News

Latest news from the Capuchin Franciscans

July 26, 2010
Fourteen Men Invested as Capuchin Novices

On Sunday, July 25, 2010, fourteen men started thier novitiate year as Capuchin friars.  Novice Master Fr. Phil Fink invested them with the Capuchin habit during evening prayer. Father Phil preached during the liturgy, inviting the novices to listen carefully to the echoes of the Holy Spirit. The novitiate is the second level of formation, lasting one year. During this year of intense prayer, study and discernment, the novices may be eligible to make their temporary profession of vows next July.

Seven of the novices are from the Province of St. Augustine, and seven from various jurisdictions of the North American Conference of Capuchins and from the Province of Ireland.  From Australia is Tam Pham; from New York/New England are Matthew Giles and Ron O\'Keefe; from the Province of St. Joseph (Midwest) are MJ Groark and Stephen Greco; from Central Canada is Craig McWade; and from Ireland is Liam Quinn.

Novices from the Province of St. Augustine are Rafael Anguiano-Rodriguez, Roshan Anthonypillai, Ron Dietz, Jonathan Goodan, John Paul Kuzma, Kevin Moshier and James Watson.  Above at left, Father Phil helps Brother James Watson don the Capuchin habit for the first time.

Prior to investiture all fourteen men participated in the pre-novitiate program in Victoria, KS, beginning in late May. They began their journey east last Friaday and arrived at St. Conrad Friary on Saturday evening, less than 24 hours before the investiture.

See more photos at the Photo Gallery.

July 18, 2010
Brother Brian Stacy Professes First Vows as Capuchin Friar

On Saturday, July 17, Brother Brian Stacy knelt before the newly-elected Provincial Minister, Father David Nestler, and promised to live the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as a Capuchin-Franciscan Friar for the next three years. As he pronounced his vows his hands were enfolded in those of the Provincial (pictured at left). Brother Brian has completed his novitiate, and after a couple weeks of visiting his family, he will report to the next level of formation at Capuchin College in Washington, DC.

Brother Brian is the son of Tomas and Shannon Stacy of Canal Fulton, Ohio. He attended public schools throughout his education, including Kent State and graduating from Ashland University. His is a remarkable story of conversion to the Catholic Church. He was received into full communion at the Easter Vigil in 2006.

During his time in temporary vows, Brother Brian will test his ability to live those vows. Living with the friars in DC will be a great help. He joins thirteen other young men in temporary vows. No doubt, he will rely on God\'s strength and wisdom throughout his formation as a Capuchin friar. Perhaps at the conclusion of three years he may be ready to make vows for life.

See more photos at the Photo Gallery.

July 12, 2010
Friars at Steubenville's Franciscan University Youth Convocation

Eight Capuchin friars assisted with the Youth Conference at Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH, from July 8th through July 12th. Over 2,000 youth were on hand for the conference.  The friars, Father Paul Dressler, Brother Richard Owens, Brother Joanthan Ulrick, Brother Florian Gabor, Brother Brian Bradshaw, Brother Manuel Aviles, Brother Al Carver, and Brother Matthew Hindelang, were very impressed with the youngsters who attended. The theme of the conference was  "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."  The conference included lively liturgies, excellent workshops for both young men and women, praise and worship, and Eucharistic adoration. Father Paul spent hours hearing confessions during the three day convocation. The friars greeted arriving attendees, helped organize meals, being present among the youth, and  were available to help with on-going needs. 

In several weeks the friars will travel to Rhode Island to assist with another youth conference sponsored by Franciscan University.

The eight friars are based in Pittsburgh for the summer. They have a full schedule of helping at parishes, youth conferences and acquainting themselves with the western part of the province. During the school year all of the friars reside at Capuchin College in Washington, DC.

June 18, 2010
Friars Elect Father David Nestler New Provincial

Capuchin friar Father David Nestler was elected the new Provincial Minister for the Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Augustine. All the friars of the Province gathered for the week-long chapter from 14 to 18 June in Pittsburgh, PA, and elected a new council to advise Father David in his ministry as the leader of the Province.

Father David has been director of the Paul VI Pastoral Center in Wheeling, WV for the past five years. Prior to that he was the Master of Novices for the Capuchin friars. Father David is a graduate of St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA, and Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, OH. He received his Master degree in theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Father David succeeds Father John Pavlik who served for six years.

Also elected during the chapter were five friars to serve as definitors (members of the leadership council). Father Michael Joyce is the Vicar Provincial. Father Tom Betz, Father John Pfannenstiel and Brother Bob Toomey will also serve on the newly-constituted definitory for the next three years.

