

Christmas at the Shrine
Christmas at the Shrine was a morning of fun for the whole family. The day started with a Christmas carol sing along and the blessing of the baby Jesus from the family’s home Nativity sets. For the children we had free face painting, all children that got their face painted got to pick a toy from Santa’s toy chest. We had a Christmas Raffle and a Christmas gift booth with a variety of gift including pictures of the Shrine art and a print of the Divine Mercy painted by Fr. Rob


Australian Novice Professes Simple Vows
On the 24th July, 2015, in the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Friar Luke Fonkalsrud professed his simple vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, into the hands of the provincial of the 'St. Bonaventure' province, Fr. Michael Zielke, taking the Religious name Br. Bernard Mary Fonkalsrud OFM Conv. after the great Cistercian Abbot, Mariologist, and Doctor of the Church, St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Br. Bernard Mary completed his Novitiate year wit


New Conventual Franciscan Blesseds!
We have some new 'Blesseds' for the Church and Our Conventual Franciscan Order! Our Holy Martyrs who died at the hands of 'Shining Path' terrorists in Peru were working as missionaries in rural mountain villages, assisting the people to improve their quality of life, and leading them to a better understanding and relationship with God through humble actions. We ask these new Saints of the Church to pray for us! Read more about them: http://www.ofmconv.net/index.php?option=com


A Happy and Holy Christmas from the Friars
As the birthday of Our Lord Jesus Christ approaches, the Conventual Franciscan Friars Australia would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and holy Christmas Season and a blessed 2015. We hope that this time of Advent has been one of reflection and penance as we anticipate the coming of the Lord. This time is always a busy one filled with preparation, gatherings, meals, exchanging gifts, family and friends; we hope that you will also take time to thank G


Vocation Director from Chicago is Taking His Ministry to Australia
Brother Joseph Wood As Conventual Franciscan vocation director for St. Bonaventure Province in the Midwestern United States, Brother Joseph Wood called his province’s house of studies in Chicago, Illinois home. He however also travelled often across the length and breadth of his province to meet with vocation prospects and to give talks on spiritual themes. Now, Brother Joseph is moving to St. Bonaventure Province’s custody in Australia to continue his work as vocation direct


New Website for the Conventual Franciscans Australia
It has been a work in progress over the past few years, but it has finally arrived! The friars in Australia decided that it was time to seriously improve our online presence by putting together a brand new website to help promote our way of life as Conventual Franciscans and our activities throughout the Delegation. St. Maximilian M. Kolbe encouraged the friars that as the world continues to change and new technologies become available, it is important that the Church and Our


Friars in the News: New 'Shrine of the Holy Innocents' to Promote a Culture of Life
The Catholic Newspaper for the Diocese of Parramatta has featured the Friar's brand new 'Shrine of the Holy Innocents'. This is a fantastic promotional opportunity for the Friar's ministry in promoting a 'Culture of Life' through our beautiful Byzantine style chapel dedicated to the Holy innocents, which is located on the grounds of the Mt. St. Francis (Kellyville, NSW) Friary. To view the Article, please click on the link below which will take you to the 'Catholic Outlook' w