STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After over 80 years of service to the Staten Island community, all programs have ceased operating at the St. Francis Friary on Todt Hill. <\/p>\n
The friary, the Center for Spirituality and the remaining five friars who live there have all been reassigned, said the Rev. George Sabol, one of the friars who are in the process of relocating to their new assignments this week. <\/p>\n
No final decision has been made about what's going to happen to the property, Rev. Sabol said. <\/p>\n
The property has not been put on the market and has not been listed with a real estate agent, Rev. Sabol added. <\/p>\n
However, for a Staten Island worship community still reeling from the sale of the Mount Manresa site to builders and the pending demolition, the uncertain status of the location is cause forconcern. <\/p>\n
The Rev. Philip Blaine, a native Staten Islander and founder and director of the center, and the Rev. Brennan-Joseph Farleo, the guardian (superior) of the friary, could not immediately be reached for comment. <\/p>\n
\"We're devastated,\" Rev. Sabol said. \"We've done so much for this community of Staten Island, especially the youth with our days of recollection. We've had retreats from so many schools, not only on Staten Island but from Brooklyn. It's been a spiritual haven from many people for generations.\" <\/p>\n
The biggest challenge over the years has been the cost of maintaining the property. <\/p>\n
\"No matter what we did, we never brought in enough money to sustain this place,\" said Rev. Sabol, who has been living in the friary for about four years. <\/p>\n
Other factors prompting the closure include the dwindling number of men in the religious order and the need for personnel in other locations, Rev. Sabol said. <\/p>\n
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St. Francis Friary and Center for Spirituality on Staten Island closing, friar, groups say<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After over 80 years of service to the Staten Island community, all programs have ceased operating at the St Continue reading