Brother Mark Schenk, Definitor General, presided at the chapter. Brother Mark is a friar of the Province of Mid America, headquartered in Denver. Brother Mark\'s current address is the Generalate of the Capuchin Order in Rome. He represents the Capuchin General Minister, Brother Mauro Johri, who ws unable to attend the chapter.

The Province of St. Augustine includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and Papua New Guinea. Friars also serve in Rome, Havana and Boston.  Cardinal Sean O'Malley serves as Archbishop of Boston, and in several months,  newly-appointed Bishop-elect Bill Fey, also a friar of the Province will become the bishop of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea.

See more photos from the Chapter at Photo Gallery.

 

June 8, 2010
Capuchin Friar Named Bishop of Kimbe, PNG

On Tuesday, June 8, 2010, the Holy Father announced the appointment of Capuchin friar Father Bill Fey to be the bishop of Kimbe, Papua New Gyinea. Father Bill is a member of the Province of St. Augustine and has been in Papua New Guinea since 1980. Until his appointment he was the Vice Provincial of the CApuchins in Papua New Guinea. He was born in western Pennsylvania and attended St. Fidelis Semianry in Herman, PA. After receiving his doctorate from Oxford University, he taught philosophy at St. Fidelis College and Borromeo Seminary (Wicklifee, OH). Most of his ministry in Paua New Guinea was teaching philosophy and theology in the seminary in Bomana, Port Moresby, PNG.

The Diocese of of Kimbe comprises the PNG province of West New Britain. Teher are 130,000 Catholics in the diocese, served by 19 diocesan priests.

Bishop-elect Bill received news of the appointment on his way to the United States to attend the Provincial Chapter in Pittsburgh. He will return to Papua New Guinea at the end of June. His episcopal ordination is schedule for October 9, 2010, in Kimbe.

With his appointment as bishop Father Bill is no longer the Vice Provncial of Papua New Guinea. Father Jonathan Williams has been appointed by the Capuchin General Minister to serve as Vice Provincial until the next chapter.

May 8, 2010
Brother Stephen Fernandes Graduates

On Friday, May 7, Brother Stephen Fernandes graduated from the Washington Theological Union with a Master of Divinity degree. The graduation ceremony was held in the chapel of Trinity University in northeast Washington, DC.  The Guardian of Capuchin College, Father James Menkhus, and many of the friars attended the afternoon graduation.

Brother Stephen is originally from Goa (India), and lived for many years in Ohio, where his two children reside. Before becoming a friar Brother Stephen worked as a Cap Corps volunteer in Papua New Guinea for two years, teaching in the seminary. When he returned from his missionary stinit, he decided to become a Capuchin friar.

Congratulations, Brother Stephen!

March 25, 2010
Capuchin College Celebrates Passover

On Sunday, 21 March 2010, the friars of Capuchin College in Washington, DC, held a seder supper, compliments of the wonderful chef, Larry Liss and two friends, who prepared the Passover meal. All of the foods, prayers and rituals of Passover were observed. It was a great event, enabling the friars to experience the Jewish feast and appreciate the Jewish roots of our Catholic faith. Guardian Father Jim Menkhus and Vicar Father John McCloskey sat with Larry at the head table as he led the community through the seder. Wine, lamb, bitter herbs, matzah, and all the other dishes of Passover were served.

Of course, the Last Supper was just such a ritual meal; the Passover was celebrated by Jesus and his disciples on the night before He died on the cross. As prescribed in the book of Exodus, they recalled the greatest event in Jewish history: being freed from the slavery of Eygpt, crossing the Red Sea, and becoming the Chosen People. That seminal event is celebrated each spring by our Jewish brothers and sisters, and is recalled at the Catholic Holy Thursday Mass of the Last Supper, and again at the Easter Vigil before the catechumens are led to the waters of new life: baptism.

The friars of Capuchin College are very thankful to Larry Liss and his friends, Lisa Engelman and Dwayne Byrum, for preparing and celebrating Passover with them.

January 26, 2010
Fr. Christopher Rengers Passes Away

Fr. Christopher Rengers, OFM Cap, died on Monday, January 25, 2010, at Vincentian Home in Pittsburgh, PA. He was 92.

Fr. Christopher was a noted confessor, spiritual mentor and author. His intense devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Joseph was legendary. Many regarded Fr. Christopher a saintly Capuchin friar and priest.

He was born on March 9, 1917, to Bernard and Elizabeth (Thinnes) Rengers in Pittsburgh, PA. He was baptized at St. Joseph Church in Bloomfield (Pittsburgh). Fr. Christopher is survived by his brother, Gerard Rengers, of Evans City, PA. He also leaves many nephews and nieces to mourn his passing.

