The United States
In the course of the nineteenth century, Brothers from the Irish communities established foundations in the United States, which became independent Institutes in their own right – in Brooklyn, New York (www.Franciscanbrothers.org) and in Loretto, Pensylvania. These continue to flourish.
A new venture to the United States began on July 31st, 1957 when three Franciscan Brothers left Cobh, Co. Cork for California. The invitation to go to the United States came from Cardinal James F. McIntyre of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles who at that time was setting up schools throughout the diocese. The diocese today has about 50 secondary schools many of which were started in the 1950sand 1960s by Cardinal McIntyre.
St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs was the first mission of the Brothers in California and after 57 years they still have a presence in the school. The Brothers took up duty in St. Bonaventure High School, Ventura in 1966 and continued there until 2007. They were involved for a time in a number of secondary schools in Los Angeles Archdiocese over the past fifty plus years. As well as St. Paul and St. Bonaventure they ministered in Bishop Diego, St. Bernard, Santa Clara, Pius X, Bishop Montgomery and Chaminade High School where they still have a Brother on the staff.
From 1967 to 1999, Brothers had a community in the Bronx, New York. Members of that community taught in a Cardinal Hayes High School and in St. Philip Neri grade school as well as being involved in promotion work for the Congregation.
The Pioneers: Back: Bros. Nicholas Slattery RIP, Martin Murphy RIP, Kieran Sharkey RIP Front: Laurence Grimes and Paulinus Horkan
Br. Paulinus Horkan, who was among the first group of Franciscan Brothers to go to California in 1957, returned to in Ireland in 2014. He spent twenty- seven years at St. Bonaventure High School, Ventura – most of that as Principal.