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Franciscan Renewal Center Paradise Valley announces clergy changes

Posted 6/25/20

Recent clergy changes from retirement to switching parishes were announced at Our Lady of the Angels Church at the Franciscan Renewal Center.

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Franciscan Renewal Center Paradise Valley announces clergy changes

Posted

Recent clergy changes from retirement to switching parishes were announced at Our Lady of the Angels Church at the Franciscan Renewal Center.

Two Franciscan friars at the Franciscan Renewal Center, 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, are moving to Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, California, on July 1, according to a press release.

Fr. Peter Kirwin, OFM, the former rector of Our Lady of the Angels Church will be actively retired. He served the Casa for 17 years after arriving in the Valley in 1991. 

As rector of Our Lady of the Angels Church since 2009, he embraced the community with what was described as joyful worship and pastoral care. 

“Going out on ministry in Jesus’ time was two-by-two, and so it is for us today,” said Fr. Peter in a prepared statement.

“Leaving the Our Lady of the Angels Church community is bittersweet because of the loving and caring relationships we have shared.”

Fr. Sam Nasada, OFM, will be an associate in the parish church, the release said.

When he arrived two years ago, the community joined him on his journey to the priesthood as he got involved in the Casa’s Faith in Action ministries, appreciating experiences of serving migrant and refugee brothers and sisters.

“Being moved around to different ministries is part of our Franciscan charism as an itinerant religious order in the Catholic Church,” said Fr. Sam in a prepared statement.

“I have grown to love the beauty of Arizona, from my time at our border ministry near Douglas up to my current ministry at the Casa.”

Arriving for ministry are Fr. Daniel Barica, OFM, the new rector of Our Lady of the Angels Church and Fr. Vincent Nguyen, OFM, pastoral minister, the release said of the two who just finished their assignments at Sts. Simon and Jude Church in Huntington Beach, California and have history with the Casa.

While Fr. Daniel joined the Franciscan Friars of the Saint Barbara Province in 1991, after spending a summer as a covenant worker at the Casa, Fr. Vincent served his pastoral year there in 2013 and is the creator of the San Damiano Crucifix in the church.

Since 1951, the Franciscan Renewal Center -- known as the “Casa de Paz y Bien” or “the Casa” -- has existed as a Catholic retreat center in Paradise Valley, to offer spiritual growth, healing and transformation that moves lives into the service of others, according to the release.

An active religious community founded by the Order of Friars Minor, the Casa is part of the worldwide Franciscan family, following in the footsteps of Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi, detailed the release about the wholly-owned entity of the Franciscan Friars Province of Saint Barbara, based in Oakland, Calif., that works with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.

In addition to the Casa's daily and Sunday Mass in the Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels, other activities include retreats, meetings and conference spaces for non-profit groups and more along with  volunteer ministries aiding the poor or vulnerable.

Information: TheCasa.org; or call 480-948-7460.