Capuchin West The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi San Francisco, CA Our Lady of the Angels at the Porziuncola “Under the mantle of Mary our Mother” On August 2, the Franciscan family throughout the world celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of a Plenary Indulgence to St. Francis of Assisi and applied to his humble Porziuncola chapel. The Porziuncula is the little chapel that was used by St. Francis for private prayer, which is now located inside the basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi, Italy. August 2 observed the anniversary of the "Pardon of Assisi"–– the feast commemorating the plenary indulgence that Pope Honorius III announced for pilgrims to the Porziuncula. According to tradition, St. Francis experienced a vision of Jesus and Mary in the Porziuncula chapel on Aug. 1, 1216, during which he prayed that all pilgrims to the chapel would receive a plenary indulgence; the prayer was granted Cont’d pg. 2. IN THIS ISSUE Letter from Provincial Minister Fr. Harold Snider, OFM, Cap ............................... 2 Our Lady of Angels at the Porziuncola ....................... 1 Two Capuchin Brothers Make Temporary Vows................ 1 Nikolas Barth and William Cisneros Vows .................... 3 Investiture of Br. Marvin Abella, OFM Cap .................... 3 St. Francis High School Graduation ......................... 4 In Memoriam, Fr. Michael Walsh, OFM Cap .................. 5 Capuchin Ordination Anniversaries ......................... 6 24th Annual Capuchin Golf Tournament September 26 ........ 6 Capuchin Anniversaries................................... 7 Capuchin Brothers Music Update........................... 8 Capuchins at Lions Club .................................. 9 1st Annual Capuchin St. Anthony’s Feast Day Celebration . .10-11 Brothers at a Glance ................................... 12 News from Northern Mexico Custody...................... 13 Amig@s De Los Capuchinos ............................. 13 Year of Mercy ......................................... 14 Capuchin Franciscan Relic Tour Schedule.................. 14 Planned Giving Program ................................ 15 Our Goal ............................................. 16 CAPUCHIN WEST Summer 2016 No. 4 CAPUCHIN FRANCISCANS WESTERN AMERICA PROVINCE Br. Michael Walsh, OFM Cap In Memoriam La Porziuncola Nuova, a scaled replica of St. Francis’s Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy. Photo from The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, served by the Capuchins, San Francisco, CA. Porziuncola means a “small portion of land” and refers to the Benedictine chapel St. Francis restored when he was a young man. For only the fifth time in Church and Papal History, a declaration was made by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI naming The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi and Porziuncola a Holy Site, San Francisco, CA, www.ShrineSF.org for tour information. St. Francis High School graduate Br. Nikolas Barth making his Temporary Vows as a Capuchin Brother. Fr. Harold Snider, OFM Cap, Provincial Minister, seated. Fr. Tony Marti, OFM Cap, President of St. Francis High School July 9, 2016, Old Mission Santa Inés. Cont’d pg. 3. Two Capuchin Brothers Make Temporary Vows
Transcript
Capuchin West Page 1
The National Shrine of St. Francis of AssisiSan Francisco, CA
Our Lady of the Angels at the Porziuncola
“Under the mantle of Mary our Mother”On August 2, the Franciscan family throughout the world celebrated the 800th anniversary of the granting of a Plenary Indulgence to St. Francis of Assisi and applied to his humble Porziuncola chapel.
The Porziuncula is the little chapel that was used by St. Francis for private prayer, which is now located inside the basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi, Italy. August 2 observed the anniversary of the "Pardon of Assisi"–– the feast commemorating the plenary indulgence that Pope Honorius III announced for pilgrims to the Porziuncula. According to tradition, St. Francis experienced a vision of Jesus and Mary in the Porziuncula chapel on Aug. 1, 1216, during which he prayed that all pilgrims to the chapel would receive a plenary indulgence; the prayer was granted
In Loving Memory of our dear brother En Memoria de nuestro hermano
Fr. Michael Walsh, O.F.M. Cap.
Born/Nacido:
November 25, 1932 Entered Capuchins/Entró los Capuchinos:
October 15, 1950 Perpetual Profession/Profesión Perpetua:
October 17, 1954 Ordained/Ordenado: December 20, 1958
Entered his eternal rest/Eterno Descanso: February 10, 2016
Buried/Enterrado - San Lorenzo Friary
Santa Ynez, California
Br. Michael Walsh, OFM Cap
In Memoriam
La Porziuncola Nuova, a scaled replica of St. Francis’s Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy.
Photo from The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, served by the Capuchins, San Francisco, CA.
Porziuncola means a “small portion of land” and refers to the Benedictine chapel St. Francis restored when he was a young man. For only the fifth time in Church and Papal History, a declaration was made by his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI naming The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi and Porziuncola a Holy Site, San Francisco, CA, www.ShrineSF.org for tour information.
St. Francis High School graduate Br. Nikolas Barth making his Temporary Vows as a Capuchin Brother.
Fr. Harold Snider, OFM Cap, Provincial Minister, seated.
Fr. Tony Marti, OFM Cap, President of St. Francis High School July 9, 2016, Old Mission Santa Inés.
Cont’d pg. 3.
Two Capuchin Brothers Make Temporary Vows
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Our Lady of the Angels at the PorziuncolaContinued from pg. 1.
on the condition that he received permission from the Pope. The site is also believed to be where St. Clare – who founded the Franciscan Poor Clares – was officially received into the order by Francis in 1211.
