of Our Lady of Consolation established its first foreign mission in Zambia (then Rhodesia), in 1947.  Many years of ministry laid a strong foundation for the native born friars to form a Province.  Our friars continue to serve there.   Caring benefactors have helped make it possible for the Province to continue to serve some of the poorest people in our world.  A banana plantation has been created giving food and jobs to many.  AIDS still ravages this part of Zambia leaving thousands of children without parents.  Conventuals established St. Francis Community School in Intimpi for these and other poor children.  At present 1200 students are outranking the local public school students in scholastic achievements.  The middle school has just been completed and now they are looking forward to establishing a high school.  Mission work also includes the help the friars give to the religious sisters who have a medical clinic, school for the disabled, and a vocational school.  Friars raised the funds for a vehicle to transport patients to the local hospital some 15 miles away.  Discerning men begin their education for the Brotherhood and Priesthood at St. Bonaventure Seminary in Lusaka.   Assisi Retreat House also is on the seminary property where the friars serve the spiritual needs of the “religious” in the area as well as lay people.

Honduras: Fifty thousand people call St. Maxamillian Kolbe their parish in Comayaguela, Honduras in Central America, where the friars first settled in 1970.  Parishioners live in desperate poverty as the friars do all they can to let them know God’s loving mercy.  A new church was just completed allowing attendants to celebrate the Eucharist.  Medical treatment has not been available in this region and now the friars are helping to support a medical clinic in the area.  Jobs are incredibly scarce, but the friars do what they can to find employment for families, help with tuition costs so children can go to school, and encourage people as they struggle to meet each day.

Russia and Denmark : Most recently Province friars have begun ministering in Russia and Denmark.  The first serenity retreat was held in 2006 in a Russian parish and the newly formed Cursillo movement is attracting a number of parishioners.  Friars there are feeding the poor in soup kitchens and help care for the elderly in rest homes.

Partnering with the generous support of our benefactors, the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation are serving the needs of Christ’s people, articulating the Gospel in the context of a unique culture, and helping to build-up the local Church.

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