ABOVE: Father Michael Heine addresses congregants at Mass celebrated by Bishop Lucia for the 25th anniversary of Franciscan Place.
Franciscan Place celebrates 25 years
By Eileen Jevis, Staff writer
“Make time for quiet moments as God whispers and the world is loud.” – Unknown
Those gathered for the Chapel’s 25th anniversary enjoyed cake after Mass.
This quote fits the purpose of Franciscan Place, a quaint chapel nestled in the lower level of Destiny Mall in Syracuse. On Friday, January 10, close to 100 people joined Bishop Douglas J. Lucia and members of the Franciscan community to celebrate the Chapel’s 25th year of serving the faithful in our community.
In his opening remarks, Father Jim Moore, OFM Conv., director of Franciscan Place, said that for the last 25 years, the mission of the Franciscan Ministry has been one of passion, healing and maintaining a peaceful, prayerful presence for all those seeking guidance, advice, counsel and reconciliation.
“The Franciscan Place is a place of welcome for people of all faiths who want to sit for a quiet moment of reflection and find a haven of peace in our very busy and often chaotic world,” he said. “We modeled St. Francis of Assisi’s vision of reaching out and evangelizing in the marketplace.”
Salli and Jim Tuozzolo have been involved with the establishment of the Chapel since its inception. Monsignor J. Robert Yeazel approached the couple at the request of Bishop Moynihan about the possibility of opening a Chapel in (then) Carousel Center.
Salli and Jim Tuozzolo are pictured with Father Nader Ata, parochial vicar at Assumption and priest at the Franciscan Place.
“After many meetings with Fr. Yeazel, members of the Franciscan order, specifically Sister Marcia Barry (OSF) and Brother Joseph Freitag (OFM Conv)., plans were set in motion, explained Salli Tuozzolo.
“Throughout the years, the Chapel has been blessed with incredible directors and staff who continue to create a warm and welcoming environment,” Salli said. “The Franciscan friars and brothers have been so dedicated to keeping their mission alive. They are always available with a kind heart and a listening ear.”
During the Mass of Celebration, Father Michael Heine, OFM Conv. Minister Provincial for Our Lady of the Angels Province, thanked Br. Jim Moore and his staff for their work as well as his predecessor Father Canice Connors, OFM Conv., and Sr. Grace Ann Dillensneider, who were involved in the initial planning. “Fr. Connors was the one who started this, along with Sister Marcia Barry, the Franciscan sisters, and others,” he said.
Fr. Heine shared a story about St. Francis. “There was a young friar who wanted to know how to preach and he asked St. Francis to teach him. St. Francis said to him, “Follow me all day.’ They walked among the marketplaces but Francis never spoke. As they were going along, they were doing good things for people. They were helping those who had no food and so on and so forth,” explained Fr. Heine. “When the friar got back to the friary, he said to St. Francis, ‘You didn’t teach me how to preach.’ Francis replied, ‘Yes, I did. Because we preach through our actions.’”
In the hills around Assisi are spectacular rock formations and caves where St Francis and his followers used to go to pray for days on end. In his homily, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia reflected on his trip to Assisi many years ago and his visit to the caves.
Brother Cristofer Fernández and Brother Joseph Krondon bring the gifts to the altar during the Offertory.
“The one thing I found there, still comes to my mind to this day,” Bishop said. “It is what I associate with Assisi — the ability to be able to listen. The ability to be still and to know God. Even at this moment, I can still feel what it was like walking up the hills to the caves,” he said. “I share that image with you because, for me, that is what our celebration is all about tonight. The Chapel is a place where we can come and take time to pray, much like our Lord did,” he said.
The Bishop referred to Exodus 25:8. “God says, ‘Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.’ What a consolation that is for us. But also, a reminder of what our mission is — to give people space to walk with God,” he said. “How grateful we are to Almighty God that we have this place, this dwelling of God among the human race.”
Looking back 25 years, Sister Marcia is grateful to all those who invested in the ministry — the Franciscan priests, brothers, sisters, mall executives and dedicated volunteers and patrons. “The Franciscan Place continues to evolve. It offers loving, caring responses of consolation and peace to all who enter its doors,” she said. “The chapel started as a place of welcome and its mission has been fulfilled and continues to grow — to provide respite and prayerful peace in the marketplace,” she said.
For information on hours of operation, visit assumptionsyr.org/tfp.
