Brother Steve Fernandes Installed as Lector
	As Brother Steve progresses with his theological studies, with a view to priestly ordination, he receives the privilege and repsonsibility of various ministries. The first is that of lector. In a brief rite during Holy Monday Mass at Capuchin College, the Minister Provincial installed Brother Steve in the ministry of lector. His first duty was to proclaim Psalm 19 (shown at left). The Capuchin College fraternity was present as Brother Steve stepped a little bit closer to priestly ordination. Brother Steve made solemn profession last summer and is a student at the Washington Theological Union in Silver Spring, MD.
First Pastor of New Parish in Cleveland
	When the parishioners of St. Catherine, St. Henry and St. Timothy decided it was time to join forces and become one parish, Cleveland's Bishop Richard Lennon gratefully accepted their wisdom and established the new Holy Spirit Catholic Church on East 131st Street in the Garfield Heights section of the city. Father Phil Bernier has been named the first pastor and is enthusiastically accepting his new assignment. Father Phil was the pastor of the Shrine of the Conversion of Saint Paul near downtown Cleveland before taking his proven pastoral skills to Holy Spirit. There are more photos at Holy Spirit Parish.
Capuchin Friar Grateful to be Ministering in Cuba
	All of his life Father Emilio Biosca had dreamed of going to the homeland of his mother and mother. Now he is in his beloved Cuba, attending to the spiritual needs of an active Catholic community. In the photo at left Father Emilio poses with Jesus and Maria and their two daughters after Sunday Mass. The family invited him to lunch before he continued his rounds of visiting other families and the sick of the church in La Salud, Cuba. Not too long ago Father Emilio served in Papua New Guinea as a missionary, loving every minute there in the rugged highlands. Now in Cuba he is eager to help people live their Catholic faith, help the already-present (for nearly 400 years!) establish a Cuban fraternity of Capuchins, in concert with three other friars (one from Malta and two from Brazil.
Capuchins Join Cardinal McCarrick for DC IV Encuentro Catolico
	It was a powerful display of the Holy Spirit at the IV Encuentro Catolico last week in Washington, DC. Postulant Manuel Aviles spoke at length (left) to the crowd gathered at the Armory. He and postulant Miguel Meza were among the planners of the event. Father Carlos Reyes (Sacred Heart Church, DC), Brother Urbano Vazquéz and Brother Richard Owens were also in attendance, along with CFP Borromeo student Saul Soriano. A description of the Mass and ministry of Encuentro Catolico, as well as more photos are available here.
Ten Young Men Explore Capuchin Possibilties
	Ten men came to the snowy ountain Alverno retreat near Salisbury, PA, recently to discern whether God may be calling them to become Capuchin friars. From as far away as Texas, these men took advantage of the weekend to spend time with friars and talk about Capuchin life. They prayed together, talked with another and reflected on various aspects of vowed life as a friar. Father Tom Betz coordinated the weekend. Father Lester Knoll, Brother Mark Pattock, Brother James Mungovan, Brother Miles Garrett and Postulants Miguel Meza, Mark Monahan and Jared Denman all pitched in to help with the discernment weekend. Other young men who are interested in Capuchin life may want to visit the Joining pages of this webiste. More photos are available here.
Former Minister General Ordained Bishop of Nelson, British Columbia
	On Wednesday, 30 January 2008, Capuchin friar John Corriveau, was ordained bishop in Kelowna, BC. On the following day he was installed as bishop of the diocese of Nelson. Bishop John is a friar of the Toronto province and served 12 years as Minister General of the 11,000 Capuchin friars all around the world until 2007. Since then he was elected provincial minister of the Toronto province and served the homeless in the soup kitchen operated by the friars. The picturesque city of Nelson will be is home base for the diocese of 48,000 square miles, larger than the entire state of Pennsylvania. See an interview of Bishop John before his ordination,at Salt and Light, the Catholic news network of Canada.
