the Casa de Maria Nutrition Center the Casa de Maria Nutrition Center

VOLUME VI, ISSUE II • SUMMER 2008
the
Capuchin Journey
CAPUCHIN MISSION AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Casa de Maria
Nutrition Center
The Capuchins
in Boston
Padre Pio
Friars in Focus
Dear Friends:
The Province of St. Mary is going through some exciting changes that will enable
us to expand and enhance our ministry and we look forward to capitalizing on
the unique opportunities that lay ahead.
Our Lady of Lourdes in Boston will become a Capuchin parish in the early fall.
The rectory is currently under renovation to transform it into a friary that will
be more suitable to the distinctive communal lifestyle of The Capuchins.
Fr. Francis J. Gasparik, OFM Cap.
Director
Mission & Development Office
The Formation House for new Capuchins is located across the street from
Our Lady of Lourdes. For many years the Capuchins studying at Boston College
and other academic institutions have performed community service in Boston
and they will continue to do so. However, when Our Lady of Lourdes becomes
widely recognized as a Capuchin parish, the Capuchin presence is Boston will
be more formally acknowledged and the civic and political relationships they
have successfully nurtured will be even more solidified. There is a great deal
of work to do in Boston. Violence and fear plague the streets in some areas
and communication gaps that are an outgrowth of the immigrant population
need to be overcome. The Capuchins who have worked tirelessly to address
these very issues will now have more community influence that they can use
to empower those the serve.
Fr. Ray describes how their new parish in Honduras continues to present new
challenges and how deeply moved he is by the wonderful parishioners who have
so warmly welcomed their new spiritual leaders. He looks back upon his former
parish with a genuine love and nostalgic affection, confident that the work they
did and the barriers they overcame left an indelible mark. Fr. Ray and Fr. Bruce
maintain patriarchal devotion to Casa de Maria to make sure the facility
continues to function as a welcoming and safe haven to care for the poor.
Inevitably, Br. Lake’s success in working with the youth in the Hudson Valley
will stimulate the interest of civic leaders and politicians who look to provide
wholesome respite and practical direction for young adults and teenagers.
The example Br. Lake has set by his successful initiatives demonstrates how
brilliant and intuitive St. Francis was. St. Francis knew his followers could not
personally touch and instruct all they needed to serve, but would have to
maintain their ministries by setting examples for others who shared their
hope and love of the message of St. Francis.
Many of our donors have directed their charitable initiatives towards supporting various Capuchin initiatives because they understand the deep-rooted
dedication of the Capuchins who simply seek to find Christ in everyone and
love and appreciate all of God’s creations.
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) 564-0759 ext. 253 or [email protected].
features
Casa de Maria, Honduras
8
Casa de Maria, a nutrition center founded by the
Capuchins, is a haven for the poor.
Boston
16
Our Lady of Lourdes, the Capuchins’ new parish
in Boston, will enable them to extend their ministries
in the community.
Capuchin Spirituality
20
22
Friars and their partners bring Capuchin charisms
by example to those they serve.
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
St. Padre Pio
Contributing Editor
Vilana Bedeau
The Canonical recognition ceremony of
St. Pio of Pietrelcina.
Circulation Director
John Martin
Capuchin Communications Office
Province of Saint Mary
White Plains, New York 10605
4
Province Directory
5
Planned Giving
6-7
News Notes
12
Faith at Yankee Stadium
24
Friars in Focus: Father Jerome McHugh
27
In Memoriam
the
Capuchin
Journey
SUMMER 2008
VOLUME VI, ISSUE II
© 2008 Capuchin Mission
Association & Development Office
Let us know
Serving New York/New England
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.
Central America, Japan, Africa,
Please feel free to write us with your comments and suggestions.
Thank you!
and the mission areas of
India and the Pacific
210 West 31st Street
New York, NY 10001
212-564-0759
www.capuchin.org
Province Mission
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.
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.
Province Directory
PROVINCE OFFICE
DIRECTORY
St. Joachim Friary
Capuchin Franciscans
61 Leonard Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Phone: 845-838-0000
St. Lawrence Friary
180 Sargent Avenue
Beacon, NY 12508-3992
Phone: 845-831-0394
St. Michael Friary
225 Jerome Street
Brooklyn, NY 11207-3209
Phone: 718-827-6990
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.
4
Sacred Heart Friary and Parish
110 Shonnard Place
Yonkers, NY 10703-2228
Phone: 914-963-1357
St. Joseph Friary & Parish
34 South Chestnut Street
New Paltz, NY 12561-1914
Phone: 845-255-4892
St. Clare Friary
110 Shonnard Place
Yonkers, NY 10703
Phone: 914-423-2392
Capuchin Mission Association
& Development Office
210 West 31 Street
New York, NY 10001-2876
Phone: 212-564-0759
Sacred Heart Friary
STAR OF THE SEA
VICE PROVINCE
St. Fidelis Friary
135 Chalan Kapuchino
Agana Heights, Guam 96910
Phone: 671-472-6339
St. Joseph The Worker
Friary & Parish
510 Narragansett Avenue
East Patchogue, NY 11772-5132
Phone: 631-286-7921
Mount Carmel Friary
P O Box 7787
Agat, Guam 96928
Phone: 671-565-2136
Capuchin Youth
& Family Ministry
781 Route 9D
P O Box 192
Garrison, NY 10524
Phone: 845-424-3609
CUSTODY OF JAPAN
St. Fidelis Friary
7790 County Road 153
Interlaken, NY 14847-9648
Phone: 607-532-4423
San Lorenzo Friary
15 Montebello Road
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130-2352
Phone: 617-983-1919
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.
Capuchin Vocation Office
34 S. Chestnut Street
New Paltz, NY 12561-1914
Phone: 845-255-5680
St. Francis Friary and Parish
1 Aza Oroku
Naha City, Okinawa
Japan 901-0152
Phone: 011-81-98-857-3795
Communications Annex
387 Grand Street, Ste. 1901
New York, NY 10002-3956
Phone: 212-505-0848
Good Shepherd Friary & Parish
608 Isham Street
New York, NY 10034
Phone: 212-567-1300
Our Lady of Sorrows
Friary & Parish
213 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212-475-2321
St. John Friary and Parish
210 West 31 Street
New York, NY 10001-2876
Phone: 212-564-9070
St. Joseph Friary & Parish
673 Stevens Avenue
Portland, ME 04103
Phone: 207-797-7026
St. Michael Friary
St. Anne/St. Augustin
Friary & Parish
231 Merrimack Street
Manchester, NH 03103-7290
Phone: 603-623-8809
St. Pius X Friary and Parish
310 Westfield Street
Middletown, CT 06457-2047
Phone: 860-347-4441
St. Benedict The Moor Friary
41 Harold Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
Phone: 617-541-0462
Saitama Capuchin Residence
2-115 Suehiro
Kumagaya City, Saitama
Japan 360-0031
Phone: 011-81-48-521-1098
CENTRAL AMERICA –
GENERAL VICE PROVINCE
OF NUESTRA SENORA DE LA
ESPERANZA (GUATEMALA,
EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS)
Franciscanos Capuchinos
Friary and Parish
San Jose
Ocotepeque
Honduras, Central America
Phone: 011-504-653-3353
Curia Viceprovincial
Friary and Parish
Fraternidad El Calvario
Chiquimula, Guatemala
Central America
Phone: 011-502-942-0467
San Jose Church
St. Peter Friary & Parish
134 Convent Ave.
Rutland, VT 05701
Phone: 802-775-1994
St. Conrad Friary
30 Gedney Park Drive
White Plains, NY 10605-3599
Phone: 914-761-3008
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
A Capuchin Burse
. . . What is it?