 He entered St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA, in 1930. Fr. Christopher entered the Capuchin Order in 1936 and professed his first vows as a friar on July 14, 1937. He made his solemn profession three years later. Fr. Christopher was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1942. Father’s advanced education included philosophy studies at St. Fidelis Friary in Victoria, KS, theology at Capuchin College in Washington, DC, and history at St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO.

 Fr. Christopher authored numerous published works, including two Lenten books, a biography of Jacinto Marto (one of the three children who were blessed to encounter the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima), The Stations of the Cross for the Elderly, and a very popular book, The Thirty-Three Doctors of the Church. He authored many articles that appeared in various periodicals. Even until a few days before his death, Fr. Christopher worked on various scholarly and devotional projects.

His first priestly assignment was as chaplain at Visitation Academy in St. Louis, MO, from 1943 to 1945. His next appointment was teaching at St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays, KS, and served as pastor of St. Severin Church near Hays. Fr. Christopher was transferred to Herndon, KS, as parochial vicar of St. Patrick Church in Tully, KS, and chaplain for Atwood Hospital in Atwood, KS.

In 1950 Fr. Christopher was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Dover, OH, and in 1951 became pastor of St. Patrick Church in Mineral City, OH. His ministry in Ohio ended in 1959.

For the next sixteen years, Fr. Christopher labored at St. Charles Borromeo Church in St. Louis. He began his ministry in St. Louis as the Capuchin friars’ promoter of vocations. In addition to his regular duties, Fr. Christopher helped the poor, elderly, immigrants and mentally disabled. He founded The Capuchin Troupe, a group of amateur actors who performed Fr. Christopher’s dramatic versions of the Passion of Christ and Our Lady of Guadalupe; The Troupe performed in many parishes in Missouri and Illinois. In St. Louis Father also began in earnest his ministry to promote devotion to St. Joseph, designing and promoting the St. Joseph Medal.

 In 1975 Father Christopher was transferred to Capuchin College in Washington, DC.  In addition to his on-going projects, in the nation’s capital Fr. Christopher founded the Queen of the Americas Guild, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Twice each year he headed a pilgrimage to Mexico City and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

 Father Christopher was concerned about many social issues, including the right to life of the unborn. On January 21,1977, the night before the March for Life in Washington, DC, he celebrated Mass in the crypt church of the Basilica of the National Shrine. After Mass Fr. Christopher and his small group of worshippers maintained a night-long vigil. That unnoticed beginning has become a nationally televised event, featuring Cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and a over-flow congregation in the upper church of the Basilica. The all-night vigil is carried on by thousands of young people from around the country.

 At the age of 87 Father Christopher’s health necessitated close medical attention; he was assigned to St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh in 2004. Four years later he took up residence at Vincentian Home, where he died.

The first day of visitation and viewing will take place on Wednesday, January 2010, from 3PM until 8:30PM at Capuchin College in Washington, DC (4121 Harewood Rd, NW  20017).

A second day of visitation and viewing will take place on Thursday, January 28, from 2PM - 4PM and 6:30PM - 9PM at St. Augustine Friary (221 36th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15201). The Mass of Christan Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 29, at 10:30AM at Our Lady of Angels Church (formerly known as St. Augustine Church). Burial will take place in the friars' plot at St. Augustine Cemetery, Pittsburgh.

January 25, 2010
Fr. Kieran Quinn Has Died

Fr. Kieran Quinn, OFM Cap., died on January 22, 2010, in Charleston, WV, at the age of 90.

Born in Beaver Falls, PA, to Edwin and Gertrude (Kossler) Quinn on February 12, 1919, Father Kieran was one of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents and seven sisters and brothers: Theresa Rose Quinn, Della Jeanette Kocsis, Louise May O’Neil, Fr. Edmund Quinn, Fr. Thomas Quinn, Robert Quinn and Jerome Quinn. He is survived by one sister, Lucille Stape, of Mesa, Arizona, and many nephews and nieces.   Father Kieran, Fr. Edmund and Fr. Thomas were all Capuchin friars of the Province of St. Augustine.

Fr. Kieran was baptized in St. Mary Church in Beaver Falls, where he also received his elementary education. He attended high school and college at St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA. On July 13, 1938, Father Kieran was invested with Capuchin habit to begin novitiate, and he professed first vows on July 14, 1939, in Cumberland, MD. Three years later he professed perpetual vows as a Capuchin friar. Fr. Kieran was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1944.  After attaining his graduate degree in chemistry at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, in 1948, Fr. Kieran was assigned to the faculty of St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, PA. He would remain at the seminary in various capacities until 1971. During his twenty-three years on the seminary staff he was at various times a science professor, financial officer, purchasing director, prefect of discipline, director of the Secular Franciscans, confessor, librarian and counselor. His service at the seminary was tireless and invaluable.

