Franciscans of Reconciliation

Perhaps, when you hear "Franciscan mission", your mind runs to names like Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, or San Antonio de Valero (now known to most as The Alamo). While, in a sense, the purpose is still the same — bearing witness to the Catholic faith — OFR missions are simply houses-in-the-making. As men and women in a given geographical area sense a vocation to the Franciscan life with the OFR, they are encouraged to form a local group to meet for worship, formation, and discernment.

While in the mission stage, these groups have representation on the OFR General Council via one of the existing houses. Once a sufficient number of members are received into the community and there is evidence of stability, the mission may be received as a new house of the Order.

A new OFR community is in formation in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, following the admission of Richard Rosato and Ray Knapp as new postulants of OFR this past Spring.  The primary ministries of this community include serving All Souls parish at 640 Centre Ave in Reading; serving the needy at local food banks and Natural Franciscans at local animal hospitals and shelters; painting/restoration/ iconography; offering stewardship/administrative consulting for ECC parishes, and making rosaries.

Br. Ray Knapp is the Coordinator for this little community-in-the-making and can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 610-621-1738.

Meet the Berks County community

Ray Knapp is a founding member of All Souls Ecumenical Church in Reading PA when it celebrated its first mass in April 2009.  He is active on the parish council, as business administrator, and most any other role.  He also serves on committees at the ECC denominational-level.  Ray began his Franciscan journey in 2010 after hearing an inspiring presentation about the “new OFR” at the ECC Synod and was admitted as a postulant in March 2011.  He is currently slated to serve on the Board of Directors of the Greater Berks Food Bank, and has previously served on the boards of several non-profs and parishes.  In addition, Ray is enrolled to begin a Masters in Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University in New York, beginning June 2011.  He holds a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, a Master of Management in Information Systems from the University of Dallas, an MBA from the University of Wyoming, and a BA in Business Administration from Loyola University, Baltimore.  Ray also completed the four-year Education for Ministry (EFM) program through the School of Theology at Sewanee and has taken courses at the Virginia Theological Seminary.  Ray is a happily retired Air Force Colonel who lives with his spouse, Fr. Dewayne Messenger, and two miniature schnauzers, Max and Nicky, in the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside.

Richard Rosato is the administrator of a local veterinary hospital.  He moved to Berks County ten years ago from Virginia, and is originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  Richard is an active member of several local animal rescue groups, and has served on the City of Reading's City Council for animal and citizen issues.  In addition to his work at the veterinary hospital and with animal groups, Richard has been a foster parent, a teaching assistant for an arts program primarily focusing on children with Down Syndrome, and a member of the local historic district.  He is a hobby artist, and lives in Berks County with his daughter Ariana, and a menagerie of pets.  Richard has been interested in the Franciscan path for many years, and began his journey as a Franciscan in earnest once he became a member of the ECC in 2010.  He was admitted as a postulant in March 2011.