Capuchin Journey. the. Collegio San Lorenzo da Brindisi ROME, ITALY. Celebrating the Newly Ordained World Youth Day. Capuchin Formation Friar in Focus

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1 the VOLUME VI, ISSUE III FALL 2008 Capuchin Journey CAPUCHIN MISSION AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Collegio San Lorenzo da Brindisi ROME, ITALY Celebrating the Newly Ordained World Youth Day Capuchin Formation Friar in Focus

2 Fr. Francis J. Gasparik, OFM Cap. Director Mission & Development Office Dear Friends: In June, Cardinal Sean O Malley, OFM Cap. ordained Samuel Fuller, Arlen Harris and Thomas Franks to the priesthood and ordained Richard Crawley and Marvin Bearis to the diaconate. They ve had a variety of educational experiences and secular careers that give them an established outlook and broaden their perspectives as they face the challenges of modern ministry in today s Church. In addition, each has his own unique reasons for wanting to follow St. Francis as a Capuchin and will bring an optimistic energy to the poor and marginalized that they have joined The Order to serve. Capuchin Formation combines intense academic studies with emphasis on the distinctive lifestyle of a Capuchin friar. Daily adherence to Capuchin charisms creates strong bonds among friars living in fraternity that eases transitions within The Order. Over the years, basic education requisites have not changed, however adjustment processes have been made to accommodate the changes in the backgrounds of men who are answering their calling to a vocation later in life. For example, years ago, young men began living in fraternity while pursuing their bachelor degrees, while today most postulants have already completed their undergraduate studies. Formation for ministry as a Capuchin is a continuous process meant to deepen spirituality and advance effective ministries. Fr. Michael Banks, OFM Cap. highlights the need for the friars to focus on the signs of the times when planning their ministerial service. This is part of ongoing Capuchin education. Successful ministry is the result of practical understanding of and communication with the communities served and recognizing the complicated personal and social dynamics that influence and even sometimes define them. The Pastoral Plan for The Province of St. Mary identifies specific areas where Catholics have drifted away from The Church as a major guiding force in their lives and calls for the development of programs and ministries that will target these areas. Father Michael Connolly, OFM Cap., our Friar in Focus, provides a fine example of how Capuchin education often evolves to best suit particular ministries. His penchant for counseling became evident early in his Formation when he worked at St. Rose's Home for the terminally ill and then later on when he served as Catholic Chaplain in a hospital and prison in Westchester County. He believed he could more effectively counsel by enhancing his academic credentials and returned to college to obtain a Masters in social work. The intellectual insights resulting from his advanced studies further helped when he was called upon to counsel the grieving parishioners at St. Joseph the Worker when they tragically lost their beloved pastor, Fr. Thomas March, OFM Cap. The Province of St. Mary welcomed four of our brothers from the Collegio San Lorenzo da Brindisi, to spend the summer in New York. The Collegio is a residence for Capuchin friars who are pursuing graduate studies in Rome and provides a unique experience for the friars to live in fraternity with their brothers from all over the world. Fr. Flavian Gondos, OFM Cap. is from Romania and is hoping to learn English while residing at St. John s and offering the Mass in Italian at St. Athanasius in Brooklyn. Fr. Rajesh D Souza, OFM Cap. spent his summer on Long Island at the diocesan parish of St. Hugh of Lincoln, where he participated in routine parish ministry. The Province of St. Mary continues to strive to carry out the plan St. Francis designed of service and ministry to the poor. Our generous donors have provided us with the financial means to carry out our mission. We are dedicated to constantly and consistently bringing the love and hope of Christ to those who are often overlooked. We thank God for all of the support of those who share our vision and help us on our way. God Bless the Capuchins and those we serve. And, God Bless those who support us and pray for us. Sincerely, Fr. Francis J. Gasparik, OFM Cap Our Goal The goal of the Capuchin Mission Development Office is to fund the domestic and international mission of the Province of St. Mary. That mission ranges from support of our own members in the Province to assistance to other Capuchin jurisdictions. The Province of St. Mary is in the top ten Capuchin jurisdictions in the world for its generous and professional support to Capuchin foreign missions including the Damietta Initiative, Franciscans International and the Pontifical Council for Justice Peace and Migrants. If you are interested in helping with any of these specific needs, please contact Margaret Cuccinello at (212) ext. 253 or mcuccinello@capuchin.org.

3 features Collegio San Lorenzo da Brindisi Friars studying in Rome have the unique opportunity to reside in the largest and most ethnically diverse Capuchin Fraternity. Capuchin Formation Education is part of the formation process combining academic studies with an intense understanding of the unique Capuchin lifestyle. Celebrating the Newly Ordained On Saturday, June 7th, The Province of St. Mary celebrated the ordination of their newest priests and deacons. Magazine of the Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Mary Editor in Chief Drew O Connor Publisher Fr. Francis J. Gasparik, OFM Cap. Design/Art Direction Sabrina Fondren Forefront Graphics Inc Writer Michelle McConeghy Copy Editor Margaret Cuccinello 22 Provincial Minister s Outgoing Message Fr Michael Banks, OFM Cap. addresses the Friars at the 19th Ordinary Provincial Chapter, at the San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch, NJ. 4 Province Directory 5 Planned Giving 6-7 News Notes 12 World Youth Day in Australia 24 Friar in Focus: Father Michael Connolly 27 Upcoming Pilgrimages Contributing Editor Vilana Bedeau Circulation Director John Martin Capuchin Communications Office John Shento, OFM Cap. Donna Smith Kresel White Plains, New York the Capuchin Journey FALL 2008 VOLUME VI, ISSUE III 2008 Capuchin Mission Association & Development Office Let us know The Capuchin Journey is our way of letting you know how the Province of St. Mary fulfills our mission. You, as part of our community, share this vision of service to those in need and we want you to see how we use the resources you so generously provide to us. We hope the content of the Capuchin Journey will provide an understanding of the work we do and how valuable your contributions are to our success. Please feel free to write us with your comments and suggestions. Thank you! Serving New York/New England and the mission areas of Central America, Japan, Africa, India and the Pacific 210 West 31st Street New York, NY

4 Province Mission Province Directory The needs of the poor and the demands of justice shape our every ministerial endeavor. We attempt to promote the equality of all people within our fraternity, in the churches dedicated to the gospel of Christ and in the larger world. Capuchin friars minister in a wide variety of settings. Service to people of a variety of cultures in North America and around the globe have allowed us to witness God at work in countless ways. Here in the Northeast United States, the Province of St. Mary serves through any number of institutions dedicated to the service of real human needs and the proclamation of God s love. Urban, suburban and rural; poor, blue collar and middle class; Latino, Asian and Englishspeaking the friars can be found living amid all of these diverse circumstances. Capuchin Charisms: FRATERNITY of the friars joins them in their common goals and taps into their unique talents to most efficiently operate their own community as well as the communities they serve. MINORITY has enabled them to walk with the people they serve and be accepted as one of their own. CONTEMPLATION requires they set aside time to reflect upon the progress and direction of their mission and to listen for God s guidance in their mission. MINISTRY has led the Capuchins to appeal to and often allay the hunger, despair and loneliness of those among whom Christ would have walked. JUSTICE, PEACE AND ECOLOGY are uniquely Capuchin because an essential part of the mission of St. Francis was to strive for all of God s creation to live in peace and harmony. PROVINCE OFFICE DIRECTORY St. Joachim Friary Capuchin Franciscans 61 Leonard Street Beacon, NY Phone: St. Lawrence Friary 180 Sargent Avenue Beacon, NY Phone: St. Michael Friary 225 Jerome Street Brooklyn, NY Phone: St. Joseph The Worker Friary & Parish 510 Narragansett Avenue East Patchogue, NY Phone: Capuchin Youth & Family Ministry 781 Route 9D P O Box 192 Garrison, NY Phone: St. Fidelis Friary 7790 County Road 153 Interlaken, NY Phone: San Lorenzo Friary 15 Montebello Road Jamaica Plain, MA Phone: Our Lady of Sorrows St. Anne/St. Augustin Friary & Parish 231 Merrimack Street Manchester, NH Phone: St. Pius X Friary and Parish 310 Westfield Street Middletown, CT Phone: Capuchin Vocation Office 34 S. Chestnut Street New Paltz, NY Phone: St. Joseph Friary & Parish 34 South Chestnut Street New Paltz, NY Phone: Capuchin Mission Association & Development Office 210 West 31 Street New York, NY Phone: St Joseph the Worker Good Shepherd Friary & Parish 608 Isham Street New York, NY Phone: Our Lady of Sorrows Friary & Parish 213 Stanton Street New York, NY Phone: St. John Friary and Parish 210 West 31 Street New York, NY Phone: St. Joseph Friary & Parish 673 Stevens Avenue Portland, ME Phone: St. Benedict The Moor Friary 41 Harold Street Roxbury, MA Phone: St. Peter Friary & Parish 134 Convent Ave. Rutland, VT Phone: St. Conrad Friary 30 Gedney Park Drive White Plains, NY Phone: Sacred Heart Friary and Parish 110 Shonnard Place Yonkers, NY Phone: St. Clare Friary 110 Shonnard Place Yonkers, NY Phone: STAR OF THE SEA VICE PROVINCE St. Fidelis Friary 135 Chalan Kapuchino Agana Heights, Guam Phone: CUSTODY OF JAPAN St. Francis Friary and Parish 1 Aza Oroku Naha City, Okinawa Japan Phone: Saitama Capuchin Residence Suehiro Kumagaya City, Saitama Japan Phone: CENTRAL AMERICA GENERAL VICE PROVINCE OF NUESTRA SENORA DE LA ESPERANZA (GUATEMALA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS) Franciscanos Capuchinos Friary and Parish San Jose Honduras, Central America Phone: Curia Viceprovincial Friary and Parish Fraternidad El Calvario Chiquimula, Guatemala Central America Phone: St Fidelis Friary in Guam 4 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