The word burse is derived from the Latin word bursa, meaning purse. If you are Italian, like me, a busta is
the purse that is used at a wedding to carry “the envelopes.” In my family, the role of protector of the busta
was played by my grandmother. My family and I have very fond memories and laugh until we cry sometimes
when we think about my grandmother at our family weddings. She took her role very seriously. According to
the Catholic Encyclopedia, a burse is a receptacle (purse) in which, for reasons of convenience and reverence,
the Eucharist is carried to and from the altar when celebrating the Mass.
I often receive inquiries about our burse program in the Mission & Development Office. Sr. Elizabeth and
Fr. Jerome administer our program, and they take their roles just as seriously as my grandmother did hers.
Sr. Elizabeth processes and acknowledges each burse gift and Fr. Jerome handles the financial aspects of
the fund.
Simply put, a Capuchin burse is a fund that is established to help the Province
of St. Mary recruit, educate, train, prepare and send friars of the province for
service in the ministries of the Catholic Church. A burse can be started with an
initial contribution of $100 and is considered completed when it reaches $5,000.
A burse can be named in honor of or in memory of any person or organization.
On June 7th, our Province was blessed with five ordinations. Thomas Franks,
OFM Cap., Samuel Fuller, OFM Cap, and Arlen Harris, OFM Cap. were ordained
to the Priesthood. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap. and Marvin Bearis, OFM Cap.
were ordained to the Diaconate. The costs of their education were provided
through our Burse program and the generosity of our benefactors.
If you are interested in starting a burse, don’t hesitate to contact me.
I’d love to hear from you.
By Margaret A.
Cuccinello
NEW GIFT ANNUITY RATES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2008.
If you are thinking about a gift annuity with the Capuchins of the Province of St. Mary, now may
be the time. Our province follows gift annuity rates that are set by the American Council on
Gift Annuities (ACGA). Since the fall of 2007, our economy has seen a decline in both long and
short-term interest rates, which are important markers that are used in calculating the gift
annuity rates. As a result, the ACGA is recommending a new lower set of rates that take effect
July 1, 2008. Many factors are considered before a rate change in made. If you would like to
discuss the new rates, or would like a proposal, please give me a call.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
5
New Historic Church Opened in March
For fourteen centuries, there had only
been Muslim places of Worship in Doha,
Qatar. However, on March 24, 2008,
Our Lady of the Rosary was consecrated
on the outskirts of Doha.
Damietta Progress
In our last issue, we highlighted the efforts of the
Capuchins in Africa through
the Damietta Peace Initiative
(DPI). A post election crisis
in Kenya triggered chaotic
violence where 1200 people
died and as many as 350,000
were displaced. Because of the
DPI, the groundwork was laid
to influence decision makers
for the most vulnerable people,
promote peace and respond in
the area of human rights. In
early March 2008, Br Benedict
Ayodi OFM Cap, who serves
as the Regional Coordinator
of the DPI, was invited by
the Franciscans International
in Geneva to highlight the
Kenyan Post-Election Crisis
at the 7th Session of the
United Nations – Human
Rights Council.
Qatar’s Catholics – who number around
100,000 in a population of 900,000 come
from the Philippines, India, Lebanon,
other parts of the Arab world and Africa,
as well as Europe and North America.
Leading the church is Fr Tom Veneracion,
a Philippine pastor, aided by five Capuchins
who helped in the celebration of the
Eucharist in fourteen languages.
The parish will be run by the Capuchin
Franciscans, whose involvement dates
back to 1219 when there was a cordial
meeting between St. Francis of Assisi and
the Sultan of Egypt, El Kamil.
The consecration of this Catholic Church in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula was
a momentous occasion. In order to achieve this success, the state’s minority Catholic
community agreed to strict conditions about the nature of the building. Under statespecified conditions, Our Lady of the Rosary will bear
no external signs of Christianity such as a cross or
steeple. The staff will inform Qatar’s authorities of
the church services and will not evangelize.
The Capuchin fraternity provides a living example in
this sector of the world for those they serve that tolerance and trust provide a foundation for a peaceful
social structure where differences can be settled
without bitter or violent confrontation.
Our Lady of the Rosary
Catholic Church
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 – 212 564-0759 ext. 268
for brochure, details & reservations.
Chapter Meeting
Every three-years, the Capuchin Province of St. Mary
gathers for their chapter meeting. All the friars scattered
throughout New England, New York, Japan, Guam and
Central America come together in Capuchin brotherhood.
The purpose of the meeting is to review the goals of the
Mission that were set forth from the previous Chapter, to
vote and appoint Leadership, to build upon their efforts,
to share their experiences and to learn from each other.
The location of this year’s meeting was at the San
Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch, on the New Jersey
shore; a serene, beautiful and spiritual building overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Standing from left to right is Timothy Jones,
Francis Gasparik, Celestino Arias. Seated is
John Gallagher and John McHugh.
A Catered Affair
From left to right is Richard Harray, Louis
Milo, Fr Francis Gasparik, Joseph Sano,
Ray Quartararo and Tom Wopat
The Capuchin theatre event held on May 1st was the most
successful theatre event in its eight-year history. The annual
event raises money that funds the Capuchin Food Pantries.
Honoring both Richard Harray of Interpublic Group and
Raymond Quartararo of Jones Lang LaSalle, the theatre event
brought 1000 people together for a reception at the Times
Square Marriott Marquis. Afterwards, everyone walked over
to the Walter Kerr Theatre where they enjoyed the play “A
Catered Affair”. After the performance, actor Tom Wopat
recognized the Capuchin Food Pantries for their extraordinary
efforts in feeding New York City’s poor and presented the
St. Francis Award to both Richard and Ray.
St. Mary’s Seminary & University
A recently released report found that the Catholic Church is
ordaining only 35-45% of the priests necessary to maintain the
levels that the church currently has. The number of priests
that are qualified to teach is also precarious. The Province of
St. Mary understands this and has shown the flexibility,
adaptability and through their charism as itinerants, to answer
this need in the person of Fr David Couturier, OFM Cap.
Three years ago, Fr David became a professor at St. Mary’s
Seminary and University in Maryland, the first seminary David Couturier
founded in the United States in 1791. He later became Dean
of the School of Theology. This past April, Fr David was appointed Vice Rector and Vice President of
the school, working with student formation issues and the spiritual programs
Having been ordained almost 30 years ago, Fr David also has a background in clinical psychology as
applied to organizations, his Capuchin charisms and his years of experience as President of the Board
of Directors for Franciscans International. “I wanted to bring all of that experience to bear on the training
and formation of the next generation of priests so that we don’t lose that kind of global vision. The
future of the Catholic Church is global and we need to bring that to the most local areas.”
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
NEWS NOTES
The results of the election were as follows: John
Gallagher, OFM Cap, Provincial Minister; John McHugh,
OFM Cap, Vicar Provincial Minister; Francis Gasparik,
OFM Cap, Timothy Jones, OFM Cap and Celestino Arias,
OFM Cap, Definitors. Also, by reason of their election to
these offices, these same brothers become the members
of the board of directors of the Province of St. Mary of the
Capuchin Order.
7
Honduras
St. Francis so loved
‘the little people of God’
Honduras is a small Central American country. Over
forty years ago the Capuchins of the Province of
St. Mary began to pursue their missionary endeavors
in Honduras. Friars journeyed through the mountains
to minister to remote and primitive villages. Often
travel was by mule over dirt passages and distance
was referenced in terms of hours of transport rather
than measured miles. Over the years, roads have been
built and communication systems have improved so
8
that isolated villages have access to more widespread
information. But, so many are still destitute and in
need of basic care and nurturing.
When Fr. Bruce Quinn, OFM Cap. recounts his work in
Honduras, he fondly remembers ministering to the little
people of God – the poor and lonely who are often
overlooked. In the spirit of St. Francis, Fr. Bruce is
dedicated towards providing solace and comfort for
the impoverished in Honduras.
