His name may be Placid, but at 89 years old, the fire of Franciscan evangelization still rages in the heart of Br. Placid Stroik, OFM, the founder of Franciscans Downtown, a community hub and outreach center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.  

This mission of evangelization started in 2014 as a welcoming place for dialogue, hospitality and fellowship. But it has expanded to serve vulnerable populations, such as the homeless. 

“We never intended to do that,” noted Br. Placid about the mission to the homeless, which provides those who are housing insecure regular meals and a temporary respite from Wisconsin’s winter weather. The lunch program started in response to a need after a local charity had to suspend meal distribution after COVID-19. Br. Placid and his volunteers serve meals to about 40 regulars each weekday who might otherwise go hungry. 

All are welcome 

With assistance from a deacon and his wife, Br. Placid directs the mission that is intentionally informal and open to everyone. Every Wednesday, there is a movie and a discussion. There are also prayer services and art displays, all focused on Franciscan spirituality, including a virtual pilgrimage to Assisi, complete with photos of the San Damiano Church where St. Francis heard the call to rebuild the Church. 

Br. Placid emphasizes the human touch by baking cookies, a skill he learned from his mother. He remains a consistent presence, even as he approaches 90 and has difficulty with mobility. 

He founded Franciscans Downtown because of a desire to share the Franciscan value of fraternal love with the community. At the time, he was serving as a chaplain at a local convent, and he yearned to make an even greater impact.   

As in many other smaller Midwestern towns, much of the commerce has shifted to big-box stores on the edges, leaving space available in the struggling downtown business district. With approval from his Provincial Minister, his vision came to life. Br. Placid soon found an empty storefront and set up the mission. 

Twelve years later, the mission continues. It is a vital way to keep the Franciscan charism alive, especially as there is a greater need today to share the values of Franciscan spirituality. 

Rebuilding the church 

The Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, where the mission is based, is also raising awareness for Franciscan spirituality and evangelization. Bishop Gerard Battersby recently launched an evangelization campaign titled, “Rebuild My Church.” These are the words St. Francis of Assisi heard Christ speak to him from the cross in the Church of San Damiano. 

“This mission is an opportunity to keep a Franciscan presence, one conversation at a time,” said Br. Placid.  

A homecoming 

Living and serving in Stevens Point is a full circle moment for the friar. In his younger years, he served as an educator in Philadelphia and devoted two decades of life to serving troubled youth on the streets of Manhattan at Covenant House. He has also served in leadership roles within the legacy Assumption BVM Province.  

He grew up attending St. Peter Catholic Church in Stevens Point and initially considered diocesan priesthood before discerning a call to Franciscan life. In 2012, the friar returned to Wisconsin and was serving as a chaplain when the Holy Spirit inspired his idea to establish a mission. 

A place to pause 

“Franciscans Downtown is like a waiting room,” Br. Placid told a local news publication (“Point/Plover Metro Wire”) last fall. “It’s a space for people to pause and take their next step—finding a job, healing a relationship, waiting for new beginnings. We’re not social workers. We’re here to support and empower people without judgment.” 

The news coverage helped promote the mission. But an editing error in the article labeled him as retired – not a word in his vocabulary. 

“The editor assumed you have to be retired at age 89,” said Br. Placid.  

The Stevens Point community knows that is not the case. For Br. Placid, the fire still burns.