5 The To-Do Checklist Are you a checklist person? I am. I make checklists to help me organize my day. Last year for Christmas, my sister gave me the book, A Thousand Places to See Before You Die what an awesome checklist that book is! In fact, my sister often jokes that I have a checklist to check off tasks on my checklist! Okay, so maybe I am a bit of a Type-A personality. Well, I have a checklist for you. Very often, I hear from donors that they don t have a will and then they give me a list of reasons why not. I don t have the time. I don t like lawyers. It s a waste of money. I don t like thinking about death. I don t have anything to give. My family will know what to do when the time comes. I m spending it all now (my mom s favorite!) If you do not have a will, please consider making one. Whether your estate is large or modest, a well-written will prepared by a qualified professional is worth the cost. If you don t know where to start, give me a call. I would be happy to send you a Personal Financial Affairs Booklet that will help you organize and ease the steps necessary to put your estate plan in order. If you do have a will Congratulations! Periodically, it s a good idea to run through a little checklist to make sure your will keeps up with your life s circumstances. If and when you do update your will or maybe prepare one for the first time I hope you will consider adding a bequest to the Province of St. Mary. We have excellent brochures that provide information on wills and basic estate planning. They are yours free for the asking. By Margaret A. Cuccinello And, yes. I have a will. I am leaving all my checklists to my sister! Is my will up-to-date? This is an important question because many people have a will tucked away someplace, a will that is so outdated as to be practically useless. In fact, an out-of-date will can actually cause more problems for your loved ones than not having a will at all. Tax laws change and the size and extent of your assets may have changed as well. Updating your will allows you to take advantage of recent tax developments and new techniques in estate planning. Does my will represent my wishes? Your family situation may have changed over the years so that you no longer have dependents at home. Perhaps your estate has grown beyond your earlier estimates. Maybe you ve changed your mind about some of your bequests. The more time that passes and the more changes that occur in your life, the more you should consider bringing your will up to speed. Is my will valid? Have you moved to a different state since creating your will? The laws may differ and your will may be invalid. Or maybe you prepared your own will and missed something of vital importance, like proper signatures. Considering the importance of your will, it makes good sense to have a reputable estateplanning attorney review your current will or even draft you a new one. Is my will safely stored? Where do you keep the original copy of your will? Is it safely tucked away in a fireproof home safe? Or is it in a file folder someplace or even in an old shoebox under the bed? This is a precious document and should be either in a bank safety deposit box or some other place where it is protected from fire and thievery. Does my representative know? After selecting a safe place to store your will, be sure to tell your personal representative where to find it. Imagine the frustration and added grief by being unable to fulfill your wishes in settling your estate. Besides informing your representative about your will (and maybe even giving him or her an access key or combination), you might also, along with the will, provide a list of accounts, assets and funeral instructions. The Capuchin Journey Fall

6 Capuchins Assume Pastoral Duties of Our Lady of Lourdes On August 6th, the pastoral duties at Our Lady of Lourdes were taken over by the Capuchins. The new pastor, Fr Brendan Buckley, OFM Cap. took a very low profile to the event out of respect for the former pastor, Fr Charles Bourque. Fr Charlie retired after 29 years of service and was well loved and respected in this ethnically diverse community, so the day was bitter sweet for many of the faithful. Pastoral duties include both the financial responsibilities of running a church as well as the spiritual needs of the community. Fr Brendan has the trusted business minded services of Br Joseph Yakimovich, OFM Cap. and the multi lingual pastoral services of Fr Zachary Grant, OFM Cap. Together, they are all very excited and energized to be given this opportunity. Our Lady of Lourdes Church Back-to School Picnic A happy mom and daughter open the bag of school supplies provided at the picnic. As the summer months come to an end and most of our vacation memories begin to fade, The Capuchin Food Pantries respond to the needy by creating a day full of new memories in celebration of summer and the beginning of a new school year. Every child enjoys the freedom that summertime offers. But with children at home during these months, and not benefiting from school breakfast and lunch programs, families of The Capuchin Food Pantries feel an increased demand on their food and nutritional needs. This often means that by the end of summer parents cannot afford the many items returning to school requires. Back-to-School Picnics are held each August by The Capuchin Food Pantries to help parents stretch their resources by presenting children with gift bags filled with school supplies at the close of a relaxing day of good food and company. Popular picnic spots provide peaceful settings for a fun filled day when families come together to enjoy a wonderful catered barbeque lunch. Adults and children participate in playing games, visiting old friends and just enjoying the beautiful sunny day together. Back-to-School Picnics are one small way The Capuchin Food Pantries continue to treat our clients with dignity, while encouraging them to look forward with hope. Giving the Gift of Hope Thousands of people die each year waiting for organ transplants that never happen. In August 2000, Pope John Paul II praised organ donations in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae, in which he suggested that a culture of life could be nurtured by donating organs, performed in an ethically acceptable manner, with a view to offering a chance of health and even life itself to the sick who sometimes have no other hope. Fr Patrick Sullivan, OFM Cap. made the decision to donate his kidney to a stranger in My decision was influenced by some great role models he says. St. Francis gave everything he had to the poor. Jesus said, Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40) As an alumni member, this past July, Fr Patrick attended the US Transplant Games in Pittsburgh. This event gathers 1400 athletes who had received organ transplants, 159 living donors and hundreds of donor families who gave permission for the transplantation of their loved ones organs after death. Fr Pat shared his experience while grabbing a burger at a local McDonalds, I noticed a middle-aged couple sitting at a table wearing the "Team Northern California" Transplant Games shirts. As I had my "Team N.Y.-N.J." shirt on I joined them and we swapped stories. Their son Joe had been a California cop, killed on duty. They gave permission for his healthy organs to be transplanted. Later they met the young man who had received Joe's heart. They embraced, and the young man allowed them to press their heads against his chest so that they could hear their son's heart still beating, now giving life to another young husband and father. Many friars have signed their permissions to allow usable organs and tissues to be transplanted after death. Others may still be thinking about it. Stories like these certainly invite us to realize how much a difference our gift of life could make to others who are waiting. If you are interested, please visit Participation at the games shows how Fr Pat remains active with only one kidney. 6 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

