Golf Outing 2020: We're all Winners
Thanks to all the sponsors and golfers who supported us at our Capuchin Golf Outing 2020! Over $23,000 was raised for the Fr. Bill Wiethorn Scholarship Fund which benefits our men in formation for our Capuchin life.
There were 88 golfers this year, and the weather was perfect. In spite of all the COVID restrictions in place, those who came to help us out - and to enjoy some golf - reported that they had an enjoyable day. A big thanks goes out to all the volunteers and participants who helped give their time and their energies for us.
Our Development office reports that all our winners will receive their prizes by mail (so here's to hoping that they get there faster than some primary ballots) . . . .
Postulants Begin their Capuchin Journey
On July 16, 2020, our newest Postulants were received into the community at our Padre Pio Friary in Philadelphia, PA, where they will live and work together in this first year of formation in our Capuchin life and work. Our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap., led the initiation and offered words of encouragement and challenge as these men embark on their journey to become Capuchin friars. The men who were completing their year of postulancy and heading for their novitiate year in Santa Ynez, CA, were also present "thanks" to the COVID-19 delay in beginning their year with other novices of the North American/Pacific Capuchin Conference.
Addressing the Virus of Injustice
Our brother Rich Zelik, OFM Cap., led a Prayer Service for Racial Justice on Friday, July 24, 2020. When the Parish of Our Lady of Mt Carmel discussed having a Parish Prayer Service on Racial Justice, Franciscan Sr. Patricia Mahoney, OSF, Associate Director for Pastoral and Social Outreach for the parish suggested that our brother Rich be asked to lead it and offer the homily for the event.
Fr. Rich has a number of family members (immediate and extended) belonging to the Parish in Pittsburgh PA's North Hills consisting of a cluster of churches brought together through the impetus of the Diocese of Pittsburgh with a desire to better serve the local communities. Fr. Rich also has family members who have grown to know racial j
ustice and have “walked the talk” – so to speak – both in the area and in various parts of the USA. Many of them asked if it could be videoed and made available for their viewing, and the Parish obliged.
As our confere reiterates in his presentation: “Institutional racism is just as present as the Covid virus. We don't see the virus, but it's being addressed as an illness. Institutional racism is not always seen, but it's just as present and needs to be addressed as a social illness.”
15 Men Get into the Capuchin Habit
Soon after the celebration of the Profession of vows of our men in Pittsburgh (see the article) on Saturday, July 18th, marking the end of their "novitiate year," a new novitiate year began in Santa Ynez, CA, where the men of the North American & Pacific Conference gathered for their "Investiture:" the day they receive the habit of our brotherhood and begin their 12 months of prayer, work and discernment in comminuty.
Ryan Schmeltzer, Jack Lampton, Connor Bannon, Daniel Sullivan and Josean Castro-Arroyo were there from our Province of St. Augustine.
"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.
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