Before venturing to Honduras, Fr Bruce served as
Chaplain at St. Rose’s Home, a New York hospice for
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
(Left) This is the recently reconstructed building containing the
elderly men and women’s dormitories. The outside looks exactly the
same as the previous building however the new construction, replacing
the old thick adobe walls allows for more space inside as well as an
optimum condition, pleasanter and much easier to keep clean.
Dino
the treatment of people with terminal cancer. At St. Rose’s, patients are
cared for in a clean and caring environment and die in peaceful dignity.
While in Honduras for just a short while, Fr. Bruce was called upon to visit a
severely ill woman. He found her lying on a filthy cot that was barely off the
ground. She had an open wound from coarse surgery that had become
severely infected. He cleaned and dressed her lacerations, gave her some
of the little medication he had and stayed with her until she died.
Fr. Bruce was angry. He was angry that the poor sick woman was alone.
He was angry that though those caring for her were doing their best, she
died uncomfortably in a dank and dreary hut. All he could think of was
the safety and dignity surrounding the dying at St. Rose and he knew the
little people of God deserved the same. He was determined to do all he
could to make a difference.
Rosa Linda deFlores, of The Legion of Mary in Honduras was Fr Bruce’s angel.
With almost no money or facility, he solicited her help to bring the poor
people of the mountains to die with dignity in a clean place where they would
be cared for in a gentle and nurturing spirit.
This is Dino. He and his singlemother Reina have been residents
at Casa de Maria for 25 years.
Dino has been physically
incapacitated since he was born
26 years ago, when he was
deprived of oxygen during birth.
He has sufficient mental ability to
receive his First Holy Communion
as he is doing in this picture.
In 1970, Fr. Bruce founded Casa de Maria, a health care and nutrition center
in the parish of San Jose in the city of Nueva Ocotepeque. Rosa Linda had
found a house and he used the little funds he had to rent it. He painted
it and was fortunate enough to have cots and other supplies donated. At
first, Casa de Maria was for those dying of cancer but then older people
in need of care asked if they could stay in the house and thus Casa de
Maria extended its services to the elderly as well.
The poor in the mountains began bringing their sick and dehydrated children
to Casa de Maria for care. The friars and religious sisters would clean the
Casa de Maria provides a comfortable, clean and caring
environment for the elderly of Honduras.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
This is Dino being fed by his
mother, Reina, both residents of
CDM since she lost her legs to
diabetes over 25 years ago.
This is the partially open-sky
sitting area for the elderly who
are having a celebration after
Dino's First Holy Communion.
9
Honduras
On a day to day basis, Casa de Maria is run by
religious sisters. Several local teenage girls assist at
the clinic and the sisters sometimes provide the girls
with housing and educational opportunities as they
bring them into their religious community. The friars
feed, comfort and play with the children and sometimes
they teach the children to walk.
Fr. Ray tells of a situation where one of his parishioners
came to him for ‘herbs or vitamins’ for his ailing wife.
When the man described her condition, Fr. Ray realized
she was seriously ill and he gave the man a dose of
antibiotic he had on hand and told him to rush home
to administer it to his wife. Fr. Ray’s actions saved the
woman’s life.
Over the years, many Capuchins cherish the time
spent ministering at Casa de Maria.
children and care for them until they could return to
their families. The parents are instructed and given
ways to sanitize their environment and provided with
information on basic nutritional needs. Fr. Bruce
describes how so much illness can be prevented once
the people learn about simple cleanliness.
Fr. Raymond Richard, OFM Cap. has been a missionary
in Honduras for over thirty years. He notes how
Casa de Maria has been recently renovated. Tile floors
make it much easier to clean and the rooms are
decorated with bright and coordinated colors. Often
Casa de Maria becomes a temporary home for
chronically malnourished children and the elderly.
The newly renovated clinic has sturdy cribs for the
sick children and comfortable beds for the elderly.
Today Casa de Maria actively functions as a Clinic and
Nutritional Center, to serve the poor in the area. The
clinic focuses on three fundamental needs that may
arise. It provides routine medical care and medicines,
serves as a nutritional center and provides elderly
care. Often a physician is not available to administer to
those who seek medical care at Casa de Maria, however, the sisters and knowledgeable locals have been
trained to attend to primary medical needs and most
of the time basic medicines are available. Those who
visit the clinic are taught how to dress wounds, recognize
the signs of serious illness and simple ways of avoiding
the transmission of germs.
10
A few years ago, the parish where Fr. Ray grew up
in Newburyport, Massachusetts, closed. Beautiful
adornments from the church needed to be disposed.
A group of volunteers boxed up crosses, Stations of
the Cross and many other things from the church and
sent them to Fr. Ray in Honduras. In addition, hospital
beds and computers were donated at the same time.
It is this kindness that has made Casa de Maria such
a comforting refuge for the poor.
The Capuchins in Honduras have recently been
assigned a new parish, Our Lady of Lourdes. Casa de
Maria is not within their territory, however, as a former
pastor of the parish where Casa de Maria is, Fr. Ray
maintains an interest in it and the Capuchins do their
best to make sure the Clinic has what it needs to
continue to serve the people of Honduras. In addition,
The sisters nurture the malnourished children
until they are healthy enough to go home.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
Coffee for a good cause
The statue of the
Blessed Mother Mary
greets all who enter
Casa de Maria.
Fr. Bruce continues to support
the clinic.
Over 40 years in Honduras
seems like a long time. But, it
is just the beginning. There
will always be those in need
of empowerment. There will
always
be
those
the
Capuchins can serve. It takes
time. It takes patience. The
Capuchins are making a difference. Casa de Maria has made a difference. It has touched
the lives of so many. It has embraced and cared for the little
people of God. The challenges are great, the needs are
demanding and the Capuchins will be there to face the
challenges and meet the needs.
Karen Finnegan has embraced and generously
supported San Marcos parish in Honduras.
For many years she has donated to a variety of
charitable needs and initiatives. However, she
always wanted to target a cause she could
financially support and where she could
actively participate in its ministry.
Several years ago Karen volunteered at a local
parish in Massachusetts to help package
donations destined for a mission in Honduras.
Through her participation in the program, she
learned of the Capuchin ministry in Honduras
and decided to direct her charitable donations
towards supporting their initiatives.
Chris Carmody and Karen Finnegan
greet Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap.
at San Lorenzo Friary.
Karen meets with Fr. Ray when he visits his
hometown in Massachusetts. They have
breakfast after Mass and he lets her know
how her donations have been used throughout
his ministry.
The children of Honduras happily gather around to
meet with Bishop Angel Garachana, OFM Cap.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
Coffee has emerged as a valuable cash crop
in Honduras. Karen has been instrumental in
promoting a program in which, several times
a year, local parishes in Massachusetts sell
imported coffee produced by the poor farmers
in Honduras. What began as a ‘charitable’ event
where parishioners purchased the coffee to
support the missions, has turned into a prolific
exchange for the farmers. Karen tells how, not
only do the parishioners look forward to the
coffee sales after Mass, but, as the sales’ date
approaches, lengthy orders for the coffee pile up.
11
I did not receive an invitation to concelebrate. I photocopied the form from Michael Sevigny and sent it in.
One had to choose from concelebration or giving out
Communion. I chose the former. I received a call from
the Archdiocese in which they requested that I give
them my Social Security Number. Therefore, I knew
that they had received my request.
Fr. Eric Cruz, the pastor of Christ the King Parish, one
subway stop from the old Stadium, since he was a
member of the Liturgical Committee for the Yankee
Stadium event, asked me to say a 9:00 a.m. Mass in
Spanish for the parishioners on the 20th of April.
I thought that I would go with my ticket and
identification to the Stadium after the Mass. Fr. Jerome
McHugh, when he heard of my plan, commented
emphatically: They will never let you in!
