Mary, Mother of God parish is served by the Conventual Franciscan friars.  Founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi, the Order of Friars Minor Conventual is an international religious order with a spiritual tradition of fraternity, reconciliation and outreach rooted in the Holy Eucharist and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This Franciscan charism takes the form of plentiful access to the sacraments through daily Mass and confessions, Eucharistic Adoration and other devotions, and multiple ministries to the poor and immigrants.

As a religious community, the friars are brothers, sharing life and prayer in the friary located at Saint Ita.

The Order of Secular Franciscans, for lay people living out the Franciscan tradition in their daily lives, also has a fraternity at the parish. For more information, click here.
Conventual Franciscan Friars

​​Pastor:  Father Robert Cook, OFM Conv.
Associate Pastor:  Father Thomas Fetz, OFM Conv.
Associate Pastor: Father Romert Morales, OFM Conv.
Resident Priest:  Father Robert Melnick, OFM Conv.
Pastoral Associate: Friar Jason Warrer, OFM Conv.
In Residence: Deacon Bede Thigpen, OFM Conv.
​Pastoral Associates

Rev. Mr. Ubaldo Munoz
Rev. Mr. Juan Ramirez
Rev. Mr. Paul Spalla
Rev. Mr. Ron Stricker
Parish Staff
Director of Operations: Mr. Stuart Boldry
Director of Facilities: Mr. Ed Prause
Director of Music & Liturgical Ministries:  Mr. Daniel Lagacy
Director of Stewardship:  Mrs. Dorothy W. Julian

Music Coordinator at St. Thomas of Canterbury:  Ms. Joan Mikol
Religious Education Coordinator :  Mr. Candido Reyna
Soup Kitchen Volunteer Coordinator: Ms. Jennifer Franco

Parish Administrative Assistant (St. Ita): Ms. Soledad Andrade
Parish Administrative Assistant (St. Gregory): Ms. Yasmin Hernandez
Parish Administrative Assistant (Communications): Ms. Maggie Flynn

Sacramental Records: Ms. Kitty Welter
Reception: Ms. Mayra Alana, Ms. Marieluise Kailing, Ms. Maria Pacheco
St. Gregory's Hall - Parish Cultural Center

Director of St Gregory's Hall: Mr. Mark Franzen

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Coordinator: Ms. Elizabeth Blanke
Canterbury House Coordinator: Mr. James Murphy

Scholar-in-Residence: Prof. Scott Moringiello
Scholar-in-Residence: Father Bob Sprott, OFM

Artist-in-Residence: Mr. Kevin Allen
Artist-in-Residence: Ms. Sarah Crow
For more information about the Franciscan Friars:
Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province - https://franciscancommunity.org/
Friars Minor Conventual (international site) - https://www.ofmconv.net/en/