'Nature of Fire' Burns in Butler County PA
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.
A Fond Farewell to our brother Reginald
Our Province has said its "farewell" to our brother Reginald Tlae, OFM Cap., who returned to his Capuchin Province of Tanzania in these weeks. Reginald said his goodbyes to the fraternity of St. Francis in Harrisburg, PA, where he has served for the past few years. He's pictured, to the left, with our Capuchin confreres Joe Morton, Carlos Reyes and Mike Rubus.
On his February 6th Facebook post, Reginald wrote:
"Time came, I arrived here. Time came again, I am leaving now. Time will come, I will come back again. Bye bye, my dear brothers, and all the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi. Welcome to Tanzania!"
He also chronicled his journey home via Istanbul and his joyous arrival back in his motherland - fortunately, with his luggage intact.
We salute him for his generous presence and service among us - and can never thank him enough for saying "yes" to the adventure of brotherhood.
Another Centenary to Celebrate: The Stigmata of Francis of Assisi
In January of this year, at La Verna in the Tuscan province of Italy, the opening celebration of the eighth centenary of the Stigmata of St. Francis (1224-2024) was held, similar to the events of last year for the crib at Greccio.
All the General Ministers were there (Massimo Fusarelli, OFM; Roberto Genuin, OFM Cap.; Carlos Trovarelli, OFM Conv.; Amando Trujillo Cano, TOR) along with Secular Franciscan Minister, Tibor Kauser, OFS, and Frances Marie Duncan, OSF, President of the International Franciscan Conference of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular -- along with numerous friars, Sisters and laity of the Franciscan Family.
The gift of the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ on the body of St. Francis, are one of two "bookmarks" of our Franciscan Spirit . . .
Ryan Realbuto, 2000-2024
On Thursday evening, January 18th, 2024, three members of our Washington, DC, house of Cap Corps Volunteers were violently attacked coming home from a prayer vigil on the eve of the annual March for Life in the city. One member, Ryan Realbulto, was fatally shot. The other two volunteers were able to rejoin the fourth volunteer safely at their home in North East DC. Our Capuchin brother, Stephen Cantwell, OFM Cap., was at the hospital with the family when Ryan died.
Cap Corps is our year long Catholic volunteer program for young adults to live in intentional community while serving those in need. Cap Corps is centered around four pillars: Community + Service + Simplicity + Prayer. It was founded 30 years ago and has over 250 alumni who served in multiple cities in the USA as well as in Puerto Rico and Papua New Guinea. The volunteers are supported by our Capuchin Franciscan Province of the St. Augustine centered in Pittsburgh, PA.
Our Padre Pio Prayer Center Reaches Out
We are excited to announce that we are beginning a new ministry to provide housing for pregnant and parenting women in need in the northeast Philadelphia area.
Br. Kip Shares Spirit & Life in Papua New Guinea
Our brother Kip Ledger, OFM Cap., Novice Director for our national Capuchin Novitiate Program, returned from our Custody of Papua New Guinea in December in time for Christmas and the Holidays. He was asked to give some workshops on Franciscan Spirituality to the friars there in November. He reports that he "had a wonderful time with the friars. They were extremely fraternal and hospitable! It was also nice to catch up with our USA brothers serving in Papua New Guinea: our brothers Al Carver, Thomas Choi, Tage Danielsen and Roshan Anthonypillai." Roshan wasn't able to attend the assembly, but Kip was able to catch up with him in Port Moresby when Roshan was on his way through for a visit home.
Kip led the friars in reflections on our Franciscan Spirit & Life, especially through the eyes of St. Bonaventure, one of our early Doctors of the Church, whose work The Soul's Journey Into God leads us to reflect on the various ways we come to experience God's life and in conversion of our hearts and minds to the way of the Lord Jesus.
150 Years of Capuchin Presence
We’re celebrating!
150 years ago, three Capuchin friars from Bavaria made their way to the United States on a mission . . .
. . . to implant the Capuchin Order in America in service to the thousands of German immigrants there. At the advice of fellow Capuchins who had established a home in Michigan and Wisconsin, they found themselves in Pittsburgh, PA, and their faith, courage and conviction were the roots of our Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Augustine.
On Saturday, November 18, 2023, friars, friends and families gathered to celebrate the fruit of their foundations. Our brother Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap., was the presider for the Mass, as many of the bishops for whom we work in Dioceses spanning our Provincial geography joined us for our prayers of gratitude.1,230 men have professed vows as Capuchins in the Province. While some chose to take other paths in their lifetime, most of them have lived their lives as our brothers, working throughout the regions to which they were called. They are not mere numbers, in any way, shape or form.
Michael Greb, OFM Cap., 1958-2023
Livestreaming of the wake service and Funeral liturgy appear below
Our Capuchin confrere Mike Greb, OFM Cap., 65, passed to the Lord's eternal life on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.
One of seven children, our brother Michael Greb was born to parents Ralph and Dorothy (Koeper) Greb on August 8, 1958, in Pittsburgh, PA. He was proud of his parish Church in Castle Shannon, St. Anne Parish, and of its pastor Charles Owen Rice, a writer and American Labor activist. Mike was even highlighted in historian Sam Sciullo Jr.’s book, Castle Shannon, in the Images of America series. In the caption of the photo, Mr. Sciullo wrote:
As a teenager in Castle Shannon, Michael Greb loved baseball. But when he realized he probably was not going to replace Roberto Clemente as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ next great right fielder, his career path took him in a much different direction. The 1976 graduate of Keystone Oaks High School, who also attended St. Anne School, became Father Greb when he was ordained in 1989 by Bishop Donald Wuerl. Father Greb recalled his roots when asked to consider his influences during a 2012 interview. “I do realize that so many of the values of faith and family, care for people and good citizenship were born in Castle Shannon,” he said.“ I have always been proud of my hometown and the people. Our parish of St. Anne’s will always he where I came to love my Catholic faith and where I discovered my pathway of service and religious life."
Gervase Degenhardt, OFM Cap., 1931-2023
Our brother Gervase Degenhardt, OFM Cap., passed to the Lord’s eternal life at our Provincial motherhouse, St. Augustine Friary, in Pittsburgh, PA, on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He was 91. He had been suffering weakness in the past few months and growing increasingly frustrated that the Lord was delaying the moment when he could be freed from the weakness of Brother Body.
Francis Degenhardt was the fourth of eight children born to Martin and Pauline (Leiker) Degenhardt in Antonino, KS, on December 28, 1931. As a child, he recalled flowers growing around his home and his parents tending a vegetable garden. His interest in horticulture began! Walking to St. Joseph Grade School in nearby Hays, KS, he noticed flowers and shrubs thriving in yards along the way.
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