Plans for the priests that day were for them to assemble
at St. Joseph’s and go by bus at 9:00 a.m. to the Stadium.
I never received identification or a ticket by mail. I decided
to say the Mass at Christ the King and then decide my
next step. That would be to go to St. Joseph’s Seminary
and to inquire about my ticket and identification. But the
place was deserted, except for Joanne Murphy, a young
woman from County Cork who had been a volunteer at
the previous day’s Youth Rally. Very sympathetic to my
plight, Joanne gave me a rosary that had been blessed
by the Pope. But there were no signs of tickets or
identification at St. Joseph’s.
Now I made a critical decision. My mother had always
said to me: Bernard, you take such risks! After leaving
my car at Christ the King, I would take the subway to
the Stadium, one stop, and try getting in without ticket
Faith at
Yankee Stadium
BY GAVIN REILLY, O.F.M. CAP.
APRIL 20, 2008
12
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
or identification. My argument would be: it’s the fault
of the organizers, not mine!
It was a mob-scene at the Stadium, huge numbers of
faithful and inflammatory protesters besides. Following
police directions, I got to the gate where the priests
had entered, hundreds pushing to get in. I got in the
middle of the crowd. A Hispanic woman, checking tickets,
saw my collar and said: Que vaya, Padre, without any
inspection. But two American-types at the table beside the
metal detector, after
checking my camera
as if it were a bomb,
were more alert.
Where’s your ticket,
Father, one asked.
I have no ticket, I
replied. You have no
ticket! he exclaimed.
He yelled something uncomplimentary back to the
Hispanic lady and pulled me off the line to a security
officer in his black suit and microphone headpiece.
I can’t let you in, Father, you have to have a ticket was his
opening comment. I began to show him my documents –
American and Irish passports, Archdiocesan faculties,
and driver’s license. The license with my photo with
my collar on seemed to be sufficient for him. But no
ticket. You can’t go in. But I’m scheduled to concelebrate
with the Pope, I persisted. Well, let me try upstairs. But
the priest in charge upstairs told him: No exceptions.
He can’t come in. Reluctantly, the officer said: I’m
sorry, Father, you have to have a ticket.
papal altar in the background. Far in the background,
the Pope appears in his golden miter. At that moment,
my camera card had become full – but providentially
not before those remarkable pictures.
Since I was the only Capuchin concelebrating with the
priests, I offered the Mass for our Capuchin Province
about to open its Provincial Chapter that evening.
Another Capuchin concelebrated with the hierarchy,
Sean Cardinal O’Malley of Boston, whose hand I shook
later as he left the Stadium. He was unobtrusively
following the Pope when I caught his attention. No
Capuchin distributed Communion but some of our
Capuchin postulants had a spot among the faithful.
With the bright sun beating down, I had put on my
brown beanie, which one of the postulants could not
fail to notice!
But God’s providential hand kept stretching forth. At the
end of the Mass, I went down to the railing overlooking
the lower seats and the field. The Pope exited along
the railing as my fellow priests reached out to touch
his fingers. I was blessed to be able to give Pope
Benedict XVI a full handshake. As Faith enables us to
get past the human, I consider this encounter with the
Vicar of Christ a remarkable turn of events.
At that moment, the miracle occurred. A man, about forty,
who had been listening to the conversation with his 11
year-old son, approached the officer with a ticket in his
hand, a family member couldn’t come. I was going to
give this to you should someone need it. The officer
calmly took the ticket, and just as calmly handed it to
me with the words: You have your ticket, Father. Go!
Technically, the tickets were not transferable. But I’m
sure the officer heard in his heart the words of the
Apostle: We should obey God rather than man. And I
was now in the Stadium looking for the concelebrants
of the Mass whom I found with the help of another official
not concerned with my ticket in the Stadium Club.
There I shared my Fig Newton lunch with a Mercy
Father from Louisville, there to celebrate the foundation
of his diocese. Together, we processed to the altar to
concelebrate with the Pope.
Still marveling over my presence in the Stadium, I took
three camera shots of Benedict XVI as he entered the
Stadium in his pope-mobile. They are a remarkable
testimony to the Faith of the assembly. I asked another
priest across the aisle to take my picture with the
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
13
LATE SUMMER & AUTUMN 2008
CAPUCHIN
JOURNEYS
Our Lady of La Salette Shrine & Newport, New England
Aug 2, 3, 4, 2008
PILGRIMAGES
HIGHLIGHTS: Shrine Tour, Tour of Breakers Mansion, Nordic Lodge Lobster Buffet
Inspired by the tears of Mary that she shed at La Salette in 1846, this beautiful shrine
integrates the values of ecumenism, concern for peace and justice.
Cost per person double occupancy – $659.00
St Anne & St Joseph Shrines – Quebec & Montreal
September 4, 5, 6, 7, 2008
Celebrate the 350th anniversary of St Anne’s Shrine and visit Montreal and Quebec Cities
HIGHLIGHTS: Lake George Excursion, Notre-Dame Basilicas (Montréal & Quebec) Basilica of
St Joseph. Tours of the old cities of Montréal & Quebec.
Cost per person double occupancy – $599.00
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 – $579.00
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 – $2,625.00
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 – $525.00
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.”
Carmine Marotta is the Director of our pilgrimage
program. For more information on any of these
pilgrimages, please call/e-mail Carmine at
(212) 564-0759 ext. 268, [email protected].
Check his blog at http://capuchinjourney.blog.com.
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 – $1,175.00
Pilgrim’s Scrapbook
My Spiritual Journey
My First Pilgrimage
I was asked to write about my experience on my trip to a pilgrimage
in Montreal, Canada from a wonderful Capuchin who lead us in
the group. He spoke to me and said that I seemed to have gotten
something special from this trip and to please share your story.
I have only been on three pilgrimages, this being my third, and in
each of them I have seen and felt the graces and miracles of God.
St. Joseph’s Pilgrimage
weekend was such a
powerful experience for
me. At long last I was
a pilgrim and not a
tourist. I have traveled
all over the world and
have visited many
religious sites and
have been moved and
inspired, but not the
way I was touched by
being a pilgrim.
I must begin my story by saying it was truly God’s will that I went on
this pilgrimage. When I first heard about the trip I wanted to go with
great desire, however my schedule did not permit me to go. Days
St. Joseph’s Oratory
Altar of the Chapel of the Sacred
Heart, Notre Dame Basilica
As a pilgrim I was given
the grace of a community of others, whose
diverse backgrounds,
ages and life experiences brought me to
a fuller understanding
of God’s wonderful
creative nature.
Montreal, Canada is a wonderful city, very cosmopolitan and
European and like New York City my home, a person can get lost
within the crowd, not once did I ever feel like that, and I can only
attribute that to the pilgrimage group.
before the trip, I learned a young woman died suddenly of a heart
attack, a friend of mine’s illness progressively had gotten worse, my
sister’s daughter had a severe case of the flu and was rushed to the
hospital. I prayed deeply to God and asked Him if I should go to
Montreal to pray for all the people who needed help. I knew the bus
was full but I was willing to follow the group in my car. I asked God,
if it was His will for me to go to give me a sign and wake me in the
morning. I was awakened at 5:50 am with His answer, birds... beautiful
song birds calling to me. I placed a call to my other sister, who was
also going and helped organized the trip, and told her that I’d meet
her in NYC and I was going on the trip! My sister called me back
within ten minutes astounded to tell me that she had just received a
call from someone who couldn’t make the trip and that I could take
her seat. I knew this was God’s gift.
God is wonderful. The pilgrimage was truly spiritual, from the amazing
people I came to know and love, to the deep spiritual experiences
I received as I visited each magnificent church for the first time.
