Giving Thanks for the Lives of Two Friends
In the month of February, our Capuchin Province lost two friends and supporters at the passing of Fr. Jim Chepponis (February 18th) and John Milko (February 19th).
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Fr. Jim ("Chip") Chepponis and his family were members of Lawrenceville's St. Augustine Parish, and Jim graduated from St. Fidelis College where he received his bachelor's degree in music from St. Fidelis College/Slippery Rock University. Mick Joyce, OFM Cap., was a classmate. Jim majored in organ with a minor in voice, but his musical talent was known throughout his younger years. Discerning in Annapolis' St. Conrad Novitiate that the Capuchin life was not his calling, he went on to Theology studies with the Diocese of Pittsburgh. As a priest of the Diocese, his first published composition was his Magnificat, first sung while he was in high school at St. Fidelis when he was asked to write something for an Evening Prayer's New Testament Canticle. He wrote it in a few hours, and it became his first officially published work in 1985 ("Proclaim the greatness of God, rejoice in God my Savior . . ."). Another of his best-known compositions, Festival Alleluia, was commissioned for a 1999 Mass of Pope John Paul II in St. Louis. All three subsequent popes have also had his music at their Masses.
Our Indian brother Theophane's first step to Sainthood . . .
At his audience of February 21, 2026, Pope Leo XIV, accepted and confirmed the decision of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, ordering the publication of the Decreto super virtutibus [Decree on Virtues] for our Capuchin brother, the now Venerable Theophane Koodalloor (1913-1968). Born Michael in the Indian Province of Kerala, Theophane is the first native Capuchin of India to reach this milestone. Our historian confrere Blaine Burkey, OFM Cap., sent this information to fill us all in about his life and work . . .
Jubilee 2026: 8th Centenary of St. Francis' Transitus
This year, 2026, we celebrate the 8th Anniversary of our Holy Father St. Francis' Transitus, his death in this world on October 3, 1226, and his glorification in eternal life in union with the Lord Jesus.
Read the special inssue of our International Newsletter dedicated to our year-long celeration. In it, the the Ministers of the Franciscan Orders which include us, the Capuchins, along with our brothers of the Friars Minor, the Conventuals, the Third Order Regular (TOR), and our our brothers and sisters of the Franciscan Federation & Secular Franciscans.
Eight hundred years ago, Francis of Assisi left this world. But the seed he planted continues to germinate.
In his letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul writes words that seem mysterious: “one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit.” These words were fulfilled in Francis. After welcoming the Spirit of Jesus into himself, to the point of bearing the marks of the Crucified One on his body, he himself became a seed of the Gospel filled with the fruits of eternal life.
This is the precious legacy he left us. A legacy that still speaks to the hearts and minds of our generation today, helping us to believe in the Gospel, “to have the Spirit of the Lord and Its holy activity,” and to become signs of peace.
With this letter, we wish to thank the Lord for the seed of the Gospel that he planted in the Church 800 years ago and which is still alive and fruitful today. Together, we wish to recall some fundamental aspects of this Christian history. These aspects remain a legacy for all those who, following Francis, wish to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus.
In opening our Jubilee celebration, Pope Leo XIV has opened this Holy Year of Grace for our Franciscan communities with the gift of a plenary indulgence in Assisi and in all of our Franciscan churches throughout the world. Read the Letter addressed to our Order here.
Pray the Jubilee Prayer to St. Francis authored by our Holy Father here.
There was one thing . . . Friar Ben Regotti
Our Capuchin brother Ben Regotti played an important role in the life of Seth Williams. Seth was once Philadelphia’s top prosecutor, building a promising political career, but then came a five-year prison sentence. He's now a part-time chaplain and, as he told a reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, "there was one thing that helped him endure isolation: Friar Ben Regotti." The riveting article was published on Monday, February 2nd in the Inquirer. You can read it in its entirety here. What follows are just a few excerpts highlighting Seth's lifesaver and, in many ways, his "life-maker."
