Introducing the Portiuncula - A Port for Young Adults
A Venture in Ministry
The Portiuncula (Por-zi-OON-coo-la) in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA is a Capuchin Franciscan evangelization ministry. Early in his conversion, St. Francis of Assisi was given a small chapel that he had rebuilt and called the "little portion," or Portiuncula. This became home for the first followers of St. Francis.
Our "little portion" is a storefront located on Butler Street. It will be a Franciscan home in our community. We hope to be a point of connection to draw people together across a variety of interests: prayer and spirituality, art and beauty, intellectual formation, athletics and outdoor activity.
I would invite all creatures to help me to love my God . . .
Here's a look at a life that was heroic in its simplicity and goodness.
Johann Evangelist, the eleventh of twelve children to Bartholomeus Bimdorfer and Gertrud Nieder-Mayerinn of Kindlbach, was born in Venushof on 22 December 1818. He attended elementary school at Weng. At the age of sixteen he was orphaned. Together with his work in the fields he focused on deepening his spiritual life within the context of popular Bavarian Catholic devotion. He loved to participate in the missions, processions, pilgrimages and was enrolled in many groups, confraternities and pious associations. He never missed Mass. He knew all the churches and sanctuaries in the surrounding area. He used to go a long way to Mass.Very little however is known about his life when he was a secular and nearly nothing about his childhood. As his earliest biographer, Wolfgang Beyer, wrote, “ He never spoke about himself.” He was remembered as “ the little angel of Venus.” He had heaven in his eyes. His friends avoided shady conversations in his company. “Quiet now. Here comes Johann.”
Artists' Night at the Pittsburgh Capuchin Ministry Center
On Thursday, March 11th, Our Capuchin brothers Ross Henley, OFM Cap., and Matt Hindelang OFM Cap., directors of our new Pittsburgh Ministry Center in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, PA, hosted a sketch night for local artists. One of the ministries they've been working with involves an outreach to local artists. Offering them a meeting place and a "gallery" allows them an opportunity to use their talents, to share their experiences and to have an experience of enjoying one another's work: finding the joy of their art allows them to find beauty as a way to God and to share the goodness of God's beauty.
"We started a group called the Assisi Arts Community," writes Matt. "There was a desire in the group for an opportunity to sketch a friar, and Br. Jim Mungovan, OFM Cap., of the local community was willing to be a part of it. The event was open to the public and about a dozen artists participated."
Their amazing work can tell you there are some real talents in this crew. Maybe someday Br. Jim will turn up in the Louvre or the Smithsonian?
Back to Baltimore: A Free Flea Market & More
On Saturday, March 27th our brother Paul Zaborowski, OFM Cap., pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Baltimore, MD, joined with his parishioners to sponsor a triple event: A Free Flea Market, an opportunity for those in need to obtain free produce and a Street Evangelization event to distribute information about the parish and information on mask wearing and vaccinations in their Park Heights neighborhood.
Fr. Paul wrote: "This is why I love my ministry at St. Ambrose. The people here have a tremendous love for Jesus and want to tell others and show it. Today’s Free Flea Market, Produce give away and Street Ministry was a complete success. God is good! All the Time!"
Robert E. McCreary, OFM Cap., 1937-2021
Our brother Robert E. McCreary, 84, was called to the Lord’s eternal life on Wednesday morning, March 24, 2021, at Canterbury Place Nursing Home where he was cared for in his last month. His cousin and our confrere Robert L. McCreary, OFM Cap., and his sister, Charlotte, kept company with him during the days prior to his death, supporting him with prayer and the sacraments of the Church.
The first of four children born to Judge Robert McCreary and his wife Ellen (Cain), young Robert grew up in Monaca, PA. He was born on January 2, 1937, and was baptized at St. John the Baptist Church there, attending its public elementary school. After one year at Monaca High School, he chose to enroll at St. Fidelis High School and College Seminary in Herman, PA, in 1951, the same year that his cousin Robert L. McCreary enrolled in the College program there.
Br. Gamalier Ordained in Puerto Rico
We celebrate with our Custody of St. John the Baptist in Puerto Rico at the ordination of our brother, Gamalier Martinez Meléndez, OFM Cap., in San Juan on Monday, March 8. The celebration took place in the church of San Antonio in Rio Piedras, PR. He was ordained by our Capuchin confrere Cardinal Sean O'Malley, and in the group photo above are our Capuchin brothers José Fernando Irizarry (councilor), Tom Betz (our Provincial Minister), Cardinal Sean, Gamalier, Ramón Negrón (PR Minister) and José Antonio Cruz (councilor).
Blessings for a grace-filled and fruitful ministry, Gamalier!
The Art of the Stations in Cleveland
From Cleveland's St. Peter Church, our brother Phil Bernier, OFM Cap., pastor of the parish, sent us the parish's unique take on changing the environment for the season: "St Peter’s original stations, painted on copper in Belgium in 1860, were restored in 2000 and framed to create a triptych which is brought into church during Lent. A crew of new and long term parishioners helped artist Norbert Koehn complete the short but challenging journey. We added a Sunday Evening Mass beginning on the First Sunday in Lent for members of the Newman Ministry at Cleveland State University and to welcome members of the growing downtown residential community."
Br. Bernard Finerty: His Song Lives On
John Srsen, a pastoral musician in Cleveland, OH, has posted his arrangement of the hymn Virgin of Love authored by our Capuchin brother Bernard Finerty, OFM Cap., on YouTube. Bernard, who passed away in 2016, would be happy to know that his melodies live on . . .
Papua New Guinea friars Celebrate Bishop Bill
On Monday, January 25th, our brother bishop Don Lippert, OFM Cap., shared photos from the Memorial Mass held in Mendi for our Capuchin brother Bill Fey: "Today at Mother of the Divine Shepherd Cathedral in Mendi, the Capuchin-Franciscans celebrated a Memorial Mass for Bishop Bill Fey, OFM Cap. - Bishop Emeritus of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea. Bp. Bill served for decades as a missionary in PNG and passed away on 19 January of COVID in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Fr Modest Eligi, OFM Cap - superior of the Capuchins in PNG - was the presider, and Fr Peter Meis, OFM Cap., delivered the touching homily (Bishop Bill worked tirelessly for the cause of Christian Unity). He will be greatly missed by all. “May the angels lead [him] into Paradise.”
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