Hundreds of people all
Notre Dame coming together to
pray, to cry, to laugh
and all for the same
purpose to be closer to
God and receive His gift
of love. It was a journey
of deep prayer and
knowledge that God
wants us to live and
love fully as He loves
us. A pilgrimage is the
joy you receive being
with others, sharing
experiences, listening
freely with our hearts,
praying fully with our
love and living to enrich
ourselves and the people
we touch which is an
everlasting gift.
— Jackie
I was awed by the majesty of St. Joseph’s Oratory, and how a simple
lay brother, Blessed Andre built this shrine on top of a mountain
without any institutional funds but from the pennies left for St. Joseph,
that alone should have made him a saint.
I was inspired by a city where where the old world charm meets the
new world.
Dinner time with the group took on the feeling of a holiday, the food
was great but it was all of us eating together, rehashing the days
sights, sounds, feelings and new discoverers the only thing missing
was opening up gifts from Santa under a Christmas tree.
As I reflect back after my very first pilgrimage I have come to the
following thought; being a tourist is cool, but being a pilgrim is
cooler…now I understand why the Church calls us, “A pilgrim people.”
The church in her infinite wisdom is telling us to be pilgrims for
each other and ourselves …it’s the only way to travel.
— CJ
A happy group of pilgrims at St. Joseph’s
Confronting the
challenges of Boston’s
inner city
16
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
There are four notorious gangs of Vietnamese youth in the Boston area.
The gangs are an outgrowth of a cultural divide between the children and
their hard working immigrant parents.
While the younger generation maintains a strong sense of pride in their
ethnicity, they are growing up in households where their parents are
living and clinging to the mores of the ‘old country’ and have little
understanding of the challenges of assimilation that their children
face every day. In addition, serious and significant language barriers
make communication with those outside of their limited social realms
very difficult for parents who want to but don’t know how to help
their children.
Capuchin ministry to the youth
in Boston is not confined to the
young Vietnamese. For many years
Br. Tino Arias worked with Cape
Verdean teens. He was able to
bring several
parishes in
Dorchester
The vicious attack against the young Vietnamese children
was recorded and posted on the internet.
and Roxbury
As a result of this disconnect, many Vietnamese youth of Boston have
turned toward membership in or associations with gangs where they find
a commonality and understanding in the difficulties and frustrations
faced by other members. Often the gangs are in conflict with each other,
however, there are many situations where they come together to form a
dangerous and violent coalition.
coordinate
to pool and
Br. Tino Arias,
OFM Cap
their efforts
and sponsor
a monthly Mass at which youth
pledged to reject gangs and drugs.
He was able to encourage more
Last summer the gangs got together and beat up two young children in
a church yard. The children were severely hurt and the assault was video
taped and put on the internet. Although many of the assailants have been
identified, no arrests have been made.
Needless to say, the incident is considered
deeply disturbing and one that cries out for a
response throughout the Boston community.
than 200 youths from some of
Capuchin friars have had a presence
in the Boston area since the late 1800’s.
However it wasn’t until the 1920s, that a group
of British Capuchins formerly established
a mission base in Milton MA. Most recently,
the Capuchins focus is to serve the poor
and immigrants in the Boston area and Fr Brendan Buckley, OFM Cap.
work with community leaders to promote will serve as the pastor of
empowerment and advance social justice. Our Lady of Lourdes
encourage greater self-esteem and
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
the toughest neighborhoods to
gravitate towards a teen center he
established where they form healthy
and safe friendships. The activities
at the teen center are meant to
expectations. Br. Tino believes civic
organizations should focus more
intently on helping the youth avoid
gangs, drugs and violence in the
first place rather than allowing
the problems they bring to emerge
and then trying to deal with them.
17
Confronting the challenges of Boston’s inner city
alleviate some of their loneliness and provide easy and
welcoming friendships.
The language barrier among the Vietnamese population
is perhaps the most difficult deterrent to effective
communication. Parents can’t speak English and depend
upon their children to interpret their conversations.
Naturally this creates a void that allows for nonchalant
and sometimes deliberately erroneous translations
resulting in mistrust and fear. The Boston City Council
now provides qualified translators to assist the
marginalized with completing social service applications
and voting ballots. In addition, two social workers for
the Boston Police Dept are dedicated towards assisting
Vietnamese adults with accurate language translations
and communication.
Our Lady of Lourdes in Jamaica Plain, MA
Br Andrew Nowak, OFM Cap resides at the San Lorenzo
Friary while he studies at Boston College. He has
focused his social work in Boston on helping the
Vietnamese youth find a comfortable and secure place
within their communities that will discourage their
participation in violent gangs. He has been instrumental
in working with the marginalized youngsters, their parents
and civic associations to identify the roots of their problems
and find practical solutions that will protect the children
and foster more healthy family relationships.
In March, Boston Catholic Charities, along with several
other civic and religious organizations sponsored a
meeting for the Vietnamese parents struggling with
their children. Br. Andrew led the opening prayer. The
meeting was held in the Vietnamese American
Community Center in Dorchester and lunch and
childcare were provided for the attendees. The
purpose of the meeting was to initiate a dialogue
between community and religious leaders that
would be ongoing and provide a foundation for
understanding and actions that would protect the
youth from the increasing violence of the Dorchester
street gangs.
In the spirit of St. Francis, the friars in Boston make it
an important part of their ministry to be a part of an
all-inclusive ecumenical community. As members of the
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), they join
with clergy of all religious persuasions to meet and
greet each other and set an example for the community.
Strong bonds of friendship and trust have been formed
and continue to emerge that help these leaders of
different congregations serve the communities they
love and to which they commit themselves.
Br. Andrew describes how the Capuchins and other
religious churches and fellowships are often successful
in attracting grammar school age Vietnamese children
and protecting them from the damaging influence of
neighborhood gangs. However, they agree that they
‘lose’ so many of the children once they enter high
school and become part of a large peer population
where they are a minority and where gang associations
18
The former rectory is in the process of being
converted to a Capuchin Friary.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
GBIO crosses neighborhood, city,
racial, religious, and class lines to
find common ground and act on
their faith and democratic values.
MISSION
The Greater Boston Interfaith
Organization (GBIO) is a broadbased organization which works to
coalesce, train, and organize the
communities of greater Boston
across all religious, racial, ethnic,
class and neighborhood lines for
the public good.
Br Andrew Nowak was asked by Council member-at-large
Sam Yoon to update the Boston City Council on our efforts in
regards to violence against our youth and to give the Invocation
before the start of their regular council meeting. He provided the
City Council members with a brief history of the Capuchins,
our life and charisms. He then offered a blessing. Pictured with
Br Andrew is Council member Sam Yoon and Council President
Maureen Feeney.
Later this year, the Capuchins of the Province of St. Mary will assume
the pastoral care of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Jamaica Plain with
Brendan Buckley, OFM Cap. as its pastor. In the most recent past, the
parish and the parish school have been under the pastoral care of the
Archdiocese of Boston. The transition of leadership to a religious order
anchored in fraternity and spirituality will bring a notable change in the
way the parish functions and serves the people of Jamaica Plain and
surrounding areas.
Currently, the rectory of Our Lady of Lourdes is being converted to a
Friary. The rectory had been a residence for a small number of Diocesan
clergy. A Friary, however, is a residence for a larger number of members
of a religious community. The physical accommodations of the Friary
will reflect the unique lifestyle of the Capuchins. Furnishings are simple
and individual bedrooms are small and plain. Concentration is on
common rooms for dining, recreation and contemplation. There will
be a chapel within the Friary. Our Lady of Lourdes Friary will house
the pastoral staff of the parish as well as friars completing their
formation for ministry.
Our Province is excited about this new parish ministry and the opportunity
to strengthen and extend their outreach.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
Their primary goal is to develop
local leadership and organized
power to fight for social justice.