7 The Gospel Calls us to Serve In mid July, members of the Capuchin Youth & Family Ministry (CYFM) community traveled to Harlan, Kentucky on their Capuchin Appalachian Mission. As Tom Brinkmann, Director of CYFM explains when asked, Why?, Because the Gospel calls us to serve. And serve they do. For the past 16 years, the CYFM community has gone on a mission to rural Appalachia. The child poverty rate within this part of our country is 1 in 2 as opposed to 1 in 10 for the United States in general. The CYFM community organizes three ministries while in Appalachia. They offer Members of CYFM s Appalachian Mission put a new roof on the home of a woman raising her three grandchildren. The materials were purchased with funds donated by CYFM s Companions in Service. a Vacation Bible School free of charge to about 50 children of the area; they repair homes for many of the poor and elderly who live in substandard housing; and they deliver donated clothes and children s books gathered from their home base, in Garrison, New York. One Harlan resident, Sandra, was returning home when she saw two vans in her driveway. Upon learning that these were members of CYFM outreach ministry offering clothes, Sandra broke down and began to cry. She explained that her two daughters were going back to school in September and she didn t know what she would do for back-to-school clothes for them. Sandra gave a tour of her home and explained how she helps her own neighbors by wrapping and delivering gifts at Christmas. Tom explains, There is a dual purpose for the trip. The obvious reason is to help our poor brothers and sisters in this economically impoverished area. The other is the evangelization of the participants from the CYFM. Through the Capuchin Appalachian Mission the Gospel comes to life in a new way. Participants understand that service is an essential part of the Christian life and begin to find other ways to be of service in their lives. After leaving Sandra s home, the CYFM members had a sense of being a part of neighbors helping neighbors get through some hard times. Women of Valor Awards Tea Mann Publications hosted the Capuchin Food Pantries Sixth Annual Women of Valor Awards Tea which was held at the Waldorf-Astoria. Ten extraordinary women were honored for their outstanding works in the community and contributions to those less fortunate throughout New York City. All proceeds benefited the Capuchin Food Pantries, which serves over 4,000 needy families each week throughout New York City. Leslie Thompson of Vornado, was the Guest of Honor. The Keynote Speaker and Honorary Chair was Dana Tyler of WCBS-TV, Erika Craven of Bowne & Co. along with Monica Larsen Wetherell of Ted Moudis Associates, both received the Humanitarian Award for their outstanding services to the community. The Clarisa Award recipients were: Donna Barbaro of New York Presbyterian, Patricia Begley of Lehman Brothers, Frances LoMonaco of WPP Group USA, Colleen Moran of Newsweek, Frances Pionegro of Liz Claiborne, and Sloane Rhulen of CB Richard Ellis. Family Barbeque Food and fellowship go hand in hand every summer as families enjoy an old fashioned barbeque. Generations gather together and celebrate long-standing summer traditions with each other. Providing food is the basis for The Capuchin Food Pantries, but when our volunteers step in, even a simple meal becomes a memorable event for the needy. The Capuchin Food Pantries unloaded a chuck wagon full of good eats for a fun filled Family Barbeque for over 500 of our clients. This old-fashioned family meal was not affected by the weather, as it is held in the comforts of the Affinia Just a few of more than 3 dozen volunteers eager to lend a helping hand at our Family Barbeque. Manhattan Hotel. C & C Sales, ICC, Lane Office Furniture, Linear Technologies and Joe Candella sponsored the complete traditional barbeque menu. Everything from hotdogs and hamburgers, to baked beans, corn, and potato salad, as well as tasty cookies served by cheerful volunteers wearing cowboy hats and bandannas. Country Western music completed the barbeque theme for the day. All the children and adults received a special gift to remember the day. The Capuchin Food Pantries proudly hosted this twist on a summer barbeque, and everyone had an afternoon of good food and lots of laughter. NEWS NOTES The Capuchin Journey Fall

8 Collegio San Lorenzo da Brindisi ROME, ITALY The international Collegio of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, founded in 1908, was originally headquartered in Via Sicilia in central Rome. In 1968 the college relocated to the Grande Raccordo Anulare, the Roman beltway. The college is actually the largest Capuchin fraternity, welcoming Capuchin Friars who come to Rome for graduate studies at the various ecclesiastical universities located there. With over 150 friars (students, core fraternity, professors and other personnel), from 33 different countries, it is also the most multicultural fraternity in the entire Order. Capuchin Friars share a very unique way of life, shaped by a deep devotion to living in accordance with the Capuchin charisms. The Collegio affords Capuchins the opportunity to meet and live in fraternity with their brothers from all over the world. Their Capuchin vocation unites them in their diversity transcending cultural differences, and creating a peaceful personal and communal harmony that few outside of the Order can really understand. The Collegio s importance to the Capuchin Order is undeniable. It aims to enrich and pass on the Capuchin Franciscan culture and to foster the formation of future generations of friars in the best possible ways. The Capuchin friar-students savor the opportunity to concentrate on a diverse array of theological and philosophical fields, preparing to pass on the Capuchin legacy in their own Capuchin provinces. The College is also the headquarters of the Historical Institute of the Order, the Franciscan Museum, the Central Library of the Capuchin Order and the General Archives. In July of 1926, Minister General Melchiorre of Benisa officially announced the purchase of the Sperelli building in Assisi, to house a group of scholars to work on studies related to the Order. It was called the College of Assisi (in Italian, college indicates a place where people who study reside; it does not mean that courses are taught there from the word for coming together.) The College was comprised of a library and the Franciscan Museum and it published a scientific periodical. Eventually, to facilitate the use of archives and libraries of Rome, the College relocated to Rome and changed its name from the College of Assisi to the Capuchin Historical Institute. Today, the Institute researches and chronicles the cultural and spiritual histories as well as the ministries of the Franciscans with a focus on the Capuchin Order. 8 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

9 < This mosaic, found in the foyer of the Collegio, is called Christ the Teacher. The artist was inspired by the line: The friars ought not carry many books so that they may read the most excellent book of the Cross more assiduously. Jesus is standing on an aqueduct which signifies Rome. He is holding the Scriptures which read One is your Teacher in one hand and the Cross in His other. The earliest Constitutions of the Capuchins, written in 1536, remind that they should study and learn, but always remember that the main point of learning is coming to know Jesus Christ. The friars on the right have dropped their books and are gazing at Christ who is holding His cross. Mary is above them as protector and intercessor. On the left is St. Lawrence of Brindisi, with the phrase St. Lawrence, enlighten us. An early leader, he was called the only Capuchin Doctor of the Church" because he aided the Church through his teaching and prolific writing. Below him is a representation of the Collegio. The foundation for the Franciscan Museum is credited to Br. Louis-Antoine of Porrentruy. He collected a great deal of historical material for a volume on St. Francis that was published in Much of the material he collected, however, was not used. While continuing his research, he organized all of the material he d collected and established The Franciscan Museum. It was located above the choir loft of the friary in Marseilles and was opened for viewing in In just a year, the amount of material collected by the museum required expansion and in 1896, a third large room was opened. In 1927, the Franciscan Museum was transferred to the Historical Institute in Assisi and from then on was aligned with the Historical institute. Though the museum contains many objects of great artistic and historical value and it documents Franciscan art and culture through the centuries, its primary focus is on illustrating the history of the Franciscan Order and includes the various Families and reforms within the Order including the Capuchins. The Capuchin Central Library preserves printed material, particularly publications concerning the Order. The Library has over 120,000 books and documents catalogued. The library specializes in Franciscan studies and related subjects such as medieval and modern history and the life, apostolate and spirituality of the Capuchin Order. It is the largest Franciscan library in Italy. The General Archives represent the historical memory of the Order from the 16th century to the present. The Archives have various collections including Parchments, registers, and documents relating to the administration and government of the Order, etc. Individual Provinces and missions of the Order often have their own archives with a wide array of historical material about their own growth and legislation and about individual friars, houses, institutions and social and charitable apostolates. The General Archives, however, contain material that dates back to before many individual Provinces were formally organized. Workshops sponsored by the Central Library allow archivists and librarians throughout the Order to network and to standardize cataloging practices. The statue of St. Lawrence of Brindisi holding his preaching Cross is seen as you enter the grounds. To the left is the Capuchin Museum/Historical Institute, the center building is the entrance to the Collegio and the bell tower overlooks it all. continued on page 10 The Capuchin Journey Fall

10 Collegio San Lorenzo da Brindisi Journeying Together Fr Agapit J. Mroso, OFM Cap. November 2007 The International College of St. Lawrence of Brindisi speaks eloquently of the one and the many, of unity in diversity. Think of the 146 friars from 33 different nations. Together we share the daily life and activity of the College. Think of the cultural and linguistic diversity which we encounter everyday. All these are grace-filled dimensions of our family life for which we thank the good Lord. At the same time, we ask him to continue to enlighten us so that we may actually benefit from these characteristics of our fraternity so that the cross-cultural gift we bring to the Order will be fulfilled in our generation as it has been done so fruitfully in those who have gone before us. As we take up our studies, our stay in the College fraternity is a unique opportunity for us to meet and respond to the multifaceted character of our international brotherhood today. This is, in fact, the main purpose of our College. Not only will our studies broaden our perspectives, but our life together as brothers will open our horizons as well. We offer one another a challenging variety of cultures, values, attitudes and sensibilities which we would otherwise never have known. Welcoming this diversity with generosity and openness in a spirit of mutual service as brothers this is an indispensable lesson in serving the human family after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi. The College has been serving our International brotherhood for nearly one hundred years since its foundation in 1908 and its canonical erection on February 5, 1909, and it will continue to do so for many years to come. Wherever you go, you will come across a brother who remembers his good old days here in Rome, or who asks Where is brother so and so? and What is brother so and so doing now? referring to someone he met at the College during his stay. Our College has been very successful in forging links among the brothers, relationships that have lasted beyond the years of study. Fr Agapit J. Mroso, the 22nd Rector of the International College This is a legacy that the College offers us and which we would like to share with future Franciscan generations. We pray that as the College forges into the future, its international character will not only be strengthened, but become an ever more conspicuous and tangible sign of real Gospel brotherhood made possible. Friar students who are assigned to the International College choose one of the Roman Pontifical Faculties in order to obtain the ecclesiastical graduate degrees of the Sacred Theology License (STL) (two years beyond a Masters ) or the Sacred Theology Doctorate (STD). The majority of the friars take two to three years to complete their degree work. The primary objective of their extensive study is to then teach other friars when they return to their home Provinces. During the summers of their studies in Rome, the friars often pursue other language studies or work in other Provinces where they further have the opportunity to broaden their experiences of Capuchin life. In Rome, Fr. Rajesh D Souza is enrolled at the Salesian University working toward a License in Social Communications. The first time he met Capuchin Friars from a Province other than his own in India was when he began his studies at the Collegio and he loves being with other Capuchins Fr. Rajesh D Souza, OFM Cap. and sharing fraternity and community prayer with them. He knows that his time and experiences at St. Lawrence will enrich his life as a Capuchin and his future ministries. Fr. Rajesh spent the summer in Huntington on Long Island at St. Hugh of Lincoln, a diocesan parish. He participated in parish ministry and, although the costs of his lodging and studies are covered by the Order, during the summer, he hoped to earn money to cover the costs he ll have when he returns to Rome such as the numerous books he needs for his studies and for an upgraded computer, a necessity nowadays. Several of Fr. Rajesh s family members are Capuchin Friars, including two cousins, so he was familiar with the Order when he joined right after college. He was drawn to the Order because he sought a simple holy life where he would be ready to serve at all times. He believes that the brotherhood ( fraternity ) a Capuchin friar finds within a Capuchin community anywhere, will enable him to answer God s call at any time, regardless of where his calling leads him. The diversified fraternity at the Collegio has reinforced his belief that the Capuchin charism unites the friars in a common effort to bring the world to the Gospel, regardless of national or social differences. 10 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