The patronage of Mary extends across the world, like a beautiful mantle of love and protection. Here in California, that beautiful Marian patronage of grace is applied to the name of the Western America Province and to two of the Capuchins’ places of ministry.
For over eighty years, the Capuchins have served God’s people at their parish of Our Lady of Angels located in Burlingame, California. More recently, since 2010, the Capuchins have held custody of The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Church and chapel of the Our Lady of the Angels at Porziuncola Nuova – located in the North Beach area of San Francisco. It is at this site that the grace of the Assisi Pardon has been extended by the Plenary Indulgence.
In honor of this special day, the Capuchins at the National Shrine offered extended Masses and Confession for the assistance of Pilgrims who came to the Shrine seeking the grace of the Assisi Pardon. *(see: www.shrineSF.org for details.)
Pope Francis also visited Assisi two days later on August 4 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the dedication of the Porziuncula chapel. Last year, the Holy Father marked the Pardon of Assisi during his weekly Angelus address by stressing the importance of the sacrament of Confession. The feast "is a powerful reminder to bring ourselves closer to the Lord in the Sacrament of Mercy, and to receive Communion," he said during his Aug. 2, 2015 address.
St. Francis’ great desire was that all may enter the eternal joy of Heaven. He felt passionately that Holy Mary was the sure
way to safeguard our life in Christ. Just as St. Francis petitioned Mary to hold his Friars under the mantle of her prayers - let us all confidently call upon Holy Mary as Our Lady of Angels, and plea: “Pray for Us.”
~ PROVINCIAL MESSAGE ~
Dear Capuchin Friends,
May the Lord give you His Peace!
St. Francis pointed out two important things about his conversion: it was God’s initiative, and it came about when he was led to act with compassion. “When I was in sin, it seemed bitter to me to see lepers, but the Lord God led me among them, and I showed them compassion, and what was bitter was changed into sweetness
of soul and body.” During the special 'Year of Mercy,' we remember that our Capuchin Franciscan spirituality calls us not only to preach about God’s compassion and mercy, but to show it in our concrete actions. The brothers from Watts to Burlingame, from Yécora to Durango, all know that this is part of our lives, to treat others with compassion, especially those marginalized by society.
When St. Padre Pio or St. Leopold, special Capuchin patrons for the 'Year of Mercy,' sat for hours in the confessional, it was to give concrete voice to God’s compassion through the sacrament of reconciliation. (See page 14 for Relics Tour Schedule.) In all our ministries, we hope to be able to do the same. It is your prayers and your generosity that help make this possible. Know that all of our friars, wherever they may be, are praying for you, that you will both experience God’s mercy and be strengthened in your own acts of compassion and love. It is this that matters: “In the end, three things remain, Faith, Hope, and Love, and the greatest of these are Love.” (I Corinthians 13:13).
As we celebrate the patronal feast of the Western America Province, Our Lady of Angels of the Porziuncola, know that you are being remembered in our prayers and Mass intentions. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Angels, let us continue to be a sign of the Kingdom of God through the prayers and good works.
God bless and keep you!
Fr. Harold Snider, OFM Cap.
Provincial MinisterWestern America Province of Our Lady of Angels
INVESTITURE OFBR. MARVIN ABELLA, OFM Cap
Brother Marvin Abella was invested with the holy habit of St. Francis as a novice in June, 2016 in Santa Ynéz Valley. Spending his postulant stage of Capuchin formation at St. Conrad’s Friary in Berkeley in the last year, Marvin will be spending his upcoming novitiate year at San Lorenzo Seminary, in southern California. During this stage of religious formation, the Capuchin novitiate year will provide Marvin a quiet routine, prayer, work, class and silent reflection.
L-R: Br. Marvin Abella, Fr. Peter Banks, OFM Cap (Capuchin Vocation Director) and Fr. Harold Snider, OFM Cap,
Provincial MinisterInvestiture Ceremony, Santa Ynéz Valley, June 2016
Born in the Philippines, Marvin grew up in Santa Clarita and Oxnard, southern California. Before joining the Capuchin Order, he worked in the Telecom industry upon graduation from ITT Tech majoring in electronic engineering. As a network engineer and Network System Administrator, Marvin worked on both coasts in New England and Los Angeles.
Congratulations to Marvin. May he continue to grow a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of his life. May his coming year be a year of grace for him and all the novice brothers his class.
Fr. Harold, OFM Cap.
Our Lady of the Angels of the Porziuncola
NIKOLAS BARTH and WILLIAM CISNEROS MAKE TEMPORARY VOWS
Two Capuchin brothers, Nikolas Barth and William Cisneros, made their first Capuchin vows as Capuchin Franciscan Friars on July 9, 2016 at Old Mission Inés, Solvang, California. Both men entered the Inter-Provincial Program for Capuchin Franciscan Novices at San Lorenzo Friary where their investiture took place in July of last year.
Known as ‘Niko’, Nikolas Barth hails from Northridge, California, where he attended a Catholic elementary school in southern California and the college preparatory school St. Francis High School in La Cañada-Flintridge inspired by the Capuchin Franciscans. Niko commented, “It was a transformational day professing my first vows as a Capuchin, and I feel blessed that I was able to share it with so many of my Capuchin brothers, my family, and friends.”