GBIO strives to hold both public
and private power holders
accountable for their public
responsibilities, as well as to
initiate actions and programs of
their own to solve community
and economic problems.
Br. Ross Chamberland, OFM Cap,
Br. Sal Cordaro, OFM Cap, Fr. Jack
Rathschmidt, OFM Cap and Kristen
Garcia, an organizer for the Greater
Boston Interfaith Organization,
work together for affordable health
care for all in Massachusetts,
especially the poor.
19
“Go rebuild
my Church which
is fallen to ruin”
Capuchin Spirituality
Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries (CYFM)
recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Br. Lake Herman, OFM Cap. is heavily involved in
CYFM in the Hudson Valley, and reflects upon how his
ministry is uniquely Capuchin Franciscan. He describes
how CYFM demonstrates how the most important
Capuchin Charisms, fraternity and spirituality, extend
themselves beyond the friary and provide living witness
to those the Capuchins serve.
Early in his ministry, Br. Lake recounts, St. Francis was
praying in the church of San Damiano. He was asking
The Lord for guidance and direction and heard The
Lord asking him to, “go, rebuild my Church which has
fallen into ruin.”
Eager to please The Lord, St. Francis began begging
for stones that he used to repair the dilapidated
church of San Damiano. The people of the town
became curious about his venture and gathered to
watch him. In just a short time, rather than merely
observe, many wanted to help St. Francis with his project. His helpers were men and women, young and old,
rich and poor, educated and illiterate, lay and cleric.
As St. Francis welcomed and delighted in his new
followers, he began to realize that the true and precious
gift of The Lord in asking him to rebuild the Church was
the kinship that formed among those who gathered to
help him. The group that had formed for the noble
20
task of repairing a place to pray, experienced the
Kingdom of God in their midst as respect and love for
each other grew.
Br. Lake tells how St. Francis realized the actual
mission The Lord had entrusted to him. Repair the
spiritual church and work with His people who craved
spiritual peace that is the outgrowth of being part of a
welcoming community built around the love of God.
As so many different people joined St. Francis to
rebuild the church of San Damiano, Capuchin
fraternity and spirituality spread from the friary and
touched upon the people they served.
Like the earlier followers of St. Francis, CYFM gathers men
and women, young and old, rich and poor, professionals
and volunteers and sometimes even those of diverse
religious affiliations, who are drawn to others who share
a deep desire to experience the Kingdom of God now.
They are joined by their common quest for spiritual peace
and healing within a congregation dedicated to spreading
God’s love by carrying out the vision of St. Francis.
Confirmation and high school retreats, sponsored by
CYFM, bring a Catholic education to life where young
adults are able to shed any daily façade they hide behind
and recognize the Spirit and Love of God within them.
CFYM staff and participants share their enlightenments
with those who pray with them and are inspired by the
profound peace that comes from praying with others.
Outreach programs unite teens and adults in projects
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
that tap into and blend individual talents to enhance the group’s
ability to best service those in need.
“CYFM engages the senses of teens and invites their participation,”
Br. Lake says. “We do it through personal witness talks, dynamic
presentations, relevant small group discussions and activities,
dramatic skits, lively music, and creative prayer services. It is not
simply talk about Jesus, but an experience of Jesus present among
us. We also understand that taught does not equal learned, learned
does not equal practiced and practiced does not equal internalized.”
Each program provides participants with opportunities to learn,
practice and internalize the spiritual truths of God. They are
encouraged to respond to the power of God’s word and given
the chance to exercise their leadership through various group
activities and outreach projects. By creating sacred space, CYFM
helps youth and families step out of their busy daily routines
and spend some time examining their lives and developing their
relationships with God.
Day-by-Day Agape (DDA) are four day retreats for teens and
adults from New York City, Long Island, Connecticut and the
Hudson Valley. Participants study the mysteries central to the
Catholic faith and, Br. Lake relates how they, “...grow in their
understanding of what it means to be part of our Christian tradition
while they experience God’s unconditional love.” The adults of
the CYFM serve as mentors and spiritual directors and pray
alongside the teenagers who give the majority of the witness
talks and lead the prayer services.
Br. Lake recognizes CYFM as a means of rebuilding the Church by
using the Capuchin charisms of fraternity and spirituality to set the
foundation and build Christ-centered communities that nurture
and inspire young Catholic leaders. CYFM, he understands, takes the
charismatic spirit of St. Francis and entrusts it with its members.
Just as the Capuchin charisms seep through the friary doors
and inspire the community through CYFM, Br. Lake sees
those they serve
in the community
integrating their
experiences of
Christ’s love into
their daily lives. It
is how St. Francis
saw his message
carried out. “St.
Francis,” Br. Lake
The senior class of St. Raymond’s
declares, “would
High School for Boys in the Bronx on
be proud.”
an overnight outing for the first time.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
Fr Fred Nickle, OFM, Cap
leading girls in prayer.
Jesus asked his early
disciples, “What are
you looking for?”
(John 1:38)
The same question is posed to us and
burns deeply in our hearts.
The Capuchin friars have answered
the question with one word: Jesus.
The friars have experienced Jesus in
their midst by living in fraternity among
the people they serve. They bring their
experience of fraternity and service into
their prayer for deeper reflection on
how the Spirit of God is working today,
and their prayer radiates out into their
fraternity and ministry. This cyclical
nature of prayer and ministry refreshes
the friars and brings new courage and
peace to the People of God.
What are you looking for?
CYFM poses this question to young
people all the time. We offer God’s love
and our full attention as an alternative
to what commercial society offers. We
appeal to their deep thirst for God and
we journey with all who come through
our doors looking for answers, meaning
and purpose.
21
Canonical Recognition of St. Pio
By Br. Mark Schenk, O.F.M. Cap.
Definitor General (Province of Mid-America)
As a member of the General Definitory, I had the privilege of attending the
canonical recognition ceremony for the remains of St. Pio of Pietrelcina.
The ceremony took place on Sunday, March 2nd, in the crypt of Santa Maria delle
Grazie, around the tomb of St. Pio. A small group of people – friars, ecclesiastical
dignitaries, relatives of St. Pio and the two people who were miraculously cured through
his intercession – were on hand to witness the ceremony. Everything was carried out in
an atmosphere of utmost dignity and solemnity.
The actual recognition process began a few days previously, when five eyewitnesses of Pio’s burial were
called to examine the tomb for any signs of tampering.
All agreed that the tomb was in essentially the same
condition as on the day of the burial. After that, the
blocks of green and red marble (altogether weighing
over 3000 lbs. or 1500 kg.) and the white sand that
covered the tomb were removed, leaving only four
concrete slabs covering it.
The second phase of the ceremony, which began at
10:00 p.m. with the reading of documents authorizing
the exhumation and the Recognition Process: a
Rescript from the Congregation for the Causes of the
Saints, the Decree of His Excellency Domenico Umberto
D’Ambrosio, Archbishop of Manfredonia-Vieste-San
Giovanni Rotondo, and the Authorization of the civil
authorities. This was followed by a reading of the
transcript from the first phase of the recognition process.
It seems that, even after death, you still have to follow
the rules!
celebration of the Office of Readings, taken from the
Common of Pastors. The second reading of the Office
was from the letter of Pio, written at the request of
his superiors, in which he described the beginnings
of his stigmata. After the Liturgy of the Hours, the
Archbishop gave a brief reflection on the meaning of
the evening’s events, calling it an act of “affectionate,
gentle, respectful devotion.” The underlying reason
for the exhumation, explained the Archbishop, was
the “responsibility of guaranteeing, by means of
appropriate procedures, the lasting preservation of
our saint’s body in order to allow future generations
to venerate and safeguard his relics.”
