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March 22, 2018Friar Robert Artman, O.F.M., 61, who passed into eternal life in the afternoon hours of Wednesday, March 21, 2018 while under hospice care at St. Christopher Friary. At the time of his passing, Friar Robert was the Guardian of St. Christopher Friary, Boston, MA.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Catherine (Savena) and William Artman. He is survived by a sister, Kathleen Buell, and his brothers William, Raymond and Richard of Pittsburgh, PA and Kevin of South Bend, Indiana.
Friar Robert was first received into the Order on August 15, 1979; made his Temporary Profession of Vows on August 9, 1980; and made his Solemn Profession of Vows on April 27, 1985. Following his years in formation, Friar Robert continued his education with studies at Andover-Newton Theological School, Newton, MA; received a B.A. Degree in Sociology from Boston University, Boston, MA; and obtained several units in C.P.E. (Clincial Pastoral Education) at Tewksbury State Hospital, Tewksbury, MA. During his thirty-eight years of profession, Friar Robert worked in a number of ministries that primarily addressed the needs of the marginalized members of society. He ministered as: Director of ’Emmanuel Dining Room', Wilmington, DE; Associate Director of ’St. Joseph Transitional Home', Brooklyn, NY; Program Manager for ’Our Daily Bread', Archdiocese of Baltimore, MD; Director of ’Helping Hands', Toledo, OH; and as Supervisor of the ’Pine Street Inn', Boston, MA. Friar Robert also served our Order and Province well in the Office for Justice and Peace at our General Curia, Rome, Italy; as Vicar of St. Paul Friary, Clearwater Beach, FL; as Guardian and Retreat Director of St. Francis Retreat Center, Andover, MA; as Guardian of St. Christopher Friary, Boston, MA and as Director of Health Care for our Province. Friar Robert’s limitless energy and his wry sense of humor will be remembered by most of the friars, and he will be well remembered for his extraordinary care for, and attention to, the needs of our senior friars entrusted to his care.
At his request, no wake or viewing will be held. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Poor Clare Monastery, 445 River Road, Andover, MA, on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10am.
Details of services are as follows:
+ Viewing +
At Friar Robert's request, no viewing will be conducted.
+ Mass of Christian Burial +
Poor Clare Monastery Chapel
445 River Road
Andover, Massachusetts 01810
Monday, March 26, 2018
10:00 a.m.
+ Interment +
(Immediately following the liturgy)
Saint Francis Cemetery
Andover, Massachusetts
Friars must remember to offer suffrages for every deceased friar of the province, professed or novice. In particular, each priest shall offer the Eucharist twice. When news of the death of a friar is received, a concelebrated Mass in his memory should be scheduled in the friaries of the province and the foundations. On the thirtieth day after and on the first anniversary of the death of a confrere, professed or novice, the Eucharist shall be celebrated for him in the house to which he was assigned at the time of death. (PS-8,1-3)
Heavenly Father, we commend to your mercy Friar Robert and our brothers who have embraced Sister Death and we thank you for the gift of their lives. United in faith and prayer, through the intercession of our Immaculate Mother Mary and our holy Father Saint Francis, keep us ever steadfast in your love as we strive for your vision of a world made new.