11 Fr. Flavian Gondos, from Romania, is studying biblical theology at the Gregorian University in Rome. He very recently arrived in the United States and spent the summer at St. John s Capuchin parish in New York City before returning to Rome in the fall. Since lectures at the Universities are in Italian, students who don t know the language take an Italian language course for their first five months in Italy. Depending upon the course material, text books are found in an array of languages Italian, French, German, Spanish and English. Although Fr. Flavian speaks Italian very well and lectures don t present a challenge, he hopes to learn English while he resides at St. John s so that English-language sources will be easier to explore. In addition to his language work, Fr. Flavian will be offering the Mass in Italian at St. Athanasius in Fr. Flavian Gondos, OFM Cap. Brooklyn while he is here and performing other routine parish ministries. Fr. Flavian believes God presented him with a great gift of so many and new brothers through the Capuchin Order. He believes he is following the calling of Christ who instructed his apostles to leave their mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers to be with Him in His community of disciples and he quotes St. Francis saying, The Lord gave me brothers. He has traveled extensively and, he is grateful to have been part of a global experience of Capuchin fraternity. His stay at the Collegio, however, is still a unique experience in its breadth and diversity. The Collegio of St. Lawrence has housed literally thousands of friars in its 100 year history. Any International Commission, from the Order s work in Formation to its Commissions of Solidarity or of Justice, Peace, Ecology and the Respect for Creation, profits from former students who are able to come together and speak a common language an International network of brotherhood. Their experiences have borne fruit in all levels of the Capuchin Order from leadership and administration to formation work with new friars. A huge fountain with a dual-cross at the entrance to the Collegio is meant to signify the two natures in the one Lord Jesus Human and Divine. By His crucifixion, Christ embraced humanity and brought divine life to its heart. A fountain runs throughout the crosses as a symbol of abundant life. Overall, the dual cross and fountain represents the one Center of their lives: Jesus Christ, whose life and power flows from his Cross to every part of the world through the life and work of the Collegio. In the holy words of this holy lesson grant that I may love you as much as I know you, since I do not want to know you except in order to love you, Lord God, my creator. Amen. (Prayer of the Student, Capuchin Constitutions 1536) The Capuchin Journey Fall

12 World Youth Day Sydney, Australia BY BR SALVATORE CORDARO, OFM CAP. As Capuchin Franciscans, we are called to live an evangelical life, one that is directed toward the renewal and strengthening of the Church and of human society. We offer humble service to our brothers and sisters and, at the same time, we empower them to obtain the security and dignity that they deserve and are so often denied. To prepare us for this work, we need to be formed into persons whose lives are defined by the Gospel and are imbued with the spirit of St. Francis. Our education in the initial stages of formation is meant to mature and deepen our Christian faith and to instill a Franciscan view of life. Whether a friar in post-novitiate formation will become a priest or remain a lay brother, each one needs to be trained in the role he will fulfill as minister to his brothers and the people he will serve. In addition to our formal education, we also need to keep abreast of what is happening in the world and to read the signs of the times: to discern what God is saying to us and to be witnesses of our belief that God is acting through human history and through the cultures of all peoples. This is not to say that everything in our contemporary culture is to be accepted unconditionally. There are things in our society that are harmful and life-denying and so need to be challenged. For example, our young people are bombarded with messages of consumerism and individualism that can destroy society from within. They result in a lack of empathy for the other and a hardening of heart towards the needs of others the evils of war and racism and other types of social injustice are evidence of that. 12 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

13 (l-r) Br Andrew Nowak, OFM Cap, Br Sal Cordaro, OFM Cap and Br John Koelle, OFM Cap during their walk to Randwick Racecourse in Australia, where the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI would celebrate Mass on Sunday morning. However, there is hope. Pope Benedict XVI at the last World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, spoke to the hundreds of thousands of young (and older) people assembled there about the need to transform the world by our witnessing to the Holy Spirit alive in us. The friars in formation were privileged to attend the celebration in Sydney, and while the style of worship was not always to our taste, it was inspiring to see young people with a true desire to live their faith and to spread the Good News to every one they met. They are not afraid to be a witness to their faith, as many adults seem to be. We adults are often hampered in our evangelization by fear of rejection or misunderstanding, embarrassment, etc. These young people are energized by their experience of the Church and want others to know what they themselves have encountered. While we were in Australia, we also took part in an annual event called Reuniting for Renewal. This is a chance for all the friars in post-novitiate formation to get together and share our experiences in our respective provinces. Friars from all over North America were there, as well as our Australian brothers, and those from Guam, Papua New Guinea and Puerto Rico. Old friendships are rekindled and new ones are formed, and we share what we have learned in our ministries, our educational experiences and our life in community. Our fraternity, our relationship as brothers, is strengthened by our common experience of growing in our identity as Capuchin Franciscans and learning a new way of being in the world. Although our experience in Boston is very different from that of our brothers in Papua New Guinea, both are experiences that will bring some of the hope that this world desperately needs and will contribute to the growth and development of our Church and of our society. The Capuchin Journey Fall

14 AUTUMN 2008 CAPUCHIN JOURNEYS PILGRIMAGES St Francis of Assisi Weekend Getaway, Washington DC October 3, 4, 5, 2008 Celebrate the Poor Man of Assisi on his feast day, while enjoying our Catholic American heritage in our Nation s Capitol. HIGHLIGHTS: Franciscan Monastery, John Paul II Cultural Center, National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, day and night tours of DC Cost per person double occupancy $ Secular Franciscan Pilgrimage Italy October 12-20, 2008 Join Fr. Matthias Wesnofske, OFM Cap, Provincial Spiritual Assistant as he leads us in the footsteps of St Francis and the Secular Franciscan Order. HIGHLIGHTS: Rome, Vatican City, Assisi, Greccio (shrine of the first Christmas crib) & Viterbo (shrines of St. Rose & St. Crispin) Cost per person double occupancy $2, St Jude & Basilica of the Assumption Day of Recollection October 26, 2008 The Saint of Hopeless Cases draws us to his Shrine in Downtown Baltimore to join in the prayers and devotions of the millions of his devotees. HIGHLIGHTS: Votive Mass of Holy Apostle Jude, Thaddeus, Tour of the Nation s first Catholic Diocese with exposition of Blessed Sacrament Cost per person double occupancy $89.00 Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine & Sight and Sound Theater November 7, 8, 9, 2008 The Shrine of Jasna Gora, the Patron of Poland calls us to reflect on Our Lady s greatness and helps to prepare us for the upcoming Advent and Christmas Holy seasons. HIGHLIGHTS: The Miracle of Christmas Play, Tour of Lancaster, Jasna Gora Chapel Cost per person double occupancy $ Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament & EWTN Studios New Date: November 10-13, 2008 The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, located at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama, is truly an amazing and awe-inspiring place. Located on 400 acres of lush farmland southeast of Cullman, the medieval-style monastery and the Shrine itself are a wonder one could hardly expect to experience outside of Old World Europe, much less to find in the rural southeastern United States. Home to the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration, a cloistered Franciscan Order, the monastery was built by Mother Angelica, founder of the Eternal Word Television Network. The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, located in the monastery s Upper Church, is described by the Order as a Temple consecrated to Almighty God, open to people of all faiths. A unique opportunity for spiritual renewal awaits those who make a Eucharistic pilgrimage to the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. At EWTN pilgrims can join the audience of an EWTN live show, attend the televised Mass or a spiritual talk. Through adoration, the Shrine leads the soul to contemplate the Face of Christ. The Nuns invite those seeking spiritual renewal to come and join them in prayer. Cost per person double occupancy $1, Our Mother of Perpetual Help December 6th through 13th, 2008 Join Fr. Francis Gasparik, OFM Cap. as he leads a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rome Italy (Home of the Original Miraculous Image) A week of Prayer in preparation for Christmas and the Celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI at the Piazza di Spagna Cost p/p Double occupancy $2, (does not include air taxes) Carmine Marotta is the Director of our pilgrimage program. For more information on any of these pilgrimages, please call/ Carmine at (212) ext. 268, cmarotta@capuchin.org. Check his blog at 12 Days of Pilgrimage In the Footsteps of St Paul Greece & Turkey March 24-April 4, 2009 Including a 4-night cruise of the Greek Islands Pope Benedict XVI announced that the Church has dedicated a special Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009, for the occasion of the 2000th anniversary of his birth, which historians place between 7 and 10 AD. This pilgrimage promises many graces as we steep ourselves in ancient civilizations celebrate the life of the holy apostle St. Paul and worship at the very home of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ephesus, please join this journey of faith and heritage HIGHLIGHTS: Athens, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Philippi, Ephesus, Rhodes, Santorini, Crete, Corinth Please call Capuchin Journeys Travel Agent for this trip (201)

