Nature of Fire is a ministry in Pittsburgh, PA, that recently started working with Sts. Francis and Clare Parish in Butler County. Founded and animated by Tony Ferguson, a former postulant with our Province (2013-2014), the program offers evangelization events to youth, young adults and parish-wide programs. The kick-off in Butler County took place at Cabot's St. Joseph Church. Fr. Matt McClain, pastor, was the celebrant for the Mass. Both he and Tony gave a talk during a Holy Hour followed by a communal dinner in the church hall. Over 300 people attended.
Our confrere Ross Henley, OFM Cap.,who is the co-director of The Port ministry housed at our motherhouse compound in Pittsburgh, PA, teams up with Nature of Fire several times a year for various events, namely quarterly diocesan-wide young adult events, co-hosted with a couple other ministries of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Ross said: "I'm very excited for them to be working with a Capuchin parish—it was great to be able to support it!"
Inspired by Christ's mission, and his desire that “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Luke 12:49), Tony Ferguson and his wife are quite the spark for Nature of Fire. You can read their story on their webpage.
Brother Ross is pictued to the left of our brother Ward Stakem,OFM Cap., Senior Assistant of the parish,
as they man the food line for the celebratory supper.
Brother Ward is also seen in the second photo trying to convince one of the parish children that the food is edible!