William Cisneros at Old Mission Santa Inés’making Temporary VowsSolvang, CA July 9, 2016
William Cisneros was born and raised in Santa Ana and attended Cal Poly, Pomona for his educational studies. William reflects, “Inspired by the life of St. Francis and understanding the sense of community, prayer, and down-to-earth lifestyle of brothers working in ministry as Capuchin Franciscans, this greatly inspired my faith and engaged my strong interest to join the Capuchin Order.”
Capuchin Brothers, OFM Cap, at Marvin Abella’s Investiture Ceremony, San Lorenzo Seminary.L-R: Alex Rodriguez, Mark Mance, Lance Love, Peter Ciolino, Marvin Abella, Victor Taglianetti, Peter Banks, and Harold Snider.
CAPUCHIN VOCATION . . . Walk with us as Capuchin Franciscans in spreading the Joy of Jesus and St. Francis. Discerning a Capuchin vocation begins with prayer and personal reflection.
By checking our website: www.beafriar.com, you can learn more about the Capuchin Order. Talk to our Vocation Director Fr. Peter Banks, OFM Cap, at 805-686-4127, ([email protected]) and inquire about “Come and See” weekends to our Ministries. This may assist in determining if you have a calling to be a Capuchin Brother or Priest.
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Capuchin Prayers: “O Jesus, hear our humble prayers on behalf of our brother Marvin Abella. In his loneliness, comfort him. In his sorrows, strengthen him. In his frustrations, point out to him that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show him that he is needed by the Church; he is needed by souls; he is needed for the work of redemption.”
O Loving Mother Mary, Mother of religious, take to your hear your children who are close to you because of the call which they have received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs them so much. Be their comfort, be their joy, be their strength, and especially help them to live and to defend the ideals of the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Continued from pg. 3.
Congratulations St. Francis High School Graduates.
L-R: Joshua Lee ‘16, Gabriel Alpuerto ‘16, and William Huston ‘16.
GRADUATION
Est. 1946 College Preparatory – Capuchin FranciscansPresident, Fr. Toni Marti, OFM Cap.
One hundred and sixty-two young men from the Class of 2016 graduated on Saturday, May 28, on the campus of St. Francis High School in La Cañada-Flintridge, California.
Fr. Harold Snider, OFM Cap, Provincial of the Western America Province of the Capuchin Franciscan Order, represented his Excellency Bishop Joe Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, at the graduation. Fr. Tony Marti, OFM Cap, school President, Mr. Thomas Moran, school Principal, and Mr. Mark Heydorff, Chairman of the Board of Directors, also officiated at the 67th Annual Commencement Exercises for the local Catholic, college-preparatory institution.
Aaron Joseph Baker led the National Anthem, Evan Kristopher Swayne, the Senior Class President welcomed guests, and Valedictorian Gabriel Luis Carols Alpuerto gave a formal address to the audience. Alpuerto received the Capuchin Award and Medal for Scholarship. The program also recognized Co-Salutatorians, William Anthony Huston and Joshua Anthony Lee, for their exceptional achievement.
At this time of graduation, students from St. Francis High School’s graduating Class of 2016 have received 211 scholarships and awards to colleges and universities throughout the United States. These scholarships and awards equate to $10,084,000 towards the recipient’s educational costs.
St. Francis High School body and Capuchin staff would like to congratulate all 162 graduates and wish them well as they journey forward to further great achievements.
IN MEMORIAMFR. MICHAEL WALSH, OFM Cap
Reflections by Fr. Bobby Barbato, OFM Cap
One of the interesting aspects of our Capuchin Franciscan fraternal life is that we get not only to live with quite a variety of other people, but we get to know them in different ways as the years progress. I first met our brother, Michael Walsh, when I was a student at St. Francis. He was my junior religion teacher. Later, he was also one of my professors of philosophy. I also knew him as one of my formators, our guardian while I was a student in San Francisco. In all this I admired him, but always as one of the ‘older friars’ and one who had a position of authority.
Later on, however, I also got to know Michael as my brother, a fellow pilgrim on the road. I saw him when things were going great, and I walked with him as he went through difficulties related to his health. In the last few years, although I only saw him now and then, it was as a friend and brother, someone with whom I could laugh, joke, and also have serious conversations about many topics. And, of course, he was my source for New Yorker magazines, which he passed on to me when he was done with them.
In all this, some things were very consistent. Michael was always a man of great learning and great zeal. He took our Franciscan life very seriously and tried to be authentic in his own living of it. He loved to be dramatic, whether he was talking about St. Francis or the philosophers of the enlightenment. It was in his philosophy class that I
got to impersonate Spinoza during a ‘Philosopher’s Roundtable.’ Michael took seriously his responsibilities as a Capuchin priest, especially when serving at St. Lawrence Parish in Watts and St. Francis Parish in Bend, Oregon. He also gave himself enthusiastically as a part of Worldwide Marriage Encounter.
Michael, of course, was not perfect. He could be fussy, and perhaps a bit obsessive. He also had to learn how to deal with the humbling experiences of his own limitations. After several health crises, he came to Bend, where I was stationed, dealing with weakness and depression. He did not run away from his problems, but with the help of prayer and patient convalescence was able to find his strength anew, and was willing to use it for the good of others.
