The Franciscan Friars of the Sacred Heart Province will hold an information session for all interested men, ages 21-40, on Sunday, May 17 from 2-4 p.m. at Our Lady of Angels Friary, 4849 LaVerna Road in Springfield.

The friary is located on the grounds of the motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters. Brother Thom Smith, OFM, vocation director, will host the event with the friars.

The Franciscans first came to the United States at the invitation of Bishop Henry Damian Juncker of the Diocese of Alton (now the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois) in 1858. Bishop Juncker wished to have the friars establish a friary which would serve as a center for missionary work. Friars are still present at the first three ministries established in the diocese over 150 years ago: St. Francis Parish in Teutopolis (1858); St. Francis Solanus Parish in Quincy (1859) and Quincy University (1860).

Today the friars serve as pastors, teachers, chaplains and in many other ministries in the Midwest, Texas, Louisiana and Alaska. (More information is available at www.befranciscan.com.)

Men who are discerning a religious vocation or would like more information are invited to attend. Register by calling Brother Thom at (314) 766-1952 or emailing .