Michael S Joyce, Ofm

The Rev. Michael S. Joyce, O.F.M., age 82, a professed Franciscan Friar 61 years, and a Catholic priest 55 years, died Monday, August 15, 2022, in Beacon, NY after an extended illness. Father Michael had resided at St. Anthony Friary, Butler, NJ for six years before transferring to St. Lawrence Friary, Beacon, NY, for skilled nursing healthcare. A native of Newark, NJ, and a 1958 graduate of Saint Peters Prep, Jersey City, NJ, Father Michael had served in Franciscan missions in Japan and Africa following priestly ordination in 1967. As a Franciscan Friar student, Father Michael earned a B.A. in Philosophy from St. Bonaventure University in western New York state prior to four years of theological studies at Holy Name College, Washington, DC. After two years of intensive immersion in Japanese studies at the Franciscan Language School, Tokyo, Japan, 1967-1969, Father Michael ministered to Japanese parishioners in four locations, principally in Japans Gumma Prefecture (State), 1969-1983. Concurrent with his pastoral work, Father Michael assisted with the development of a native clergy by his work as Assistant Novice Master for the Japanese Franciscan Friars. An invitation by the General Superior of the Franciscans in Rome led Father Michael to join several other Franciscans from Japan and other countries in 1983 to establish new missions in Africa. This new period of apostolic activity saw Father Michael ministering in the East African countries of Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya. He also served on the staff of the Franciscan House of Studies in Zambia, helping in the education of native clergy. Returning to the United States in 2000, Father Michael served as Spiritual Director and Retreat Master at St. Anthony Shrine, Boston, MA in 2001 and 2002. He then became an Associate at St. Francis Chapel, Providence, RI, 2002 2007. Subsequently Father Michael served as a Parochial Vicar at St. Marys Church, Providence, RI, 2007-2011. A shopping-mall-chapel ministry beckoned Father Michael when he began his 2012-2016 tenure at St. Francis Chapel, Albany, NY, while residing at St. Bernardine of Siena Friary, Loudonville, NY. Included in his duties was that of Spiritual Assistant to the local Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order. Retirement from active ministry for Father Michael took place in his move to St. Anthony Friary, Butler, NJ, in October, 2016. He continued to be of service to his brother senior-citizen Friars inside the community. Father Michael is predeceased by parents Walter and Anna (Quinn) Joyce, his three sisters: Sr. Marianne Joyce, SC, Colleen (Carl) Kelly, Sheila and husband Patrick Priest; sister-in-law Joyce Joyce, and niece Kathleen Anderson. He is survived by his Franciscan brothers in Holy Name Province and brothers James, Tinton Falls, NJ, Walter (Dorothy), Livingston, NJ, and Brian (Deirdre), Vancouver, WA, 24 nieces and nephews from the Joyce, Priest and Kelly families and their spouses, 55 grandnieces and grandnephews, and three great-grandnieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, August 20, 2022 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 65 Bartholdi Ave., Butler NJ, at 10:30 a.m. Viewing will begin at 9:30 a.m. The livestream of the funeral can be reached via the parish website: saopp.org. The Very Rev. Kevin J. Mullen, O.F.M., Provincial Minister of Holy Name (New York) Province, will be the Principal Celebrant of the Mass. The Rev. Joseph B. Ehrhardt, O.F.M., a fellow Friar Missionary of Father Michael in Japan and Africa, will preach the homily. Burial will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Butler, immediately after the Mass. . There are no gallery images. Visitation Saturday, August 20, 2022 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM St. Anthony RC Church 65 Bartholdi AveButler, NJ 07405 The livestream of the funeral can be reached via the parish website: www.saopp.org. Directions Email Details Mass Saturday, August 20, 2022 10:30 AM St. Anthony RC Church 65 Bartholdi AveButler, NJ 07405 The livestream of the funeral can be reached via the parish website: www.saopp.org. Directions Email Details Burial Saturday, August 20, 2022 11:30 AM Mt. Calvary Cemetery Bartholdi Ave.Butler, NJ 07405 Directions Email Details