Deceased Friars
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.
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.
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.
Br. Akolla Ordained to the Priesthood
Our Akolla Etuge, OFM Cap., was ordained a priest in our Provincial celebration held on June 15, 2019. Cardinal Sean O'Malley, OFMCap., now the Cardinal Archbishop of Boston was on hand as the ordaining prelate. St. Catherine of Sweden Church in Allison Park, PA, hosted the even since our own motherhouse church, St. Augustine's in Pittsburgh, PA, is undergoing the construction of our additions to the current friary.
A choir of singers and musicians animated the Mass and Ordination Ritual. They traveled from the parishes of Holy Spirit and St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima in Cleveland, OH, where Br. Akolla served as deacon and will now serve as parochial assistant.
Postulants Gather to Make the Move
The NAPCC (North America Pacific Capuchin Conference) Postulancy Program is an 8-week experience of living Capuchin life... not just as a member of one's own Province... but also as a member of the larger Capuchin Order. The NAPCC Postulancy Program provides this year’s Postulants with a unique and challenging experience of what it would be like for them to be living closely with one another, in this particular fraternity, while developing the foundations of a deeper and richer spiritual life. It's especially helpful to those Postulants who, in their own Provinces, have not had the opportunity to discern their Capuchin vocation within the context of a strong, fraternal community with their peers.
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