By Eileen Connelly, OSU

Winter Storm Blair left a path of heavy snow, ice and freezing rain from Kansas to Virginia earlier this week, impacting Franciscan parishes, friaries and ministries.  

At St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, part of the Washington, D.C, metro area, the parish offices remained closed on Jan. 8 for the third day as a safety measure. Br. Juan Turcios, OFM, parochial vicar, reported that the friars there are doing well and grateful for the help of the faith community in clearing the snow.  

“It was a blessing,” he said.  

The friars and staff at St. Clement Parish and School in St. Bernard (Cincinnati), Ohio, embraced the storm with characteristic Franciscan humor and flexibility as they began the arduous task of digging out from the storm.  

Br. John Barker, OFM, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Oldenburg, Indiana, reports all is well at the church and friary and that the friaries have dug out.  

“The rural roads are still rough going,” he reported on Jan. 7, “but other than that, just a snowy normal here.”  

Br. Fran Di Spigno, OFM, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, reported that the parish fared well.  

“It is very cold and very windy, but all is good,” he said on Jan. 8. "We did close the community center on Monday as did the local grammar schools. Our maintenance department did a great job clearing our parking lot, so we were able to have our scheduled 9 a.m. daily Mass and an 11 o’clock funeral with a burial in the local cemetery.   

“Br. Andrew Reitz and I trudged through the snow to make sure we could pray for our beloved parishioner, Marie Ellsworth, and her family," he added. "I told the folks, ‘This storm was nothing, this is April at St. Bonaventure!’” 

At St. Anthony of Padua Parish in St. Louis, the storm made it challenge for parishioners to make it to Sunday Mass and for staff members to get the office, said Br. Jim Lause, OFM, pastor. The 15 friars who reside at the friary came together to prepare meals and dig out of the heavy snow, he said.  

Br. Glenn Phillips, OFM, had gone to visit the local Poor Clare Sisters on Jan. 4 and ended up riding out the storm with them while seeing to their sacramental needs. Br. Bob Sieg, OFM, was able to reach his ministry at Franciscan Connection, which provides utility assistance for area residents.  

“You know the friars,” Br. Jim said. “We’re an adventurous bunch."

 

Twelve people wearing winter clothing pose for an outdoor photograph on a sidewalk. Some are holding shovels and there is snow on the ground around them.

Members of the faith community at St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, helped clear the heavy snow with smiles. (Photos courtesy of Br. Juan Turcios, OFM, and St. Camillus Parish)

A church with a steeple and snow on the ground and trees in front of it.

The parishes offices remained closed on Jan. 8 for the third day in row as a safety precaution. (Photos courtesy of Br. Juan Turcios, OFM, and St. Camillus Parish)

Three people smile for a photo on a snowy street. All are wearing winter clothing and one is sitting on a tractor.

From left, Doug Popp, maintenance person at St. Clement School, Br. Frank Jasper, OFM, guardian at St. Clement Friary, and Br. Jud Weiksnar, parochial vicar, get ready to tackle the snow. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jud Weiksnar, OFM)

A Nativity scene covered in snow. There are lights shining in the trees and inside the manger.

A very snowy scene of the manger at St. Clement Church. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jud Weiksnar, OFM)

An aerial view of a church and surrounding grounds covered with snow. There is a body of water in the background.

No one was surfing in the ocean near St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. (Photo courtesy of Br. Fran Di Spigno)

A white statue stands on the tallest of three platforms amid a snowy landscape.

The grounds of St. Anthony of Padua in St. Louis following the recent winter storm. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jim Lause, OFM)

A statue of St. Francis sits in the middle of a rotunda with snow on the ground. There is a building and trees behind it.

A statue of St. Francis amid the snow at St. Anthony of Padua in St. Louis. (Photo courtesy of Br. Jim Lause, OFM)