15 Pilgrim s Scrapbook A Reflection by our Pilgrimage Director, Carmine Marotta From the lowest point on the earth to the top of a mountain, that s how I will always remember my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land, from floating on the Dead Sea to ascending Mt. Tabor. Escorting twenty pilgrims to the land of our faith heritage in and of itself is an awesome task, let alone it being my first time there, so the fear of the unexpected coupled with the excitement of seeing places that I have read and prayed about in Holy Scripture. The mechanics of the trip was perfectly executed, the travel agency we used and the local tour company were of the highest standards, and I am sure that because of their excellence it was possible for all of us to really insure a truly spiritual journey. I can go on about how great the hotels were, the expertise of the tour guides, the abundant and delicious food, the efficiency of the travel, etc. but what I really would like to express to all of you was the feeling in my heart in this pilgrimage. Carmen & Eugene renewing their marriage vows at the shrine of Cana Fr. Bill Scanlon SJ, our Spiritual Director was wonderful; he brought the Gospel message in his liturgies even more alive, being in the places where the Gospel was formed. My fellow pilgrims faith witness made me feel more like one of the early followers of Christ, in the land where they originally walked. Living kosher in the hotels brought me to understand how the Holy Family would have kept custom and allowed me an even better understanding of Jesus the Jew. I would like to share four insights on this journey that have brought me to a totally different understanding of the Gospels. The first was our visit to the City of David, Bethlehem. In the Gospel the word city is very misleading, village is more like the reality, but with the current Israeli and Palestinian conflict, our trip to the site was under armed guard. There were check points on both sides, passports, fully armed guards in outpost towers, all the trappings that makes one nervous and there it is just like Joseph and Mary had to feel that night of her bringing forth her son, our Lord and Savior. Group shot of pilgrims from the Mt. of Olives will look like Joseph, but more dirty, and the wise men will have men with weapons looking after them. I must add I am grateful my tinsel and gold Christmas is changed forever. The next experience I would like to share was the simple boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, which is really a lake. To be able to do what Jesus had done on the very same body of water that has not changed, to be able to feel the ripples of the water as Jesus would have felt, to see the same shore line, to be with my fellow pilgrims not many more then the amount of the disciples, all on the same boat, made me feel like I was chosen to follow Him who commanded the seas. The Gospel stories were brought to present day and time. The third was praying at the Temple Mount and Western Wall, hearing the Hebrew Prayers and seeing the devotion of all those praying to God, in the very same spot where Jesus prayed, Jesus taught, Jesus cleansed and where Jesus cried. How lovely is your dwelling place oh Lord God of Hosts. Tour guide Moshi with Emeline and local Bedouin and his camel on the road to the dead sea The traditional site of the cave of the Nativity within the oldest Christian house of worship was beautiful. But seeing the dark complexions of the local populace, the poverty of the town, its stores all boarded up, bullet holes marking the closed uninhabited homes, stray hungry dogs roaming the alleys, has forever changed my tinsel and gold Christmas feelings and have taught me that the wonderful salvation brought to us all in the incarnation of Jesus, was anything but tinsel and gold. My little Christmas Manger with the sweet Virgin, the restful Joseph, happy shepherds and well dressed wise men bearing gifts, is probably very far from the truth. I now look at the Holy Mother with a dark complexion as a woman who looks at her child with love and worry. Joseph will look tired with his skin aged from the sun, the shepherds Descending Mt. Tabor looking at the Sea of Galilee My last witness I would like to share was Mass in the Franciscan Chapel of the Last Supper. It was a very moving and uplifting liturgy. The chapel is nestled in a lush garden with olive and lemon tress, rose bushes in full bloom with birds singing, The intimate setting of the chapel along with the ancient prayers of the church and the real presence of Jesus body and blood among us made the Gospel so alive in me that words fall short. There are so many more experiences, from the Way of the Cross, the cave of the Annunciation, Mt. Tabor, the Dead Sea excursion, visiting a kibbutz, but space does not allow me. As the Pilgrimage director, it is my hope in the future to bring this trip yearly or at the least, every other year. I d like to end with a request of all of you: please pray for the peace of Jerusalem. And maybe we can all one day say, as our Jewish brothers and sisters say each year at Passover, next year in Jerusalem.

16 Capuchin Formation Education has always been a fundamental requisite for the life of a friar and the enhancement of his knowledge never ends. Capuchin education is much more than pragmatic intellectualism, it is actually a formation process to provide a philosophical and spiritual understanding of their unique lifestyle and how it is designed to reflect Capuchin Charisms. Many years ago, young men entered the Order shortly after high school and received their undergraduate and post graduate degrees in conjunction with their formation into the distinctive life of a Capuchin. They had not yet accumulated assets or embarked upon any other career path. Often the young men were captivated by the altruistic ambitions of priests they knew as youngsters and young adults that left them with a deep desire to dedicate their own lives to charitable endeavors and helping others. When they entered the Order as postulants, they had few material things to give up and many had not had lucrative careers. When they entered the Order, the choice of a religious life was not unusual for young adult Catholics and secular and materialistic deterrents were not as distracting as they are today. Over the past several decades, religious vocations have diminished significantly in the U.S., but the Capuchins continue to attract, profess and ordain a stellar group of friars that represent the new generation of followers of St. Francis. Some had prosperous careers and mature relationships before entering the Order. Many experienced the thrill of professional success and prosperity. Yet, despite their temporal comforts, they are drawn to the Capuchins, knowing it means shedding all materialistic amenities and giving up a life of personal gratification and independent control for a life of fraternity and obedience. More important than anything, however, most have reflected upon God s will for their lives long before they become postulants and are attracted to the distinctive life of Capuchin Charisms after a great deal of consideration and reflection. The men entering the Capuchin postulancy today are older than their predecessors; however, the basic path they follow towards becoming a Capuchin Friar mirrors the course of those who studied before them. They first experience being among other potential candidates and Capuchin friars during Discernment Weekends. Then, they live in St. Michael s Friary in Brooklyn for their postulancy. Their novitiate year precedes living in the Formation House in Boston while studying at Boston College and other area colleges. Because of their diverse education, professional and social backgrounds, the number of years it takes for any individual candidate to complete these years of study varies. The Office of Vocation Ministries sponsors Discernment Weekends. These are times when men who feel they have a religious calling (and it is St. Francis beckoning them to the Capuchins) gather to share their thoughts, experience Capuchin fraternity and pray together. 16 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