I was not surprised that Michael kept up ministering to others even after he had ‘retired.’ He had a great deal of energy, and never really lost a childlike enthusiasm and openness to the wonder of human life and God’s creation. When I visited him in the hospital, he was surrounded by cards and gifts from so many friends, as well as the presence of some of those friends who had shared his vision of God’s mercy.
I am grateful to God for giving me Michael: an enthusiastic teacher, a conscientious superior, an exemplary brother, and simply a good friend. Requiescat in pace!
+
Beloved: I proclaimed to you What I have heard,
What I have seen with my eyes, What I looked upon
and touched with my hands The Word of Life
The eternal life that was with the Father And was made visible to me…
Queridos: Proclamé
Lo que he oído, Lo que he visto con mis ojos,
Lo que he contemplado y lo que he palpado con mis manos
El Verbo de Vida la vida eterna,
la cual estaba con el Padre y se me manifestó…
1 John/Juan 1:1-4
“I love you all”
“Los amo a todos”
In Loving Memory of our dear brother En Memoria de nuestro hermano
Fr. Michael Walsh, O.F.M. Cap.
Born/Nacido:
November 25, 1932 Entered Capuchins/Entró los Capuchinos:
October 15, 1950 Perpetual Profession/Profesión Perpetua:
October 17, 1954 Ordained/Ordenado: December 20, 1958
Entered his eternal rest/Eterno Descanso: February 10, 2016
Buried/Enterrado - San Lorenzo Friary
Santa Ynez, California
Michael Walsh's Holy CardR.pdf 1 8/30/16 1:15 PM
“In gratitude for the Spirit of Christ revealed in Capuchin Solanus Casey's living and dying, we take our leave, and – with renewed purpose – walk through the doors of revelation.”
WEBSITE LIST CAPUCHIN-SERVED SITES
Capuchin Franciscans Western America Province California and Northern Mexico Custody . . . . . . . . www.olacapuchins.org
Call the Capuchin Development Office for registration
(650) 347-1505
Or visit:
www.capuchinsgolf.com
to print golf registration form
24th AnnualCapuchin Golf
TournamentMonday, Sept. 26, 2016
24th AnnualCapuchin Golf
TournamentMonday, Sept. 26, 2016
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
Fr. Gerald Barron, OFM Cap
Currently serving as Associate Pastor at Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang, California, Fr. Gerald began his religious life as a member of the Secular Franciscans (Third Order) in Dublin, Ireland. Inspired by the preaching of Capuchin brothers, with their closeness and connectivity to the community and emphasis on the poor, Fr. Gerald joined the religious Order in 1957.
As a newly ordained priest, he was sent to California in 1966 where he ministered in parishes, vocation ministry, and retreat work. He served six years as Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Franciscans Western America Province and comments, “I am like a bystander watching God’s marvelous work in the lives of His people. I see Capuchin community as a great gift from God.”
Fr. Brian McKenna, OFM Cap
Celebrating his 80th birthday last year, Fr. Brian notes, “Twin brothers become twin Capuchins, this is how the headline would read.” Celebrating his 50th year in the priesthood, Fr. Brian is best known as Assistant Pastor of Our Lady of Angels, in Burlingame, CA, and he is an avid Irish tour guide of his native homeland of Ireland. He travels annually with a coach of California parishioners and travel enthusiasts investigating the green Irish countryside and the scenic spots ‘off the beaten track’ of his native Emerald Isle.
Before California, Fr. Brian served in parishes in Oregon and Yécora in Northern Mexico. He is one of two twins who became a unique pair within the Capuchin Franciscan Order as his brother Jude McKenna is also a Capuchin Brother serving in Africa.
Fr. Gerald Barron, OFM Cap
Fr. Brian McKenna, OFM Cap
Capuchin Anniversaries70 YEARS AS A CAPUCHIN
Fr. Michael James O’Shea, OFM CapA native of Cork City, Ireland, Fr. Michael James was an alter server at the Capuchin Church in the Emerald Isle and became a friar in 1946. After Ordination in 1946, he was assigned to California and first stationed at St. Mary’s church in Ukiah, CA. Fr. Michael has served in numerous capacities including several parishes in the West and has taught Franciscan history for friars in formation. Working several years in chaplaincy work including two years as chaplain at Lompac’s Federal Prison, Fr. Michael served as the Provincial Historian for Our Lady of Angels Province. Serving as the first Provincial Secretary from 1977-1985, Fr. James clearly enjoys History, English literature, and Spirituality. Most recently, Fr. Michael ministered as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame, and served as a chaplain at the nearby Mills-Peninsula Hospital. Now retired, Fr. Michael currently resides at Mercy Retirement and Care Center in Oakland.
25 YEARS AS CAPUCHINS
Fr. John De La Riva, OFM CapAfter a variety of professional experiences, Fr. John entered the Capuchin Order in 1990. Born and raised in southern California, upon graduation, he worked for several agencies and industries including banking, the LA Police Department, and US Postal Service after serving in the United State Marine Corps. After completing his Capuchin formation, Fr. John was ordained to the priesthood in 1999 at Old Mission Santa Inés in Solvang and later served six years at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Burlingame. He also ministered at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA. Before moving to St. Francis High School to serve as a campus chaplain, he served as Associate Pastor at St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish in Watts. Currently Fr. John serves as Rector of The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, served by the Capuchin Franciscans, and located in San Francisco - North Beach, California.
