"I vow to live the Gospel"
Our brothers Stephen Cantwell and Anthony Rivera (along side our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap.) have now, officially, added "OFM Cap." to their names. On Saturday, July 18th, the two men professed their vows to "follow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" in the footprints of St. Francis of Assisi. They spent the past year as "novices:" they received the habit and spent time in work, discernment, formation and prayer. Br. Steve and Br. Tony will now move on to our friary in Washington, DC, to join the other brothers in initial formation. Their "post-novitiate" is a time of more focused study while living in fraternity to prepare for ministry in the Church.
Two Friars Profess our Capuchin Life in Puerto Riclo
Our Custody of St. John the Baptist in Puerto Rico celebrated the temporary profession of vows of our brothers Christian Vázquez and Ian Cedric Vidaillet. For the first time in many years, the day of their Profession celebration coincided with our own celebration Stateside. The celebration took place
Instruments of Peace in the Midst . . .
Our country is in turmoil. In Minneapolis a police officer strangled George Floyd, an African American man, to death. The video is chilling. The killer police officer has been arrested and charged with murder.
The first Africans were brought to what is now the United States in 1619. Of course, they did not come seeking opportunity as did the many immigrants who came from Europe and Asia. They came as slaves. They were used and abused, tortured and dehumanized. Even after the slaves were freed, prejudice against black people did not stop. Our nation has a perverse history when it comes to our black citizens.
Racism is blasphemy against God who created all men and women in his image. To deny anyone equality is an offense against the image of God which is in each person. God’s image is not less imprinted on black human beings. Before God, all are equal.
Friar Students Spread & Go Viral
Our brother Alex Hostoffer, OFM Cap. is leading our postulants during a "Quarantine period" at our mountain retreat of Alverno in Salisbury, PA. They're joined by brother Brian Stacy, OFM Cap,, staff member of our College Formation Program in Wickliffe, OH. The College program has been in "virtual existence" until the end of the semester this week.
The postulants began their own voluntary quarantine on Sunday, April 26, and will stay until Sunday, May 10. The reason for the forced separation, Br. Alex explained, was not from any contagion they've suffered. "We would like to send the postulants home for vacation on May 10th." Because of their work among the women and men of Philadelphia through their ministries, they want to make sure that none of them become sick in this transitional period so as not to endanger family or friends.
See the rest of their story & new ventures for our friar students
Vernon Busch, OFM Cap., 1934-2020
Our brother Vernon Busch, OFM Cap., passed to eternal life in the Lord on the morning of Saturday, April 18, 2020, at St. Augustine Friary, Pittsburgh, PA, the fraternity in which he has lived for the past 16 years.
Born and given the name “Robert” on October 16, 1934, in Pittsburgh’s Allentown section, he was a proud member of St. George Parish there, one so central to German-American immigrant life in the city. He was also full of pride for his Pittsburgh roots, keeping that distinctive Pittsburgh “accent” throughout his life. After elementary school in the parish school, he was recruited by his pastor to attend St. Fidelis High School and College in Herman, PA.
As was the tradition, following his second year of college, Robert entered the Capuchin novitiate in Annapolis, MD, in 1954 and was given the name “Vernon,” a name he maintained even when friars were permitted to return to their baptismal names in 1968.
Letting Goodness & Gratitude Go Viral
Our Capuchin brothers in Washington, DC's Capuchin College, while continuing to practice social distancing in the midst of our current crises, offered a big communal "THANK YOU!" to all of the medical personnel who have been fighting on the front lines (and bringing the Lord's peace and goodness) in the midst of immense challenges. They took the opportunity to express their gratitude for them all, in every language and to every heart.
And, in the afternoon of Sunday, March 29, they travelled down the street to the Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home to lift the spirits of the residents (and their own!) - singing and praying to the residents watching from their windows and patios. Enjoy - and pray with us!
Called to Serve the Brothers of Puerto Rico
The friars of the Custody of Saint John the Baptist in Puerto Rico wrapped up their triennial Chapter of the brothers on Friday, February 14 at Centro Capuchino in San Juan. The friars in each jurisdiction of us Capuchins gather every three years to choose the brothers who will minister the Province or Custody and animate our life in the Gospel.
This year's theme was Wake Up, Integrate, Begin Again and Pass on our Charism. Each day the friars began with a half-hour reflection offered by a Religious Sister or a female Secular Franciscan. The friars made a deliberate decision to invite a woman each day to animate the day’s theme.
In the voting for leadership on Wednesday, February 12, our brother Ramón Negrón Cruz, OFM Cap. (center) was elected Custos. He had previously been appointed to finish the term of José Ángel Torres, OFM Cap., after José's election as Vicar General of the Capuchin Order in 2018. José Antonio Cruz (r) and Luis González (l) were elected, respectively, as the first and second councilors.
Br. José Antonio gave a moving Power Point presentation on the history of our Capuchin presence in Puerto Rico. Our conferes of the St. Augustine Province, who first went to serve the people of Puerto Rico almost 70 years ago, animated the construction of an astonishing number of chapels and schools! The friars still have a huge impact on Puerto Rico's Catholic presence on the island.
Puerto Rico Update from Fr. Tom
As our brothers in Puerto Rico gather for their Chapter from February 10-14, our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., gives us this update about the conditions endured by our friars and of the women and men of the island:
I have had many questions from friars about the damage caused by the recent earthquakes in the southern part of the island. Before coming to the island I had a difficult time getting clear information, not because I could not talk to the friars about the situation, but because assessment of the damages is a matter of perspective.
At this moment I write from Ponce, the area most affected by the earthquakes. The epicenter of the seismic activity is about about a 30 minute drive from our Ponce friary.
And the Winner is . . . Br. Andrew!
Thanks to ABC and the Great American Baking Show for recognizing the goodness and talent of our Brother Andrew Corriente, OFM Cap. We're glad to let a few million other people know what we already did: he's a wonderful brother and -though many have different talents and couldn't bake a cake to save their lives - the Lord's goodness & peace can still shine through by His grace. Congratulations, Andrew!
This past summer, our brother Andrew Corriente, OFM Cap., from our fraternity in Washington, DC, was blessed to compete on a national televised baking competition called The Great American Baking Show. It's based on the popular Netflix series, The Great British Baking Show.
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