ST. AUGSTINE, Fla. – The New Year for Fr. Patrick and Fr. Leonard began with service to Cenacolo Community, and Secular Franciscans and Carmelites.
While many people spend New Year’s Eve day preparing for evening celebrations, Fr. Leonard and Fr. Patrick spent part of their day at airports en route to St. Augustine, FL. For several years MFVA priests have opened the New Year by giving retreats to Secular Franciscans and Carmelites from various congregations in Florida. The one-day event is always held at the Our Lady of La Leche Shrine. Activities included confessions, Mass, a conference, and a holy hour. This year’s them was on “The Year of Mercy.”
The fathers also visited the Cenacolo Community houses in St. Augustine. Cenacolo is a Community that helps young men and women suffering from addictions. Mother Elvira Petrozzi, an Italian nun, founded the organization in 1983. This year, Fathers Leonard and Patrick celebrated the beginning of 2016 with the men of Our Lady of Hope and Mary Immaculate houses. Fr. Patrick also celebrated Mass on New Years Day for the young women at St. Maria Goretti House.
Both priests had a blessed time celebrating and ministering with Cenacolo, the Secular Franciscans and Carmelites. God did great work through our friars.
