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Fraternity Professions - March 21, 2026

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It is with great joy that the Secular Franciscan Order of St Mary of the Angels Fraternity, St John, IN announces that parishioners Isabelle Skurka and Natalie Shrader, along with Astrid Fry-Hussey and Blane Roberts from the Gary Diocese entered into their Permanent Profession in the Secular Franciscan Order on March 21, 2026 celebrated at SJE Day Chapel. After three years of prayer, discernment, study and service they made a solemn promise to God and the community of Franciscans throughout the world in the context of Mass and prayer to focus on service to others. 
 

Parishioner Deacon Phil Coduti, OFS, was Minister for the Secular Franciscan Order during the Rite of Permanent Commitment to the Gospel Life and Franciscan, Br. Loren Connell, OFM, celebrated the Mass. Professed OFS, parishioners, families and friends attended.
 

Professed Secular Franciscans make a lifelong commitment to live the Gospel life, to follow Jesus in the footsteps of St Francis of Assisi and are led by the Holy Spirit to serve, pray and care for our less fortunate brothers and sisters. They wear the Tau cross as a Franciscan sign of their vocation to the world.

St Mary of the Angels Fraternity, which is part of Our Lady of Indiana Regional Fraternity, serves in Gary, IN at several soup kitchens, homeless shelters, halfway houses and wherever help is needed. They meet monthly for community and prayer. If you feel God is calling you to the Franciscan life contact Deacon Phil Coduti, Deacon Paul Krilich, or Dr. Donna Thiernau anytime. Our Fraternity gathers on the third Sunday of the month after 10:00 am Mass in the St. Francis Room of SJE Parish.

 

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