Five Brothers Make Their First Vows as Capuchins
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, our five novices
will make their first profession of vows as Capuchins
at St. Augustine Church, Pittsburgh, PA
in the company of their brother friars, families and friends.
L-R: Philip Paulsen, Sam Roberts, Joseph Liu, Kevin Campos, Tim Rubeling
You can join us below on the livestream.
The Mass of Profession begins at 9:30 a.m.
Cap Corps Alumna Makes Good
When Cap Corps became active in the Province, there was a Cap Corps site in Charleston, WV. While our brother Rich Zelik ministered as Guardian and Pastor at St. Anthony’s there, one of the three volunteers was Bernadette McMasters. She’s now Bernadette McMasters Kime, a wife and a mother of 2 little girls, who works in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston as Director of Worship and Sacraments, Director of the Diocesan Music Commission and Executive Secretary to the Building and Renovation Commission. In addition to those duties, she serves on the Diocese’s Executive Staff.
In recent years, Bernadette consulted Rich for advice in contacting clergy in the area and in the Greensburg Diocese (where Rich ministers for Mass assistance). With his help, Bernadette successfully completed her doctoral work in Instructional Management and Leadership at Robert Morris University (RMU) in Moon Township, west of Pittsburgh, with the acceptance of her completed thesis, Roman Catholic Priests: The Need for Leadership and Management Training.
Robert L. McCreary, OFM Cap., 1933-2023
Our brother Robert L. McCreary, OFM Cap., died at St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He was 89. Born on November 23, 1933 to Thomas and Cecelia (Wehrle) McCreary, he was baptized in his home parish of St. John the Baptist in Monaca, PA. Robert attended public schools until entering St. Vincent Prep High School in Latrobe, PA. He transferred to St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, PA, in 1951.
Robert entered the Capuchin Order in 1953, was given the name Conan, and professed vows on July 14, 1954. He made his perpetual profession in 1957 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1959. He returned to his baptismal name when permitted to do so in 1968, and friars always called him Bob.
Bob earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America in 1961. He pursued theological studies in Christology and Spiritual Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome and was awarded a Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1963.
Br. Tage: Commissioned for Mission
In January, 2023, the friars of our Province gathered for our Christmas Holiday celebration on Thursday, January 5th. Before the festivities began, we gathered in the St. Margaret of Cortona Chapel of our motherhouse in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA, and were blessed to witness and participate in the Mission Commissioning of our brother Tage Danielson.
At our Provincial Chapter in May, 2023, the friars re-affirmed to our important outreach that takes our friars to Puerto Rico and to Papua New Guinea, building up our brotherhood's presence there and helping the friars of these Custodies in their work among the people.
Fingerprints: Making a Far-From-Retired Difference
When there are fingerprints on something, it usually means there was someone involved in creating, changing or developing that thing. That's true, too, with our brother, priest-friar Richard Zelik, OFM Cap. Though a self-described “senior friar” now and “almost semi-retired,” he continues to leave his fingerprints on several different ministries that make for an interesting and challenging week.
On weekday mornings, he celebrates Mass for the School Sisters of Saint Francis at Mount Assisi. Over the past few months, fr. Rich shared the commitment of that daily celebration of Mass with confrere Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., who was also a welcome guest presider for the Sisters. Jonathan recently passed to the Lord, and he is genuinely missed by the Sisters. They expressed their gratitude for the Capuchin Franciscan presence and often take time to chat with us after Mass.
Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., 1944-2023
View the video of our Prayer Vigil & Funeral Mass for our brother
Our brother Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., died from complications related to Parkinsons Disease at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, on Thursday, January 12, 2023. He was 78.
Born to Glen and Bertha (Micek) Williams on March 18, 1944 in Atwood. KS, he was given the name Patrick at his baptism at Sacred Heart Church and attended Sacred Heart Grade School in Atwood before entering St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, KS, administrated and staffed by our Capuchin friars. In 1962, he entered St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, PA.
Francis Yacobi, OFM Cap., 1949-2022
Our brother Francis Yacobi, OFM Cap., died at AGH West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, on Saturday evening, December 31, 2022, following several months of declining health. He was 73.
Francis was born to Xavier Francis and Anne (Petty) Yacobi on May 11, 1949, in South Bend, IN, and was baptized at St. Joseph Church, the family’s parish.
He attended Catholic elementary schools in Indiana and Illinois, graduating from Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, IL, in 1967. Frank earned Business Administration degrees in marketing and management at Northern Illinois University.
Discerning a vocation to Capuchin life and the priesthood, Frank was accepted into the Capuchin formation program and took pre-theology courses at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, OH, from 1983 to 1984.
In 1984 he was invested as a Capuchin novice at St. Conrad Friary, Allison Park, PA. Frank professed temporary vows as a Capuchin friar on July 13, 1985, and perpetual vows on August 2, 1988 with our brothers Michael Greb, OFM Cap., and David Nester, OFM Cap.
Merry Christmas!
We pray that your Christmas be filled with the light and goodness of our God who comes to take on our human nature. Truly, Emmanuel, God-with-us, is the source and goal of our celebrations.
Our Capuchin novices of a few years back prepared this Christmas Video of the "Carol of the Bells," led by their Assistant Novice Director and guitarist, our brother Kip Ledger, OFM Cap. We thought it well-worth a "re-run." May all peace and good be yours throughout this holy season . . .
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Celebrating the Season as we cry out, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Featuring Musicians from our fraternity
at Capuchin College, Washington, DC:
Cello: Cap Corps volunteer Tessie Schonder
Violin: Br. Luke Kim, OFM Cap.
Piano. Br. Bob Herrick, OFM Cap.
Video courtesy of Br. Pablo Lopez, OFM Cap.
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