'Annie's Home' in Philadelphia is Truly Blessed
On Wednesday, January 21st, Philadelphia's Archbishop Nelson Pérez celebrated a Mass and offered a blessing for Annie’s Home, located on the campus of our Padre Pio Prayer Center in the Frankford neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia, recognizing the ministry’s expanding work with pregnant and parenting women.
With Archbishop Pérez in the photo are our Capuchin brothers Keon Tu, Edgar Pereira, Alex Hostoffer, Orlando Reyes, Joseph Morton, Michael Herlihey and Bill Talentino.
While on site, the archbishop also visited The Cenacle at the Padre Pio Prayer Center, a joint ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia that supports and provides essential resources for pregnant women, new parents, and families. You can read the May article from Catholic Philly about the work of Annie's Home whose existence owes a debt of gratitude for the work of our Capuchin brothers Alex, Edgar and Kevin. Thank you, brothers!
Two Brothers Profess Their Solemn Vows
Congratulations to our confreres Elizah Terua and Sylvester Namuno, pictured here with our Capuchin brother Bishop Don Lippert. They pronounced their final vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in a joyful and Spirit-filled Mass celebrated at Mother of the Divine Shepherd Cathedral, Mendi, on Wednesday, January 25th. Custos of our Custody in Papua New Guines is our brother Neil Blue who received their vows. In notifying the Province of the blessed event, brother Neil writes:
Christmas (and Santa Claus!) Came to Town
'St. Nicholas' showed up for the evening meal at pur motherhouse, St Augustine Friary, in Pittsburgh. He left soon after his arrival, disappointed that, in spite of all the good friars we have there, no one left milk or cookies for him, An unintentional mistake, we promise . . .
Cumberland's Shrine Hosts a Christmas Concert
Not far from New Baltimore, our brother Mark Pattock, OFM Cap., shared with us the photos of the Christmas concert in Cumberland, MD, at the Ss. Peter and Paul Shrine. Our deacon brother Ryan Schmeltzer, OFM Cap. (right), cantored and soloed for Holy Night; Assistant Pastor Mark Carter, OFM Cap. (left), led the participants in prayer and offered a reflection from the Gospel. In the program for the event, their contributions were noted:
Thanks . . . to our cantor, Deacon Ryan Schmeltzer, who has shared his time & beautiful voice with us. . . . Our thanks to Fr. Mark & all the Capuchin Friars for their dedication & support to our community & to the Shrine as they celebrate 150 years of service in Cumberland this year
The Friends of the Shrine of SS Peter & Paul, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit group formed to preserve, protect & maintain our holy, historic & beautiful Catholic Shrine in Cumberland. MD, a place for Saints & Sinners to worship and pray & to feel the presence of the Lord. Built in 1848, the Shrine celebrated 175 years in 2023. Our group is solely responsible for the maintenance & upkeep of the Shrine . . .
MERRY CHRISTMAS & GOD BLESS!
Papua New Guinea Elects its Leadership
At their triennial Chapter, our brothers in the Custody of St. Michael the Archangel, Papua New Guinea, elected the friars who will serve in leadership for the next three years.
Neil Blue, OFM Cap., Custos
Onesmus Wambua, OFM Cap., 1st Councilor
Joseph Chacko, OFM Cap., 2nd Councilor
Al Carver, OFM Cap., 3rd Councilor
Venantius Valuta, OFM Cap.,4th Councilor
In the photo are our brothers (l-r) Venantius Valuta, Provincial Robert Marva,
Al Carver, Custos Neil Blue, Joseph Chacko and Onesmus Wambua.
As prescribed by our Rule of Life and Constitutions, leadership is elected by the gathered Chapter of friars every three years. The Custos is the term for the minister of all the friars of a Custody. This chapter was held the week of November 24th, 2025. The presider of the Chapter was the Provincial Minister of our St. Augustine Province, Robert Marva, OFM Cap.
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