Fr. Michael Ronayne, OFM CapBorn in Denver, Colorado, Fr. Michael worked for the government before joining the friars, as a Colorado State Legislative Intern, a City of Ft. Collins Municipal Water Utility Intern and a Federal Investigator in South Los Angeles County, California. After his ordination in 1997, he began a different type of service to the community at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Burlingame. In 1999, he volunteered to serve as a missionary in Northern Mexico and was assigned to the Novitiate in Trés Ojitos, Chihuahua, and then to Yécora, Sonora as an Associate Pastor. He has returned to Trés Ojitos and served as Vicar of the novitiate fraternity and is now serving as associate pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Yécora, Sonora.
Fr. Jésus Vela, OFM CapCurrently serving as Pastor of St. Lawrence of Brindisi in Watts, Fr. Jésus is a native of Commerce, CA, and received his calling to priesthood as a young adult. “As a young boy, I always assumed I would get married and grow a family, but God had other ideas,” he reflects. Upon this insight of thinking about entering the priesthood, Fr. Jésus began to live his Catholic Faith more deeply and eventually met the Capuchin Franciscans. Currently working not far from his original home, Fr. Jésus serves the Watts community on a daily basis. “It is a challenging neighborhood, but I know I’m doing what God wants me to do with my life, and I’m so appreciative to have an opportunity to serve God and his people of St. Lawrence parish and its neighborhood.”
Fr. Michael James O’Shea,OFM Cap
Fr. John De La Riva,OFM Cap
Fr. Michael Ronayne,OFM Cap
Fr. Jésus Vela,OFM Cap
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CAPUCHIN BROTHERS MUSIC UPDATE Musical Notes from Br. Victor Taglianetti, OFM Cap
Capuchin Brothers Music has been busy this season:
YOUTH ON A MISSION
I personally returned from a youth retreat called, ‘Youth on a Mission’ and gave a talk on Street Evangelization, performed a few songs, and made a presentation throughout the week at the Cal Maritime Academy in Vallejo, Ca. This retreat brings together multiple dioceses in Northern CA, and youth coordinators and ministers gather to train youth to be leaders in the church. Approximately 60 high school students participated and gained skills and understanding to serve the church in the near future.
IGNITE YOUR FIRE
This conference is one of the largest youth conferences hosted by the Catholic Church in America drawing hundreds of high schoolers annually to educate and equip participants to be faithful Catholics in the society that we live in. A mosaic of religious orders are invited and this was the first year the Capuchins were invited to give the opening keynote speech and host a workshop at the conference.
ON THE ROAD
The Capuchin Brothers Music performed during the Religious-Priest-Sister Talent Show in Lacy, Washington in August.
-Mark your calendar:
UPCOMING CAPUCHIN MUSIC BROTHERS PERFORMANCE
AT SIX FLAGS DISCOVERY KINGDOM, VALLEJO, CA – Saturday, September 17, 2016
Come out to the park and see the Capuchin Brothers Music perform. Capuchin CD’s will also be for sale.
NOVITIATE NEWSAs we complete the fifth year of the interprovincial novitiate year at San Lorenzo, the friars of the North America Pacific Capuchin Conference as well as the Province of Our Lady of Angels (Western America) agree that it has been a time of many blessings. San Lorenzo provides a perfect location for incoming brothers during their novice year to take time for quiet reflection on the questions that face them, especially the question of where God is leading them in their lives.
NOVICESThis year we began with 23 novices from 7 Capuchin Provinces. To date, 17 men prepared for their profession of first vows this summer. With the generous support of our benefactors, we have been able to offer these men a variety of speakers and special retreat experiences, to further their discernment process. Each year, we also make a pilgrimage to The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in San Francisco and attend the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA. The main part of the novitiate year centers around a quiet routine: prayer, work, class, and silent reflection.
WESTERN AMERICA PROVINCE NOVICESEach year, we have had the blessing of hosting novices from our own Our Lady of Angels Province, and this year Br. William Cisneros and Niko Barth have been part of our novitiate community, each adding to our life with their own gifts. (See article pgs. 1, 3, Two Capuchin Brothers Make 1st Vows). Both men were accepted for first profession of simple vows on July 9, 2016, at Mission Santa Inés, later taking vacation time with their families before heading north for their new assignments at St. Conrad Friary in Berkeley.
FRIAR MOVEMENT and CHANGESThe novitiate will be seeing changes as three of the current formation staff members move back to their respective provinces, and three new friars come to take their place by summer’s end.
Br. Jerry Johnson, (St. Joseph Province, Detroit), Br. Bob Herrick (St. Augustine Province, Pittsburgh), and Br. Bobby Barbato (Our Lady of Angels Province, CA) will be leaving San Lorenzo at the end of novitiate year.
Cont’d bottom of next column
CAPUCHINS AT LIONS CLUB
San Lorenzo Seminary, Novitiate Chapel
L-R: Burlingame Lions Club President Kevin Osborne, Fr. James Stump, OFM, Cap, and Lions member Sydney Woo.