17 Prior to their attendance, Br. Tim Jones, OFM Cap. visits these men to discuss their personal aspirations and intentions and to evaluate whether the upcoming Discernment Weekend would be suitable. The Discernment Weekend attendees, for the most part, have sought and maintained a close mentoring relationship with a Capuchin friar so have some idea of what the weekend will be like. Some are inspired by the weekends to aggressively pursue their vocation, some leave wanting to reevaluate their ability to live as a Capuchin and others leave spiritually inspired but realizing that God is not calling them to the religious life of a Capuchin. On occasion, during a Discernment Weekend, the candidates can witness the diaconate and priesthood ordinations or the First Professions and Solemn Professions of vows of the friars. Computers for parish school in Old Managua City, Nicaragua For impoverished populations throughout the world, education is often the key to empowerment. International Capuchin ministries include a focus on increasing the levels of education in poor communities, starting with school age children. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Province of St. Mary s to support education initiatives for some of their most rural and poverty stricken missions. During this time, before entering the postulancy, candidates go through a thorough and comprehensive series of personal interviews and psychological evaluations that provide indications as to whether their joining the Order would be a mutually agreeable fit. Many vocation directors believe today s intense psychological scrutiny of candidates for religious life is needed because of the dramatic life transistion that takes place when mature candidates leave their secular lives behind for a life of simplicity and service. The structured formation process for Capuchin candidates begins at St. Michael s Friary in Brooklyn, NY where they live in the Friary and assist with parish and community ministry as postulants. The formation of postulants focuses on the life of a Capuchin and their ministry. In the morning, they attend classes and participate in workshops focused upon religious life and on contemplative prayer. In the afternoon, they learn about and participate in Capuchin ministry to the poor. Some help in schools and others participate in youth programs or visit the sick and homebound. Some serve in Neighbors Together which is one of the Capuchin Food Pantries. Overall, it is a time when the postulants actually experience fraternity and hands-on Capuchin ministry. It is the first time they live in a Friary with professed Capuchin Franciscans. Most friars look back fondly upon their year as a postulant for it was their experiences as postulants that encouraged them to continue on the path towards ordination. The Province has built a computer lab in Managua, Nicaragua to help poor children learn about computers. The lab is located in a Catholic parish school and the children are from the Cristo del Rosario Barria. The Capuchin Missions have donated the funds for 12 computers, enabling over 400 grade and high school students to develop useful computer skills that open up opportunities for them to further their educational and professional futures. Father Aurelian O Dowd, a native of The Bronx, is the pastor and principal of the school. After completing their work at St. Michaels, the candidates gather in Victoria, Kansas for the pre-novitiate program. There, for two months, they live with other novices from around the United States, Canada and Australia to gain a deeper understanding of prayer and fraternity. They participate in local community projects which serves as further introduction to Capuchin ministry. After completing the pre-novitiate program, they are invested with the Capuchin habit and proceed to the novitiate. continued on page 18 The Capuchin Journey Fall

18 Capuchin Formation Currently, most candidates in the Province of St. Mary s spend their time as novices in Allison Park, Pennsylvania. The emphasis during the novitiate is on inner spiritual growth. During the novitiate, the candidates pray, study and minister in preparation for their first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They participate in workshops with other religious groups and live with brothers from Friaries in the United States, Canada, Guam and Australia. The novitiate is a serious transition period for many of the men. It is during this time that the Novice chooses whether to pursue his life in the Capuchin Franciscan Order as a brother or a priest. It is at the end of the Novitiate that the candidate takes temporary first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Following the novitiate, candidates in the Province of St. Mary proceed to the Formation Houses in Jamaica Plain, Boston where they live while studying theology at Boston College. They participate in more widespread ministries including schools, prisons and hospitals. During their summers they often participate in community ministries that cross cultural lines. Some help friars in Honduras or Guatemala. The post-novitiate is a time for learning the skills needed to live a Capuchin life while serving the church and God s people. For some, their post-novitiate lasts three years and for others it can last up to six years. Those in temporary vows renew simple vows each year as they move closer to Solemn Perpetual Profession. Through changing times, The Capuchins are staunchly dedicated to maintaining the lifestyle dictated by the Capuchin Constitutions. Though years ago Friaries housed many more friars than they do today, the Friar communities average 3 to 7 brothers living together in fraternity. The Jamaica Plain houses 21 friars. They pray together several times a day and share their meals together. They don t have personal possessions but all things are owned in common. Important life events are celebrated together. Special individual talents are identified and used for the betterment of the community. Though the profile of a typical candidate for the Capuchin Order has changed over the years, the Capuchin mission has not. Therefore, their intentions as they enter the Order remain the same. In the past, idealistic young men who wanted to serve others entered the Capuchin Order and matured within a Capuchin community that enabled them to fulfill their altruistic goals. Today s candidates had perhaps always had a pull towards religious service but explored many venues before recognizing their true callings. However, regardless of the backgrounds of those who have dedicated their lives to the vision of St. Francis and who will in the future, all share the same deep desire to serve the marginalized and give a voice to those who would otherwise suffer in silence. They wish to answer God s call to minister to the poor while living in prayerful and spiritual fraternity. Discernment Weekends provide men that feel they may have a calling to share their thoughts, experience Capuchin fraternity and pray together. 18 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

19 Cardinal Sean O'Malley OFM Cap. officiates the ordinations at the Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers Celebrating the Newly Ordained On Saturday, June 7th, The Province of St. Mary celebrated the ordination of their newest priests and deacons. The new friars represent a group of men with very diverse backgrounds who were drawn to the Capuchins for different reasons and with very personal hopes for their futures. However, this unique group of men find a commonality in their desire to make the Capuchin Charisms the foundation of their religious lives as followers of St. Francis. The life of a Capuchin is defined by the Capuchin Charisms, Fraternity, Minority, Contemplation, Ministry, and Justice, Peace and Ecology. Each presents an opportunity to experience and embrace God s love in a different way and together they form what St. Francis envisioned as the living spirituality needed to spread God s love to others. Fr Samuel Fuller Father Samuel Fuller, OFM Cap. was born in New Canaan, CT. He attended Brown University, received his BA in philosophy in 1980 and afterwards attended Central Maine Technical College to study civil engineering. He began studying for the religious life in 2000 when he entered the Capuchin Franciscan postulancy, and resided at St. Michael s Friary in Brooklyn. Fr. Sam was drawn to the Capuchins because of the Order s emphasis on contemplative prayer and spirituality. St. Francis was overwhelmed by the purity and extent of God s love, and he believed an understanding of its magnificence requires serious and intellectual meditation and prayer without distraction. St. Francis often retreated to isolated caves to silently and very personally pray and listen to The Lord. In today s hectic world, Fr. Sam saw the peace, and sanctity of contemplative prayer as the Capuchin Charism that most supports his journey as a follower of St. Francis. continued on page 20 The Capuchin Journey Fall

20 Celebrating the Newly Ordained Father Arlen Harris, OFM Cap. grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from the State College at New Paltz in 1998 with a degree in journalism. He was an associate editor of The Tablet, the Catholic newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn, before entering the Capuchin community. In the year 2000 he began his postulancy at St. Michael s Friary in Brooklyn. Fr Arlen Harris Although he d always had a genuine devotion to God, it was in his third year in college that he first seriously considered a vocation. He d thought about a career in politics or journalism; however, when he stopped and examined what he really wanted to do with his life, it became so clear, he wanted to help people. He wanted to be able to bring comfort and help to those most in need. At the same time, he wanted to grow closer to God and fully appreciate what God had in store for him. The Capuchins were calling him. The Capuchin Charism of Ministry is what stands out for Fr. Arlen and he could see himself working as a missionary overseas as well as working with the poor here in the United States. Over the years of his preparation for ordination, he has had the opportunity to do both. During his postulancy at St. Michael s, he worked with the kindergarten children and still smiles when he recalls their lively innocence. During the summer of 2004 he worked at Casa de Maria in Honduras, founded by Fr. Bruce Quinn, OFM Cap. Casa de Maria is a clinic and home for small children. He helped feed the children and would often hold and play with them. He recalls helping one child learn to walk. Fr. Arlen cites his work at St. John the Baptist Church in New York City as one of his most formative experiences. He was at St. John the Baptist during the summers of 2005 and There, he helped at the Food Pantry as well as manning the front desk. The front desk, Fr. Arlen remembers, proved most challenging. So many people with so many different needs came to St. John s for help and they first encounter the staff and volunteers stationed at the front desk. It was there that he understood he was taking part in one of the oldest forms of Capuchin service to the poor that of Porter. A friar serving as porter is the first to greet those seeking Capuchin ministry. The needs of the people could be as simple as a request to purchase a Mass card or a request for a priest to hear a confession. A visitor may be lonely or sad and stop by the front desk just to talk. The ministry of Porter has a long tradition in our Capuchin Order, Fr. Arlen explains, and he mentions Fr. Solanus Casey as a most notable example. Working in the food pantry and at the front desk helped him understand that a little bit of kindness, mixed with the right amount of firmness when necessary and nurtured with a whole lot of patience can go a long way and is what it takes to be a good friar. Brother Richard Crawley, OFM Cap. grew up in the Bronx, New York as the youngest of four boys. His mother died when he was very young, so he was raised by his father and older brothers. He began his year long postulancy at St. Lawrence Friary in Beacon and earned an Associate Degree from Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY. As a student/ friar with the post-novitiate community of St. Veronica in South Orange, NJ, he earned a Bachelor s Degree with a major in Religious Studies from Seton Hall University. He then pursued a graduate degree in pastoral counseling from Boston College. Br. Richard began his studies for the priesthood in September of He explains his entry into the Capuchin Order as, I see my own vocation as a future priest doing what I have always desired to do: proclaim the Kingdom in word, worship and sacrament. Following the example of St. Francis, I would like to be humble and gentle in my manner and service. Br Richard Crawley A lifestyle of Fraternity is what stood out as the Capuchin Charism that first attracted Br. Richard to the Order. He notes that growing up in a household of men made him understand the unique bonds that hold members of a living community together and taught him to understand the responsibilities and comfort of fraternity. 20 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