 In 1971 Fr. Kieran was elected Vicar Provincial of the Capuchin friars and moved to St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh. He completed two terms as Vicar Provincial in 1977. Following his service as Vicar Provincial, Fr. Kieran was named pastor of Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Charleston, WV. He would remain in Charleston for the rest of his life. In 1981 he was named Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston. He retired seventeen years later in 2002.

Due to failing health, Fr. Kieran was admitted to Valley Center Nursing Home in South Charleston in 2006. His good friend, Sister Fran Kirtley, OSF, was a wonderful support and companion for many years and was especially helpful in the last years of his life.  Fr. Kieran passed away at 4AM on Friday, January 22, 2010, at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston. Visitation and viewing will be held at St. Anthony Church (1000 Sixth Street) in Charleston on Friday, January 29, from 2PM to 8PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony Church on Saturday, January 30, at 10:30AM.  Fr. Kieran’s body will be transported to Pittsburgh for visitation and viewing at St. Augustine Friary (220 37^th Street) on Sunday, January 31, from 2PM to 4:30PM and from 7PM to 8:30PM. A Service of Prayer and Remembering is scheduled for 7:30PM in the friary chapel. Family members, friars and friends will gather in St. Mary Cemetery, Herman, PA, on Monday, February 1, at 10AM for graveside prayers and interment.

Donations in memory and honor of Fr. Kieran may be made to the Capuchin Development Center, 200 37^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201.

January 19, 2010
Brother Manuel on Uruguay Mission

During his after-Christmas vacation, Capuchin Brother Manuel Aviles was invited to participate in a week-long mission in Uruguay by the evangelization ministry of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church, Virginia. Brother Manuel ministers there throughout the year.

 The mission consisted in bringing food, clothing and the Word of God to several towns and villages in the Diocese of Melo where a group of religious woman, Misioneras de Jesús Verbo y Víctima, from Peru serves.  In the towns and villages, Brother Manuel and St. Anthony parishioners visited an orphanage, Hogar Quo Vadis, a house of rehabilitation for drug addicts, Fazenda de la Esperanza, and families who thirst for God’s word and consolation.  Brother Manuel reports that the experience during this trip was a grace-filled moment for his vocation.  It has inspired him to continue to serve the materially poor who have entrusted their lives to God's providential care.  Mat. 25:35
 
The Diocese of Melo is located in the northeast part of Uruguay next to Brazil and is one of the poorest in the country, but it is fortunate to have hosted John Paul II in 1988.  That visit inspired the Academy Award nominated movie The Pope’s Toilet.  Throughout the mission, the American missionaries, including Brother Manuel, were honored with the presence of Bishop Heriberto Bodeant, Bishop of Melo, who personally drove us to the towns and villages and celebrated Mass every day.

Several more photos can be viewed in the Photo Gallery.

January 9, 2010
Brother Stephen Ordained Deacon

Capuchin friar Brother Stephen Fernandes was ordained to the diaconate this morning by Bishop Martin Holley, auxiliary bishop of Washington. Brother Stephen is now authorized to preach, baptize and officiate at weddings, in addition to other responsibilities as a deacon.

The two hour liturgy of ordination took place in the crypt church of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, near Capuchin College in Washington, DC. Several other men from other religious communities were ordained as well.

A good number of friars, all the postulants, Capuchin students from Borromeo Seminary and Cap Corps volunteers were on hand with Brother Stephen's family and friends. Father Jim Menkhus, guardian of Capuchin College, invested Brother Stephen in the dalmatic and stole shortly after the bishop laid hands on Brother Stephen.

The Provincial Minister, Father John Pavlik, was a concelebrant for the ordination liturgy. Other concelelebrants were Fathers Jim Menkhus, John McCloskey, Paul Dressler, Joe Mindling, Tom Weinandy, Dan Mindling, Phil Bernier, Paul Kuppe, and Wolfgang Pisa. Brothers Thomas Choi, Richard Owens, Florian Gabor, Michael Meza and Brian Bradshaw were among the servers for the ordination.

A reception and lunch were held afterward at Capuchin College. About 100 people were served during the festivities.

Brother Stephen will complete his studies at the Washington Theological Union this spring and then be assigned to pastoral ministry in a Capuchin parish. After a full year as a deacon he may be approved for ordiantion to the priesthood.

More photos of Brother Stepen's diaconate ordiantion are in the Photo Gallery.

[Thanks to Brother Urbano Vazquez and Brother Matthew Hindelang for the photos.]