Fr. James Stump, OFM Cap, a hospital chaplain, recently spoke at the Burlingame Lions Club about the work of the Capuchins in hospital ministry through the VA Palo Alto
Health Care System. Like the Capuchin Franciscans, the Lions Club is active in the community and also an international service organization. The Club provides eyeglasses for needy students, community educational scholarships, support to the Veterans and seniors, and hosts service projects in Northern Mexico.
”A Change of Heart”METANOIA
CD SALES BENEFIT CAPUCHIN VOCATIONS, FORMATION & EDUCATION
HOW TO ORDER: METANOIA CD – by Capuchin Brothers Music
CHRISTIAN MUSIC CD’S AVAILABLE AT:
OLD MISSION ST. INÉS GIFT STORE17600 Mission Drive, Solvang, CAPh: 805 688-4815, Ext. 231 Open Daily: 9 am – 5 pm, Manager: Sonia DelunaCD mail-order available, with $3 shipping and handling.
COST: $20 CD $10 Student Cost (Age: High school or
college level)
CD AVAILABLE ONLINE for title: Metanoia by Capuchin Brothers MusicDownloads available at: • iTunes – https://itune.es/us/Fskj- • Amazon • Streamed on Spotify
The Tau CrossAs a graphic symbol associated with Franciscans, the Tau cross is a letter from the Greek alphabet (T). Over the centuries, the Tau has been used as a symbol for many things. Francis, like some Christians before him, took it as a symbol of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
Francis was ever mindful of the love of God revealed in the passion and death of Jesus, and he wanted to imitate Christ the Crucified completely. So the Tau became his signature, as well as the shape of the habit that his followers wore, and a kind of coat of arms for the “poor man of Assisi.”
They will be replaced by Br. Bill Hugo (St. Joseph Province, Detroit), Br. Phil Bernier (St. Augustine Province) and Br. Michael Banks (St. Mary Province, New York/New England). Br. Mark Mance, guardian of St. Francis Friary in Burlingame will move to San Lorenzo as a part of the Capuchin community.
We welcome the new novitiate formation team and thank the departing friars for all of their wonderful work at the Novitiate.
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1ST ANNUAL CAPUCHIN ST. ANTHONY’S FEAST DAY CELEBRATION – ‘ITALIAN STYLE’
June 2016 San FranciscoThe Capuchin Province hosted its 1st Annual St. Anthony’s Feast Day Celebration with activities at The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in North Beach on June 12, 2016, during Italian Festival – Festa Coloniale Italiana’.
Fine dining at Mona Lisa Restaurant, mass, blessing of animals in Franciscan Spirituality, a Capuchin concert featuring Capuchin Brothers Music, and a Shrine historical tour were all a part of the day’s activities on the corner of San Francisco’s Columbus and Vallejo Streets in Little Italy.
St. Anthony of Padua
• Feast Day: June 13• Name Meaning: “Too valuable to measure.”• Patron Saint of: Lost articles, oppressed people, amputees, against starvation.
‘Little Capuchin diners’ with San Francisco’s finest.
L-R: Capuchin Brothers Allen Wilson, Mark Ortega,Gregory Coiro, and Harold Snider.
Feast Day Celebration – June 12, 2016
Activities at The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisiand Mona Lisa Restaurant, North Beach, CA
Mona Lisa Restaurant Capuchin diners’ celebration
Fr. Alan Wilson, OFM Cap, showcasing magic tricks for youngers at North Beach’s Italian
Festival.
Brothers Peter Ciolino and Victor Taglianetti welcoming visitors
to the Shrine’s Capuchin Brothers Music Concert.
Rector John De La Riva, OFM Cap, blessing
animals at the National Shrine altar.
Proud pet owners for blessing of the animals at
The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi.
Brothers welcoming guests toMona Lisa Restaurant
L-R: Fr. Gregory Coiro, OFM Cap, Fr. Harold Snider, OFM Cap, Br. Mark Mance, OFM Cap.
Mona Lisa diners visiting with Capuchin Brothers during Feast Day.Fr. Donal Burke, OFM Cap.
Restauranteur Mauricio Flores and Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap drawing diners to feast Italian style.
Prayer to St. Anthony“Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.”O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours.
Amen.(Say our request)
Make the sign of the cross.
For Upcoming Capuchin events:
www.olacapuchins.org
Page 12 Capuchin West Capuchin West Page 13
Amig@s de los Capuchinos are lay ministry groups within the Capuchin Franciscans Western American Province supporting the work of our Northern Mexico Custody’s Capuchin Brothers, and led by Fr. David Beaumont, OFM, Cap.
With a tri-fold approach, we journey together:
• Spiritually ~ Learning the ways of St. Francis, Padre Pio and the Capuchin friars
• Culturally ~ Discovering the traditions of the N. Mexico indigenous people
• With Financial Generosity ~ Sharing blessings through parish events and retreats.
To join Amig@s or learn more, contact your parish representative at:
Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame: Kathy Holmes at [email protected] or Barb Trainor at [email protected]. The OLA Amigos group meets on the 1st Friday of each month, at 8:45 a.m., St. Francis Assisi Friary Chapel, 1345 Cortez, Burlingame.
Old Mission, Santa Inez: Contact Joanne Taylor at (805) 688-3478.
