Fr. Greg Friedman, O.F.M. stands at the front door of what was his father's grocery store when he was a boy. The business was closed many years ago, but today the building houses the newest adventure of St. Francis Seraph Ministries--the Canticle Cafe (see the picture on the left). Fr. Greg is now the Pastor of the parish as well as the Creative Director of the Electronic Media Department of St. Anthony Messenger Press. He, along with Brothers Tim Sucher, O.F.M. and Al Mascia, O.F.M., is seeking new and creative ways of ministering to the people of the Over the Rhine area of Cincinnati. Once the neighborhood of German immigrants, the Over the Rhine is now an inner city area with many problems that cry out for new ministerial approaches.

Brother Al (shown on the right talking with two neighborhood men) sees the new Canticle Cafe as an opportunity for the Friars and Volunteers of St. Francis Seraph Ministries to meet people in a casual context. Offering a warm place in the winter and a cool spot in the summer, the Cafe will offer beverages, snacks, and a welcoming place with friendly people ready and able to meet various needs. Eventually, the huge Sandwich Ministry (presently operating out of our provincial headquarters, St. Francis Seraph Friary, seen just to the right of the church across Vine Street in the picture) will be moved to the Cafe so that the hundreds who stop by each week will have a comfortable place to eat their lunch if they so choose.

In an upcoming newsletter from the Vocation Office I hope to interview Brother Al in order to highlight more fully the wonderful work of the St. Francis Seraph Ministries. He and the other Friars are making a concerted effort to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis who was able to see beyond the poverty and social/personal problems of many individuals and see a human being of infinite worth who deserves to be treated with dignity. The Canticle Cafe is the newest example of their efforts.