Franciscan Brother Shamus McGrenra, 77, wrapped up his 14th annual charity bike ride on Sept. 22 in Freehold, New Jersey.
His yearly bike ride raises money for the Dorothy Day Outreach Center on campus.
This year, Brother Shamus rode along the Delaware Canal Towpath in the Philadelphia and central-New Jersey area. He logged 98 miles over two weekends (Sept. 14-15 and Sept. 21-22).
SFU alumni and friends join Brother Shamus and log some biking miles with him each year. The idea for the bike ride started with Brother Marty Zatsick, the former director of the Dorothy Day Center.
Brother Marty, who died last June at 75, felt inspired to do something different to help people struggling to cover the costs of food and clothing. Since Brother Shamus enjoyed cycling, Brother Marty proposed the idea of a charity bike ride to his fellow Franciscan.
“He said, ‘how about we try to raise $5,000?’” recalled Brother Shamus. “I said, ‘you’re nuts.’
“The first year (of the ride) we raised $12,000.”
This year, the fundraising goal for Brother Shamus’ ride is $100,000. With donations still coming in, the current total is around $75,000.
In the last 13 years, the charity ride has brought in $833,000, with all of the money helping area families.
Brother Shamus is hopeful that he can reach the $1 million mark during his 15th charity ride in 2025.
Many have been touched by his efforts to help those facing financial difficulties.
“We’ve gotten to know the spirit of Saint Francis University and the alumni,” said Sister Mary Ann Spanjers, a Franciscan Sister and someone who has logged miles with Brother Shamus on his annual rides.
“There is such a tight connection and a Franciscan spirit that is delightful.”
Sister Mary Ann began riding with Brother Shamus when he was battling Stage 4 colon cancer during the second year of his charity ride.
This year’s ride was dedicated to Tom Kristoff, a close friend to Brother Shamus. Kristoff had participated in the bike ride for many years before his recent death.
“Right before we started every ride (this year), we said a little prayer for him and raised him up to the Lord. He was wonderful,” said Brother Shamus.
Sister Mary Ann delivered a series of presentations last month titled “The Eucharist from Adoration to Action.” It was a series of five videos.
In one of these videos, she shared the story of Brother Shamus’ charity ride, helping spread word of the event to a wider audience.
Sister Mary Ann said the purpose of her series was to “open minds and hearts to the Franciscan message of finding out that God is in love with you and to reflect on how to respond to that.”
Brother Shamus said next year’s charity ride will take place in the Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. regions. Visit www.francis.edu/charityride to make a contribution to this year’s event.
