Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Three Capuchin Franciscan friars are set to establish a new friary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Kissimmee. The friars, Father Francisco Arredondo from San Diego, Father Abel Noel from Haiti, and Father Wirmun Tobias Dzedzemoon from Cameroon, will be moving into a renovated rectory on the parish campus.

The Capuchin Franciscans of the Sacred Stigmata of St. Francis Province have shifted their focus back to their original charisms of prayer, fraternity, and ministry. This change involves returning parishes to dioceses and establishing friaries from New Jersey to Florida. Their aim is to serve diocesan needs as part of their ministerial charism.

Father Arredondo explained that they are not assigned as priests for Holy Redeemer or the Diocese of Orlando but are there to support diocesan needs broadly. They have already contributed by serving at various Masses and assisting with the Sacrament of Penance. In addition, they plan to lead retreats and days of recollection across Central Florida.

Father Arredondo expressed hope that they can also support Catholic Charities of Central Florida.

The priests are multilingual, speaking English, Haitian Creole, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Additionally, Father Dzedzemoon speaks the Lamnso dialect from Shisong in Cameroon.