The Brothers Gather for Assembly 2024
From May 28-31, the friars of our Capuchin Province of St. Augustine met for our triennial Assembly. Every three years, we friars are required to meet in “Chapter” to discuss our fidelity to the life of our Capuchin Franciscan Constitutions and to deal with issues that arise in our attempts to be faithful to the Rule and Life of our Order. 
A Chapter is also required by our Constitutions to elect our ministers in leadership for the ensuing three years.
Held a year before our Chapter, an “assembly” is our opportunity to plan for our next Chapter. It also provides us an opportunity to be together and enjoy our brotherhood.
At this year’s Assembly, we had the opportunity to hear from various speakers to animate our discussions. They included Bishop Kevin Woost, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland (above right), who spoke to us about the soon-to-be released revision of guidelines from the American Bishops for Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery outside Mass that was issued on January 25.
We also had the pleasure to hear from our brother, Tommy Piolata, OFM Cap. (left), on St. Francis of Assisi’s rich spirituality of the Eucharistic Mystery as well as his reflections from St. Bonaventure’s theology of the mystical Body of Christ. His recently published article, which he authored with Conventual confrere Wayne Hellman, OFM Conv., is available in America magazine.
Finally, we had the privilege to welcome and hear from Bishop Edward Malesic, Ordinary of the Cleveland Diocese (right), who led us as celebrant for an Evening Prayer and offered his welcome to the assembled brothers.
You can view all the photos of our time together here.
The photos, taken by our brothers Pablo Lopez, OFM Cap., and Matthew Hindelang, OFM Cap., are also available on our Flickr gallery.
Interview: Our life & work in Philly's Padre Pio Center
Our brother Alex Hostoffer, OFM Cap., and postulant Joseph West of our Padre Pio Prayer Center in Philadelphia, PA, were honored to be interviewed by Andrew Yacoby & Gus for their video series From Kensington, With Love which highlights the work of various ministries within the Kensington neighborhood. As the video highlights, women and men have fallen victim to the opiod crisis there, a plague which remains "one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time."
Andrew writes: "The Capuchin Franciscans have been serving the poor and addicted in Kensington: hear their experience showing human dignity to the least of Christ's body." We thank him and Gus for their time with us, and we ask you to join us in our prayer and work for the women and men who need a helping hand, our warmth and graciousness, and our encouragement and light in the midst of the darkness that sometimes surrounds them.
Show Gus & Andrew some love as well as they engage in Catholic media content! Thanks, guys!
Br. Alex Shares Thoughts on the Franciscan & Dominican Intellectual Tradition
Our Br. Alex Hostoffer, OFM Cap., Director and Guardian of our Padre Pio Center in Philadelphia, PA, was asked to share his thoughts in a discussion of The Franciscan v Dominican Intellectual Tradition, the Universal Banality of Sin, and the Hope of Renewal through Love. In this episode of The Culture of Life podcast, our brother sheds light on two of the main Catholic intellectual traditions-the Dominican and the Franciscan heritage of thought. His thoughts face humanity's long struggle with sin and how the world is "perishing due to a lack of love."
St. Frances Academy in Baltimore Spotlights Br. Connor
Our brother Connor Bannon, OFM Cap. has been working at Baltimore's St. Frances Academy this school year, and the school put the "Spotlight" on Connor and his work with the faculty and students. And they let us know a little about Connor and his work and "fun facts" that included Kanye West and a horse named Hercules (tell us more, Connor!) . . . .
- Brother Connor teaches our Freshmen Religion classes. He asks that we pray for his wisdom, knowledge, patience and perseverance.
- Brother Connor's mission at St. Frances Academy is to help scholars to encounter Jesus through prayerful study.
- Fun Facts about Brother Connor: He enjoys eating spicy food, jamming out to Kanye West, reading, watching Oklahoma football and working out at home.
- Also, a horse named Hercules once fell on him.
- Favorite Bible Verse: For the wages of sins isdeath, but the gift of God is eternal life In Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
'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 Realbuto, 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.
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