21 A deep desire to serve The Lord is how Br. Richard describes what he wants to do with his life as a Capuchin. Unlike some Capuchins who perceive their calling as pointing toward missionary in third world countries or in poor urban in America, he sees his future as directing him to wherever he is most needed. He has served in campus ministry and as a hospital Chaplain, neither one of which he had initially thought would be his calling. He explains God is God and I am a creature to serve God where needed. Fr Thomas Franks Father Thomas Franks, OFM Cap. was born in Middletown, CT. He attended Dartmouth College and then Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT. He received his BA with highest honors from Fordham University in New York City. In 1997 he began the Capuchin Franciscan postulancy program and lived at St. Michael s Friary in Brooklyn. He completed his novitiate in 1999 and then lived in Good Shepherd Friary in Toronto while participating in the Interprovincial Year of the Integration program. He later received his BA with highest honors from Fordham University in New York. Fr. Tom attended Xavier High School in Middletown, CT where he was taught by religious brothers and became acquainted with the unique lifestyles and service objectives that distinguished one Order from another. Ultimately, Fr. Tom found his place was with the Capuchins. Like Fr. Richard, he was drawn to the significant focus on Fraternity. He saw the value in the closeness and connections that form among the friars and he understood how these relationships among the friars themselves enabled them to carry out their ministries more effectively. on the people and community they served and began to see himself serving people in the same way. Brother Marvin Bearis, OFM Cap. was born in Honolulu, HI and grew up in the Capuchin parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. In 2000 he began his postulancy while he studied for his undergraduate degree at the University of Hawaii. After obtaining his BA, he resided at St. Fidelis Friary in Agana Heights, Guam to continue his studies. During his time in Guam, Br. Marvin ministered as a pastoral visitor at St. Dominic Senior Care Home and was a youth Br Marvin Bearis minister in the Agana Heights and Sinajana parishes. He returned to Hawaii in 2001 and ministered as a volunteer with Catholic Charities. During his novitiate year, Br. Marvin lived at St. Felix Friary, Mt. Calvary, WI. There, he ministered to the sick and dying at a local hospice. Br. Marvin sums up his vocation when he explains, I m always thankful to God for my vocation as a Capuchin Franciscan, enjoying my life as a religious, ministering to God s people, and just doing my very best to live out the charism of St. Francis. While Fr. Tom knows that his ministry as a Capuchin can go in any direction God has planned for him and it is his ultimate wish to follow God s plan, he sees himself as a parish priest. He will always remember the Capuchins in his neighborhood where he grew up and from an early age he grew to admire the work they did. As he grew older, he understood the extent of their influence The Capuchin Journey Fall

22 Fr. Michael Banks Report of the Minister Provincial Chapter 2008 Against the beautiful, tranquil, backdrop of The St. Alphonsus Retreat House in New Jersey, The Friars of the Province of St. Mary s gathered to meet, greet, and laugh. Many had not seen one another in years and other newer brothers were experiencing their fraternity as a large congregation for the first time. Televisions were turned to Pope Benedict XVI s New York visit. As the Friars arrived in throughout the day, many paused to watch the Concert of Hope that preceded The Mass. It was exhilarating to see so many from the The week of meetings and planning that lay ahead would be supported by the unique spirituality and fraternity that has always defined the Capuchins in their ministries. Fr Michael Banks, OFM Cap. began his presentation by commenting that the Task Force preceding his tenure had been disappointed in that they had not satisfactorily achieved the results they had sought. Pastoral planning for the Province of St. Mary that adequately adapts to changing circumstances had not been accomplished and more study was recommended. However, Fr Michael indicated, time had run out for research and review and tangible action was overdue. Fr Michael believed enough groundwork had been laid to enable the new leadership to work with the dioceses of the province to make plans and decisions necessary to instill changes that would culminate into holy and effective ministries. He acknowledged that not all resolutions would be popular, but that hopefully their practicality and logic would eventually be understood when positive results became evident. younger generations, those so often chastised for their indifference, rejoice and marvel and celebrate the presence of a Man of God. It was a wonderful welcoming precedent for the work that lay ahead for The Friars. For, after the meeting and greeting and smiles, there was serious work to be done for the rest of their stay. Their focus would be what Pope Benedict XVI talked about in his homily that day. It is the fulfillment of The Concert of Hope. In devising the formal Pastoral Plan, the composers considered first, and foremost, the undeniable reality that the Catholic Church had...become virtually irrelevant to a great number of the present generation of young adults and youth. Little or no attention is paid to the church s teachings on the sanctity of life, sexuality, the centrality of the Eucharist in our lives, the values of simplicity and humility, the dangers of materialism and idolatry of the ego or respect for the dignity of each person regardless of their place in society. 22 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

23 Accepted vulgarity in the media and the absence of children and young adults at Sunday Mass is indicative of the dangerous downward spiral of social and spiritual mores. Fr Michael acknowledged the inadequacy of a meaningful Catholic education in the home as well religious institutions responsible for teaching the importance of making the Word of God and the message it brings a real and most important and essential part of the life of a Catholic. The Pastoral Plan, Fr Michael reminded the friars, should be dictated by their Constitution which calls for focus on the signs of the times when planning ministerial service. Attention must be paid to needs of the people of the time and it can only be done by figuring out how God s Divine plan can flourish in dynamic and changing times. Fr Michael cited Section 147.3: When taking on new forms of the apostolate, let the brothers show special care to those people who are deprived of ordinary pastoral care... the young during decisive moments of their Christian life, laborers, those burdened with financial pressures or those harassed by hostility or racial prejudice. The Capuchins are further fulfilling their Pastoral Plan by ministering to Hispanic day laborers in Brookhaven, Long Island. Brother Tom McNamara, OFM Cap. has promoted the provinces preaching ministry to the day laborers and the Pastoral Plan envisions similar initiatives, that tie in closely with the Capuchin charism, reaching far into the future. So many other Capuchin programs have been successfully sustained or launched over the past several years. The province of St. Mary has been blessed with the generosity of donors that enable it to assist Capuchins that fall outside their formal boundaries. St. Mary s is able to assist Franciscans International by helping them finance their offices in New York and the printing and publication of the newsletter they distribute worldwide twice a year. The Capuchin Franciscan Leadership Council which consists of friars and lay business leaders was successfully formed as a result of the Pastoral Plan and has provided valuable assistance with ministries in Africa and Boston. Fr Michael knows as he leaves his position as Minister Provincial that there is a long road ahead, but he is confident that he has secured some cornerstones and cobble stones on the path St. Francis designed and which the Capuchins navigate every day. The Capuchins know they can be instrumental in fulfilling the modern mission of the Catholic Church. The Capuchins will continue to minister to those who St. Francis sought out. They will work towards fulfillment of Hope, the hope Pope Benedict XVI spoke about when he visited New York and the hope the children danced for while clasping their symbolic doves. How can we minister to the most people in varied ways? FR. MICHAEL In January 2006, a Pastoral Plan was presented to the province and in retrospect, Fr Michael reports that the majority of what was presented was accepted and implemented and he described several of these successes. The Capuchins wanted to have a more parochial presence throughout the province. They wanted to be among the people. The Archdiocese in NY was undergoing intense review for considerable reorganization. Our Lady Queen of Angels (OLQA) and John the Baptist Church fell under the radar for possible closure but the Archdiocese assured the Capuchins that they would have a parish in Manhattan. Ultimately OLQA was closed, John the Baptist Church remains open and the Capuchins now minister in Good Shepherd in upper Manhattan. Sean Cardinal O Malley, OFM Cap. expressed interest in the Capuchins administrating a parish in Boston. The Capuchins made it clear they wanted to minister to the poor and working class in a Hispanic parish. Cardinal O Malley presented the Capuchins with Our Lady of Lourdes parish which is across the street from San Lorenzo Friary, the formation Friary in Jamaica Plain. The Bishop of Portland, Maine asked the Capuchins to explore opportunities for a ministry in Maine that would coordinate with the diocese s reorganization plans. The objective was to place three parishes (including St. Joseph s) under one administration. Although these plans did not fit into the Capuchin ministry structure, the Friars will remain in St. Joseph s until 2010 and an earnest and affable relationship between the Bishop of Portland and the Province of St. Mary s was cemented and will allow for future dialogue. The newly installed bishop of Burlington, Vermont inquired about the possibility of a Capuchin presence in his diocese in September of He understood the distinctive spirituality and mission of the Capuchins and wanted to bring it to his own ministry. The dioceses had only a few aging priests and was in urgent need of religious to serve its Catholic population effectively. The Capuchin charisms that call for the friars to minister to those most in need directed the decision to accept two small parishes, St. Peter in Rutland and the Church of St. Dominic. The Capuchin Journey Fall