Holy Family Church, Kingsburg: Contact Fr. Gregory Beaumont, OFM, Cap. at (559) 897-5953
CAPUCHIN FRANCISCANS
Amigos de los CapuchinosSumR.pdf 1 8/26/16 10:29 AM
Fr. Tony Marti, OFM Cap, President of St. Francis High School in La Cañada-Flintridge, recently visited the Abbey New Clairvaux in Vina, California, for a brief retreat and to visit Br. Luis Cortez, OCSO, a Trappist monk.
While on the sacred grounds where Capuchins have attended retreats in the past, Fr. Tony reunited with the Abbot Father Paul Mark, Br. Gerard, and Fr. Placid Morris, a graduate of St. Francis High School. At the monastic home where Cistercian life is ordinary and simple, yet life abundant, worship to God in a life that follows the Rule of St. Benedict in an atmosphere of quiet and solitude is afforded.
BROTHERS AT A GLANCE Meet RODNEY ESPERANZANew Team Member at the
The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi
L-R: Fr. Tony Marti, OFM Cap, and Br. Luis Cortez, OCSO, a Trappist monk.
Welcome Rodney Esperanza, the newest team member at The National Shrine of St. Francis served by the Capuchins. Rodney was hired in April to serve as administrative support and site coordinator for The National Shrine and is working with Shrine Rector, Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap., in San Francisco, CA.
An East Bay Area native and San Francisco-born, Rodney graduated from San Francisco State University and spent a 13-year career in Information Technology with a database software firm. With guidance of the Holy Spirit, Rodney was spurred to switch careers and focus his technical, administrative, and service skills toward the Church as a layperson and later worked for a parish in the Oakland Diocese. In his new role at The National Shrine, Rodney continues his enthusiasm for the mission of the Church in the heart of the City of St. Francis and will help promote Franciscan spirituality and increase awareness of the Capuchins in his new role.
Rodney comments, “It is quite striking when Capuchin Brothers in their habits walk among the locals and throngs of tourists in the surrounding neighborhood of North Beach. On a daily basis, Capuchin friars connect directly with the community and are approachable daily to those walking on the street, both to pilgrims inside and commuters travelling outside of the Shrine.”
Rodney’s outside interests include reading, following the latest in astronomy and space exploration, urban hiking, and travelling to holy sites. Rodney notes, “A planned trip this fall will include a train journey through Europe ending in Rome to visit the Holy Doors of the four basilicas during the Jubilee Year along with a stop in Assisi.”
Welcome Rodney.
Rodney Esperanza, Adminstrative Assistant The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi
L-R: Fr Jésus Vela, OFM Cap; Fr. Michael James O'Shea, OFM Cap, and Fr. John De Le Riva, OFM Cap at June Retreat.
News From Northern Mexico CustodyDear Friends and Supporters,
Peace and joy of Christ Jesus during the patronal feast of the Province of Our Lady of Angels. From our Custody in Mexico, we most sincerely pray for each of you and for the people whom you lovingly serve in so many varied ministries. We thank God for your continued prayer and support for our mission in the North of Mexico and for our future common foundation among the migrant farmworkers in California. May Our Lady continue to guide and protect us and may the Good Lord watch over us each day with His kindness, gentleness and peace.
– Fr. David Joseph Beaumont, OFM CapCustos of the North of Mexico
Capuchin Friars Celebrating 25th Anniversary in Capuchin Life
2016 Mission Updates• Perpetual Professions were made by three Capuchin
brothers at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Friary in Ciudad Benito Juarez at the start of the year. Congratulations to Br. Arturo Lozano Rodriguez, Br. Jose Luis Villareal Montemayor and Br. Esteban Sevastian Valencia.
• Catechism translated into tribe dialects: Fr. David Beaumont, OFM Cap, and the Capuchin friars translated the Catechism into the four indigenous dialects of the Pimas, Maya, Guarijios, and Yaqi tribes…Evangelizing the Catholic faith to adults and children.
• Got milk? A total of 1600 gallons of milk (in powdered form) was shipped by Amigos de los Cupuchinos groups in CA to Fr. David and the friars for distribution to undernourished N. Mexico families aiding starving people. Shipping wholesale and directly to the friars was indeed a blessing. Thank you to all the Amigos de los Capuchinos groups for your participation. Many thanks to Our Lady of Angels Parish and School, Old Mission Santa Inés, Holy Family in Kingsburg, Fresno, and all the Amigos members who made this possible. It was a record-breaking year for funds raised in 2016 by the Amigos groups, ‘friends of the Capuchins.’
Our Lady of Angels - Burlingame, Amigos de los Capuchinos with Fr. David Beaumont, OFM Cap.
August 2016, St. Francis Friary Gathering, Burlingame.
Page 14 Capuchin West
Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
St. Leopold (1866-1942)St. Leopold had a profound sense of sin and an even firmer sense of God’s grace and mercy. He would say, “I must cooperate with the divine goodness of our Lord who has deigned to choose me so that by my ministry, the divine promise of mercy might be fulfilled.” St. Leopold died on July 30, 1942, and was canonized in 1982.
Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
St. Pio (1887-1968)For nearly 50 years, Padre Pio was a minister of God’s mercy. After morning
Mass he would hear confessions for almost 10 hours a day. Many penitents said that he knew details of their lives that they had never mentioned. St. Pio
saw Jesus in all the sick and suffering and God’s healing power often came through him. He continued his ministry of mercy
until his death on September 23, 1968.
