St. Fidelis Friary
On June 1, 2000 the friars opened a mission house in London.
Why England?
The Lord unexpectedly sent us new friars
from England over the past five years and opened the way for us with Bishop
Thomas McMahon's invitation. His Hand is evidently still guiding and
providing for us.
We intend our life here to be a prayerful presence, and a
witness of Jesus' love by our Franciscan life and fraternity in a very secular
society. At this time our service to the poor includes "Friar Benet's
Kitchen," a lunch-time drop-in centre mostly for homeless people, the
"St. Francis Basketball Club" for boys, and (from Nov. - March) a
shelter for the homeless one night each week as part of a rotating night shelter
that involves six other churches. We have found a great need for
evangelization here, locally and nationwide. We are trying to respond
locally in mostly informal ways, as well as weekly Bible Study. We are
helping frequently with Youth 2000 retreats and responding to other preaching
requests as we are able.
So far the response from Christians has been positive and the
response of others ranges from hostility to curiosity to genuine interest.
Please pray for us that we will be faithful to God's will for us here in the
East End of London!
Address of new friary:
St. Fidelis Friary
Killip Close
Canning Town, E16 1LX
ENGLAND
011 44 207 474-0766
Your Donations for the missions will be
appreciated
Please send mission donations to:
England Mission
c/o St Felix Friary
15 Trinity Plaza
Yonkers, NY 10701
USA
(914) 476-7279
Pictures of the new friary
The buildings the
friars live in also undergo "renewal." St. Fidelis Friary was formerly
a parish hall. The friars currently stationed in England are (left to right) Br.
John Paul, Br. Nicholas, Br. Peter and Fr. Richard.
The friary
is named after St. Fidelis, the first Capuchin martyr. Come visit us if you
happen to be in our neighborhood!
Br. John Paul is preparing for the guests to Friar Benet's Kitchen,
a drop-in centre that provides lunch four days a week for needy people in the
neighborhood.
Another view of
Friar Benet's Kitchen, which also provides dinner for guests of our homeless
shelter. We are very grateful for the benefactors who allow us to serve
the poor and destitute in East London.
Friars and
Sisters at the Canning Town tube station in East London. Having arrived to
assist at the Youth 2000 retreat in Walsingham, they stopped by to visit us at
St. Fidelis Friary.
Fr. Benedict and
Br. Sylvester (left side) also got to meet many of our young friends from the
neighborhood while they were here.
At first, there
was some hostility from some of the young people, but they soon began to see
that we are "on their side." Here Fr. Rich in trying to prevent a
little bro. from tripping.
Some young
people came around right away with great interest in what we were doing. Here
they seem to be giving Br. Nicholas some advice on painting techniques.
Br.
Sylvester takes some time out from painting to teach the "Holy Trinity
handshake." Ask one of the friars to show it to you sometime!
The friars
praying at the site in central London where St. Thomas Moore was martyred. We
continue to pray, along with the last cry of one of the Franciscan English
martyrs, "Jesus, convert England!"