24 Fr. Michael remembers his parish priest walking the streets of his neighborhood and gathering enough children together to have two teams for a ball game. He remembers how kind the priest was and how thrilled the children were to follow him to the park or school yard for an afternoon of fun and games. He grew up at a time when a priest was a revered role model and the children who scampered after their priest wanted to be just like him some day. FRIAR IN FOCUS: Father Michael Connolly OFM Cap. During his formative years, Fr. Michael recalls the church was a welcoming, safe and loving support structure. He fondly remembers the Sisters of St. Joseph who the children always knew would give them food if they were hungry and how the church was a refuge for those going through difficult times at home. The church, the priests and the sisters were very important in the lives of so many children when Fr. Michael was young, and he believes the overall culture of the church at that time is what enabled many children to survive. It was a church they loved and that they knew loved them and from as far back as he can remember, he yearned to make his wonderful church his home. Fr. Michael always wanted to be a priest. Like the priests and sisters of his childhood, he wanted to help others and make a difference in their lives. He wanted to be part of the church that provided the physical structure as well as the While still studying for the priesthood, Br. Michael returns to his home parish, Gate of Heaven Church, to celebrate his sister s graduation from High School. Fr. Michael s first mass with his mother and father. 24 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

25 spiritual ambiance that facilitated its ministries among those who needed help and solace. He ll never forget how comforting and special the simple unassuming kindness of the priests and nuns of his childhood meant to a sad or lonely child or to a teenager who had thought that no one really cared. While he was growing up in South Boston, Fr. Michael was an altar boy. He served Mass for the Carmelite Sisters who cared for the elderly. He remembers being intrigued by the plain cloistered life they led while serving their fragile patients so tenderly. At that time, most of the priests he knew were diocesan priests who lived rather independently. The Carmelites, he observed, were somewhat secluded from outside influences and lived as a close peaceful community of kinship and prayer. Capuchin ordination class of Left-right: Fr. Michael Morrissey, Fr. Thomas Houle, Fr. Michael Sevingy, Fr. Paul Steffen, Fr. John Gallagher, His Eminence, Terence Cardinal Cooke, Fr. Michel Dalton, Fr. John Pokaz, Fr. Thomas March, Fr. Stephen Ambrecht and Fr. Michael Connelly When Fr. Michael graduated from high school, he cut out three articles about different orders from a magazine on religious vocations, and he wrote a note to each. The Dominicans responded to him promptly but he opened their letter too late to participate in their next vocation weekend. As far as the Augustinians went, they always wanted to meet with him when he was working. A Capuchin Friar, on the other hand, showed up one day at the drug store where he was working. Shortly thereafter, he began his higher education living in fraternity with almost 50 other friars. Fr. Michael as Spiritual Director with St. Joseph the Worker Parish and other youth of Long Island at a weekend DDA retreat. Rose s Home would prove to be invaluable to his future ministries, for it helped prepare him for administering The Sacrament of The Sick which he would someday be doing as a priest. Before his summers at St. Rose s, he d had little personal exposure to death and he used his time there to learn to maintain his composure and resolve during those difficult times. Fr. Michael s first assignment was as a parish priest at St. Joseph the Worker in East Patchogue, New York, where he ministered for six years. Over the years, Fr. Michael has had a diversified ministry, as a social worker and a substance abuse counselor. He worked as the Catholic Chaplin on a campus of social service institutions in Westchester County after he left St. Joseph. There he served hospital, psychiatric and nursing home patients, as well as prison and jail inmates. He did substance abuse counseling and used the skills he d learned at St. Rose as an aide to tend to the hospital and nursing home patients. His ministry in Westchester County was Fr. Michael s favorite. He recalls always feeling grateful when he reposed at the end of the day. He was grateful that he himself was not suffering in the physical, emotional, and spiritual way that those he served were. And, he was grateful that God had given him the chance to comfort them and make While some men enter the Capuchin Order with a penchant towards a particular ministry, Fr. Michael didn t anticipate where his calling would take him. He only wanted to serve where God led him. He worked with special needs children while in college and during the summer, he worked at St. Rose s Home in New York City, a home for the terminally ill. Although his work as a nurses aide at St. St Joseph s Annual Fair always had a line to dunk a friar......and fund raising can be a wet experience! continued on page 26 The Capuchin Journey Fall

26 Friar in Focus: Fr. Michael Connolly Senior Friars of St Clare on a day foliage trip to Bear Mtn. Left-Right: Fr. Raymond Hand, OFM Cap.; Fr. Gabriel Massarro, OFM Cap.; Fr. Michael; Fr. Oliver O Connor, OFM Cap.; Fr. Owen Shelly, OFM Cap.; Fr. Charles Repole, OFM Cap. a difference in their lives. It was the opportunity he had yearned for in his youth when he saw the priests and sisters in his church helping others and wanted to be just like them. During this time, Fr. Michael felt he could sharpen his skills. He obtained a Masters in Social Work, and became a credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor. In 1988, the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker, Thomas March, OFM Cap. suffered a massive heart attack and died suddenly while celebrating his Golden Jubilee with his parishioners. The parish was grieving over the death of their beloved priest and because of his familiarity with the parish and its parishioners, as well as his recent schooling as a social worker, Fr. Michael was asked to return as pastor to help the sorrowful community deal with its sudden loss. Fr. Michael has worked with Br. Tim Jones, OFM Cap. on the Discernment Weekends. The Discernment Weekends are for men who think they may have a calling to the religious life and are discerning if Capuchin life is for them. While he wanted to be a priest from as far back as he can remember, Fr. Michael notes the men discerning a religious life now range from 23 to 40 years old with a variety of different backgrounds. Hands-on nursing experience at St Rose s prepares for future hospital ministry. There are six Discernment Weekends a year and each has a different theme. Fr. Michael tries to create a pleasing and relevant physical environment for them. He often decorates the community rooms and Chapel with flowers and religious symbols that contribute to the peace and solemnity of community prayer and coincide with the theme of the weekend. The Capuchin charism of Justice, Peace and Ecology calls for an optimistic perception of the world as one community in harmony with animals, plants and people, all working together to appreciate and praise the beauty, the love and the gifts of God. Fr. Michael, by his contributions to the Discernment Weekends, tries to create some semblance of the garden that is so often symbolic of St. Francis s love of nature and all of God s creations even the most simple of them. St. Clare s is a friary for senior Capuchin friars. Many of the friars live independently, while others have assisted living and convalescent care. Some of the friars maintain ministries in nearby parishes. St. Clare s enables older friars to continue to live in fraternity with their brothers which wouldn t be possible if they resided in secular retirement communities. Fr. Michael s ministry is to care for the friars at St. Clare s. He was asked to come because of his pastoral care experience in social work. He loves the work he is doing. Most often the senior friars have known each other for decades. Occasionally, friars who have ministered in severely impoverished foreign nations Fr. Michael with nurse Pat Donlon anoints patient in the Emergency Room at Westchester Medical. for decades find it difficult to adjust to life in the States. Some who have debilitating sicknesses or injuries are frustrated with the loss of their personal independence. The amount of support they get from their brothers, however, eventually eases their anxieties and discomforts and the overall atmosphere at St. Clare s, while always prayerful and spiritual is often jovial. Fr. Michael provides a willing and appreciative audience for their reminiscent stories and is so grateful for his ministry. Fr. Michael is the simple priest he wanted to be since he was a young child. He acknowledges that it hasn t always been easy and he has had to overcome some personal challenges, but every day he is what the little boy from South Boston wanted to be when he grew up. 26 The Capuchin Journey Fall 2008

27 Our Mother of Perpetual Help Join Fr. Francis Gasparik, OFM Cap. as he leads a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rome Italy (Home of the Original Miraculous Image) A week of Prayer in preparation for Christmas and the Celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI at the Piazza di Spagna December 6th through 13th, 2008 Cost p/p Double occupancy $ 2,249.00* (*does not include air taxes) Call Capuchin Journeys ext. 268 for brochure, details & reservations. In the Footsteps of St Paul 12 Days of Pilgrimage in Greece & Turkey March 24-April 4, 2009 Including a 4-night cruise of the Greek Islands ATHENS, THESSALONIKI, KAVALA, PHILIPPI, EPHESUS, RHODES, SANTORINI, CRETE, CORINTH Pope Benedict XVI announced that the Church has dedicated a special Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009, for the occasion of the 2000th anniversary of his birth, which historians place between 7 and 10 AD. This pilgrimage promises many graces as we steep ourselves in ancient civilizations celebrate the life of the holy apostle St. Paul and worship at the very home of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ephesus, please join this journey of faith and heritage Please call Capuchin Journeys Travel Agent for this trip (201)

28 210 West 31st Street New York, NY NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE PERMIT No. 454 Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries Events: September 13 Using Storytelling To Share Biblical Stories October 9-12 Girl s DDA Weekend 208 November Boy s DDA Weekend 209 Contact Tom Brinkmann, Executive Director, CYFM (845) for information Capuchin Food Pantries Events: November 6 Doodle for Hunger Tavern on the Green, NYC November 15 Thanksgiving with Disney TBD December 13 Holiday Party Affinia Hotel, NYC Contact Joe Sano, Managing Director Capuchin Food Pantries (212) Province Dates: October 6 Capuchin Alumni Reception October 7 The CFLC Meeting November 1 Donor Reception