2016 CAPUCHIN SITE CITY
SEPT. National Shrine of St. Francis SAN FRANCISCO 610 Vallejo Street Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap., Rector San Francisco, CA 94133 Ph: (415) 986-4557 www.shrineSF.org
OCT. St. Francis High School LA CAÑADA – FLINTRIDGE 200 Foothill Boulevard Br. Antonio Marti, OFM, Cap., President La Cañada, CA 91011 Br. Tran Vu, OFM, Cap., Staff Ph: (818) 790-0325 Br. Chris Thiel, OFM, Cap., Teacher www.sfhs.net Br. Christopher Iwancio, OFM, Cap., Chaplain
NOV. National Shrine of St. Francis SAN FRANCISCO 610 Vallejo Street Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap., Rector San Francisco, CA 94133 Ph: (415) 986-4557 www.shrineSF.org
The Holy Year of Mercy ends Sunday, November 20, 2016
www.olacapuchins.org Capuchin FranciscansWESTERN AMERICA PROVINCE
First-degree relics of St. Padre Pio and St. Leopold will continue their tour through the State of California and the Capuchin Franciscan Western America Province during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, including periods in Watts, San Francisco, and La Canada, Flintridge, CA from August through November, 2016. Please join us.
From the California Capuchin Franciscan Province, “Like his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, our Holy Father Francis gladly provides that God is the source of all Good and the font of all Mercy. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, Confession, is a great which shows God’s merciful love. Hearing confessions and counselling those in trouble are an important part of Capuchin Franciscans ministry and our Holy Father has chosen these two Capuchin saints, St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) and St. Leopold of Castelnova, as patrons of God’s merciful call to reconciliation and grace.”
Pope Francis named Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap, Rector of the National Shrine, and Fr. Michael Mahoney, OFM Cap of Our Lady of Angels Church in Burlingame, among his Missionaries of Mercy during this Holy Year. To learn more about the Capuchin Relics Tour, visit www.olcapuchings.org. View and learn more about these special missionaries on video at www.sfshrine.org, the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi.
Planned Giving Program
For more than a century, the Capuchin Franciscans have played a vital part in the history of the West Coast of the United States. The Capuchin Franciscan
Order of California has been blessed with many individuals and families that have been a very important part of the Capuchin’s mission. For years, countless individuals have demonstrated their commitment to the Capuchin ministries by contributing time, energy, and financial support. Many have committed to the goals and core values of the Capuchins.
Your willingness to include the Capuchins as a part of your overall estate or financial plans will help ensure that the Capuchins will be able to continue to serve.
Your generous gifts designated in your wills, trusts, or other estate planning vehicles will allow this to happen. The simplest and most common forms of Planned Gifts include Bequests and Beneficiary Designations that benefit both the donor and the Capuchins. By including the Capuchins in your estate plans, you are benefiting generations to come.
HOW YOU CAN HELPSome of the most common ways to give include:
• Cash
• Bequests and Trusts
• Appreciated Securities
• Real Estate
• Mutual Funds
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan Funds
For more information, please contact: Fr. Donal Burke OFM Cap. (V. P. for Advancement), or Moira Mahoney, CPP (V.P. for Development) at 650-347-1505.
Page 15
CAPUCHIN WEST is a publication of the Capuchin Franciscans Western America Province.
Br. Harold Snider, OFM Cap, Provincial Minister.
EDITOR: Moira Mahoney, CPP, Vice-President for Development
WRITERS/CONTRIBUTORS: Br. Robert Barbato, OFM Cap, Vicar; Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap; Br. Victor Taglianetti, OFM Cap; and Moira Mahoney, CPP.
Capuchin Franciscans Western America ProvinceFr. Donal Burke, OFM, Cap.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE CAPUCHIN FRANCISCANS RELIC TOURSEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER 2016, CALIFORNIA
PROVINCE MISSION STATEMENTAs Capuchin Franciscans, we follow St. Francis of Assisi as brothers, living the Gospel in prayer, fraternity and ministry, while witnessing simply to Jesus Christ and the Church as a joyful presence of hope and salvation to all, especially to those most in need.
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
P A I DPermit No. 49
Burlingame, CA
Capuchin FranciscansWestern America ProvinceOffice of Development1345 Cortez AvenueBurlingame, CA 94010
www.olacapuchins.org
The goal of the Capuchin Development Office is to fund the domestic and international mission of the Capuchin Franciscan Western America Province. That mission ranges from support for our own Provincial members ministering here in the United States to providing assistance to Capuchins serving worldwide.
The Capuchin Franciscans Province of Western America also generates support for the works of justice and mercy undertaken by Capuchin Friars across the globe.
If you are interested in supporting our mission, please contact our Capuchin Development Office at 650-347-1505.
LET US KNOW:The Capuchin West Newsletter is our way of illustrating how the Western America Province fulfills its mission. You, as part of our community, share this vision of service to those in need.
Through this publication, we demonstrate how we use resources that you generously provide to us and hope the contents of Capuchin West will convey a sense of the work we do and how valuable your contributions are to this work. Please feel free to write us with your comments or suggestions at: [email protected]. Many thanks for your continued support.
Moira Mahoney, CPPVice President for DevelopmentCapuchin Franciscans Western America Province
www.olacapuchins.org
OUR GOAL
This newsletter has been produced by the Development Office of the Capuchin Franciscans Western America Province.
