Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

Fr. John paul Ouellette 

Fr. John Paul Ouellette, CFR is a native of Reno, Nevada where he attended 12 years of parochial school and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno. Following graduation, he served three years as a lay missionary with National Evangelization Teams (NET) and Saint Paul's Outreach (SPO). In September 1996, he joined the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. As a friar, he has served in the New York City area and spent eight years in St. Fidelis Friary in London, UK.  Fr. John Paul studied philosophy at Allen Hall Seminary in London, and his Master of Divinity and MA in Theology at St. Joseph Seminary, Yonkers in 2012.  He was ordained a priest by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 19, 2012. He recently served two terms as the General Servant of the Community. He is currently residing and serving as the Local Servant at San Junipero Serra Friary in the Oakland. He has a particular interest in the field of our Baptismal Character helping the laity grow as children of God.

Br. John Joseph Brice

Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Br. John Joseph attended the University of Wisconsin, earning a degree in Chemistry and Business Administration.  In 1974, he joined the Order of  Friars Minor, serving homeless men.  After his final vows in 1979, Br. John completed a Clinical Pastoral education course at Rush Presybetarian Hospital in Chicago.  Following this training, he worked as a hospital chaplain at St. Mary of Nazareth Medical Center in the same area.  In September of 1984, Br. John answered the call to work in the missions in South Africa, where he first worked with the Zulu Franciscan Sisters for three years and then for the Diocese of Johannesburg in financial management, at an AIDS hospice, and a men’s shelter for the next nine.  The following nine years, he became the Provincial Treasurer and Director of Development for the Province of South Africa.  In 2004, Br. John first visited the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New York City.  Desiring to live a more authentic Franciscan vocation, he decided to join the Community in 2005.  Br. John has held multiple roles within the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, including being a Local Servant, the General Treasurer, and the General Development Officer until 2019.  Currently, Br. John enjoys giving directed retreats, providing spiritual direction, and assisting with the religious brothers’ formation. He is excited to take on his new assignment at San Junipero Serra Friary in Oakland, California. 

BR. Kolbe Immaculata

My name's Brother Kolbe Immaculata, I was born to my beloved parents John and Susan Blashock Dec. 21, 1978, in Good' ole Pennsylvania. I Loved my childhood, growing up with my siblings, Mike, Aaron and Tiffany and most of my cousins on 19 acres of land up on the Appalachian Mountains, we called the farm; which was divided up among my fathers siblings. My childhood was awesome; I wouldn't change it for the world.  I grew up with little faith. I heard about Jesus but didn't know him.  By the time I entered high school I was already into drinking and later mixed up with drugs.  Long story short, I ended up; super depressed not wanting to live anymore.  Why am i like this?, what is life about?, is God real? is heaven or hell real?  I balled my eyes out to this unknown God, Jesus, in my bathroom.  Months later, he came into my life in a powerful way revealing his Love for me through the power of his suffering for my soul, when reading His passion and changed it dramatically.  He kept the blessings coming to me through so many wonderful people in his church, too many to be numbered. Mother Teresa and her sisters are some of the holy people that impacted my life.  I Discovered my vocation to be a brother through St. Francis.  Found the CFR's; with Fr. Benedict being a huge influence on my vocation as a brother. I joined them in 2010, became the tailor for the community, and made final vows in 2016.  I lived in the New York New Jersey area for 14 years and just moved to Oakland September 24th 2024 to begin the next chapter in my life.  That's it in a nutshell.

Life is worth living, when you give it to Jesus

God Bless you all

BR. ZAchary john

Br. Zachary John is from all the way across the country, born and raised on Long Island, New York. In 2020, he was volunteering as a missionary at the friar’s homeless shelter in The Bronx. After serving there for nine months he joined the friars and has been a part of the community ever since. He is now in his third year of temporary profession. His most recent assignment was at Most Blessed Sacrament Friary in New Jersey. He has been here in California since August 2024.