Next, the Notary read the official account by the city
officials of San Giovanni Rotondo regarding the burial
of Pio of Pietrelcina on September 26, 1968. Then the
concrete slabs covering the tomb were removed, and
the casket was lifted out. Before opening the casket, the
Archbishop along with the Promoter of Justice and the
Notary inspected the seals that had been applied to
the tomb when it was closed almost forty years ago,
making sure that they had not been broken. Satisfied
With the formalities out of the way, Archbishop
Domenico Umberto D’Ambrosio led the assembly in a
22
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
that the seals were intact, they were removed with a
small hammer and chisel, and the outer cover of the
casket was removed. Next, the inner cover, made of zinc,
was cut away, exposing a glass plate covering the body
of the saint. There was a buzz of anticipation as the zinc
cover was removed, and the assembly strained to get a
glimpse inside the casket. This was followed by palpable
disappointment since condensation on the glass covering made it impossible to see inside the casket.
At this point, the casket was moved to a specially
equipped room where a team of specialists will spend
the next forty days working to preserve the mortal
remains of St. Pio. Inside the room, a four member
tribunal and a team of doctors inspected the body after
the glass covering was removed. The Archbishop later
informed the assembly that the upper portion of St. Pio’s
body was partially skeletonized, but that the lower
portion was relatively well preserved. Excessive humidity
inside the casket, possibly caused by the fresh plaster
on the walls of the tomb, had unfortunately contributed
to the decomposition of his remains. The ceremony
concluded with an address by the General Minister,
Fr. Mauro Jöhri, OFM Cap., and a reading of the
transcript of the evening’s events. Around April 24, the
body of St. Pio will be exhibited for public devotion
for a few months.
Many of you are probably questioning the need for such
an elaborate ceremony, and maybe even question the
reasons for the exhumation itself. Those questions
certainly occurred to me. I think, however, that the
historical experience of the Church with regard to its
saints can provide at least a partial explanation.
Centuries ago, it was not uncommon for cities to fight
over the bodies of saintly people. St. Francis of Assisi,
for instance, was buried in a secret location for fear that
his body would be stolen by the people of Perugia.
While most of the remains of St. Catherine of Siena are
buried in her hometown, her head somehow found its
way to Rome. The list of such “separations” is quite long.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
It would have been natural for the Vatican to develop
procedures for handling the relics of saints in order to
prevent disagreements over them or desecrations of their
graves. The Church has also struggled with determining
the authenticity of certain saints. Not long ago, for
instance, researchers determined that St. Christopher,
whose statue once adorned the dashboard of every
Catholic-owned car in America, was only a pious legend.
Today, it is hard to imagine how the transformation from
legend to real person could have happened. Then again,
try looking through your parents’ photographs and see
how many of the people in them you can name! Now
imagine someone looking at those photographs 200
years from now. In its 2000-year history – wracked with
wars, earthquakes, fires, plagues, etc. – it is understandable that accurate records for all the Church’s saints
are hard to find. Perhaps to prevent future generations
from having similar doubts about the authenticity of
today’s saints, the Church has developed a “recognition”
process. Because the tomb and the remains of St. Pio
were inspected by people who were present at the time
of his death, and a signed document attesting to the
inspection now resides in the Vatican’s files, future
generations will have the assurance that the relics are
authentic. Thus our brother Pio can continue to inspire
people for many years to come with the example of
his faithfulness and devotion.
23
“I have always felt
privileged to be the drop
of oil that helps that
complicated mechanism
function smoothly.”
As Secretary Treasurer,
Fr. Jerome McHugh, OFM
Cap, has served the
Capuchin community heroically in so many ways that
are blatantly clear and many
more ways that are subtly profound. He has been able to
fashion the secular requisites of a money manager into
ways of living the Capuchin charisms as he shares the
spirit of St. Francis with those he encounters.
FRIARS IN FOCUS:
Father
Jerome McHugh
While 10 years, 25 years, and 50 years are anniversaries
ordinarily celebrated as pivotal junctures in life, Fr. Jerome
recently celebrated his 45th year in the Secretary Treasurer’s
office. He explains that 45 is a multiple of nine and auditors
all know that if an error is a multiple of nine, the error is
a result of data entered backwards. Auditors back-up into
an explanation for their numbers. So too, Fr. Jerome backs
up into an explanation of the particular direction his
Capuchin vocation took many years ago.
In retrospect, Fr. Jerome understands his calling as, not
that he was in the right place at the right time, but that
there was a need in his order and The Holy Spirit ‘pushed’
him into the niche that became his special place.
1952 senior graduating
class at Glenclyffe
Seraphicate, later known
as St. Mary's Seminary,
in Garrison, NY. Fr Jerome
is seated third from the
right (sitting to the left of
the rector, Fr. Edward
McBride). >
This was a provincial assembly
held at St. Anthony Friary in
Hudson, NH. Seated is Fr. Adrian
Holzmeister, provincial minister.
Fr Jerome was a member of the
assembly in his capacity as
provincial secretary-treasurer. <
Five classmates in front of Mary
Immaculate Friary, Garrison, NY.
Pictured are Mark Frazier, Jerome
McHugh, Salvatore Patricola, Joseph
McCarthy, and Anthony Harris. >
24
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
legal parameters within which the organization must
function. Fr. Jerome’s responsibilities require he navigate
through the bureaucracy of many government and social
systems that are inherently complicated and confusing.
However, his keen understanding of the logic and
practicality of their requirements and objectives
enables him to patiently and effectively deal with them.
Fr Jerome’s ordination to the priesthood at Sacred Heart
Church, Yonkers, NY. Ordaining bishop was Most Rev.
James Griffiths, auxiliary bishop of New York, pictured
here along with Barry McMahon, Mark Frazier, Dominic
Silvestro, Jerome McHugh, and Joseph McCarthy.
As a young Capuchin, Fr. Jerome thought he may
teach. However, shortly after he completed his seminary
studies, he was called upon to become an assistant to
the treasurer. Since he had no background in business
mathematics, he enrolled in Accounting 101 to prepare
him for his new venture. Though he was scolded by his 101
professor for missing several of the first few classes, he
finished the 2nd best student in the class and completed
what would be the extent of his training for the calculators
and adding machines and spread sheets and excel
programs that lay ahead. All future learning of the job
would be on the job training as a pioneer in unchartered
Capuchin territory.
Authorization of expenditures within the Province takes
place on the local level. “I have no authority to spend
so much as a dime,” Fr. Jerome states, “I just write the
checks.” However, in the course of ‘just writing the
checks’ he has found a way to minister to his brothers
in the truest spirit of Capuchin fraternity.
Fr. Jerome harbors a deep and genuine love for his
Capuchin brothers. His unadulterated compassion and
concern for them, along with his wise and intuitive
insights, have made him a kind and loving friend to all.
His formidable yet gentle strength outfits him with an
intangible ability to help his brothers in the community
address and overcome many problems and anxieties
they could not face alone. He is able to calmly and
competently analyze their difficulties and devise prompt
and practical ways to address and solve them.
However, the indelible mark of Fr. Jerome’s unconditional
love remains with the Capuchins he serves forever. Long
after problems have been resolved and challenging
issues put to rest, the commitment, and benevolence that
encased the process casts a tender and magnanimous
veil over situations yet to come.
In the early 1980’s high-tech revolutionized business and
ergo, bookkeeping and accounting. However, the power
of computers was stifled for a while by the dearth of
workable computer programs. Fr. Jerome began writing
his own computer programs for his PC. He jokes now
how, at that point in his career he had full job security,
for, no one was able or anxious to take his place.
Over the years, many of the responsibilities that
became tucked under the umbrella of the Treasurer
were new venues as the missions of the Capuchins
expanded, laws regarding fund-raising and gifting were
implemented or altered and accounting procedures
revised and amended. Fr. Jerome’s poised temperament
has enabled him to take on the challenges of a
complicated and dynamic environment and competently
and professionally follow the flow.
