Addressing the Virus of Injustice
Our brother Rich Zelik, OFM Cap., led a Prayer Service for Racial Justice on Friday, July 24, 2020. When the Parish of Our Lady of Mt Carmel discussed having a Parish Prayer Service on Racial Justice, Franciscan Sr. Patricia Mahoney, OSF, Associate Director for Pastoral and Social Outreach for the parish suggested that our brother Rich be asked to lead it and offer the homily for the event.
Fr. Rich has a number of family members (immediate and extended) belonging to the Parish in Pittsburgh PA's North Hills consisting of a cluster of churches brought together through the impetus of the Diocese of Pittsburgh with a desire to better serve the local communities. Fr. Rich also has family members who have grown to know racial j
ustice and have “walked the talk” – so to speak – both in the area and in various parts of the USA. Many of them asked if it could be videoed and made available for their viewing, and the Parish obliged.
As our confere reiterates in his presentation: “Institutional racism is just as present as the Covid virus. We don't see the virus, but it's being addressed as an illness. Institutional racism is not always seen, but it's just as present and needs to be addressed as a social illness.”
15 Men Get into the Capuchin Habit
Soon after the celebration of the Profession of vows of our men in Pittsburgh (see the article) on Saturday, July 18th, marking the end of their "novitiate year," a new novitiate year began in Santa Ynez, CA, where the men of the North American & Pacific Conference gathered for their "Investiture:" the day they receive the habit of our brotherhood and begin their 12 months of prayer, work and discernment in comminuty.
Ryan Schmeltzer, Jack Lampton, Connor Bannon, Daniel Sullivan and Josean Castro-Arroyo were there from our Province of St. Augustine.
"I vow to live the Gospel"
Our brothers Stephen Cantwell and Anthony Rivera (along side our Provincial Minister, Tom Betz, OFM Cap.) have now, officially, added "OFM Cap." to their names. On Saturday, July 18th, the two men professed their vows to "follow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" in the footprints of St. Francis of Assisi. They spent the past year as "novices:" they received the habit and spent time in work, discernment, formation and prayer. Br. Steve and Br. Tony will now move on to our friary in Washington, DC, to join the other brothers in initial formation. Their "post-novitiate" is a time of more focused study while living in fraternity to prepare for ministry in the Church.
Two Friars Profess our Capuchin Life in Puerto Riclo
Our Custody of St. John the Baptist in Puerto Rico celebrated the temporary profession of vows of our brothers Christian Vázquez and Ian Cedric Vidaillet. For the first time in many years, the day of their Profession celebration coincided with our own celebration Stateside. The celebration took place
Instruments of Peace in the Midst . . .
Our country is in turmoil. In Minneapolis a police officer strangled George Floyd, an African American man, to death. The video is chilling. The killer police officer has been arrested and charged with murder.
The first Africans were brought to what is now the United States in 1619. Of course, they did not come seeking opportunity as did the many immigrants who came from Europe and Asia. They came as slaves. They were used and abused, tortured and dehumanized. Even after the slaves were freed, prejudice against black people did not stop. Our nation has a perverse history when it comes to our black citizens.
Racism is blasphemy against God who created all men and women in his image. To deny anyone equality is an offense against the image of God which is in each person. God’s image is not less imprinted on black human beings. Before God, all are equal.
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