Friars Well-Represented at 2008 Pro-Life March
	Each year hundreds of thousands of people converge on Washington, DC, to join the annual Pro-Life March on the sad anniversary of the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Among the many marchers were more than 20 friars and postulants from the Province of St. Augustine. The day began at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where they celebrated Mass in the Crypt Church., which was filled to capacity with worshippers, many of them from Capuchin parishes. Father John Pavlik was the main celebrant and homilist for the Pro-Life Mass. In the photo at left Friars Kip Ledger and Moises Villalta are shown during the march on Constitution Avenue, heading towards the US Capitol. (more photos)
Friar Honored for Service to Cleveland's Poor
	Brother Walt Robb was recently honored for his great work serving the needy of Cleveland. The Cleveland Food Bank gave its 2007 Ed Worely Award to Brother Walt in recognition of his dedication and outstanding efforts to alleviate hunger in the Greater Cleveland community. In recognizing him, the award also recognized the organization he operates, Brother Hubbard's Cupboard, as the year's outstanding agency and offered the Cupboard a $1,000 Recognition Grant. The Cleveland Foodbank itself has been recognized recently as the finest organization of its type in the country, so this is indeed high praise! Congratulations, Brother Walt!
Brother Richard Owens Professes First Vows as Capuchin Friar
	Philadelphia native, Brother Richard Owens professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as a Capuchin friar on Saturday, 24 November 2007. Brother Richard's mother, brother, sister, nephew and step-father, along with other friends from Philadelphia were able to attend the Mass of Profession at St. Felix Church in Freedom, PA. Also attending were his novitiate classmates from the provinces and vice-provinces of North America and Pacifi rim nations. Brother Christopher Popravak and Brother Phil Fink were official witnesses for Brother Richard's profession. The Vicar Provincial, Brother John Pfannenstiel, was delegated by Minister Provincial Brother John Pavlik to receive the first vows. Brother Richard spent some time with his family after the profession and soon made his way to Capuchin College in Washington, DC, to continue his Capuchin formation. He is also taking classes at Catholic University. (more photos)
Three Friars Make Perpetual Profession
	The Provincial Minister, Father John Pavlik, received the perpetual vows of three friars in an inspiring Liturgy on a beautiful day in late August. Brothers Steve Fernandes, Urbano Vazquez and Mark Pattock are the newest solemnly professed friars of the province. More than 100 friars and hundreds of family and friends of the newly professed witnessed the three friars dedicate the rest of their lives to following Jesus Christ as Capuchin friars. With hands enfolded in the hands of the Provincial, the friars promised to live chastely, obediently and with nothing as their own. Shortly after their profession of vows, they signed their last will, disposing of all their earthly goods and relying totally on God's love and the generosity of others. (more)
Friar Departs for the Mission
	Father Don Lippert left for Papua New Guinea on August 29th. He is now a missionary. The first task will be to learn the common language of more than 700 tribes of the island nation. He will also become more acquainted with the other friars there and lend a gradual hand to the already overworked missionaries. He left the USA intending to stay for three years in PNG, meaning he will return to the US in 2010. In the photo at left Father Don holds up the mission cross which he had just received during a departure prayer service at the Province's Chapter in June. For the past three years, Father Don was the Vicar Provincial.
Eight Invested in Capuchin Habit
	Eight men, who have taken the next step to become Capuchin friars, were invested with the Order's habit. Rob Battalini, Brian Bradshaw, Rick Droddy, Jonathan Ulrick, Matt Hindelang, Chuck Mocsiran, Ken Gabor and Al Carver began the novitiate in early August. For the next year they will study, pray and continue to discern whether God is calling each of them to make vows as Capuchins next July. Also in the photo at left is Father Jim Froehlich, Father John Pavlik and Father Michael Greb. (More)
Chapter Elects Leadership for Province
	Friars of the Province of St. Augustine assembled for their trienniel chapter in Wheeling, WV. In addition to treating many significant issues, the friars also elected the leadership council. Father John Pavlik (photo, center) was re-elected to serve a second term as Provincial Minister. From left to right in the photo, four definitors were also elected: Fathers John Pfannenstiel, Thomas Betz, David Nestler and John Bednarik. The council, also known as the definitory, will serve until the next chapter in 2010.