Called to Serve the Brothers of Puerto Rico
The friars of the Custody of Saint John the Baptist in Puerto Rico wrapped up their triennial Chapter of the brothers on Friday, February 14 at Centro Capuchino in San Juan. The friars in each jurisdiction of us Capuchins gather every three years to choose the brothers who will minister the Province or Custody and animate our life in the Gospel.
This year's theme was Wake Up, Integrate, Begin Again and Pass on our Charism. Each day the friars began with a half-hour reflection offered by a Religious Sister or a female Secular Franciscan. The friars made a deliberate decision to invite a woman each day to animate the day’s theme.
In the voting for leadership on Wednesday, February 12, our brother Ramón Negrón Cruz, OFM Cap. (center) was elected Custos. He had previously been appointed to finish the term of José Ángel Torres, OFM Cap., after José's election as Vicar General of the Capuchin Order in 2018. José Antonio Cruz (r) and Luis González (l) were elected, respectively, as the first and second councilors.
Br. José Antonio gave a moving Power Point presentation on the history of our Capuchin presence in Puerto Rico. Our conferes of the St. Augustine Province, who first went to serve the people of Puerto Rico almost 70 years ago, animated the construction of an astonishing number of chapels and schools! The friars still have a huge impact on Puerto Rico's Catholic presence on the island.
Puerto Rico Update from Fr. Tom
As our brothers in Puerto Rico gather for their Chapter from February 10-14, our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., gives us this update about the conditions endured by our friars and of the women and men of the island:
I have had many questions from friars about the damage caused by the recent earthquakes in the southern part of the island. Before coming to the island I had a difficult time getting clear information, not because I could not talk to the friars about the situation, but because assessment of the damages is a matter of perspective.
At this moment I write from Ponce, the area most affected by the earthquakes. The epicenter of the seismic activity is about about a 30 minute drive from our Ponce friary.
And the Winner is . . . Br. Andrew!
Thanks to ABC and the Great American Baking Show for recognizing the goodness and talent of our Brother Andrew Corriente, OFM Cap. We're glad to let a few million other people know what we already did: he's a wonderful brother and -though many have different talents and couldn't bake a cake to save their lives - the Lord's goodness & peace can still shine through by His grace. Congratulations, Andrew!
This past summer, our brother Andrew Corriente, OFM Cap., from our fraternity in Washington, DC, was blessed to compete on a national televised baking competition called The Great American Baking Show. It's based on the popular Netflix series, The Great British Baking Show.
Papua New Guinea Friars Make History
Our Capuchin Franciscan brothers of the Custody of St. Michael the Archangel (Papua New Guinea-Solomon Islands) gathered for their triennial Chapter in the last week of November at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in the city of Mendi of the Southern Highands Province of PNG . The Chapter was definitely one for the history books. The friars gather to discuss our way of life and to elect leadership to serve the brothers for the next three years.
For the first time in its history, the friars elected a Minister (Custos) who was born outside the United States. Modest Sangia, OFM Cap. (right in the photo) from the Capuchin Province of Tanzania, was elected to serve, succeeding our brother Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap. (left) who had completed two terms as Custos. Modest arrived in PNG from Tanzania six years ago, in fact, in order to teach philosophy and theology at the school in Bomana, a great sacrifice for his Tanzanian Province.
Our Brother Tage is Ordained a Priest
When our brother Tage Danielson, OFM Cap., reflected on his vocation story, he once wrote: Having found joy in being with the Capuchin friars, and discerning that I should try out this vocation, I entered postulancy in July 2011 and I never looked back. In August of 2016, I professed my perpetual vows. Now, I look forward to the day when I will be ordained a priest.
The sun was beaming into St. Catherine of Sweden Church in Allison Park, PA, when that day arrived for the ordination on Saturday, September 28th. Bishop David Zubik, Ordinary of the Pittsburgh Diocese, did the honors.
Perpetual Vows for Brs. Steve & Rigo
On August 17th, our brothers Rigo Azanwi, OFM Cap., and Stephen Wright, OFM Cap., made their perpetual vows as Capuchin Franciscans in ceremonies held at our mother-church of St. Augustine's in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, PA.
The friars, having completed their three years of temporary profession, will continue to live at Capuchin College (St. Francis Friary) in Washington, DC. Br. Steve has taken on the assignment of fraternity service and has been spending time training as our Provincial tailor, an indispensible ministry to the friars (you just can't order habits on Amazon!). Br. Rigo was ordained a deacon on Saturday, September 8, in Washington, DC, and will take on his diaconate internship after finishing up his studies.
Borromeo CFP Begins Again
The Academic Year 2019-20 began in earnest on Tuesday, September 2, at John Carroll University in Cleveland. Six young men resumed their classes as they forge another year of studies, prayer and community - all the while discerning the Lord's path for them and their futures. All of them are residents at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, OH, where our Capuchin Formation Program (CFP) allows them the opportunity to live in community and discern their vocations as Capuchin Franciscan friars.
Introducing the Postulants 2019
(back row) Ryan Schmeltzer, Inaky Russo, Sam Hadjis, Jack Lampton, Alex Hostoffer, OFM Cap. (Assistant Director)
(middle row) José Castro-Arroyo, Isaac García, Connor Bannon,
(front) Daniel Sullivan, Tom Betz, OFM Cap. (Provincial Minister) & Kip Ledger, OFM Cap. (Director)
Eight men have begun their journeys of discernment with our Capuchin Franciscan community. In mid-July, they arrived at our Padre Pio Friary, Philadelphia, PA, to take their first steps in our life in prayer, brotherhood and ministry.They'll be taking on ministries in service to those most in need, especially the poor and disadvantaged. All the while, they'll be praying together and learning the skills needed to be part of a family of brothers dedicated to life in the Lord Jesus.
Capuchin Golf Outing 2019 - Our ReCAP
Thanks to the sponsors and golfers who supported us at the annual Capuchin golf outing held on Friday, August 2nd! The event raised over $34,000 for the Fr. Bill Wiethorn Scholarship Fund which benefits our young friars in formation for our Capuchin-Franciscan way of life. There were 105 golfers attending the outing and many others who joined in for lunch and a chance to re-connect and celebrate friendships formed during their years at St. Fidelis Seminary.
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