The Port Introduces a YouTube Channel!
At The Port, our Evangelization Ministry in Pittsburgh, PA, we've noted a principle of mission offered by Bishop Barron: "Lead with Beauty."
As part of this, we're piloting a YouTube channel.
Earlier this year we had the opportunity to sit down with a few musician friends who have helped us out with Port events, recording in our new Port studio, located in our former friary kitchen!
The goal of this project is to support the local Arts Community and engage the culture with positive, faith-influenced contributions. Our hope is to expand the channel beyond music to various Arts and Franciscan content.
We've completed three initial recordings, the first of which from a local Catholic couple who form a folk harp-guitar duo, the Stapletons. Thanks to our brother Pablo Lopez, OFM Cap., who ran the videography and edited the videos.
Please consider subscribing and stay tuned for some new musical entries coming soon!
Our Brothers Make their Vows of a Lifetime
Our brothers Joseph Pham, OFM Cap. (R) and Stephen Cantwell, OFM Cap., (L) made their "perpetual profession" of the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience as Capuchin Franciscan friars. Having professed their temporary vows three years ago, they have made their lifetime choice of fidelity to the Lord's call to our Franciscan way of life and to the brothers of our International Religious Order of Capuchin Lesser Brothers (Capuchin Friars Minor).
The Profession Mass took place on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at our motherhouse church of St. Augustine Church in Pittsburgh, PA.
While it is active, feel free to witness the Mass and Profession below -- and keep our brother Joseph and Steve in your prayers.
Benjamin Madden, OFM Cap., 1933-2023
Our brother Benjamin Madden, OFM Cap., made his transitus to the Lord's eternal life on Friday, July 14, 2023 , at our motherhouse, St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh, PA. Ben had been in declining health this past year and found it more and more difficult to maneuver life on his own. Still, given Ben's tenacity, and his desire never to be a bother to anyone, it's unsurprising that his passing was solitary; he didn't bother anyone.
He was born Francis Madden March 10, 1933. His parents, Louis and Clara (Helmstetter) Madden lived in Cumberland, MD, and they were parishioners of SS. Peter & Paul Church where the Capuchins had a large fraternity of young and older friars who were familiar faces as Francis was growing up.
Five Brothers Make Their First Vows as Capuchins
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, our five novices
will make their first profession of vows as Capuchins
at St. Augustine Church, Pittsburgh, PA
in the company of their brother friars, families and friends.
L-R: Philip Paulsen, Sam Roberts, Joseph Liu, Kevin Campos, Tim Rubeling
You can join us below on the livestream.
The Mass of Profession begins at 9:30 a.m.
Cap Corps Alumna Makes Good
When Cap Corps became active in the Province, there was a Cap Corps site in Charleston, WV. While our brother Rich Zelik ministered as Guardian and Pastor at St. Anthony’s there, one of the three volunteers was Bernadette McMasters. She’s now Bernadette McMasters Kime, a wife and a mother of 2 little girls, who works in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston as Director of Worship and Sacraments, Director of the Diocesan Music Commission and Executive Secretary to the Building and Renovation Commission. In addition to those duties, she serves on the Diocese’s Executive Staff.
In recent years, Bernadette consulted Rich for advice in contacting clergy in the area and in the Greensburg Diocese (where Rich ministers for Mass assistance). With his help, Bernadette successfully completed her doctoral work in Instructional Management and Leadership at Robert Morris University (RMU) in Moon Township, west of Pittsburgh, with the acceptance of her completed thesis, Roman Catholic Priests: The Need for Leadership and Management Training.
Robert L. McCreary, OFM Cap., 1933-2023
Our brother Robert L. McCreary, OFM Cap., died at St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He was 89. Born on November 23, 1933 to Thomas and Cecelia (Wehrle) McCreary, he was baptized in his home parish of St. John the Baptist in Monaca, PA. Robert attended public schools until entering St. Vincent Prep High School in Latrobe, PA. He transferred to St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, PA, in 1951.
Robert entered the Capuchin Order in 1953, was given the name Conan, and professed vows on July 14, 1954. He made his perpetual profession in 1957 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1959. He returned to his baptismal name when permitted to do so in 1968, and friars always called him Bob.
Bob earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America in 1961. He pursued theological studies in Christology and Spiritual Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome and was awarded a Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1963.
Br. Tage: Commissioned for Mission
In January, 2023, the friars of our Province gathered for our Christmas Holiday celebration on Thursday, January 5th. Before the festivities began, we gathered in the St. Margaret of Cortona Chapel of our motherhouse in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA, and were blessed to witness and participate in the Mission Commissioning of our brother Tage Danielson.
At our Provincial Chapter in May, 2023, the friars re-affirmed to our important outreach that takes our friars to Puerto Rico and to Papua New Guinea, building up our brotherhood's presence there and helping the friars of these Custodies in their work among the people.
Fingerprints: Making a Far-From-Retired Difference
When there are fingerprints on something, it usually means there was someone involved in creating, changing or developing that thing. That's true, too, with our brother, priest-friar Richard Zelik, OFM Cap. Though a self-described “senior friar” now and “almost semi-retired,” he continues to leave his fingerprints on several different ministries that make for an interesting and challenging week.
On weekday mornings, he celebrates Mass for the School Sisters of Saint Francis at Mount Assisi. Over the past few months, fr. Rich shared the commitment of that daily celebration of Mass with confrere Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., who was also a welcome guest presider for the Sisters. Jonathan recently passed to the Lord, and he is genuinely missed by the Sisters. They expressed their gratitude for the Capuchin Franciscan presence and often take time to chat with us after Mass.
Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., 1944-2023
View the video of our Prayer Vigil & Funeral Mass for our brother
Our brother Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., died from complications related to Parkinsons Disease at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, on Thursday, January 12, 2023. He was 78.
Born to Glen and Bertha (Micek) Williams on March 18, 1944 in Atwood. KS, he was given the name Patrick at his baptism at Sacred Heart Church and attended Sacred Heart Grade School in Atwood before entering St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, KS, administrated and staffed by our Capuchin friars. In 1962, he entered St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, PA.
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