The simple, charitable and serving nature of the Capuchins,
as an organization, does not insulate them from the
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
Fr Jerome’s former office at St. Conrad Friary in
White Plains, NY. Today he serves in the new wing.
25
Friars in Focus: Fr. Jerome McHugh
Fr. Jerome has not given in to today’s world of e-mails and text messages and facebooks and blogs. He refuses
to resign to the postage saving, and acronym friendly way of communicating today. He understands that no matter
how quick and easy and widespread electronic correspondence is, it can’t begin to comfort and inspire the way the
personal touch of a written note can and he will never let the day come when a check arrives without a friendly note.
to leaders when they themselves need an encouraging
boost. He doesn’t write a check without a note.
Celebrating three milestone birthdays in 1995 are
Fr. Michael Banks, provincial minister, who turned 60;
Fr. Jerome McHugh, secretary-treasurer who turned 70;
and Br Joseph Yakimovich, assistant secretary-treasurer,
who turned 50.
Capuchins love their lives. They love God who they tirelessly serve and they love St. Francis for showing them
how. They love coddling and empowering and ministering
to those they encounter as they walk the path St. Francis
paved. But, Capuchins face many of the same natural life
perplexities as those who have chosen other walks of
life. Fr. Jerome understands this. He understands that
often his brothers in Christ feel helpless and sad and
alone. He understands they are sometimes confused and
yearn to embrace the comfort and tranquility of family and
familiar surroundings. He understands that those stationed
far away miss the fraternity and collective spirituality of
a friary where many Capuchins reside. He understands
that selfless commitments can be exhausting and how
the inspiration of The Holy Spirit is the only explanation
for the rejuvenation of strength needed to go on.
Fr. Jerome has been endowed with the unique ability
to understand and minister to the strong when they
feel weak, to the optimistic when they are confused and
Many friars ministering to the poor in isolated and primitive places tear open correspondence from Fr. Jerome
and read his note over and over before they record his
check. They relish the link he provides that keep them in
touch with the world they loved but left to make a difference
in a very different world in a very different place. They savor
the simple yet poignant banter of his notes. Somehow
Fr. Jerome is able to recognize the nerves in his brothers
that need to be poked at any given time. Because of
his intense concern for his Capuchin brothers, he is
able to sense when his personal notes need to elicit a
smile or a memory. Somehow he knows when to instruct
and when to inspire, when to counsel and when to
comfort, when to listen and when to lecture.
The back patio at St. Conrad Friary in White Plains. Seated
are Fr. Andrew Drew, Fr. Jerome McHugh, Fr. Gavin Reilly.
Every Sunday Fr. Jerome says Mass at a local parish.
His parochial ministry is as precious to him as his work
in the Treasurers’ Office, for it positions him among the
people in community prayer. His weekends take him
out of the office and into the flock and he feeds off of
their faith and devotion. His weekends put faces and
families on the numbers he crunches.
Fr. Jerome, in his humility, thinks of himself as “a drop
of oil that helps a complicated mechanism function
smoothly.” But, Fr. Jerome is glue and a magnet and a
bridge. He reinforces the bonds of brotherhood within
the Capuchin community when he reaches out to a
troubled friar who feels lost and alone. He attracts
young friars, drawn to his benevolent counsel, and he
fortifies the link to home for friars ministering far away.
Fr Jerome being feted as secretary-treasurer for 45 years
at the evening meal on April 21. Looking on (in habits) are
Br. Timothy Jones, Fr. Jerome McHugh, Fr. Michael Banks,
and Br Jerome’s brother, Fr. John McHugh.
26
Though Fr. Jerome has admiring accolades and antidotes
and adjectives attached to any mention of his name, he
defines himself in two simple ways: “I am a Capuchin.
I am a priest.”
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
CELEBRATING THE ETERNAL LIFE OF . . .
Oliver J. O’Connor, O.F.M. Cap.
June 10, 1916 - April 21, 2008
Oliver O’Connor, the son of the
late William F. and Helen V.
Curley-O’Connor and brother of
Dr. William F. O’Connor was born
Joseph in Yonkers, NY on
June 10, 1916. He attended Sacred
Heart Elementary School in
Yonkers from 1922 to 1930 and
Mary Immaculate Seraphicate,
Garrison, NY from 1930-34.
Oliver entered the Capuchins on 26 August 1934;
pronounced first vows at St. Felix Friary, Huntington,
IN on August 27, 1935. From 1935-39 he studied
Philosophy at Mary Immaculate Friary in Garrison,
where he pronounced perpetual vows on August 27,
1938. From 1939 to 1943, he studied Theology at
St. Anthony Friary, Marathon, WI. He was ordained to
the priesthood on June 24, 1942 by the late Bishop
William R. Griffin at St. Mary’s Church, Marathon, WI
– Diocese of La Crosse.
From 1943-46 Fr. Oliver served as associate pastor at
St. Joseph Parish, Appleton, WI. From 1947 to 1956
he was assigned to St. John the Baptist Friary, NYC
as Vocation Director and preaching ministry. He
served as a member of the preaching apostolate
from 1956-61 while assigned to St. Joseph Friary,
Fultonville, NY.
From 1961 to 1964 Fr. Oliver returned to St. John
the Baptist Church on West 31st Street in New York
City where he ministered as pastor and guardian.
In 1964 he was appointed guardian of St. Joseph
Friary, Fultonville, NY where he resumed his ministry
of preaching, also serving as guardian until 1967.
Fr. Oliver continued as a member of the preaching
apostolate of the Province and in 1973 transferred to
St. Fidelis Friary, Interlaken, NY Diocese of Rochester,
NY where he remained until joining the senior friar
community of St. Clare in 2002. In August of 2004
Fr. Oliver celebrated 70 years of religious life and in
June of 2007 he celebrated 65 years in the priesthood.
The wake was held at St. Clare Friary on Sunday,
April 27, 2008.
The funeral was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church,
Yonkers on Monday, April 28 at 11:00 a.m. Father
Jerome McHugh offered the homily.
Interment followed at the Friars cemetery.
We offer our prayers for the repose of the souls of the
following family and friends of the Province of St. Mary.
[As of 01 January 2008]
Geraldine Clermont
Thomas Michelin
Sister of John Clermont, OFM Cap.
Nephew of Robert Abbatiello, OFM Cap.
and grandson of Ruth and Brandy Abbatiello,
Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries
Francis Connolly
Father of Michael Connolly, OFM Cap.
Kathleen Daly, Province Affiliate
Sister of Sr. Anna Daly, Province Archivist
Joan Carroll Greco
Angela Phelps
Sister of Robert Phelps, OFM Cap.
Mary Windhorst
Sister of James McIntyre, OFM Cap.
Mother of Michael Greco, OFM Cap.
The Capuchin Journey • Summer 2008
27
Capuchin Franciscans
of the Province of St. Mary
210 West 31st Street
New York, NY 10001-2876
NON-PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
MAILED FROM
ZIP CODE 61764
PERMIT No. 454
Capuchin Youth & Family
Ministries Events:
July 12-20
Capuchin Appalachian Mission
July 24
Cap Corps Volunteer Send Off
at CYFM Ceremony
August 22-24
GIFT Youth Leadership Training
August 29-31
Refresh & Renew Retreat
September 13
Using Storytelling
to Share Biblical Stories
Contact Tom Brinkmann,
Executive Director, CYFM
(845) 424-3609 for information
Capuchin Food Pantries
Events:
August 2
Family Barbeque
Affinia Hotel – Manhattan
August 13
6th Annual Women of Valor Tea
Waldorf Astoria
November 6
Doodle for Hunger
Contact Joe Sano,
Managing Director
Capuchin Food Pantries
(212) 279-6171
Other Dates:
August 10
Assume Pastoral Duties of
Our Lady of Lourdes
October 6
Alumni Reunion