"Play Ball!"
Br. Kenn Beetz, OFM, Fr. Jeff Scheeler, OFM, Fr. Al Hirt, OFM, and Br. Gene Mayer, OFM, take turns carrying the banner in the Reds Findlay Market Opening Day Parade.
For the first time ever
the Franciscan friars marched in the
95th Cincinnati Reds Findlay Market Opening Day Parade
celebrating the return of baseball to the Queen City.
Fr. John Bok, OFM, & Fr. Blane Grein, OFM, ride in the rumble seat of a 1930 Ford Model A Roadster courtesy of Cobb Car Care
When Findlay Market opened in 1852, Franciscan Friars were already part of the melting pot that is Over-the-Rhine. Followers of the example of St. Francis of Assisi, Friars arrived from Austria in 1844 to serve this neighborhood of German immigrants through a parish, school, and social service programs.
Our mission continues today with St. Francis Seraph Parish and our St. Francis Seraph Ministries: our soup kitchen, elementary school and the Sarah Center for women.
Our presence in the Opening Day Parade allows us to share that rich heritage and celebrate our diverse community. See all the photos of the day at our gallery: http://www.franciscan.org/gallery/default.aspx
As Fr. Frank Jasper says of the day, "It was a great parade. Everything was perfect. We couldn't ask for a better day. The kids were great too." Watch the highlights in this video.
Art Teacher Cedric Michael Cox inspired his students to create the church and banners promoting the Franciscan charism of peace and community. Enjoy this video of our visit to his lively classroom as Br. Tim Sucher, OFM, assists Mr. Cox and his students paint the façade of St. Francis Seraph Church.
