When the Blessed Come Marching In . . .
Our Capuchin calendar that reminds of of feastdays and solemnities for our Capuchin Franciscan communities throughout the world keeps expanding!
Sadly, the pandemic's resurgence has delayed the Beatification of our brother Capuchin Martyrs of Manresa (Catalonia) scheduled for Saturday, November 14th. Friars Benet of Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Domingo of Sant Pere from Riudebitlles and Josep Oriol from Barcelona were killed in 1936. All of them were members of the community in Manresa, the novitiate of the Catalonian Province in Spain at the time the area of the friary was overrun by Communist forces as part of the fighting in the Spanish Civil War. You can read about their heroic witness here.
Abundant Goodness at Sacred Heart
This month, our Br. Mike Herlihy, OFM Cap., shared photos of an inspiring experience at Washington DC's Shrine of the Sacred Heart where many "have been struggling with food insecurity and poverty as a result of the pandemic. The Church has been making an effort to help relieve some of their struggles." Br. Mike reported that one of friars got a call from the pastor of a local Christian church in the city with a contact who could provide a "huge shipment of food from the USDA." Br. Dave Domanski and Br. Mike came out of the church on a Saturday morning to find 60 volunteers from churches all around DC, hundreds of people waiting in line, three 40ft. tractor trailers and 75,000 lbs. of groceries to be unloaded.
Mike continues: "The volunteers prayed together thanking God for providing for us and then we got to work. Over 1,250 people brought home groceries to their families that day. The food was gone in less than 6 hours. Word spread fast. When we ran out of food, there were still people in line that we had to turn away. This was all after handing out groceries to 400 people in our weekly Friday program the day before. Some of the people when they received their boxes would look up to the sky and thank Jesus."
Br. Bob Marva on the Airwaves
Voices for Change, a podcast hosted by News 5 Cleveland's anchor Danita Harris aired a recent episode from November 22, 2020, highlighting "Voices for Change: Pastoring a Multicultural Church in a Racially-Divided Nation" which asked the question: If more Christians of different racial backgrounds began worshipping together, could racial reconciliation follow? Their discussion of diversity in worship featured our brother Bob Marva, OFM Cap., pastor at St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima in the city, along with Mario Hauser, pastor at Church of the North Coast in Wickliffe.
You can listen to the podcast here, or on their website.
Postulants Hit the Ground Walking
The Postulants are now a complete trio after the arrival of Federico ("Fico") Vizquez (right of Tom in the photo) in September, and the friary is complete with the return of our brother Reynaldo Frias Santana, OFM Cap. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., was there for Fico's reception on Wednesday, September 16, and his companions Pablo Lopez and Raf Altejar (left of Tom) were there to show him around in Philly(below).
Golf Outing 2020: We're all Winners
Thanks to all the sponsors and golfers who supported us at our Capuchin Golf Outing 2020! Over $23,000 was raised for the Fr. Bill Wiethorn Scholarship Fund which benefits our men in formation for our Capuchin life.
There were 88 golfers this year, and the weather was perfect. In spite of all the COVID restrictions in place, those who came to help us out - and to enjoy some golf - reported that they had an enjoyable day. A big thanks goes out to all the volunteers and participants who helped give their time and their energies for us.
Our Development office reports that all our winners will receive their prizes by mail (so here's to hoping that they get there faster than some primary ballots) . . . .
Postulants Begin their Capuchin Journey
On July 16, 2020, our newest Postulants were received into the community at our Padre Pio Friary in Philadelphia, PA, where they will live and work together in this first year of formation in our Capuchin life and work. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., led the initiation and offered words of encouragement and challenge as these men embark on their journey to become Capuchin friars. The men who were completing their year of postulancy and heading for their novitiate year in Santa Ynez, CA, were also present "thanks" to the COVID-19 delay in beginning their year with other novices of the North American/Pacific Capuchin Conference.
Addressing the Virus of Injustice
Our brother Rich Zelik, OFM Cap., led a Prayer Service for Racial Justice on Friday, July 24, 2020. When the Parish of Our Lady of Mt Carmel discussed having a Parish Prayer Service on Racial Justice, Franciscan Sr. Patricia Mahoney, OSF, Associate Director for Pastoral and Social Outreach for the parish suggested that our brother Rich be asked to lead it and offer the homily for the event.
Fr. Rich has a number of family members (immediate and extended) belonging to the Parish in Pittsburgh PA's North Hills consisting of a cluster of churches brought together through the impetus of the Diocese of Pittsburgh with a desire to better serve the local communities. Fr. Rich also has family members who have grown to know racial j
ustice and have “walked the talk” – so to speak – both in the area and in various parts of the USA. Many of them asked if it could be videoed and made available for their viewing, and the Parish obliged.
As our confere reiterates in his presentation: “Institutional racism is just as present as the Covid virus. We don't see the virus, but it's being addressed as an illness. Institutional racism is not always seen, but it's just as present and needs to be addressed as a social illness.”
15 Men Get into the Capuchin Habit
Soon after the celebration of the Profession of vows of our men in Pittsburgh (see the article) on Saturday, July 18th, marking the end of their "novitiate year," a new novitiate year began in Santa Ynez, CA, where the men of the North American & Pacific Conference gathered for their "Investiture:" the day they receive the habit of our brotherhood and begin their 12 months of prayer, work and discernment in comminuty.
Ryan Schmeltzer, Jack Lampton, Connor Bannon, Daniel Sullivan and Josean Castro-Arroyo were there from our Province of St. Augustine.
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